According to the results of the 2023 Survey of Türkiye’s Top 500 Industrial Enterprises prepared by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), the number of companies included in the list from the textile industry decreased from 32 to 26. The 2023 list of Türkiye’s Second Top 500 Industrial Enterprises, which mostly includes SMEs, included 71 companies from the textile products industry. Biska Tekstil, which is in the first place with 2 billion 958 million liras, is followed by Karel Elektronik with 2 billion 949 million liras, while Küçükçalık Tekstil is third with 2 billion 945 million liras. Companies with production sales between 2 billion 958 million liras and 1 billion 294 million liras were able to make in the ranking.
R&D expenditures of ISO Second 500 increased by 41.5 percent to reach 3.9 billion liras
The number of organizations conducting R&D in the ISO Second 500 reached its highest level with 235 in 2021 and then stagnated in the last 2 years. The number of organizations conducting R&D, which decreased to 228 in 2022, became 227 in 2023. Despite this, the R&D expenditures of the ISO Second 500 increased by 41.5 percent to 3.9 billion liras.
Erdal Bahçıvan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) said: “When we look at the appearance of the indicators related to R&D and technology activities, which we follow carefully every year in the ISO 500, in the ISO Second 500, it is clear that although the distribution of added value according to the technology density of the ISO Second 500 in 2023 gives a partial signal of improvement, the point reached is not satisfactory, just like in the ISO 500. We see the fact that R&D expenditures have been skidding in the last three years, especially in relation to sales from production, as worthy of attention in terms of a future where digitalization and green transformation will leave their mark on global competition.”
While evaluating the performance of the ISO Second 500, Bahçıvan emphasised that 2023 is not a comfortable year in terms of internal and external dynamics, and that it should not be forgotten that industrial establishments are facing new challenges and passing an important test while entering a critical process in the country’s economic policies; “Nevertheless, the results reveal that our industrialists selflessly fulfil their responsibilities towards our country even in the most difficult operating conditions. Despite all the difficulties experienced, they continue to contribute to our economic growth, exports and employment with their investments.”