Turkish Employers'​ Association of Metal Industries (MESS) represents the Turkish metal sector and was established in 1959 in İstanbul as the first employers'​ union of the industry. Shaping the way for industrial relations and the business life, MESS aims to ensure sustained peace and harmony at the workplace for the benefit of its members and their employees, contribute to the growth of the national economy and industrial output, and provide services based on mutual confidence and dialogue. Consisting of members who are leading names in serving the main and supply industries in automotive, iron and steel casting, white goods and other metal industries, MESS also undertakes collective bargaining and contracts for its 209 members and 185 thousand direct employees. MESS member companies account for 27% of Turkish exports, 24% of overall manufacturing turnover and 12% of employment in metals industry thus tremendously contribute to Turkey's competitive strength.