We will Open Our R&D Center in 2025
Interview: Dilek Hayırlı
Samet Kıray, Chairman of the Board of Kıray Makina, said that management techniques such as ‘Lean Production’ and ‘5S’ were the breaking point for their company. Kıray said, “We have undergone a very important change. Every stage from production to shipment has been taken under control. We created a facility that does not waste labor, energy, time and raw materials. We also provided many conveniences for Kıray users.”
Kıray Makina, which is a solution partner for textile machinery manufacturers and end users, continues its production by adding new products since its establishment in 2011. Kıray Makina, which produces wet section machines such as tubular slitting tubular squeezing machine for post-dyeing, produces many auxiliary units for stenter and sanforizing machines and all other finishing machines. Samet Kıray, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kıray Makina, whom we interviewed for our Tekstil Teknoloji magazine, said that their goal is to produce machines that completely reduce the carbon footprint, protect the nature, increase efficiency while reducing consumption in accordance with market needs. Saying that they will continue to develop the latest technologies with the R&D Center they will open in 2025, Kıray stated that they will also make investments outside of textiles.
“Our Rope Washing Machine HYM-1923 Does Not Waste Even a Drop of Water”
You said that the HYM-1923 Rope Washing Machine you launched last year was revolutionary. What are the innovations in the design of the machine and what are the advantages it offers? Can you share with us the latest figures on the machine’s consumption rates?
Our Rope Washing Machine (HYM-1923) is the most compact machine in the sector in terms of its structure and its efficiency is very high compared to the space it occupies in the enterprise. It is produced with 16-20 J-Boxes and 32-40 spinnerets. J-Box capacity can be adjusted between 5-50 kg. The washing process is completed by using 5-10 lt/kg water for washing after reactive dyeing and 6-12 kg/lt. water for washing after reactive printing. Considering these data, I can say that it has revolutionized its field.
With its specially designed structure that recovers water, it does not waste even a drop of water. Water is used until the saturation point. It is installed as Open Width Washing, Rope Washing and Rope Opening line. Since all these three machines are manufactured by Kıray, the line has a perfect communication electronic structure. The highest point of technology is preferred in all equipment from the circulation pump to the dosing pump. Considering its mechanical, electrical and pneumatic structure, it is perhaps the simplest machine in the world to be installed in this field.
“Sales of HYM-1923 at Satisfactory Level”
How are the sales of the HYM-1923 Rope Washing machine, which has been on sale for about 2 years? What kind of reaction did the machine get from the market and are you satisfied with the feedback?
One year of HYM-1923 was spent with design and subsequent tests. We did not put it on sale in the first year. We waited for the ITM 2024 Exhibition. As we expected, our machine attracted great interest at the fair. Sales are at a satisfactory level.
As Kıray Makina, do you determine your new products according to market needs? So, in what direction have market demands been changing recently and how do you respond to these demands as Kıray Makina?
Our goal is to produce machines that completely reduce carbon footprint, protect nature, reduce consumption and increase efficiency in line with market needs. This is partly what the market expects from us. Our main goal is to continue on our path while maintaining our quality. We will continue to produce solutions related to the sector in our new R&D center that will be put into service in 2025.
“We Created a Facility That Does Not Waste Labor, Energy, Time, or Raw Materials”
Can you explain the effects of management techniques such as ‘Lean Production’ and ‘5S’ on Kıray Makina’s production speed and quality with concrete examples?
I can say that starting to use these management techniques was a breaking point for our company. We went through a very important change. Every stage from production to shipment was taken under control. We created a facility that does not waste labor, energy, time, or raw materials. We also provided many conveniences for Kıray users. We will continue to develop.
Which markets have the most growth potential among the countries you export to? What are the strategies you implement to gain competitive advantage in these markets?
We are present in many countries where textiles are available. Since the dynamics of each country are different, our working policies may differ. We foresee that the market may develop in the countries of Africa bordering the Mediterranean. We will continue our efforts to be present in different markets in the coming period. We think that Chinese machines can pose a risk for every company, especially if precautions are not taken.
“We will Also Have Non-Textile Investments”
What are your observations about the difficulties encountered in textile machinery production in recent years? What strategic steps need to be taken in the coming years, especially for Kıray Makina to maintain its strong position in the sector?
We have provided the changes required by the time in production technologies in our products. We experienced the greatest loss with the facilitation of concordat. Some companies used this maliciously. Another difficulty was that people who graduated from technical schools did not want to work in their own fields or did not develop themselves professionally.
Our primary goal is to continue production while maintaining our quality. We will also have non-textile investments. We are a machinery company. While we continue to produce textile machinery, there are machines we want to produce in different fields.
What is your perspective on the role of the young generation of manufacturers in the sector? As Kıray Makina, how do you contribute to the development of young engineers and technicians?
At Kıray Makina, we ask our staff every year about the training they want to receive and plan their annual training in line with their needs. We value our young friends. Their development is very important for our country and the world after us. We try to support young people with frequent trainings, their ideas are very valuable to us. At the same time, we ensure that they learn the job alongside experienced personnel in the company and in the field. We also direct friends who develop themselves and support the company to different higher positions according to their talents.
“We Made a KOSGEB-Supported Solar Power Plant Investment”
We left 2024 behind. How did the year go for your company? Can you evaluate it with your customer, export and production figures? How did the economic crisis, cost increases and fluctuations in exchange rates that affected the whole world and Turkey affect your company?
2024 was a difficult year for us, like all companies. We are trying to protect our current position and personnel. We hope that the next year will be better. The volatility in exchange rates and inflation also challenged us. We took our expenses under tighter control. We made a The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Türkiye (KOSGEB)-supported Solar Energy System (SPP) investment for electricity generation and started using it actively. We also started producing the nitrogen gas we need from renewable energy.
“Our 2 TUBITAK Supported Projects will Be Completed This Year”
Finally; What are your expectations and predictions for the Turkish textile and machinery sector in 2025? Do you have any projects such as new product development, investment or collaboration?
Our two TÜBİTAK supported projects will be completed this year. These are energy efficient products. In addition, we have made our plans to expand our production area. We wish 2025 to be a very good year for our country and the world in this geography where there are different problems.