FRANKFURT—“We made application to Proposte for over 10 years and finally Vanelli has been accepted at the Villa Erba this year for the first time,” says Erol Turkün, founder (1976) of what is considered by many to be one of the highest quality mills in anywhere in the world today. (In recognition of their quality levels, the Turkish mills of Vanelli, Penelope and Marteks have been admitted to Proposte this year.)

“When we asked to have a space at Proposte, we were always told that ‘Proposte was an exhibition for EU member countries only.’ The answer we got was always ‘you are not in the EU,’” Turkün recalls. “It is a fact that Turkey has a customs union with the EU for almost 20 years. Europeans can sell their goods in Turkey with no import tax; the same is true for Turkish goods sold to the EU. Our discussions will continue with Europe to become a full member of the EU.”

“Vanelli participates in Heimtextil, MoOD and other fairs and nobody ever told us these fairs were just for EU members, but that’s in the past,” he says.

“During the past 20 years, Turkish mills imported copyrighted designs and equipment to improve technical quality and elevate our production to European levels,” he says. “All Turkish mills are using European made equipment and production with the special technical skills only the Turkish can provide.”

Turkün says almost all of the world’s editeurs are dealing in Turkey today. “Turkey also offers logistic advantages by being in the middle of Europe and closer to future markets like Russia and the Middle East. 

“Turkish mills are small and mid-size businesses with great flexibility. Today’s issue is about providing small lots and Turkish mills are right sized for European distribution. Wholesalers don’t want inventory these days because it is too risky for them.”

Turkün also mentioned quick delivery as a plus for Turkish mills—in one week by truck from receipt of order, he said.

“We have modern machines recently purchased new; good workers and excellent textile engineers. Textiles is our tradition; silk originally came from China to Turkey and then to Italy on the Silk Road; that’s our history.”

“We’re happy to be at Proposte; it’s good for our image. We had a special ambition to be in Como. We also need European suppliers and their creativity. Otherwise, what will be left but a very narrow range of products with commodity suppliers.”

“We need to support our exhibitions to have a complete industry,” Turkün feels.Asli Turkün Karakor with brother Sadicem Turkün, the next generation of management for Vanelli with dad in the foreground, Erol

He says Vanelli is a vertical factory, yarn forward that weaves, prints, dyes and finishes its own goods. “Vertical mills are hard to find in the high end textile world; we’re proud to be one of the few and the brave. Come see our quality and price level at Proposte.”