After the pandemic conditions that were felt on a global scale, the ready-to-wear sector in Türkiye came together again on an international platform for the first time in four years. At the center of this meeting, CNR KONFEK 2022 gave industry players signs of recovery and a new growth period.

The event, which brought together textile machinery, garment technologies and supplier-industry solutions, created a ground for new commercial relationships. Malkan Machinery, representing Türkiye’s domestic manufacturing strength, answered the efficiency search of ready-to-wear manufacturers at CNR KONFEK 2022 with its advanced engineering solutions.

Trade fairs bring producers and buyers into the same space, so they play an important role in technology selection and market tracking. General information on the function of fairs is available on the Wikipedia Fair page. CNR KONFEK 2022 performed this function for garment machinery as well.

1. THE POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY OF THE SECTOR AND THE CNR KONFEK 2022 MEETING

Malkan Machinery stand and machine display area at CNR KONFEK 2022.

Disruptions in global supply networks and fluctuations in manufacturing processes created a deep need for modernization in the ready-to-wear sector. CNR KONFEK 2022, which opened its doors after a four-year forced break, became an important platform that renewed the competitive strength of the garment industry in Türkiye.

CNR KONFEK 2022 showed through its contacts that manufacturers were focusing on technology investments that would raise uninterrupted production capacity. Local and foreign professionals had the chance to inspect highly automated systems directly, as an answer to cost pressures.

Beyond being a commercial meeting, the organization created a broad ecosystem where sustainability principles in garment manufacturing were discussed. Malkan Machinery presented to the sector the value-added equipment it had developed by turning difficult periods into R&D investments.

Visitors showed interest in mechanical infrastructures that reduce the human factor in fabric processing and ironing lines. In this way CNR KONFEK 2022 became a starting point for the technological transformation steps that will shorten the lead times of textile exporters.

Fairs where machines can be watched while running base the investment decision on more concrete data than a catalog review. Criteria such as cycle time, steam and energy consumption, the effect on fabric and operator workload can be evaluated on site at events like CNR KONFEK 2022.

In garment production, ironing is a shaping stage where heat, moisture, pressure and time are applied to the fabric together. When the balance of these four parameters is lost, defects such as shine, dimensional deviation or leftover wrinkles appear; machine selection therefore directly affects product quality.

Lead time pressure in ready-to-wear orders is felt most in the stages after sewing. When the ironing and packing line slows down, finished goods wait for shipment; for this reason, systems that offer speed and continuity are examined carefully at fairs.

2. HALF A CENTURY OF MANUFACTURING HERITAGE: MALKAN MACHINERY’S GLOBAL STRENGTH

Founded in 1971, Malkan Machinery is the first company in the ironing sector in Türkiye. Today the brand, which exports to 95 countries, is an engineering brand recognized in the international market for industrial ironing and pressing systems.

The quality standards it has valued since its foundation have turned the company from a local manufacturer into a technology supplier offering products to the global market. During the pandemic, when investments slowed, Malkan continued its design and engineering work at its R&D center.

Company engineers focused on resource saving, ergonomic working principles and automation mechanisms and designed a new-generation machine architecture. The products of this work were presented to industry professionals at CNR KONFEK 2022.

The interest of large integrated plants in Türkiye and of international distributors was directed at Malkan’s effort to combine its established reliability with innovative designs. This picture shows how more than half a century of corporate experience meets modern industrial dynamics.

In ironing and pressing machines, lasting quality depends not only on correct design but also on the discipline of post-manufacture testing and commissioning. Verifying pressure, temperature and steam values on site is a precondition for the machine to deliver the expected performance on the production line.

For this reason, the service, spare parts and technical support capacity of an exporting manufacturer is as important as the machine itself. Adapting to different climate, voltage and steam infrastructure conditions is one of the main technical subjects in international sales.

3. SMART MANUFACTURING AND A TECHNOLOGICAL STEP DRIVEN BY DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Conveyorized combined ironing robot and servo presses displayed at the fair.

At CNR KONFEK 2022, the Malkan stand was a showcase of the company’s move from classic mechanical structures to digitalizing smart systems. The product range displayed at CNR KONFEK 2022 was shaped with an automation infrastructure that meets digital transformation requirements.

Servo-motorized linear systems, replacing traditional pneumatic structures, provided a clear increase in operating speed. These servo-driven slide mechanisms offer a higher cycle speed and precise positioning compared with classic press systems.

Pneumatic cylinders work with air pressure, so speed and position adjustment remain more limited; in servo drive, the motion profile is set by software. This difference allows finer tuning of pressure and speed values for different fabrics and products.

Servo systems monitor motion through encoder feedback; when a position error is detected, the drive corrects it. This closed-loop structure makes repeatable results easier in applications that need precise positioning, such as linear presses.

Servo-driven systems draw energy mostly during motion. In pneumatic systems, producing compressed air and possible leaks create extra energy cost; the choice of drive type therefore also affects operating expenses.

