Pema Mantar Mushrooms: Growing Smarter with Caterpillar

For more than 30 years, Pema Mantar has been at the heart of Türkiye’s mushroom industry. Founded by Orhan Pembe, the family-run company has grown from humble beginnings into the country’s largest integrated mushroom production facility, now producing up to 15 tons of white and chestnut mushrooms every single day.

The business began decades ago on land that once housed four small mushroom operations. At the time, the Pembe family used the land mainly for animal-feed crops. When they saw the potential in mushroom farming, they believed it was a more promising and sustainable alternative.

That vision proved true: today, under the leadership of Orhan and his son, Okan, Pema Mantar has risen to a leading position in Türkiye’s food industry.

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Running such a large operation comes with challenges. Mushroom farming requires precision, efficiency, and durable equipment that can withstand a demanding production environment. Ten years ago, when the company needed to modernize, Pema Mantar transitioned away from aging machinery and invested in Caterpillar equipment through Borusan Cat^®.

“In the past, a lot of the work had to be done by hand,” Orhan recalled. “Now, the loaders have made our operations smoother and more efficient. We’ve reduced fuel consumption, avoided downtime, and created better working conditions for our operators.”

Today, the company relies on a fleet of Cat machines including the 924K, 906K, 920, and TH357, working daily to handle tasks like transferring compost and managing farm operations. The durability of the machines has been especially valuable in an environment where corrosion and wear are constant challenges.

But at its core, Pema Mantar’s story is about more than equipment. It’s about building a sustainable business that contributes to Türkiye’s economy and trains future generations. “Being part of industrial production, contributing to the national economy, and participating in every stage of a product’s journey from start to end-user is a great pleasure and honor for us,” Orhan said.

As the company looks ahead, the Pembe family remains committed to growth, innovation, and carrying forward the values that have defined Pema Mantar since day one: care, consistency, and quality.