ISTANBUL, TURKEY—Persan, the largest wholesaler operating in Turkey has significantly expanded its world market according to Mehmet Kish, the export manager for the past two years.

Kish is finding distributors in other countries at a fairly rapid rate. “Argentina may start up soon while Mexico is just two years old for us now.” Persan’s customers make their selection and the cuts then follow. Increasingly, the market is demanding that wholesaler and even mills ship cuts as opposed to pieces. Nobody wants to be stuck with slow moving inventory any more.

In Europe, Persan will open up an office in Como, Italy to service the clients there probably in the second half of 2012, he said.  Persan also has an agent in Moscow.

“It has been a big expansion year for us,” said Kish at the recent Turkish Evteks Fair where many of his new agencies were visiting his stand.