Hefa; “We are to make investments for the needs of the sector”

Hefa Tekstil, which has been operating in the textile industry for nearly 70 years and became a brand in 1992, plans to expand its export range to 81 countries in 5 continents and enhance its position in the global market.

Hefa General Manager Ömer KUMLU, in his interview for the January issue of Sleeptech, explaining the secret of success of his company, said “As Hefa Group, our company attaches great importance to customer satisfaction. Quality products, fast delivery before deadline and after-sales services are our priorities. Therefore, these are the criteria that lead us to success.”, and conveyed Hefa’s story, branding process and next targets.

Mr. Ömer, can you tell us your company’s founding story and branding process?

The roots of our company go back to the 1950s. It started its working life in 1955 by opening our first store in Mercan, İstanbul. Our company, which developed its commercial life until 1974, established its first artificial leather factory in the same year. Our Fayteks Company started its working life in Beyazıt, Istanbul in 1989. In 1992, our company gained its current structure and took its place in the sector with the Hefa brand. In 1998, our Hefa artificial leather factory moved its production to its current campus in Hadımköy. Our sales store started its activities in Merter, İstanbul in 2001, and it moved to its current location in 2013 and continues its business life. In 2011, our Fayteks sales store was opened in Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone. In 2014, the dying plant of our company was established in Tekirdağ Velimeşe Organized Industrial Zone and continues its activities. In 2021, our company continued its new investments and established a knitting factory. Today, jacquard knitted bedding fabric, knitwear upholstery fabric and interlock groups are produced in our knitting factory. Today, our company is continuing its professional business life with Hefa and Fayteks brands, both at home and abroad.

You export to 81 countries in 5 continents. How did you make this export range and customer satisfaction?

As Hefa Group, our company attaches great importance to customer satisfaction. Quality products, fast delivery before deadlines and after-sales services are our priority. Therefore, these are the criteria that lead us to success. Our company has the certificates of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, OHSAS 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. In addition, it also gives great importance to product and process development processes with its R&D studies. We are in a position producing innovation in the sector with our product development and process improvement methods. This makes satisfaction for our customers.

Will we be able to see your company in new investments on the mattress industry?

Our company established its knitting factory in Tekirdağ Velimeşe Organized Industrial Zone in 2021. With this investment, it is able to produce jacquard knitted bedding fabric, knitwear upholstery fabric, and interlock and velour groups. We are planning to expand our investments in the mattress sector in the next years. We will have investments in especially product groups for the needs of the sector. With our new investments, we will give more importance to R&D and P&D processes. We will continue to serve the sector with the new products we plan to launch in 2022.

Which fairs do you attend at home and abroad? What was the biggest contribution of these fairs to you?

We will take part in the Istanbul Furniture Fair, which will be held on 25-30 January 2022. We will take part in this fair with all of the bedding fabric, upholstery fabric and artificial leather groups. On the other hand, we will take our place at the IBIA Expo, which will be held on 06-09 October 2022. Unfortunately, the lockdown decisions taken by the countries due to the ongoing pandemic around the world negatively affect the international fairs. We will also update our fair plans according to possible situations that may arise in the next processes.

What would you like to say about the future of the bedding fabric industry?

Considering the increasing world population, it can be predicted that the mattress sector will grow as in every sector. However, there is an increase in the production of raw materials and product groups based on innovation and science, raising living standards, rather than the traditional textile industry. In this respect, our company develops its strategic plans in this direction.

How do you foresee the development of the mattress cover fabric segment in the short and long term?

I think it would be more appropriate if we evaluate the mattress fabric not alone but together with the components that make up the mattress. As it is known, with the developing technology, the concept of the internet of things is being talked about more and more every day. In other words, more products facilitating living standards will enter our daily lives with artificial intelligence technologies. Considering that we spend an average of 8 hours in a 24-hour period in bed, the mattress products cannot be considered independent from these developments. That’s to say, it is likely that the products having features that can measure the sleep quality of the person who is sleeping on it or any health-related measurements will emerge. Parallel to the developments here, it can be foreseen that mattress fabric products will also become more technological.