At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief of Kohan Textile Journal, interviewed Jerry Zhao to discuss Tongda Group’s latest automation technologies, its long-term commitment to the Turkish market, and the company’s vision for the future of sustainable and intelligent textile manufacturing.
Q&A: Tongda Group on Automation, Sustainability and Growth in Global Textile Markets
Could you introduce Tongda Group and its core business?
Jerry Zhao: Tongda Group was founded in 1952 and has more than 70 years of experience in textile machinery manufacturing. Today, we operate several business divisions covering yarn spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing, nonwovens, and textile machinery components.
Our first ring spinning frame was manufactured in 1952, and we began exporting internationally in 1988. Some of our earliest machines installed in Bangladesh and Pakistan have been operating reliably for more than 30 years.
Over the decades, we have gradually developed complete spinning solutions, and today one of our greatest strengths is providing complete textile production lines for customers worldwide. Our machines are currently operating across Europe, the United States, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
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What technologies are you showcasing at ITM 2026?
Jerry Zhao: Our primary focus is fully automatic and intelligent textile machinery.
Today’s textile industry faces increasing labour shortages and rising manpower costs. Our goal is to help textile manufacturers build highly automated production lines that require significantly less manual intervention while improving production efficiency.
Automation not only reduces labour costs but also creates greater value for our customers through higher productivity and more stable manufacturing processes.
Why is the Turkish market important for Tongda Group?
Jerry Zhao: Türkiye is one of the world’s most important textile manufacturing countries and has long been recognized for producing high-quality yarns, fabrics, garments, and home textiles for international markets, especially Europe.
That makes Türkiye a strategic market for Tongda Group.
We already have several customers using our cotton, wool, and worsted spinning machines, as well as weaving equipment. Our objective is to continue expanding our presence across the Turkish textile industry.
Are you also targeting Türkiye’s carpet manufacturing sector?
Jerry Zhao: Yes. We see significant opportunities in the Turkish carpet industry, particularly in Uşak, one of the country’s major carpet manufacturing centers.
Many manufacturers currently use needle-punching equipment from smaller suppliers. We believe our machinery, designed according to European standards, can help carpet producers improve product quality, increase production capacity, reduce energy consumption, and lower labour costs.
Our goal is to build long-term partnerships with leading Turkish carpet manufacturers and support their competitiveness through advanced technology.
How do you see the future of the global textile industry?
Jerry Zhao: The textile industry will always remain one of the world’s essential industries because clothing and home textiles are basic human needs.
Although the global economy is facing challenges due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, demand for textile products will continue. Manufacturers, however, are increasingly looking for higher-quality, environmentally friendly, and sustainable products.
Innovation and sustainability are therefore at the core of our company’s strategy.
We are investing in technologies that support recycled fibres, textile waste recycling, and production processes aligned with international standards such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Turning textile waste into valuable raw materials is becoming an increasingly important part of the industry’s future.
What is Tongda Group’s long-term vision?
Jerry Zhao: Our vision is to become a reliable global technology partner by continuously developing innovative, intelligent, and sustainable textile machinery.
Economic cycles may change, but companies that continue investing in innovation will always create new opportunities. By offering advanced automation and sustainable production technologies, we believe we can help textile manufacturers improve efficiency while contributing to the industry’s long-term green development.
