Carpet King gets his energy from the wind 08-Sep-2014
Mehmet Erdemoğlu ... It is known as the 'Wiseman of Besni' The Merinos brand, which was founded 45 years ago in Gaziantep with two rug looms, is now the world leader in carpet production. Ahi culture, where principles such as doing with less, humility, protecting the neighbor, not to tel lies, and not cheating in trade are prominently embraced was adopted by late Mehmet Erdemoğlu who started to be an apprentice at the age of primary school with an carpet kneading master is still among Erdemoğlu Holding's working principles today. Erdemoğlu Holding, operating in 78 countries on 5 continents, continues its activities in the furniture, home textile, yarn and construction sectors as well as carpet. We talked about the brand, its sector and its goals with İbrahim Erdemoğlu, the second generation boss of Erdemoğlu Holding, which produces 70 million square meters of carpet annually and is now preparing to make an energy investment.
You are the boss of a brand that has taken the lead in carpet in the world. Can you tell about Merinos?
My father, the late Mehmet Erdemoğlu, worked as a weaving worker while living in Adıyaman Besni, back then, during his youth. When the business started to decrease, he started nomad slasmen, which we call bundling for bread money. Turkey has started to sell in different places in Turkey. Then came wholesale business. The foundations of Merinos were laid in 1970 with two carpet looms. Founded in Gaziantep, Merinos is the world leader in carpet today.
Merinos Halı continues to grow today with the brands Dinarsu, Sultan, Efsane, İmparator and Boğaziçi. In 2010, we established Erdemoğlu Holding by gathering all of our companies under one roof.
How long have you been in business?
Actually, I have been involved since I was 8 years old. We used to go to the shop on weekends and we would never be idle. I can say that I did everything starting from apprenticeship. When I got older, I started weaving rugs on the weekends, and I would get the money the journeymen got. I don't remember getting any pocket money from my father. I am a graduate of Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Physics. While I was a student, I looked for a job and couldn't find a job and started selling the rugs we produced. After a while, I dominated the Black Sea provinces.
What is Erdemoğlu Holding doing now?
Our activities continue in the sectors of wall to wall carpet, furniture, home textile, yarn and construction. Erdemoğlu Holding has 17 companies in total. We are the world leader in machine-made carpet production. Our 2013 turnover was 2 billion liras. Our carpet production continues in factories in Gaziantep, Çerkezköy and Russia.
- When it comes to the world leader, it is impossible not to ask about exports...
As of 2014, we are present in 78 countries on 5 continents. Our 2013 exports was 239 million dollars. We produce a total of 70 million square meters of carpet per year. In panel furniture, we produce 900 sets per day and we produce 1,800 beds. We produce our own yarn. We also have home textile and blanket production. Turkey came in a prominent place on the carpet industry. Turkey is now the world leader and took the position of Belgium.
What are the preferences of the countries you are exporting to?
Europe prefers pastel colors, while USA prefers dark colors. It is the same in Canada, brown and maroon carpets are mostly preferred carpets. It is a culture in Turkey and must befit with furniture. While the Middle East wants more vivid colors and patterns, Russia prefers simplified models and colors. We sell mostly to the USA and Europe, then the Middle East comes.
Will there be new industry investments?
We recently invested in the construction industry, we currently have a residence project ongoing. We also invest in energy. We are making preparations in Çatalca to generate wind energy. As a group, we spend what we earn on investment the next year. We have reached a sufficient size in the carpet market, from now on we can enter different industries. But it is not clear yet.
Ikea is ok, Walmart on the way
We exist in all industrialized countries. We work with Ikea and big US markets. We are negotiating with Walmart. The preferences of countries and continents are very different. It is necessary to analyze them well. For this reason, before starting to export, I personally conducted market research in the countries we visited.
There are many social responsibility projects
Erdemoğlu Holding also carries out many social responsibility projects. It also supports education by making a large number of schools to date. With the health center and social facilities the Holding has built in Adıyaman Besni, it works towards the needs of the people of the region.