The conveyorized combined ironing robot, designed with smart manufacturing principles and aiming at autonomous operation on lines, was among the highlights of the fair. These systems, with an integrated material conveyor belt, reduce the time operators spend on loading and unloading.

Robots that can share data with each other and be integrated into central factory automation are consistent with a smart factory approach. Thanks to precise process control, textile products reach a standard surface quality.

Conveyorized transport delivers the product continuously to the folding or hanging point after it leaves the machine. This flow reduces the build-up and manual carrying of products at the end of the line, and the operator spends time on value-adding work such as loading and inspection.

The value of automation shows not only in speed gains but also in repeatability. When the same product is processed with the same pressure, temperature and times across different shifts, quality fluctuation falls and setup times shorten.

General principles of data-driven, automated production are explained on the Wikipedia Smart Manufacturing page; the products highlighted at CNR KONFEK 2022 represent applications of this approach in garment ironing lines.

4. MALKAN PRODUCT PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTED AT THE CNR KONFEK 2022 STAND

Each machine displayed at CNR KONFEK 2022 was developed to remove specific operational bottlenecks in garment manufacturing. Equipment suited to different scales, from high-capacity mass production plants to boutique workshops, attracted interest.

Visitors to CNR KONFEK 2022 had the chance to examine the machines’ energy efficiency values and cycle time gains in live demonstrations. This portfolio reflects the production standards reached by modern textile engineering.

The Malkan Machinery product range and technical features highlighted at the fair are summarized in the table below.

The common engineering ground of these machines is combining energy saving with production speed and operator ergonomics. Heating element systems that provide precise temperature regulation optimize steam consumption and contribute to lower operating costs.

Integrated vacuum systems prevent moisture from remaining in the fabric fibers and support dryness at the packing stage. This technical competence contributes to Malkan’s place among the manufacturers preferred in the global textile machinery market.

Fabric setting is a process applied under heat to give dimensional stability, especially in knitted fabrics containing synthetic fibers and elastane. If the wrong temperature and time are chosen, shrinkage, shine or loss of elasticity may appear.

PID control is a feedback method that continuously calculates the difference between measured and target temperature to drive the heater. In this way the temperature is held in a narrow band around the target value and deviation between products falls. Basic heat and energy principles are explained on the Wikipedia Thermodynamics page.

In the carousel (rotary table) layout, a different operation runs simultaneously at each station while the product moves between stations. This structure lets one operator manage several stages and reduces idle time for the machine.

On denim trousers, thick-seam areas such as the waist, pocket and hem need higher pressure and longer steam contact than flat areas. In solutions for trouser ironing such as the carousel system introduced at CNR KONFEK 2022, this regional difference is managed through program settings.

In vacuum ironing tables, suction draws evaporating moisture and air out of the fabric. Ironing tables and ironing passboards are work surfaces widely used on garment lines for processing fabric in a controlled way.

Malkan Machinery’s product range is not limited to these machines. Shirt ironing systems and hat ironing systems for garment lines are also among its product categories.

For the steam needs of ironing and pressing lines, steam boilers are offered as a separate category. The home and store product group covers ironing solutions used at home and in shops.

5. MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AND GOALS FOR THE NEW PERIOD

Malkan Machinery Chairman of the Board Caner Vural and the management team at the fair.

Entering a new period with a new management team, Malkan Machinery was on the field with its whole team throughout CNR KONFEK 2022. The event became a showcase where the team that took over management shared its sector goals with the public.

Caner Vural, Chairman of the Board of Malkan Machinery, voiced his satisfaction with the productive business environment the organization provided. Vural said they were strengthening the global brand perception by equipping the company’s heritage of more than half a century with the smart technologies of the future.

According to Vural, BEST Otomasyon has been Malkan Machinery’s strategic partner in automation solutions and software services for about 15 years. The team, which knows the dynamics of this sector closely, offers value-added solutions to garment manufacturers directly and indirectly.

It was stated that the strongest motivation while taking over a heritage of more than half a century from Malkan Machinery’s founder, Mustafa Alkan, was deep knowledge of the sector. It was said that significant innovations were made in management in the first nine months in office.

It was reported that concrete steps were taken to make Malkan faster, higher in quality and more technological in production. The results of the fair were found valuable for seeing the success achieved in a short time and increased the excitement of being a stronger breath for the sector.

Caner Vural said that the main goals in building the company’s new period are R&D and corporate digitalization. He stated that strategic investments would continue with the aim of becoming a strong brand in industrial ironing systems.

Projects launched to modernize production infrastructure and to strengthen the global dealer network were shared with business partners during CNR KONFEK 2022. The new management vision was received positively by international suppliers and domestic industrialists.

Corporate digitalization makes it easier to follow production planning, stock and spare parts management and service records in a single data flow. This data also helps return field problems encountered in machine design to R&D work.

