Organized by the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers’ Association (TGSD) for the 16th time this year, the Istanbul Apparel Conference brought together the world’s leading brands, buying offices, local manufacturers and industry representatives in Istanbul for two days. On the first day of the event organized with the theme Transformative Journey, a total of 31 speakers from Türkiye and abroad addressed current issues on the agenda of the sector such as the effects of artificial intelligence, innovation design and circular economy in 14 sessions. The second day was dedicated to ‘B2B Bilateral Business Meetings’. Approximately 1500 meetings were held with the participation of over 50 buying groups and 110 manufacturers from all over Türkiye. TGSD President Ramazan Kaya, International Apparel Federation President & TGSD Conference Committee Leader Cem Altan, ITHIB Chairman Ahmet Öksüz and TIM & İHKİB President Mustafa Gültepe opened the event, which we followed on-site as Textilegence.
The presentations on the first day addressed sustainability, recycling, digitalization, the impact of artificial intelligence on design and production, the transformation of the supply chain and transformation technologies, as well as issues related to improving trade conditions and audits for garment manufacturers. At the conference, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Republic at the same time, new targets for the garment industry in the second century of the Republic were discussed.
Ramazan Kaya: “The way we do business will change”
Speaking at the opening of the conference, TGSD President Ramazan Kaya underlined that nothing will be the same in the new era with the impact of the pandemic, wars, climate change, and the habits of new generations and said; “We are aware that it is inevitable for the Turkish apparel industry to ‘continue by transforming’. We also know that this transformation will be long and challenging. Our companies, habits and ways of doing business will transform because we have no other chance for success. Therefore, we are extremely ready and determined to start this journey.”
Stating that the most important factor that will bring success in the transformation process is the flexible structure of the sector, Kaya continued his words as follows: “In the past, we used to focus only on production when it came to flexibility, whereas today we need to achieve a flexible structure in all areas from our management processes to our organizational framework, from our human resources to our supply network. Furthermore, if we foresee a decrease in the number of units in our production and exports, we will turn to higher value-added products. We will make the next investments in our businesses not to increase quantity but to increase value. We will further increase our speed, logistics competencies, market and product diversity.”
Kaya underlined that their expectations from the public are not only financial in the process of change and transformation, saying: “Our expectation for support also covers R&D, design and marketing, especially with the impact of the change in our business models. We also care that this support is not only short-term but also medium and long-term.”
Sanem Dikmen: “We have no intention of giving up this sector”
TGSD President Sanem Dikmen reminded that factories were one of the most important elements for the development of Türkiye and the increase in the welfare level of the society in the early years of the Republic, noting: “Factories, each of which are fortresses as Atatürk said, not only produce but also change the face of the region in which they are established, are pioneering transformation today. Undoubtedly, our manufacturers and our sector are going through difficult times due to the conditions of the world and are struggling to continue. But we can say this with certainty: We have no intention of giving up on this sector.”
Saying: “In addition to our exports, providing net foreign currency inflow, we are able to meet the consumption of our country, with a population as large as 85 million, with domestic production. The fact that we are able to meet one of our most basic needs such as food, shelter, health and education with our domestic production proves the power of the Turkish apparel industry once again,” Dikmen remarked that the Turkish apparel industry will continue to exist as a player that determines and changes the rules of the game in all steps from cotton to the final product. Dikmen also added that garment and textile is considered as a strategic sector in developed countries, especially in the EU and the USA, and that this approach should set an example for Türkiye as well.
Support for Istanbul Apparel Conference from major companies
Sanko Tekstil was the main sponsor of the 16th Istanbul Apparel Conference organized by TGSD in cooperation with İHKİB and İTHİB. Aksa Akrilik, Cotton Council International, Polytropon, Browzwear, Myth.Ai, Astaş Juki, Control Union, Lenzing AG – Tencel™, Avery Dennison, Business Finland, Durak Tekstil, Galata Taşımacılık, Özbilim Makine, Serkon Makine, Yatırım Finansman, YKK, Kornit Digital – MatTex, Knitted Fabric and Power Group also supported the event.