“We Introduced the First Domestic-Produced Sewing Head Prototype, Which was a First in Turkiye”
Interview: Dilek Hayırlı
Robotech, one of Turkiye’s leading companies in garment sewing automation, attracted attention with the high-tech machines it developed at the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition. Robotech General Manager Hüseyin Çetin and International Sales and Marketing Department Vice President Tuncay Koru told Tekstil Teknoloji magazine about the brand’s innovative products, export power and future vision.
Working on sewing automation in the garment industry for over 25 years, Robotech has expanded its journey from suit production to denim and combed cotton segments, transforming into a versatile technology manufacturer. Robotech General Manager Hüseyin Çetin summarizes this transformation with the following words: “We are a company that has produced machines for suits and trousers for many years. However, we have focused on the denim sector in the last three years and have completed our entire product range in this area. We have also invested in the combed knitted fabric confection. By the end of this year, we will have a very wide range of automation that appeals not only to classic clothing but also to every area such as denim and knitted fabric. We carry out all processes from design to software, assembly to after-sales service in our 6,000 m² production facility in Konya.”
Stating that they took a strong part in the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition with over 60 different types of machines, all of which are their own production, Çetin said; “We offer efficiency to our customers with our automations that appeal to every segment of the garment industry.”
Industry 4.0 and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Systems
Robotech’s products not only provide ease of physical production, but also stand out as systems equipped with high technology. Çetin emphasizes that they have switched to motion control technology, especially in the last four years, and says: “We are developing machines suitable for the Industry 4.0 infrastructure. These machines have systems that can collect data and analyze and direct processes instead of an operator. Artificial intelligence has started to integrate into our systems, especially in terms of data processing and optimizing production. Our current infrastructure is ready for this.”
Vice President of International Sales and Marketing, Tuncay Koru
Leading Applications Worldwide: Ethernet Controlled Automats
Vice President of International Sales and Marketing, Tuncay Koru, describes a first that Robotech has achieved particularly in denim production as follows: “Back pocket sewing is one of the most critical stages of denim production. For this process, we have integrated Ethernet technology into sewing machines for the first time in the world and produced much faster and more precise machines. In this way, 10-12% more efficient production can be made and 100% quality is provided. This product has brought us to a very special position in the global market.”
New Generation Garment Technologies with Laser and Ultrasonic Cutting
Robotech is not only making groundbreaking innovations in sewing but also in cutting technologies. One of these innovations was the integration of laser cutting technology into the production processes of plackets in polo shirts. Machines equipped with laser cutting technology provide high precision especially in the sewing and cutting of the part called placket in polo shirt production.
In addition, ultrasonic cutting technology sets a new standard in terms of both speed and fabric integrity with its systems operating at 36,000 revolutions per minute. Tuncay Koru emphasizes that these technologies offer significant advantages to manufacturers in terms of low waste, high precision and sustainability.
A First in Turkiye: Domestic Sewing Head Production
The most striking innovation that Robotech exhibited its prototype at the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition was the first domestic sewing head developed in Turkiye. This system allows the fillet pocket flaps used in jackets to be produced much faster and more accurately with laser cutting and special folding systems. Tuncay Koru; “Until now, these parts were only supplied from Japan or Germany. As Robotech, we can now manufacture sewing heads in Turkiye. This is a historical development not only for our company but also for our country. We will launch this product, which offers our customers flexible and high-quality production and saves time, within 2 months.”
“We Are Present in Every Geography Where There Is Textile”
Exporting its products to more than 60 countries, Robotech focuses its export activities on regions where textile production is intense, especially the Far East. Having a strong dealer and technical service network in countries such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, the company positions these regions as main markets for high-volume production. Indicating that new opportunities have emerged with the increasing presence of Turkish and Chinese manufacturers in Egypt in the recent period, Hüseyin Çetin states that they will soon support their structuring, which started at the home office level in the region, with technical service. South America stands out as a limited but potential market for Robotech, which has an active dealership network in the Turkish Republics. Çetin says; “We are present in every geography where there is textile with our products and dealerships, and we will continue to do so.”
“Exhibitions are Very Important for New Market Opportunities”
Reminding that Robotech participates in an average of 10 international exhibitions per year, Hüseyin Çetin states that the Garment Tech Istanbul Exhibition is especially important for them in terms of international collaborations and new market opportunities. Despite the contraction in the domestic market, Çetin emphasized that Robotech has adopted an export-oriented strategy, and said, “For us, participating in exhibitions means establishing new foreign dealerships and reaching international customers rather than selling directly to domestic customers. Such exhibitions are of great importance in terms of both providing foreign exchange inflow and supporting the sustainable growth of our company.”
“It is Necessary to Focus on Smart Solutions that Reduce Costs”
Çetin, who predicts that 2025 will be a difficult year economically, emphasizes that companies should turn to exports with innovative products rather than focusing on the domestic market. Çetin concludes his words by saying, “Considering interest rates, labor costs, and the recession, it is difficult to achieve success with standard products. However, smart solutions that reduce costs and labor dependency always find buyers. We develop new products every year. As technology changes, so do solutions, and we will continue to lead this transformation.”
