Producing all kinds of circular knitting, warp knitted fabrics and round knitted fabrics, Denizli Kaya Tekstil, a leader in the sector, makes a difference on a global scale with a monthly capacity of 15.000 tons. Offering products with high added value to the market, Hamdi Erdoğan, from the Denizli Kaya Tekstil team talked to us about the current operations of the company.
Will you please tell us about your operations, basically about your production capacity and product portfolio for the home textile industry?
Among the leading circular knitting companies of Turkey, Denizli Kaya Tekstil has 130 knitting machines, with an annual fabric production capacity of 15,000 tons with a total of 500 employees. Nayka Tekstil, our first group company, which was established as a requirement to meet customer demands, manufactures products addressing mother/baby category. Akçayaka Örme deals with home textiles and My Star Home takes care of bathrobes and dressing gowns.
How about popular fabrics, patterns, colors and designs that stand out in your new season products?
The products ordered by foreign customers obviously guide us in terms of prospective seasonal trends for fabrics and products. We can see the reflection of an order received from abroad six months ago appear on domestic demand on short notice. I can say that among the products we produce are jacquard fabrics, transfer ribbed fabrics, underwear and outerwear fabrics for men, women and children, fireproof and flame retardant fabrics at the forefront in the new season.
How much of your sales does export cover, mentioning your current export markets and goals there?
Almost all… We export to all European countries, Russia, the U.S., Israel and North African countries. Obviously, our ultimate objective for the period ahead is to increase the number of our clients wherever we actively play a role.
How has the pandemic affected your company? Have you observed any drastic changes in your current markets and export volume?
There were way too many adverse effects of the pandemic that hit business of any kind. Customers cancelled orders, the global market was on the verge of a complete recession, with no need to new products; then-current orders were put on hold, with customers not being able to make their payments; and efficiency and productivity at workplaces reduced pretty badly since people were nervous due to the virus. Obviously, we had to experience a change of tack regarding our planned projects and goals. We focused more on companies that sell via the Internet. The pandemic took so long; therefore, we had to find different solutions to compensate the cancellation of the fairs planned for 2020 and 2021 and travel bans abroad.
You sure have plans for 2021. Are you planning to participate in fairs at home and abroad? If yes, what are your products that you will put on display at those fairs?
Considering the dramatic increase in sales figures on digital platforms during the pandemic, we aim to increase the number of our clients who are active online. In addition, we focus more on producing high value-added, specialty fabrics with our constantly upgraded machinery. Akçakaya Örme participates in the Heimtextil, held in Frankfurt, Germany every year. One may have access to information about which models and colors will be the next season’s trends, since textile companies from all over the world participate to display their recent products.
Being a domestic manufacturer, how do you see your position in the sector, both at home and abroad, detailing your short, medium and long term goals?
Current developments and continuing institutionalization steps in Turkey in a short time really put flesh on the bones of the concept, ‘competition’ among business circles. Producing quality goods and putting them on the market do not seem sufficient enough for achievement. In order to increase our market share, our R&D team has been working on technical textiles. Both at home and abroad, there’s shift to technological products, technical textiles, high-performance and multi-functional smart products. We have been driven both by market demand and technological developments to look into it pretty seriously. To increase our market share, we solely and faithfully aim to serve the entire sector as a reliable supplier in the field of technical textiles.
How would you like to conclude your comments?
Turkey has a considerably high share and reputation in the world of textile sector, which increases every year. The potential there, however, is way higher than already realized. Playing a key role at the success, Denizli stands out, with incentives, official grants, subsidies, national projects and all. To be able to have a corner in the international markets of textile world, it is essential to see where the future of the international market possibly goes.
