Salih Hadzifejzovic Akgul is the most successful Bosniak businessman in Istanbul. World champion in cycling, owner of one of the largest bicycle factories in the world, owner of one of the most famous brands – “Salcano”!
About 50 years ago, he refused a million BAM – he didn’t want to sell his first bike, idea, brand, name, and honor. Salih’s “Salcano” celebrates its fiftieth anniversary next year. Many people ride “Salcano” bicycles on the Tour de France, and their gears are shifted wirelessly. Unbelievable but true!
He was the first businessman who came to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from Turkey immediately after the war and wanted to start the production of bicycles in “Unis”, the production of the legendary “Pony”.
“I went to ‘Unis’, the factory director says: ‘Who cares about the minister!’ I go to the minister, he says: ‘We’ll see!’ Go to the mayor! The mayor says: ‘Who cares about both the minister and the factory!” And that’s how they made me and shut down the factory,” says Salih in an interview with Senad Hadzifejzovic. Salih is Senad’s uncle.
“Salih, why does Turkey invest more in Serbia than in BiH,” Senad asked.
“Whoever comes to BiH, they treat him the way they treated me,” Salih answered.
“Salih does not want to say this, so I will say it: BiH asked him for money. And if Salih had come, other Turkish investors would have come after him,” Senad said.
“As a child, I also assembled bicycles for you. Now… What is my share in the factory,” Senad asked jokingly.
“I haven’t calculated yet,” Salih answered.
“Your ‘Salcano’ was world champion in cycling! What are your future plans,” Senad asked.
“I will have a thousand workers! In this factory, we produce three thousand bicycles a day, more than a million bicycles a year! We have exactly 252 bicycle models! We have also started the production of engines,” Salih explained.
“You have the best salon in the world, where bicycles and motorbikes are displayed. How much has this cost you so far,” Senad asked.
“I haven’t counted yet, but by now it’s certainly over twenty million dollars,” Salih stated.
“Why do you love women? You hire a lot of them! Why,” Senad asked.
“Half of my workers are women! Women are better workers than men,” Salih pointed out.
“You will start the production of electric cars and airplanes,” Senad said jokingly again.
“I would, if I were a little younger,” Salih concluded.
