In Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and European countries there is a powerful textile production group of companies ZELAL TEKSTIL, founded and headed by Mr. Firat DENIZ, a recognised expert in the textile industry.
In an exclusive interview, he spoke about global trends, the principles of his company and gave valuable advice to young entrepreneurs.
In an exclusive interview, he spoke about global trends, the principles of his company and gave valuable advice to young entrepreneurs.
– Mr. Firat Deniz, how do you assess the current state of the textile industry in Uzbekistan and the world?
– The modern textile industry is going through a stage of deep transformation. In Uzbekistan we see rapid development: state support, growth of export potential, introduction of innovations – all this turns the country into one of the key players in the region.
Globally, the industry faces new challenges, from geopolitical instability to logistical constraints. But it is technology that is becoming our ally. Automation, digitalisation, and the transition to environmentally friendly production are no longer trends, but necessities. Today, speed of adaptation is more important than volumes, and sustainability is more important than short-term gains.
– Tell us about the structure of your production group. What areas are you developing?
– Our group of companies is built on the principles of vertical integration. We cover the entire cycle: from raw materials to finished products.
● Zelal Tekstil (Tashkent) is our flagship. The enterprise produces up to 100,000 kg of knitted fabric per day and is equipped with the most modern equipment. Now we are building the largest textile complex 20 km from Tashkent – 110 thousand square metres, which will have a capacity of 150 tonnes of fabric per day.
● Zilan Tekstil (Termez) is a modern spinning mill with a planned capacity of 35 tons of yarn per day. The factory employs 500 employees. It is a key link providing raw materials for both internal and external production facilities.
● Zilan Eversun Tekstil (Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan) is an enterprise producing knitted fabrics. The assortment includes polarfleece, welsoft, interlock and other fabrics. Current capacity is 10 tons per day, in the future up to 30 tons. The factory plays an important social role in the region.
● Deniz Teks is a manufacturer of ready-to-wear clothing. Our capacity allows us to produce more than 50,000 garments per day, a significant part of which is exported to Europe and CIS countries. We use fabrics produced at our group companies, which ensures a high level of quality control and product exclusivity.
● Development and construction is a separate area in which we realise full-cycle industrial and residential projects: from design to commissioning.
All enterprises operate as a single mechanism. This allows us to control quality, be flexible in constantly changing market conditions, catch new trends and minimise external risks.
– Where are your overseas offices located and what role do they play?
– We are actively developing our international network. Representative offices and branches are located in:
● Turkey, Poland (Lodz), Italy (Prato) – distribution, design and partnerships with European brands are centred here;
● Russia (Moscow, Ivanovo, Pyatigorsk), Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia – providing logistics, sales and direct deliveries to customers;
● Kyrgyzstan and the Caucasus – processing, warehouses and trading hubs are concentrated here. This distribution allows us to be closer to the consumer and respond quickly to market changes.
– To which countries do you export products and what is most in demand?
– Our exports cover more than 30 countries, including Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan and China. The most popular are: cotton and polyester fabrics; ready-to-wear garments; and products manufactured using environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies. Our products are valued for their high quality, eco-friendliness and ability to adapt to customer needs. We have international certificates that allow us to successfully enter foreign markets and meet international standards.
– You mentioned construction. How does it relate to textiles?
– For us, construction is a continuation of our overall development strategy. We create not only production complexes, but also housing, and we plan to build schools and kindergartens. All our facilities include social infrastructure, the use of solar panels and green spaces.
– What is included in your corporate social responsibility programme?
– We invest in people: we build social facilities and residential complexes, create comfortable and safe working conditions, provide nutritious meals, transport services, and organise recreation zones . We also provide training and professional development courses for our employees. Our goal is not just to hire employees, but to create an environment where everyone feels part of the team and an important participant in the common cause.
– What are your goals for the group over the next 5-10 years?
We’re planning:
● to increase exports and expand the geography of supplies;
● to develop new markets;
● to implement green technology;
● to continue digitalisation and automation;
● invest in the training of skilled labour.
Our goal is to be not just a manufacturer, but a leader shaping the future of the textile industry.
– Mr. Deniz, tell us a little about yourself. How did your journey begin and what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
– My path began when I was a child – I often visited factories with my uncle, a true master of his craft. It was there, among the machines and fabrics, that my first school took place: I observed, learnt, tried. I still remember the first cloth I made myself. This experience taught me to respect labour, to understand production processes from the inside and not to be afraid to take responsibility.
Over the years, life has given me diverse and valuable experience. I have learnt the main thing: to achieve something significant, you need to be able to take risks. But it is important to take risks wisely.
