Uyguner Deri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, Istanbul, is a third-generation family-owned tannery specialising in bovine shoe uppers since 1935. Managing partner, Burak Uyguner, recently announced that they will expand production to include garment and upholstery leathers.
With fewer Turkish tanneries able to maximise production these days, the move to diversify makes economic sense. Unlike many enterprises who moved to newer processing areas, such as Corlu and Usak, Uyguner opted to stay in Tuzla, east of Istanbul. ‘We have invested too much in Tuzla to move elsewhere’, Burak Uyguner stated.
The firm have also made new investments in tannery machinery to boost the production of garment leathers. Garments easily dominate the Turkish leather sector in terms of production and export volumes as well as in earnings.
About 80% of Uyguner’s production still goes to shoe uppers and 20% for garments. Exports are also envisaged and prevailing exchange rates give them an advantage.
