‘‘In the First 7 Months of 2023, Our Sales and Export Figures Increased’’
Uğur K. Zeyrek, General Manager of Ser Mekatronik, stated: ‘‘The first 7 months of 2023 have been very successful for Ser Mekatronik. As of August 2023, we plan to significantly increase our annual production and sales with the increase in our monthly production capacity.’’
Textile finishing is one of the processes where water and energy are used the most. Textile machinery manufacturers also spend their time to developing environmentally friendly products. One of them is Ser Mekatronik, one of the leading textile machinery manufacturers in Turkey. Uğur K. Zeyrek, General Manager of Ser Mekatronik, who we interviewed for our Tekstil Teknoloji magazine, commented: ‘‘We design our machines in line with the principles of efficiency, energy saving and digitalization. Innovative design and automation features increase the efficiency of the machine, enabling better use of labor and resources.’’
What is the position of Ser Mekatronik in the textile machinery market today? What is your target for the Turkish and world textile machinery market in the near future?
In 2019, Ser Mekatronik started machine production in line with the demands of the sector and became an important player in the sector as one of the leading textile machinery manufacturers in Turkey. In this context, our goal for the near future is to reach a wider customer base by reinforcing our leadership in Turkey and the world textile machinery market. As Ser Mekatronik, we aim to closely follow the developments in the sector by focusing especially on technological innovations and to offer products in line with these developments. At the same time, we aim to gain more market share as a competitive player worldwide and become a globally recognized brand. To achieve this goal, we plan to strengthen our R&D efforts, expand our product portfolio and always prioritize customer satisfaction.
Can you please provide information regarding your export markets and your international organization? Which countries do you export to and what kind of activities do you carry out to increase export markets?
Our team, which stands out with its experienced staff with 25-30 years of experience in the sector, continues to expand its ongoing know-how on a global scale. Among our important export destinations Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia in Asia; Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Honduras in South America; the United States of America in North America; Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria in Europe; and Egypt, Morocco and Russia in Africa can be mentioned. We have representatives in all of the aforementioned countries, representatives with whom we cooperate. In addition to all these, our colleagues frequently visit new markets to expand globally and gain potential customers.
“We Try to Maximize the Performance and Durability of Our Machines”
Where do you procure the raw materials for your machines? What kind of challenges do you face with raw material procurement?
As Ser Mekatronik, we maximize the performance and durability of our machines by supplying 1st quality units and machine raw materials from countries such as Italy and Germany in Europe. Our supply chain operates in line with the principles of quality, reliability and high performance. Our procurement of machine raw materials is based on pre-selected suppliers who ensure compliance with strict quality standards. We regularly evaluate our suppliers’ production processes to guarantee the quality and compatibility of products and raw materials. Some of the challenges we face in sourcing raw materials are fluctuations in the supply chain, changes in raw material prices and occasional delivery delays. To combat these challenges, we take steps such as diversifying our supplier portfolio, optimizing inventory management and collaborating with alternative suppliers.
‘‘We Offer a Wide Range of Flexibility and Customization Opportunities’’
What kind of changes have recently occurred in the demands of finishing machine users? How do you respond to these demands as Ser Mekatronik?
Recently, users of finishing machines aim to make their production processes more efficient and reduce energy consumption by increasing the efficiency of the machines. This is important both for environmental sustainability and for reducing operational costs. They also want to further digitize their production processes and increase their data collection, analysis and control capabilities. Automation can improve quality by streamlining production processes, making them more precise, fast and reliable. They demand more flexible, customizable settings and functions for the finishing of different materials and products. This is important for diversity and market adaptation. They want machine operation to be easier and more user-friendly. They also want to be able to quickly diagnose potential problems during operation and to be able to carry out maintenance simply.
As Ser Mekatronik, we introduce various innovations and changes in order to respond to these demands and meet customer expectations. We design our machines in line with the principles of efficiency, energy saving and digitalization. By integrating IoT technologies, we increase remote monitoring and control capabilities. At the same time, we offer various options for flexibility and customization, providing suitable finishing solutions for different products and materials.
Do you have certificates in areas such as environmental management and energy management that prove Ser Mekatronik is a green brand? If yes, which ones are these?
Our company demonstrates an environmentally sensitive approach by providing quality services in the fields of environmental management and energy management. We have ISO 14001:2015 certification to document our commitment in this area. The ISO 14001:2015 certificate is an international standard that aims to effectively establish, implement, maintain and continuously improve environmental management systems. This certificate shows that our company complies with international standards in order to minimize environmental impacts, adopt the principle of sustainability and use energy resources efficiently.
