Baumax presents ambitious expansion plans

Tool store chain Baumax has revealed it plans to set up 30 new stores in Turkey.The company – which opened its third shop in the Eurasian country in the city of Izmir today (Weds) – explained it could imagine opening around 30 representations in the long run. Baumax, which is based in Klosterneuburg near Vienna, entered Turkey last year.The company is headed by Martin Essl. Baumax operates 153 shops in nine European countries. Sixty-seven of its stores are located in Austria. The DIY equipment specialist achieved a turnover of 1.5 billion Euros in 2010, up by seven per cent compared to 2009. It has nearly 11,000 employees.Around 200 Austrian firms are currently operating in Turkey which is considered as one of the most promising markets of the near future. Economists see enormous potential in the country despite little progress in its European Union (EU) accession negotiations.