Interview with Mr Serkan Gogus

Mr Serkan Gogus
Commercial Director
Mogul Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd Sti

Mogul Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd Sti- a private conglomerate, incorporated in 1995, located in Turkey, commenced its operations in 1997. Offering a wide range of products Mogul is involved in production and sale of nonwovens. The product portfolio composes of 100% PP spunbond nonwovens, Pet spunbond nonwovens, meltblown nonwovens, coated/laminated fabrics and converted products made from nonwovens and composites. Mogul takes pride to be the first company to initiate the Spunbond, Meltblown, SMS production in Turkey, and has grown to be the niche supplier for PP spunbond and sole supplier for pet spunbond and meltblown nonwovens in domestic as well as international markets. Major share of its production is exported to more than 40 countries on 4 continents. Mogul is ranked among Top 1000 exporter companies and industrial companies (for turnover) in Turkey, and had set new Guinness record for making 2 biggest flag by its fabrics. Turkish by nationality, aged 39, Mr Serkan Gogus is the Commercial Director of Mogul. Mr Gogus is a graduate in Textile Engineering, Ege University, Turkey. He did his Masters of Business Administration from Istanbul University (Turkey). Edana’s General Assembly has elected Mr Gogus as Board members on 30th May 2007. Speaking with Face2Face team, Mr Serkan Gogus throws light on Nonwovens industry’s rendition in present times.

Mogul serves innovative, versatile and indispensable field of Nonwovens. Over the years of your dealing with this kind of industry, what would you quote as the element behind your success and niche?

Mogul has focused on industrial applications since beginning. We always tried to diversify our product portfolio and broaden our product offerings. You can name only few mid size companies like us which have such wide range of product technologies and products. We always followed developments in equipment and raw material, additive, chemical industries and applied these in our business. We have been innovative and developed some unique products like Mhv Fluorescent Nonwoven, Asterion pulp added melt blown and luminous and odoured fabrics. We always participated in important nonwoven exhibitions and keep our presence high in marketplace.

Please let us know your views about global industry’s rendition in present times.

We are going through difficult times. Financial crisis affecting business globally and we observe a decline in demand in all markets. This crisis is also forming a new world order and reshaping the business models. People are more looking for cost effective solutions and demand is becoming more instant i.e companies are ordering when they need something so you need to be flexible with amounts and delivery times to meet these demands. We believe starting from 2010 markets will get better and companies that can adapt to this new trend will survive and grow.

As a vigilant market observer, tracking how the markets are changing, what can you tell us from a geographic point of view?

Geographically tough still; North America and Europe will continue to be the major markets, growth is more seen in Far East (China mainly), India, Russia, some parts of South America. So, with slowing growth rates western countries are slowing in demand but aging population in these countries shall be creating new markets and demand. We see significant growth in emerging countries and we observe the move of world center from west to east as it was in former times.

We understand the scope of Nonwovens is vast. So, talking about only those few as broad categories of the industry; where do you envisage the most exciting potential?

Hygiene still keeps being the major market for nonwovens. We see significant growth in wipes, filtration, automotive and partly building industry (in growth times) also considering infrastructure investments in emerging countries geotextiles has big potential as well.

Competition in the sector is getting fiercer with the growth of industry. Where do you see the challenge most – offering vast product range or customized product range? In your view, which of these can help as an additive advantage?

Both can be interesting. Of course, if you can develop unique products customized product range is more advantageous but how many companies can achieve that pragmatically? So being realistic, I think vast product range (though difficult to invest and follow) is more advantageous as you can sell different markets and meet different needs of customer making one stop shop for them which in turn is an advantage.

The United States is the world’s largest market for technical textiles. Has its stumbling economy impacted your industry and your business as well?

Also for us it is most important market and of course we are effected with declined demand. Considering all major producers are exporting there and some biggest players producing there, I believe there has been big impact on nonwovens. Also especially slowing demand from US impacted China deeply. A large volume of nonwovens which was being consumed in their domestic market for converting of finished products remain idle which is creating pressure on world markets as they try to compensate this by selling roll goods to other markets.

In the context of compliance and regulations, what all challenges remain for players of your industry?

Compliances and regulations are becoming more important especially with increasing concerns for environment. Recently, Reach has been a major issue for Europe and we’ll see effects when it gets to action but obviously it brings a lot of work load to companies involved.

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Published on: 20/04/2009

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.