The year is 1918. The final days of an empire, the difficult conditions of the armistice years. In a small shop in Tahtakale, the beating heart of commerce in Eminönü, Istanbul, a brand is born. The polish workshop founded by the late Nuri Leflef under his own name became the most faithful companion of Türkiye's effort to look stylish and well-groomed from that day to this. Here is the story of Nuri Leflef, stretching from small workshops to factories, polishing shoes while also polishing history.
Some brands transcend the name of the product itself. Nuri Leflef, the first name that comes to mind when shoe polish is mentioned in Türkiye, is a brand as old as the Republic, even slightly older. For over 100 years, this brand, a habit passed down from generation to generation, continues to exist as the most accessible symbol of being well-groomed.
The Shine That Began in Tahtakale in 1918
The story begins in 1918, the year World War I ended. Founder Nuri Leflef started manufacturing shoe polish and cream with entirely domestic formulas in a shop he opened in the Tahtakale district of Eminönü. In a market dominated by imported products or suffering from shortages at the time, the polishes produced by Nuri Leflef quickly became the preference of Istanbul's gentlemen and ladies thanks to their quality.
The brand's greatest characteristic is its loyalty to its roots. The historic shop in Tahtakale, where the company started production in 1918, is still standing today. Defying modern commerce, this place, which has witnessed the brand's history, continues to host its customers as a nostalgic sales office and keep that old Istanbul atmosphere alive.
1980: The Transition from Workshop to Factory
The company, which produced for years in the narrow streets of Eminönü, transformed with Türkiye's industrialisation move. The year 1980 was a turning point for Nuri Leflef. It moved its production under the umbrella of Şafak Kimya to modern facilities in the Yenibosna, Çobançeşme Industrial Zone.
This new factory, with a covered area of 4,000 square metres, was the declaration that the brand was not just a tradesman's craft but an industrial product. Modern liquid polishes, sponges, and care products were added alongside the traditional paste polishes in tin cans.
Reaching New Generations with Penguen
Nuri Leflef dominates the market not only with its own name but also with the sub-brands it has created. The brands "Penguen" and "Leflef" in particular take their place on the shelves as the company's registered values. With its products offering practical use alongside classic polishes, the brand adapts to changing consumer habits.
Half of Production is Exported
This century-old giant shines the shoes not only of Türkiye but also of the world today. Having completed its institutionalisation and reached a wide product range, Nuri Leflef continues to earn foreign currency for the national economy by exporting 50% of its production.
That first mixture prepared in Tahtakale in 1918 continues on its path with 100% domestic capital under the management of 3rd and 4th generation family members. Nuri Leflef is determined to keep Türkiye taking clean and bright steps today, just as it has for a century.
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