History

Always With the Same Values

Mazlum Confectionery®, is a brand that was born and gained fame thanks to the support of the people of Sakarya. Our story begins in the late 19th century, when Mazlum Efendi, son of Murat and a native of Thessaloniki, arrived from Thessaloniki and opened a shop in the Sakarya Onion Market. In those days, Mazlum Efendi, who produced only one cauldron of halva per day, would sell out by noon to the long line of customers waiting to buy hot halva right in front of his shop.

Customers who couldn’t get any would come back the next day even earlier to join the line. With the birth and upbringing of the second-generation Hüseyin Pekerken, father and son worked together. When Mazlum Efendi passed away in 1938, his son Hüseyin Pekerken continued the halva-making business he had inherited from his father. Over time, Hüseyin Pekerken (the second generation) expanded the Mazlum® brand to include lokum and akide candy. Born in 1965, the third-generation Haluk Pekerken (our current manager) began working alongside his father, Hüseyin Pekerken (second generation), in 1975.

However, Hüseyin’s son, Haluk Pekerken (third generation), began searching for ways to introduce new varieties to Mazlum®’s signature flavors—halva, Turkish delight, and candies. Inspired by this idea, he embarked on a quest that spanned from Istanbul to international markets and continued his efforts to incorporate chocolate into production. When Hüseyin Pekerken, son of Mazlum, passed away in 1989, his son Haluk Pekerken continued the production of halva, Turkish delight, and confectionery that he had inherited from his father, and shortly thereafter succeeded in adding chocolate to the Mazlum® product line.

These unique offerings and products caught the attention of the people of Sakarya and quickly gained fame in neighboring provinces as well. Mazlum® has now become a brand known for its chocolate as well. The halva shop founded by Mr. Mazlum first appeared on signs as “Mazlum Şekerleme” and, in today’s commercial environment, has evolved into the trade name “Mazlum Şekerli Mamüller®.” Thus, this brand—which has been in existence for over 100 years, has become synonymous with Sakarya, and has practically become its symbol—was born. Today, Haluk Pekerken (3rd generation), along with his sons H. Enes Pekerken and T. Sebre Pekerken (4th generation), continues to operate from the very location where Mazlum® was founded.

With the efforts of the 4th generation, Mazlum Confectionery Products® has expanded into exports, supplying products to Middle Eastern countries and sharing its know-how. Continuing its initiatives and investments in tandem with its success, Mazlum Confectionery® currently produces approximately 1,000 products using its own unique formulas, all of which undergo rigorous laboratory testing.

Today, as the fourth generation, we take pride in serving you from the very same location where Mazlum Confectionery Products® was founded. Thanks to you, we are proud to keep the Mazlum® legacy alive with our high-quality and delicious products in various countries around the world and to continue sharing our quality with you.