My advice to the young: go to the workshops, warehouses, workshops – that’s where the real understanding of the profession begins. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, they are part of growth. Learn, learn, and learn again. Do your work with interest, honesty and from the heart – then success will definitely come.
– The modern textile industry is going through a stage of deep transformation. In Uzbekistan we see rapid development: state support, growth of export potential, introduction of innovations – all this turns the country into one of the key players in the region.
Globally, the industry faces new challenges, from geopolitical instability to logistical constraints. But it is technology that is becoming our ally. Automation, digitalisation, and the transition to environmentally friendly production are no longer trends, but necessities. Today, speed of adaptation is more important than volumes, and sustainability is more important than short-term gains.
– Tell us about the structure of your production group. What areas are you developing?
– Our group of companies is built on the principles of vertical integration. We cover the entire cycle: from raw materials to finished products.
● Zelal Tekstil (Tashkent) is our flagship. The enterprise produces up to 100,000 kg of knitted fabric per day and is equipped with the most modern equipment. Now we are building the largest textile complex 20 km from Tashkent – 110 thousand square metres, which will have a capacity of 150 tonnes of fabric per day.
● Zilan Tekstil (Termez) is a modern spinning mill with a planned capacity of 35 tons of yarn per day. The factory employs 500 employees. It is a key link providing raw materials for both internal and external production facilities.
● Zilan Eversun Tekstil (Kara-Balta, Kyrgyzstan) is an enterprise producing knitted fabrics. The assortment includes polarfleece, welsoft, interlock and other fabrics. Current capacity is 10 tons per day, in the future up to 30 tons. The factory plays an important social role in the region.
● Deniz Teks is a manufacturer of ready-to-wear clothing. Our capacity allows us to produce more than 50,000 garments per day, a significant part of which is exported to Europe and CIS countries. We use fabrics produced at our group companies, which ensures a high level of quality control and product exclusivity.
● Development and construction is a separate area in which we realise full-cycle industrial and residential projects: from design to commissioning.
All enterprises operate as a single mechanism. This allows us to control quality, be flexible in constantly changing market conditions, catch new trends and minimise external risks.
– Where are your overseas offices located and what role do they play?
– We are actively developing our international network. Representative offices and branches are located in:
● Turkey, Poland (Lodz), Italy (Prato) – distribution, design and partnerships with European brands are centred here;
● Russia (Moscow, Ivanovo, Pyatigorsk), Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia – providing logistics, sales and direct deliveries to customers;
● Kyrgyzstan and the Caucasus – processing, warehouses and trading hubs are concentrated here. This distribution allows us to be closer to the consumer and respond quickly to market changes.
– To which countries do you export products and what is most in demand?
– Our exports cover more than 30 countries, including Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan and China. The most popular are: cotton and polyester fabrics; ready-to-wear garments; and products manufactured using environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies. Our products are valued for their high quality, eco-friendliness and ability to adapt to customer needs. We have international certificates that allow us to successfully enter foreign markets and meet international standards.
– You mentioned construction. How does it relate to textiles?
– For us, construction is a continuation of our overall development strategy. We create not only production complexes, but also housing, and we plan to build schools and kindergartens. All our facilities include social infrastructure, the use of solar panels and green spaces.
– What is included in your corporate social responsibility programme?
– We invest in people: we build social facilities and residential complexes, create comfortable and safe working conditions, provide nutritious meals, transport services, and organise recreation zones . We also provide training and professional development courses for our employees. Our goal is not just to hire employees, but to create an environment where everyone feels part of the team and an important participant in the common cause.
– What are your goals for the group over the next 5-10 years?
We’re planning:
● to increase exports and expand the geography of supplies;
● to develop new markets;
● to implement green technology;
● to continue digitalisation and automation;
● invest in the training of skilled labour.
Our goal is to be not just a manufacturer, but a leader shaping the future of the textile industry.
– Mr. Deniz, tell us a little about yourself. How did your journey begin and what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
– My path began when I was a child – I often visited factories with my uncle, a true master of his craft. It was there, among the machines and fabrics, that my first school took place: I observed, learnt, tried. I still remember the first cloth I made myself. This experience taught me to respect labour, to understand production processes from the inside and not to be afraid to take responsibility.
Over the years, life has given me diverse and valuable experience. I have learnt the main thing: to achieve something significant, you need to be able to take risks. But it is important to take risks wisely.
My advice to the young: go to the workshops, warehouses, workshops – that’s where the real understanding of the profession begins. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, they are part of growth. Learn, learn, and learn again. Do your work with interest, honesty and from the heart – then success will definitely come.