From a small workshop producing 50 pairs of shoes in Gaziantep in the 1960s to a giant industrial enterprise producing millions of pairs annually… The story of Kinetix, one of Türkiye's most preferred sports shoe brands, and the Ziylan Group behind it, is the most concrete proof of domestic production and visionary entrepreneurship.
Kinetix, the first domestic brand that comes to mind when "sports shoes" are mentioned in Türkiye, is not just a product, but a symbol representing accessible quality. Founded in 1989 and now available to consumers at over 1500 sales points across Türkiye, this brand has a history of over half a century of experience and industrialization.
In this article, we delve into how the production spark ignited by Ahmet Ziylan in a small workshop transformed into an integrated facility producing at global standards, and we examine Kinetix's brand journey in depth.
The Foundations Are Laid: The Journey from Gaziantep to Istanbul (1960-1970)
The roots of the Ziylan Group go back to the early days of Turkish industry, to the beginning of the 1960s. The founder and honorary chairman of the group... Ahmet Ziylan, He started producing custom-made shoes, entirely by hand, in a small workshop he established in Gaziantep.
In those years, daily production capacity was limited; however, the emphasis on quality ensured that the Ziylan name quickly became well-known. By the early 1970s, local success in Gaziantep fueled the growth of the vision, and production moved to Istanbul.
Transition from Subcontractors to Main Production
During the early years in Istanbul, a strategic decision was made. Instead of solely producing shoes, the focus was on manufacturing soles and ancillary materials, one of the most critical components of footwear. This move allowed the Ziylan Group to learn the "inner workings" and "chemistry" of shoe production.
Industrialization Evolution: The PVC Revolution and the First Athletic Shoe (1980-1985)
The 1980s were a period when the Turkish economy opened up to the outside world and industrialization accelerated. The Ziylan Group was one of the companies that best understood this change.
- Technological Transformation: In the early 1980s, the production of shoes using granular PVC and PVC injection molding began. This technology enabled faster, more durable, and more economical production.
- First Sports Shoe (1985): At a time when Turkish consumers' interest in sports shoes was beginning to increase, the Ziylan Group produced the first domestically manufactured sports shoes. This step was also a harbinger of the Kinetix brand that would be born in the future.
The Birth of Kinetix: “Sports Shoes for Everyone” (1989)
By 1989, global sports brands had begun entering the Turkish market, but their prices were unaffordable for the general public. Seeing this gap, the Ziylan Group... Kinetix He founded his brand.
Kinetix's mission was clear: “"To produce affordable athletic shoes without compromising on quality."”
This strategy ensured the brand's rapid adoption by the public. Kinetix, which spread rapidly, especially among young people and children, progressed from being just a sports shoe brand to becoming a lifestyle brand.
Expanding the Product Range: From Footwear to Textiles (2005)
The 2000s were the years when brands shifted from a "single product" focus to a "combination" focus. Kinetix, having proven its worth in the footwear sector, made a strategic expansion decision in 2005 and entered the textile sector.
- Complementary Products: Tracksuits, t-shirts, jackets, and sports accessories have been added alongside sneakers.
- Retail Power: This product diversity has been the most important driving force behind the "multi-departmental" structure of FLO and In Street stores.
Today's Ziylan Group: Transformation into a Production and Employment Giant
That small workshop in Gaziantep has today transformed into a giant structure with the largest integrated shoe manufacturing facilities in Türkiye. The current structure of the Ziylan Group and its contribution to the economy can be summarized under the following headings:
- Integrated Production Capacity: At its facilities in Şanlıurfa and Istanbul, the company manages all processes in-house, from raw materials to the final product.
- A Giant Structure with 14 Companies: The group comprises 14 different companies operating in various sectors, from manufacturing and retail to logistics and marketing.
- Employment: Approximately directly on the production side. 1,800 people, Together with its retail network (FLO Retail ecosystem), it provides employment to tens of thousands of people.
- Export: Founded in 1985 and the flagship company of the group, Ziylan Ayakkabı A.Ş. today exports its brands, primarily Kinetix, to many countries from Europe to the Middle East, from the Balkans to the Turkic Republics.
The Power of Local Production
The story of Kinetix and Ziylan Group is a lesson that shatters the perception that "local products are of poor quality," demonstrating how Turkish brands can compete with global rivals on their own soil when investing in R&D and technology.
The seeds sown by Ahmet Ziylan in 1960 have today grown into a mighty oak tree in Türkiye's footwear industry. Kinetix, one of Türkiye's most widespread footwear brands with 1500 sales points, continues to be the address for accessible fashion.
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