Türkiye’s bedding industry, supplying raw materials and technology to both domestic and international manufacturers, has positioned the country as the world’s second-largest producer, following China, with over $3 billion in production. Osman Güler, President of the International Bedding Industry Association (IBIA), highlighted this achievement, noting that Türkiye moved up from 6th place in 2021. “We’ve raised Türkiye to the 2nd position. China leads due to its production capacity, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global $40 billion industry. While it’s natural for China to be ahead, our goal is to capture an even larger share of the market,” said Güler.
Expanding Türkiye’s Mattress Export Goals
According to Güler, IBIA was founded to drive growth, boost exports, and increase the global competitiveness of Turkish bedding companies. He noted that the Turkish bedding industry exports to around 150 countries, contributing approximately $2.5 billion to the economy. “Our industry has a total volume exceeding $3 billion. One of our main objectives is to increase Turkish companies’ exports, aiming to reach $3 billion,” he explained.
Navigating Global Challenges with Strategic Initiatives
Güler acknowledged the impact of a global economic downturn, which has led to a 30-40% decrease in industry demand in various countries, based on feedback from international bedding manufacturers. “This crisis affects us significantly, which is why we organized a dedicated fair to explore how we can maximize exports and production with our current resources,” he stated.
IBIA Expo-Mattress Draws Key International Visitors
The IBIA Expo-Mattress Subsidiary Industry and Technologies Exhibition, held for the third time this year, attracted over 6,000 international visitors. Güler reported that despite a challenging economic climate, the event was successful, with attendees expressing high satisfaction and plans underway for an even larger event next year. “Although the crowd was not vast, nearly all visitors were highly specialized and influential,” he said. Güler emphasized that IBIA’s vision is to transform Istanbul into a central hub for the global bedding industry, a goal he is confident they will achieve.