6. GLOBAL AFTER-SALES SERVICES AND THE DIGITAL SUPPLY NETWORK

In industrial manufacturing lines, sustainability depends not only on machine performance but also on the continuity of after-sales technical support. At CNR KONFEK 2022, Malkan also introduced to stakeholders the service and support infrastructure of the new-generation models it displayed.

The company’s global structure, exporting to 95 countries, increases the importance of authorized technical service and logistics support. A strong service network reduces the risk of downtime that may occur on production lines.

This support strength is one of the deciding factors in how international garment manufacturers evaluate the Malkan brand.

The Malkan online sales platform, an important leg of the digital transformation strategy, makes it easier to obtain original spare parts and consumables. Businesses can order the mechanical and pneumatic components they need from the manufacturer.

The parts inquiry and logistics tracking features of this platform were also introduced at CNR KONFEK 2022. A seamless service approach and a transparent supply chain strengthen a corporate structure focused on customer satisfaction.

Preventive maintenance is a basic approach that extends machine life and reduces unplanned stops. Periodic checks of seals, filters, steam valves and vacuum components help keep quality and energy efficiency in the ironing line.

Using original spare parts matters for dimensional and material compatibility. A non-compliant part can cause pressure loss, steam leaks or temperature deviation and directly affect product quality.

Training maintenance staff and operators during commissioning, and teaching setup parameters and daily maintenance steps, helps new systems be used productively in a short time. This training also matters for continuity of performance of the machines introduced at CNR KONFEK 2022.

7. INTERNATIONAL VISITOR INTEREST AND NEW COMMERCIAL BRIDGES

During CNR KONFEK 2022, the Malkan Machinery stand was lively with visitors from various regions. At the four-day event, foreign buying delegations showed interest in the technological capability and durability of textile machinery from Türkiye.

Contacts made during CNR KONFEK 2022 turned into talks that may support the company’s export work in new markets. Engineers and factory managers who visited the stand showed interest in the precision offered by servo-controlled mechanisms.

The company, aiming to strengthen its overseas distributor network, tried to put its strategy of taking a more active role in global markets into practice on this platform. Bilateral business meetings showed the place of garment machinery manufacturing from Türkiye in the international supply chain.

The contribution of trade fairs to export-led development became visible once again through these commercial links. Malkan Machinery represented the manufacturing strength of its country in the international arena with the high-technology products it displayed.

At export-oriented fairs, first contact often begins with clarifying technical questions. Buyers ask about energy consumption, service access, spare parts lead time and training support; these meetings determine the scope of the later quotation stage.

Follow-up after a fair matters as much as the fair itself. Recording the technical requests of the companies met and answering them on time raises the chance that first contact turns into a concrete commercial relationship.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why was CNR KONFEK 2022 an important meeting for the sector? CNR KONFEK is one of the important meetings of the garment and ready-to-wear manufacturing industry in Türkiye. Held after a four-year forced break caused by the pandemic, CNR KONFEK 2022 formed an important turning point in the sector’s recovery.

Which new product groups did Malkan Machinery introduce at CNR KONFEK 2022? The company exhibited a 4-station carousel system, a conveyorized combined ironing robot, servo-motorized linear presses, fabric setting machines and automatic vacuum ironing tables. These systems aim to provide operational savings with high cycle speed and energy efficiency.

What are the main focuses of Malkan’s new management approach? The new management aims to bring its 15 years of automation and software experience together with Malkan’s production strength of more than half a century. Digital transformation projects, smart manufacturing technologies and diversification of export markets come to the fore.

How are spare parts and service supplied for the machines? Malkan Machinery serves through its distributor and technical service network. Original spare parts can also be obtained through the online sales platform.

How do servo-motorized linear systems differ from pneumatic systems? Pneumatic systems move with air pressure, while in servo systems the motion profile is set by software. Servo drive therefore allows more precise adjustment of speed and position.

How does the conveyorized combined ironing robot affect line efficiency? The integrated conveyor belt carries the processed product off the line without interruption. The time operators spend loading and unloading is therefore reduced.

Why are fabric setting machines used? Setting is a heat process applied to give dimensional stability, especially in knitted fabrics containing synthetic fibers and elastane. The right temperature and time help reduce defects such as shrinkage and shine.

How do vacuum ironing tables contribute to ironing quality? Vacuum suction holds the fabric to the table surface and draws evaporating moisture out of it. The fabric therefore reaches the packing stage drier and smoother after ironing.

How does the carousel system introduced at CNR KONFEK 2022 work? As the product moves between stations on a rotary table, a different operation is carried out simultaneously at each station. The machine therefore works without idle time and operator workload is balanced.

What are the basic quality parameters in ironing? Temperature, moisture, pressure and time are set together. If these values are not adjusted to the fabric type, shine, dimensional deviation or leftover wrinkles may appear.

How do fairs like CNR KONFEK 2022 contribute to investment decisions? Machines can be observed running, so cycle time, energy consumption and the effect on fabric can be seen directly. These data base the investment decision on measurements on site rather than catalog information.