Ersan Barlas, the “Dutch uncle” of the industry who was enshrined in everyone’s hearts with his kindness and generosity, passed on into eternal life on March 28, 2021.
When I got into the sector with Asansör Dünyası about ten years ago, Ersan was among the ones whom I met before because he used to write his regular articles in the magazine and was also the editorial board consultant. He was the “Dutch uncle” of the industry who shared his knowledge with everyone without disdain but with his kind style. His departure upset the whole industry and his loved ones.
Ersan Barlas was born in 1939 and graduated from Istanbul Technical University in 1962 as an Electrical Engineer. After working at Ereğli Coal Enterprises for a few years, he started working actively in the elevator industry at Etikol in 1971 and then became a control engineer at Istanbul University in 1973. During this period, he modernized the elevators at Istanbul University. He installed Sheraton Hotel’s elevator in years 1974-75.
Between 1975 and 1981, he worked as production manager at Akay Asansör, one of the leading domestic motor manufacturers of that time. During this period, he contributed to the development of 100% domestic elevator motors through a training collaboration with a German company, Ziehl-Abegg. In 1980, he established Barlas Makine with his brother Erhan Barlas. After working actively in this company until 2000, he founded Barlas Asansör Danışmanlık, and carried out many successful projects till the end of his life.
In Barlas Asansör Danışmanlık, some of the projects he gave consultancy were: Tekfen Tower-İstanbul, Tübitak Gebze UME-İstanbul, Sapphire Tower (Kiler Tower)- İstanbul, Astana Airport – Kazakistan, Metro Merter- İstanbul, İş Bankı (Tower) Head Office -İstanbul and several projects of Tabanlıoğlu Mimarlık.
In addition to working at many companies in the sector, he also took active roles in non-governmental organizations. Ersan, who has been the Chairman of AYSAD (Elevator and Escalator Industrialist Association) for three terms, was also an active member of IAEE (International Association of Elevator Engineers) and EMO (Chamber of Electrical Engineers). He was also on the editorial board of the magazine Asansör Dünyası (now ELEVATOR WORLD Turkey) for many years, lighting the way for the sector with his articles. At the same period, he was also the Turkey reporter of the international ELEVATOR WORLD.
Ersan Barlas, whose funeral was held in Eyüpsultan Cemetery on a sunny spring morning, left a mourning wife and two children behind.
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