Our History & Founder

Our History & Founder

From experience to strength, from trust to the future.

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Our History & Founder

Hasan Zaza

Founder

Founded in 1998 by Hasan Zaza in Istanbul, GTR is today managed by second-generation leaders İpek Zaza Çetin and Altan Zaza. Hasan Zaza is one of the pioneers of refractory furnace installation, having trained numerous experts in the field and developed many assembly techniques that are still in use today.

To date, GTR has successfully completed more than 80 industrial furnace installations, becoming a trusted partner by delivering tailored solutions to meet all client needs.

OUR FOUNDERS

İPEK ZAZA ÇETİN

After completing her undergraduate studies in Physics Engineering, İpek Zaza Çetin embarked on her professional career, combining her experience in sales, marketing, and business development with a strategic growth vision and a customer value–oriented mindset. After transferring this expertise to various institutions through consultancy work, she took on the role of General Manager in the family business in 2008, leading the company’s strengthening on a global scale. Today, she continues her work as one of the industry’s leading figures, with expertise in strategic management, growth planning, international business development, and sustainability.

ALTAN ZAZA

With more than 20 years of field experience specializing in industrial furnace projects, Altan Zaza is one of the co-founders of Glasstech Refractory and serves as Deputy General Manager, responsible for managing all field operations. He leads projects to be completed on time and in accordance with international quality standards. With his leadership in operational excellence and team management, he is recognized as one of the industry’s most respected experts.

Our History & Founder

"Founded in 1998 in Istanbul by Hasan Zaza, GTR has grown into a trusted partner in industrial furnace projects. As a pioneer in refractory furnace installation, Hasan Zaza contributed to the development of key installation techniques and trained many professionals in the field.Today, the company is led by the second generation, İpek Zaza Çetin and Altan Zaza, continuing this legacy with a strong focus on international growth, technical expertise, and long-term partnerships."

Zazalar İnşaat 1998

Zazalar İnşaat

Founding date

First Soda Furnace 2002

First Soda Furnace

Cold repair of the Şişecam Mersin Soda furnace.

First International Project 2007

First International Project

ŞİŞECAM RUSCAM UFA Glass furnace project

First International Collaboration 2012

First International Collaboration

Technological furnace steel began to be exported worldwide with Brezilya Vidroporto. 

Glasstech Refactory 2014

Glasstech Refactory

Started operating under its name.

ISO Certification 2017

ISO Certification

GTR is the first ISO-certified company among furnace contractors in Turkey.

First Turn-Key Project in Western Europe. 2018

First Turn-Key Project in Western Europe.

The first turnkey furnace project, the Verallia Lagnieu Container Furnace in Western Europe, was successfully completed.

Building a New Strategic Approach 2021

Building a New Strategic Approach

We reshaped our strategic approach with the motto “Everything about furnace.”

Exclusive Partnership with Spie Excelsius and Spie Fios in Türkiye 2022

Exclusive Partnership with Spie Excelsius and Spie Fios in Türkiye

By establishing it, we became the sole authorized and exclusive partner in Türkiye.

Sustainable Management Program 2025

Sustainable Management Program

We have concretized our goals and targets toward globalization and sustainability.

Exclusive Partnership with IRF Europa in Türkiye 2025

Exclusive Partnership with IRF Europa in Türkiye

By establishing it, we became the sole authorized and exclusive partner in Türkiye.