Egypt is becoming increasingly important to the global textile industry as investment expands beyond garment manufacturing into fabric production, according to Cüneyt İşman, Founder and CEO of Pro-SMH.
Speaking with Kohan Textile Journal during Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026 in Cairo, İşman presented the company’s weaving-preparation and finishing machinery portfolio and discussed Egypt’s potential to become one of the Middle East’s principal textile production centres.
Cüneyt İşman on Pro-SMH and Egypt’s Textile Potential
Could you introduce yourself and Pro-SMH?
My name is Cüneyt İşman, and I am the founder and CEO of Pro-SMH.
Pro-SMH manufactures weaving-preparation machinery for the textile industry. We offer a broad range of technologies for different stages of warp preparation and textile production.
We participated in Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026 in Cairo alongside our local agent, Nobeltex. The exhibition provides an important opportunity to meet customers and follow the development of the Egyptian textile market.
Which machinery does Pro-SMH offer?
Our product portfolio includes sizing machines, sectional warping machines, direct warping machines, indigo ranges and textile finishing machinery.
This broad portfolio enables us to work with manufacturers operating across different segments of textile production.
Our objective is to provide machinery corresponding to the specific production requirements of each customer, from weaving preparation to selected finishing processes.
How do you assess the current Egyptian textile market?
Egypt has become a very important market for the international textile industry.
We have seen many textile and apparel companies from Türkiye expanding or transferring production activities to Egypt. In the earlier stages, much of this investment came from garment manufacturers.
The market is now entering another phase, with fabric-producing companies also establishing operations in Egypt. This development is particularly important because it indicates that investment is moving further upstream in the textile value chain.
Why is the expansion of fabric production significant for Egypt?
Garment manufacturing represents only one stage of textile production. When investments also include fabric manufacturing, the country can develop a broader and more integrated industrial base.
The arrival of fabric producers can create new demand for weaving-preparation technologies such as sectional warping, direct warping and sizing machinery.
It can also support closer connections between yarn suppliers, fabric manufacturers, finishing plants and garment producers operating in Egypt.
Read More: Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026: What the Exhibition Revealed About the Future of Egypt’s Textile Industry
Egypt Could Become a Regional Textile Production Centre
What is your outlook for Egypt’s textile industry?
We expect Egypt to become an increasingly important market for Pro-SMH.
As garment and fabric manufacturers expand their activities, demand for production machinery, technical service and modernisation is also likely to grow.
In our view, Egypt has the potential to become one of the Middle East’s important textile production centres. The movement of Turkish textile companies into the country is one indication of this development.
How important is your cooperation with Nobeltex?
Pro-SMH has worked with Nobeltex for many years, and we are very pleased with the partnership.
Nobeltex has a strong position in the Egyptian market, particularly in sales, technical service and customer support. The company represents several well-known textile machinery manufacturers and maintains close relationships with local customers.
Its market knowledge and service capabilities help Pro-SMH communicate with manufacturers and provide the local support required for machinery projects.
We are glad to continue this partnership as the Egyptian textile market develops.
Editor’s Note
This interview was conducted by Kohan Textile Journal during Egypt Stitch & Tex 2026 in Cairo. İşman’s comments point to an important change in Egypt’s investment landscape: while garment manufacturing initially attracted much of the attention, fabric producers are increasingly entering the market, potentially supporting a more integrated textile value chain.
