Konfor Group, which established its integrated production facility in Bağyurdu Organised Industrial Zone located in Kemalpaşa district of İzmir, started production at Konfor Park Production and Living Campus with an investment value of 117 million dollars. Konfor Group Executive Board Member Akın Can said that they are excited to start production in the new production facility and that the 160 thousand square meter campus is equipped with the latest technology.
Stating that they make production and sales under the brands of Konfor, Çetmen and Konfor Mattress, Can pointed out that they will focus on competitive pricing, lowering unit costs and industrial product production by making high volume production with Konfor Park and continued his words as follows: “All these developments will differentiate us in the market. Our installed capacity will be 1000 sets of bedrooms, dining rooms, youth rooms, 500 sets of sofa sets, 3,000 beds and 2,500 bed bases per day. These are the biggest figures of the sector. We have established the largest integrated facility of the sector and the Aegean Region. Our facility has an investment size of 117 million dollars. 90 per cent of it is equity capital and the remaining 10 per cent was supported by financial institutions. The facility will include SPP systems, solid waste recycling and rainwater collection systems. It will be an exemplary facility for our sector and our country.”
“We aim for 12 billion turnover”
Stating that they aim to reach 40 countries abroad and a turnover of
12 billion liras at the end of the next 3 years, Can said, “We are currently in 32 countries. We have plans for 8 new countries. At the end of all these efforts, we aim to reach a turnover of 12 billion liras at the end of the next three years. Konfor is primarily a TURQUALITY brand, we are in the brand support programme of our state. We have focused on branded exports at the point of export. We should be a country that meets the brand needs of the world instead of being a supplier and subcontractor. Branded exports account for approximately 60 per cent of our export turnover. We also produce for online sales chains abroad. At the point of export, we are travelling in the form of franchise and master franchise only with Konfor and Konfor Mattress. For example, we have master partners in South Africa. Africa is a difficult market and its dynamics are very variable. We have new targets; we are focusing more on Europe this year. We will move forward with franchise points in European countries. We are looking for a master franchise in Russia. We are also looking for Turkic Republics. The Middle East and Arab geography is also important for us. The reopening of the Saudi Arabia market is also a positive development for us. Unfortunately, other countries filled the gap created by Turkish products in the market in the past, so it will take 2-3 years for us to reach our former strength here.”
Logistics base should be considered for the USA
Stating that they think that Europe will recover from the contraction in demand experienced last year, Akın Can also announced that they will focus on the American continent this year within the framework of TURQUALITY.
Can continued his words as follows: “America is slowly starting to turn to our products. We are exporting a serious sofa. Gradually, the perception of Turkish furniture is starting to form there. This is also an opportunity. It is necessary to establish a good local marketing network. However, it is necessary to go to the American market with a strong sectoral merger. If we go with a sectoral marketing plan, it will be a market for everyone. A logistics base should be considered for America. Last year we exported 17 million dollars and this year our target is to increase it to 25 million dollars.” Explaining that they have 130 stores in the country and that they aim to increase the number of stores to 450 at the end of the next 3 years, Can emphasized that there has been a rapid shift towards branded products recently.
Referring to the issue of instalments in credit cards, Can said, “For example, the number of instalments is decreasing. This led us to make new protocols with financial institutions. We are starting to use consumer finance. We are trying to offer up to 24-month instalment options to our consumers.”
“Recruitment has started and 2,500 people will be employed”
Stating that the recruitment processes have started with the start of the production process at Konfor Park, Can emphasized that they will employ 2,500 people and 55 per cent of the employment will consist of female employees. Stating that there is also a nursery in the facility in order for female employees to work more efficiently and smoothly, Can said, “The number of female employees will increase in our new period. Our mechanization rate will also increase in our new facility. We will use more robotic automation, which means that our female employees will be able to work at every point. Women had a special place in Konfor and now they will have a special place. We have started to receive serious applications for ‘Will You Be My Dealer?’ special for women entrepreneurs.”
