Yesim Textile a Turkish Prominent Investor in the Egyptian Textile Sector

Yesim Textile a Turkish company that was founded in 1983 and based in Borsa is considered one of the largest fully integrated yarn to finished product facilities under one roof. Yesim is a leading manufacturer of knit goods for US and European retailers. Yesim supplies Nike brand since 2005 as we as internationally renowned brands such as Zara, Pull & Bear, Bershka, Esprit, Calzedonia, Tchibo and Tommy Hilfiger. Yesim Textile employs some 3000 people in its apparel and home textiles production and with a capacity of 50 tons of knitted products, 60 tons dyed, 100,000 meters of printed fabric, 150,000 pieces of garments and 100,000 pieces of home textiles. Apart from its main production facilities in Turkey, the company has subcontracted production companies in countries such as Moldova and Egypt as well as numerous such facilities manufacturing within Turkey.  Yesim have opened in Egypt one factory in Alexandria in 2008 and another in Cairo in 2009 and now in 2019 a new factory in Ismailia. Hence,  having Yesim as a main investor in the Egyptian textile sector and a creator of job opportunities; Khoyout had to have this interview with  Mr. Selim Sankaya, the General Manager of JADE Textile Egypt. 

What products do you manufacture?

We are a group of companies started in Turkey under the name of Yesim Group in 1983, the company has subcontracted production companies in countries such as Moldova and Egypt as well as numerous such facilities manufacturing within Turkey. In each country we produce different kind of products. Here in Egypt we manufacture cotton and polyester sportive apparel, like T-shirt, sweatshirt and pants for the brands Nike and under Armour.

What made you to take the decision to open a factory in Egypt? What investment laws attracted the investment?

As Yesim group, we preferred Egypt to be able to serve our customers in the American market in a more competitive way. In 2008 while we were deciding for the country for establishing our facilities, we started that journey by putting all our confidence in the potentiality of Egypt and its human resources. Beside, that the tax advantages, cultural similarities and the nearness of the distance to Turkey ,  the support that the state of Egypt has provided us till now, after 11 years, I can say that it is proved that we made the right decision.

Will your products be for the local or the export market?

All our products arefor export market.

What would be your capacity in Egypt?

As Jade, we ensure an accretion value for the Egyptian economy in all of our plants with our 5200 employees and with a daily production number of 100.000 in total. Jade, that has the world-renowned brands like Nike and Under Armour among its customers, achieved to be the 2nd biggest exporter in the ready to wear sector of Egypt. For the upcoming 3 years, we aim at having an export volume 3 times more than now and a manpower of 10.000 employees.

In which location will the factory be in Egypt?

Jade that started its ready to wear production under the name of Jade Apparel Industries in Alexandria in 2008, opened its second factory in the same area in 2008. By establishing a new plant in Cairo with the name of Jade Textile Egypt we increased our production capacity. In addition to these facilities, in March 2019, we are opening a new factory in Ismalia with the name Jade Textile Ismalia. We will start the knitting, dyeing and ready to wear production under the same roof.

What would be the size of the factory and investment?

In Ismailia, we are planning to have 50 ton of fabric, 20K pieces of Huddy, 60K pieces of T-Shirt per day and 3500 employees on a  105.000 square meter area. This factory will be our first facility in Egypt where we will start producing our own material. Till this day we’ve been importing fabric from our mother company in Turkey, but once we start operating our fabric mill in Ismailia we won’t be importing fabric anymore. This will give us full verticality here in Egypt.

When you will be fully operating in Egypt?

As I mentioned, we started Jade in Alexandria in 2008 and in Cairo in 2009 with cut and sew. In Ismailia in March 2019 we are starting with cut and sew as well. In June we will be fully operating with our knitting and printing sections. As a group, we perform everything with the philosophy “People First”. With the strength that we get from this perspective, we give so much importance to sustainability in conformity with our future vision. While we are producing, we always aim at doing our best for a more livable world by adopting the perspective “friendly to nature” as a strict principle.So in accordance with these, in Ismailia our plant contains a kindergarten with a capacity of 300 kids where we provide a free kindergarten possibility to the children of our employees, social areas, (Football and basketball fields), a mosque, a water treatment facility and many others.

The workforce will be from Turkey or locally? How many workers expected for the operation and will they be trained to match the quality needs?

There is a great workforce in Egypt so we want to use the employability here.

As all the group companies, we give so much importance to training. Jade that adopts the sustainability as a company culture, possesses an academy within, where we train our employees about health and safety issues, technical and professional subjects in accordance to our social compliance and lean production principles and innovative approach.

Jade Textile defines itself as a global firm in the textile sector whose existence is maintained through superior technology, high quality human resources by a continuous improvement perspective with trainings,and a thoroughly professional management structure.

How do you see the future of the knit industry in Egypt?

Because of the tax advantages to the European and American market that is supported by the state of Egypt, this industry will attract the investors to Egypt more and more. Beside that, there is a great workforce with its 90 million population. We see the growth of economy in Egypt and we are happy to be creating an additional value here.