About

The Turkish operation of Zurich-based ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, has played a big part in the company’s international activities in recent years and has seen it involved in a number of legally-complex matters. In 2012, ABB secured and executed a $35m subcontract with Czech-based Vitkovice Power Engineering to supply electrical and automation equipment for the 290MW Yunus Emre thermal power plant being built near Eskisehir in north-western Turkey. The legal work surrounding this matter has been described as ‘incredibly challenging and intricate, requiring a mix of refined coordination and blunt force’, with the legal team praised for its ability to strike the right balance. Serdar Tunçbilek has led its legal team since January 2016 as general counsel and integrity officer. Shortly before his arrival, ABB Türkiye successfully won a tender to establish the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system, as well as telecommunication system for the pipeline construction project, Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP). After a dispute with its labour force, which led to industrial action in June 2016, the legal team responded quickly to negotiate an agreement with workers, ending the industrial after just one day and therefore minimising negative on the business’ operations.