What are the difficulties encountered in finishing processes? What kind of advantages do Ser Mekatronik machines provide to the customer in this regard? What are the differences that distinguish your machines from your competitors?
The finishing of different types of fabrics and textiles imposes unique requirements and challenges. The particular properties and reactions of each material can make it difficult to optimize processes. Quality control during finishing processes is crucial. Color consistency, dimensional stability, and other properties need to be maintained. This can be a time-consuming and painstaking process. Ser Mekatronik machines meet the changing demands of customers by offering flexible and customizable solutions for different materials and products. Innovative design and automation features increase machine efficiency, making better use of labor and resources. Advanced sensor technology and data analysis strengthen quality control processes, helping to ensure consistent and high-quality products.
What do you offer to your customers as Ser Mekatronik in terms of after-sales and customer services?
As Ser Mekatronik, we provide various services listed below to maximize customer satisfaction and maintain the efficiency of our machines for a long time:
- Technical Support: With our expert technical team, we strive to minimize operational disruptions by offering services such as troubleshooting, remote support and technical consultancy over the phone.
- Spare Parts Supply: We offer a fast and reliable service for the supply and delivery of original spare parts.
- Maintenance and Repair: We support our customers with periodic maintenance programs and emergency repairs.
- Training: We help our customers improve their operational skills and use the machines effectively by providing training on operating instructions, safety guidelines and best practices.
- Modernization and Upgrades: To keep pace with technological advances, we offer various options for modernizing and upgrading existing machines.
The feedback we receive from our customers reflects the value and effectiveness of our after-sales services. Generally, our customers express their satisfaction with fast and professional technical support, spare parts supply and maintenance services. They also say that the trainings increase users’ competencies and enable them to use the machines more effectively.
The Turkish and global textile industry is in a state of fluctuation due to exchange rate fluctuations and inflation. How do economic difficulties affect your company? What kind of measures do you take to overcome these challenges?
Economic fluctuations often affect consumer spending. This can lead to declines in the sales figures of the companies. Economic factors such as inflation increase input costs and cause firms to produce their products at higher costs. If demand falls, excess stock becomes a problem, while if demand increases, there may be a lack of stock. As a sector, we need to develop strategies to keep a balance in such situations. For example, we can increase efficiency by reviewing processes to reduce costs. Improvements in business processes can reduce costs. We can reduce risk by focusing on different markets and customer segments. The ability to flexibly adjust production capacity allows us to better respond to fluctuations in demand. Good customer relationships can help us build a loyal customer base. This can ensure a stable revenue stream during fluctuations. Quickly adapting to market conditions and seizing new opportunities can improve competitiveness.
‘‘We Must Invest in Smart Manufacturing Technologies and Textile Products’’
Can you please share with us your predictions regarding the future of the Turkish textile machinery industry? What do you think are our shortcomings and positive aspects? What should we do to increase our market share?
Turkey’s textile machinery sector plays an important role for the country’s economic development and is constantly being renewed with new technologies. Factors such as smart production technologies, digitalization and automation have the potential to make production processes more efficient. Our industry can increase its competitiveness by making investments in these areas. Areas such as wearable technologies, smart textile products and functional fabrics have the potential to grow in the future. We can provide added value to our industry and increase our market share by conducting research and development studies in these areas. The lack of R&D and innovation is one of the important shortcomings of the sector. This can make it difficult to keep up with new technologies. On the other hand, qualified labor force is required for the development and operation of textile machinery. Deficiencies in training and talent development can create problems in terms of competitiveness. The quality of the sector can be improved by organizing training programs and collaborations. One of the strengths of this sector is that it is based on experience. Blending experience with innovative technologies and investments will increase its importance on a global basis. Companies should create an effective branding and marketing strategy to increase their recognition in international markets.
How was the year 2023, of which we left 7 months behind, for your company? Can you evaluate your machine sales and export figures?
The first 7 months of 2023 have been very successful for Ser Mekatronik. Our sales and export figures in this period show that the demand for our company’s products and services is high. In the local market, we have achieved a strong position by offering solutions that meet the needs of our customers and raising our quality standards. In the global market, we have managed to gain the appreciation of our customers thanks to our machines that comply with international standards and our innovative approach. This success is the result of the importance we attach to customer satisfaction, the quality of our products, continuous development, honesty and cooperation. As of August 2023, we plan to significantly increase our annual production and sales with the increase in our monthly production capacity.