Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition opened its doors with thousands of visitors from 82 countries

Great Interest in Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition from industry unions and associations

The opening of the Garment Tech Istanbul Garment, Embroidery Machines, Spare Parts and Sub-Industry Exhibition, organized by Teknik Fuarcilik A.S. and organized in cooperation with the Apparel Automation Machinery Manufacturers Association (KOMID), was held at the Istanbul Fair Center. The opening ceremony was attended by many sectoral associations, unions and chamber presidents, as well as senior executives of local and foreign companies and members of the press.

Necip Güney: The diversity of visitors from 82 countries made us very happy

Making the opening speech of the exhibition, Necip Güney, Chairman of the Board of Teknik Fuarcilik said that they were very happy to see international visitors from 82 countries at the exhibition. Emphasizing that the ready-to-wear and garment sector is one of the locomotive sectors of the Turkish economy, Güney stated that the sector has been affected by global uncertainties and economic fluctuations recently. Güney stated that as Teknik Fuarcilik, they have adopted the mission of supporting manufacturers during this difficult process and said, “Garment Tech Istanbul Fair, which we have brought to life with 1.5 years of intensive work, will be a meeting point that will provide the sector with a breath of fresh air.”

Güney said that 249 companies and representatives, including Turkiye's leading garment machinery manufacturers and several world-renowned brands, will be meeting with global buyers at the exhibition. He added that the exhibition has gained significant international recognition.

Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca: The exhibition will provide significant momentum to our industry

Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca, Board Member of ITO and President of Laleli Industrialists and Businessmen Association (LASIAD), drew attention to the contributions of the exhibition to the sector. Eyyüpkoca said: 'We believe that this exhibition, which marks a turning point in the ready-to-wear and garment technology sector, is a powerful platform that will drive our industry forward. For four days, manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers will come together under the same roof, and important collaborations will be established around R&D and innovative approaches.” Firstly, the exhibition will provide significant momentum to the ready-to-wear and garment sector, both in terms of visitor numbers and the business it will generate. As the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, we always support such organisations and will continue to do so.” Emphasising their full faith in the exhibition, Eyyüpkoca said: “The Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition will pave the way for global collaborations in light of technological developments, and will reinforce Turkiye’s leading position in the sector.”

Dr. Ümit Özüren: A way out of this challenging period is possible with value added production

Dr. Ümit Özüren, President of the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association (TGSD), emphasized the strategic position of the textile and ready-to-wear sector in the Turkish economy. Özüren said that with over 1 million jobs and an export capacity exceeding 30 billion dollars, the sector plays a critical role in both economic and social development.

Özüren said, “We are going through a difficult period,” and explained that this is due to high interest rates, low exchange rates and a contraction in global demand. He added that the solution lies in automation, digitalisation and value-added production. Reminding that the garment and ready-to-wear sector is the third sector with the highest added value after the jewelry and defense industry, with an export value of $17 per kilogram, Özüren underlined their goal of increasing this value to $30.

Özüren said that the ready-to-wear sector is largely based on women's employment and has an important mission in Turkiye's social development, and added, "We are talking about a sector that has a share in the social peace of this country. This accumulation should not be allowed to be lost."

Özüren continued his speech by touching on the importance of developing domestic textile machinery, stated that the technological innovations offered by the exhibition will make a great contribution to the sector and concluded his speech by thanking those who contributed to the organization.

Haluk Akin: We need state support for the sustainability of our industry

Haluk Akin, Chairman of the Apparel Automation and Machinery Manufacturers Association (KOMID), drew attention to the place of the ready-made clothing sector in the Turkish economy and the difficulties it faces. Stating that the sector exported 17.9 billion dollars in 2024, Akin emphasized that exchange rate pressure, high interest rates and increasing costs are putting pressure on producers. “Many companies are closing down, production is shifting abroad,” said Akin, adding that they need public support for the sustainability of the sector.

Stating that they will continue to produce, create employment and add value to the country as KOMID, Haluk Akin added that they hope the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition will give momentum to the entire sector.

Adil Nalbant: Textiles will not sink in Turkiye, because we have no other chance

Textile Machinery and Accessories Manufacturers Association (TEMSAD) President Adil Nalbant emphasized that Turkiye's textile machinery and accessories industry has reached an annual export volume of nearly 1 billion dollars, and stated that the ITM Exhibitions, which started to be organized in 2004, have made a great contribution to this success. Nalbant, emphasizing that textile is one of the most deep-rooted and strategic sectors of Turkiye, said, “Textile will not go bankrupt in this country, because there is no business we know better than textile. We continue on our way with our experience of over a hundred years, our trained human resources and our strong infrastructure. Therefore, there is no need to be discouraged. Textile will continue to exist in this country. We have no other chance.”

Nalbant, who also thanked textile industrialists in his speech, said, “The greatest support for the development of the machinery sector comes from textile manufacturers. Today, textiles and machinery in Europe are at the point of running out, but we still have opportunities. Therefore, we must organize workshops and create our roadmap without wasting time.”

Kaya Asci: We can overcome this period through solidarity

Speaking on behalf of the Garment Machinery Advisory Board, Kaya Asci, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Astas Holding, expressed the pride they feel in having served the Turkish garment and ready-to-wear industry for over 40 years. He emphasised that they provide not only advanced technological machinery, but also continuously develop these technologies with industry-specific solutions. Despite challenges such as rising costs and global competition, Asci believes the sector will overcome this period thanks to its strong infrastructure and experienced workforce. He added: 'We can overcome this period through solidarity. As local manufacturers and importers, we must all shoulder the responsibility.”

Asci expressed his hope that the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition, organised in cooperation with KOMID and Teknik Fuarcilik, would boost morale and momentum in the industry, and thanked everyone involved in organising it.

After the speeches, the protocol members cut the opening ribbon and visited the exhibition stands of the participating companies.

Remzi Gür: We have a chance to reduce labor costs and maintain our competitiveness

Based on his deep-rooted experience in the garment industry, Remzi Gür, Chairman of the Board of Gürmen Group emphasized that technology and automation are of critical importance for the future of the industry.

“I started working in the garment sector in the 1970s with my father. At that time, we only had a Singer and a Zenit machine. If Turkey is among the leading manufacturing countries in the world today, this success was possible thanks to the efforts of you industrialists,” said Gür, adding that while Turkey used to be an excluded country at fairs, today it has become a power that organizes fairs and hosts the world.

Gür, touching on the importance of automation in increasing competitiveness in the industry, said, “Today, with systems that allow one person to work on three machines, we have the chance to reduce labor costs and maintain our competitiveness. Automation is the lungs of this sector. We must protect it well, develop it and fill it with clean air.”

Next-generation technologies debut at Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition

Held across five halls this year, the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibtion will host 249 companies and representatives—including Turkiye’s leading garment machinery manufacturers and globally renowned brands—for four days in Istanbul. Bringing together products and solutions that cater to all stages of garment production, the exhibition offers a wide product range—from sewing machines to automated cutting systems, ironing and packaging solutions to digital printing systems. This year’s event will showcase many innovative technologies for the first time, promising to bring fresh energy to the sector. Highlights include AI-optimized production systems, cloud-based remote access and inventory control solutions, and fully automated fabric cutting and sewing systems.

A hub for machinery sales and strategic partnerships

The Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition is more than just a product showcase—it is also a platform for establishing new business partnerships. International investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and brand representatives will have the opportunity to hold one-on-one meetings over the four-day exhibition to establish long-term business relationships. The machine sales and partnerships formed during the exhibition will contribute to the growth of both Turkiye’s and the global trade volume.