At Parla, we see ourselves as one big family, each member bringing unique talents and valuable experience. Together, we foster a culture of solidarity, camaraderie, and mutual support under the shared roof of Parla.
With at least half of our employees being blue collar, the rich interdepartmental exchange sharpens our craftsmanship and deepens our collective expertise. In particular, the exchange between our blue-collar and design teams highlights an important process: bringing a design to life while ensuring its functionality, ergonomics, manufacturability and sustainability.
On that note, we’d like to shine light on one of our craftsmen, Ali Yıldırım, who works closely with designers and has built meaningful relationships and memories with them. He has been a valued member of the Parla family for over 14 years. Before officially joining us, Ali ran his own workshop and collaborated with Parla on outsourced projects, an experience that gradually deepened his connection with the company.
Ali is the kind of professional who can do it all: he seamlessly adapts to diverse challenges, offers his insight whenever needed, and brings an extensive skill set to
everything he crafts.
Going back to his first years at Parla, he marks that before any advanced machinery like the CNC became available, he used to do all types of crafts by hand. Ali says, “As new technology developed, our workload decreased. However, we still have times we struggle and become exhausted, but it’s a sweet type of fatigue.”
He tells us that his skills in upholstery and carving were passed on to him from his grandfather: “Originally from Konya, he used to carve stones and build houses in the village. No measurements or anything, just by eyeballing everything.”
Ali grew up playing in his father’s workshop, a space that had been passed down through his father’s father. What began as playful curiosity soon turned into serious responsibility when his father fell ill and the workshop needed an occupant. It’s safe to say that one way or another, Ali found his calling.
Not only his grandfather, other members of his family are artisans and craftsmen. His uncle has also continued the legacy of his grandfather, his niece is a painter, and Ali himself draws in his spare time. He hopes his three sons will take up his hobbies one day, but a life staring at screens often leaves little room for hands-on pursuits like crafts.
When asked about what Ali likes about Parla, he points to his colleagues: “You go through highs and lows together. We achieve everything through love and respect. If you don’t love what you do, you can never be productive.” Whether it is working on the curved backrest of one of our Parla Collection pieces or solving a problem in the design of a Bespoke piece of furniture, the challenges bring him and his team closer. And the results are award winning products. Ali and his team are very proud that their handiwork has won 7 pieces from the Collection over 10 internationally acclaimed awards!
One of his fondest memories is when Ali and a team of craftsmen went to Sochi, Russia, for a project installation. He says, “There was an extreme amount of snow. It was challenging, but at the same time very fun. When you travel for a project, it is a reset for the team, which renews motivation.”
Ali remains a dedicated and hardworking member of our team, taking pride in his craft and bringing joy to the workplace. The relationships he has built at Parla will be prolonged for a lifetime, and his work will always be held in the highest regard. Keep an eye on this corner for more stories on the people at Parla!