Dormitory and library
Erdemoğlu Holding also continues the construction of an education complex in the same region, which includes education buildings, student dormitories, sports halls and libraries. The Merinos site, which was established in Merveşehir, was given the opportunity to own a home for 828 employees who have completed 5 years. The holding, which employs approximately 7 thousand people, also has mosque projects that have been completed and are about to start.
https://www.star.com.tr/roportaj/hali-krali-enerjisini-ruzgardan-alacak-haber-937210/
Mehmet Erdemoğlu ... It is known as the 'Wiseman of Besni' The Merinos brand, which was founded 45 years ago in Gaziantep with two rug looms, is now the world leader in carpet production. Ahi culture, where principles such as doing with less, humility, protecting the neighbor, not to tel lies, and not cheating in trade are prominently embraced was adopted by late Mehmet Erdemoğlu who started to be an apprentice at the age of primary school with an carpet kneading master is still among Erdemoğlu Holding's working principles today. Erdemoğlu Holding, operating in 78 countries on 5 continents, continues its activities in the furniture, home textile, yarn and construction sectors as well as carpet. We talked about the brand, its sector and its goals with İbrahim Erdemoğlu, the second generation boss of Erdemoğlu Holding, which produces 70 million square meters of carpet annually and is now preparing to make an energy investment.
You are the boss of a brand that has taken the lead in carpet in the world. Can you tell about Merinos?
My father, the late Mehmet Erdemoğlu, worked as a weaving worker while living in Adıyaman Besni, back then, during his youth. When the business started to decrease, he started nomad slasmen, which we call bundling for bread money. Turkey has started to sell in different places in Turkey. Then came wholesale business. The foundations of Merinos were laid in 1970 with two carpet looms. Founded in Gaziantep, Merinos is the world leader in carpet today.
Merinos Halı continues to grow today with the brands Dinarsu, Sultan, Efsane, İmparator and Boğaziçi. In 2010, we established Erdemoğlu Holding by gathering all of our companies under one roof.
How long have you been in business?
Actually, I have been involved since I was 8 years old. We used to go to the shop on weekends and we would never be idle. I can say that I did everything starting from apprenticeship. When I got older, I started weaving rugs on the weekends, and I would get the money the journeymen got. I don't remember getting any pocket money from my father. I am a graduate of Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Physics. While I was a student, I looked for a job and couldn't find a job and started selling the rugs we produced. After a while, I dominated the Black Sea provinces.
What is Erdemoğlu Holding doing now?
Our activities continue in the sectors of wall to wall carpet, furniture, home textile, yarn and construction. Erdemoğlu Holding has 17 companies in total. We are the world leader in machine-made carpet production. Our 2013 turnover was 2 billion liras. Our carpet production continues in factories in Gaziantep, Çerkezköy and Russia.
- When it comes to the world leader, it is impossible not to ask about exports...
As of 2014, we are present in 78 countries on 5 continents. Our 2013 exports was 239 million dollars. We produce a total of 70 million square meters of carpet per year. In panel furniture, we produce 900 sets per day and we produce 1,800 beds. We produce our own yarn. We also have home textile and blanket production. Turkey came in a prominent place on the carpet industry. Turkey is now the world leader and took the position of Belgium.
What are the preferences of the countries you are exporting to?
Europe prefers pastel colors, while USA prefers dark colors. It is the same in Canada, brown and maroon carpets are mostly preferred carpets. It is a culture in Turkey and must befit with furniture. While the Middle East wants more vivid colors and patterns, Russia prefers simplified models and colors. We sell mostly to the USA and Europe, then the Middle East comes.
Will there be new industry investments?
We recently invested in the construction industry, we currently have a residence project ongoing. We also invest in energy. We are making preparations in Çatalca to generate wind energy. As a group, we spend what we earn on investment the next year. We have reached a sufficient size in the carpet market, from now on we can enter different industries. But it is not clear yet.
Ikea is ok, Walmart on the way
We exist in all industrialized countries. We work with Ikea and big US markets. We are negotiating with Walmart. The preferences of countries and continents are very different. It is necessary to analyze them well. For this reason, before starting to export, I personally conducted market research in the countries we visited.
There are many social responsibility projects
Erdemoğlu Holding also carries out many social responsibility projects. It also supports education by making a large number of schools to date. With the health center and social facilities the Holding has built in Adıyaman Besni, it works towards the needs of the people of the region.
Dormitory and library
Erdemoğlu Holding also continues the construction of an education complex in the same region, which includes education buildings, student dormitories, sports halls and libraries. The Merinos site, which was established in Merveşehir, was given the opportunity to own a home for 828 employees who have completed 5 years. The holding, which employs approximately 7 thousand people, also has mosque projects that have been completed and are about to start.
https://www.star.com.tr/roportaj/hali-krali-enerjisini-ruzgardan-alacak-haber-937210/
Star Newspaper
September 8, 2014
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