Elvin Boutique Curtains Sell To China, Europe
January 17, 2003
Bursa - ''Prices are very competitive in the voile business today,'' said Kadir Ozbey, general coordinator of Elvin Tekstil, a boutique curtain producer. ''Turkey has become the world leader in voile, supplying Europe, the U.S. and rich people in China.''
Ozbey said he recognizes, however, that China is breathing down Turkey's neck as a textile producer. He said that Elvin is not directly threatened at the moment because the company produces sophisticated boutique voiles, but he acknowledges the pressure from the Chinese will increase. ''We may have to do a joint-venture with China,'' he said. ''Now, Turkey must be more creative and quicker to spot trends.''
In response, Elvin has invested heavily in the latest technology including what will eventually be 60 state-of-the-art Somets, Dornier and Vamatex looms.
Right now, Elvin depends on 10 jacquard looms and 37 dobby machines. The emphasis will be on jacquard; up to 25 machines are planned.
Elvin has qualified for the ISO 9001 world classification covering manufacturing management and design and service to the customer.
The company has installed a Monfort dye system and a Kuster system for piece-dying. Outside textile producers are also using the Elvin system to fill its capacity. The company buys polyester and linen yarns and uses yarn-dyed product to make high-end collections of curtain fabrics. Yarn-dyeing is done outside but an investment is being planned to do this in-house. These yarns are purchased in Turkey or from Korea and Japan.
Third-generation owner Canan Sonmez Canik, was trained as a stylist in Turkey. More than 70 percent of her collection is exported under the Elvin brand to Greece, Turkey and Hungary. The balance is private label for European and U.S. wholesalers. F&FI
Ozbey said he recognizes, however, that China is breathing down Turkey's neck as a textile producer. He said that Elvin is not directly threatened at the moment because the company produces sophisticated boutique voiles, but he acknowledges the pressure from the Chinese will increase. ''We may have to do a joint-venture with China,'' he said. ''Now, Turkey must be more creative and quicker to spot trends.''
In response, Elvin has invested heavily in the latest technology including what will eventually be 60 state-of-the-art Somets, Dornier and Vamatex looms.
Right now, Elvin depends on 10 jacquard looms and 37 dobby machines. The emphasis will be on jacquard; up to 25 machines are planned.
Elvin has qualified for the ISO 9001 world classification covering manufacturing management and design and service to the customer.
The company has installed a Monfort dye system and a Kuster system for piece-dying. Outside textile producers are also using the Elvin system to fill its capacity. The company buys polyester and linen yarns and uses yarn-dyed product to make high-end collections of curtain fabrics. Yarn-dyeing is done outside but an investment is being planned to do this in-house. These yarns are purchased in Turkey or from Korea and Japan.
Third-generation owner Canan Sonmez Canik, was trained as a stylist in Turkey. More than 70 percent of her collection is exported under the Elvin brand to Greece, Turkey and Hungary. The balance is private label for European and U.S. wholesalers. F&FI