ARMALITH? - INTERVIEW – MENTOR GARMENT MANUFACTURING

Mentor Garment Manufacturing is a leading manufacturer of technical garments, specializing in motorcycle, equestrian, hiking, and outdoor apparel. Based in Istanbul, Turkey, Mentor operates as a fully integrated factory with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and innovation. The company produces high-quality products for premium European brands under the private label manufacturing model. Their product range includes motorcycle jeans, jackets, equestrian breeches, workwear, and outdoor gear, all designed to meet stringent safety and performance standards (Mentor GM ) (Mentor GM ).

Mentor Garment Manufacturing is a division of Canlioglu Tekstil, which was established in 1999. The parent company's core values of excellence and innovation are integral to Mentor's operations. The company is dedicated to sustainable practices and the utilization of advanced technology in their manufacturing processes. This commitment has positioned them as a dynamic and respected entity in the technical garment manufacturing industry (Mentor GM ).

Maruf Canlioglu is a key figure associated with Mentor Garment Manufacturing. He serves as a board member at Canl?o?lu Tekstil and is the founder of Mentor Garment Manufacturing. His leadership and vision have been crucial in steering the company towards achieving its goals of high-quality production and innovation. Maruf Canlioglu is also involved in various industry events and collaborations, showcasing the company's latest advancements and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners

1. Pioneering Armalith? Integration:

- Question: Mentor Garment Manufacturing has been a trailblazer in integrating Armalith? into technical apparel. Can you tell us about the moment you realized Armalith? was the right choice for enhancing your products' performance?

- Answer: Mentor GM's introduction to Armalith? was a pivotal moment in our journey. Our family business, Canlioglu Tekstil, with 25 years of experience in high quality lifestyle clothing manufacturing, embraced Armalith? while developing our first protective motorcycle line. The shared values of quality and service between Mentor GM and Armalith?, both rooted in Europe, made this partnership a natural fit.

2. Showcasing Expertise and Achievement:

- Question: What are some of the most significant milestones Mentor GM has achieved with Armalith? fabrics, and how do these accomplishments set you apart in the industry?

- Answer: Our most notable achievements include producing class AAA-rated jeans and specialized collections for each EICMA show. These products highlight our commitment to combining safety with style, featuring high protection and exceptional denim wash quality.

We take pride in our ability to produce lightweight, highly elastic Armalith? products, especially catering to modern riders who seek both protection and comfort.

3. Innovation and Upcoming Collections:

- Question: With innovation at the heart of Mentor GM, are there any new Armalith?-infused products or designs that your team is particularly excited about?

- Answer: We are excited about our upcoming broad range of Armalith? denim collections, especially those being developed for one of the UK's largest motorcycle manufacturers, to be released by summer 2024.

We've received positive feedback on previous collaborations with premium European brands and are continuing to develop new collections with other notable European brands.

4. Marketing Excellence:

- Question: How does Mentor GM highlight the unique benefits of Armalith? in its marketing efforts to connect with and educate potential buyers and designers?

- Answer: Professional decision-makers who are tasked with creating successful products that balance several critical factors, including price, design, quality, and lead time. We emphasize the unique benefits we provide through our expertise as a qualified manufacturer. These include transparent pricing during the design phase and the advantage of being closer to the fully manufacturing site, all of which are crucial when developing successful collections. This approach helps us effectively communicate the value we bring to our customers.

5. Choosing Armalith?:

- Question: Out of all the abrasion resistant fabrics available, why did Mentor GM specifically select Armalith? for its technical garments?

- Answer: We selected Armalith? for its unparalleled performance and comfort properties, outshining other alternatives. The unique way Armalith? technology wraps cotton around UHMWPE fibers not only boosts durability but also aligns with our core mission to provide protective clothing without compromising on style. It helps us to make outstanding denim treatment and create well looking protective clothing.

6. Brand Collaboration and Promotion:

- Question: Considering your collaboration with Armalith?, what strategies do you believe could further enhance the visibility and appeal of Armalith?-enhanced products?

- Answer: I believe that the promotion of Armalith? can be enhanced by highlighting the craftsmanship and detailed work that goes into each garment. By showcasing our fully integrated manufacturing process and the dedication of our partners, we can further elevate the brand's stature.

7. Product Range and Diversity:

- Question: Could you give us an insight into the variety of products Mentor GM offers that feature Armalith? technology?

- Answer: We manufacture a diverse range of Armalith? products, ensuring each garment meets the rigorous demands of performance and durability. Our product line includes everything from clean-looking dark blue jeans to fashion-forward jackets that blend functionality with style.

8. Practical Experience and Feedback:

- Question: Have members of the Mentor GM team used the Armalith? garments themselves? What feedback can you share from firsthand experience?

- Answer: We conduct fitting sessions in our factory during sampling. Feedback has been always positive, particularly for our single-layer Armalith? items which offer a fresh and less bulky alternative to traditional motorcycle gear.

9. Testing and Certification:

- Question: What can you tell us about the protection levels your Armalith? products achieve, and how do you ensure they meet industry safety standards?

- Answer: We ensure that fabric properties are delicately preserved throughout every production process. Excessive heat and incorrect chemical applications can damage fibers and decrease protection. We follow internally created Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while producing motorcycle clothing. We carry the responsibility to protect motorcycle riders who rely on our PPE clothing in an accident. This requires more than meeting industry standards during the certification phase, even though Armalith products often exceed those standards, offering superior protection.

10. Commitment to Sustainability:

- Question: Sustainability is a core value in garment making. How does the eco-responsibility of Armalith? align with your company's sustainable manufacturing practices?

- Answer: Mentor GM's commitment to sustainability is perfectly complemented by Armalith?'s eco-responsible properties. Operating sustainably within our near-shore European factory and using Armalith? fabrics made in Spain supports our low carbon emission business model.

Our state-of-the-art sustainable denim laundry enables us to manufacture Armalith motorcycle clothing without using bleachers, pumice stone, manual hand scraping, and spraying. Thanks to technological advancements such as laser, ozone gas, and enzymes, we create sustainable products without compromising aesthetics. Our modern water treatment facility processes all the water consumed in production. The recycled water ratio in new production reaches up to 95% against 5% virgin water.

Both Royotec and Mentor GM facilities are socially and environmentally audited and hold the highest grade certifications.

Consumers want to ensure that their clothing is made responsibly. Mentor is prepared for a future where supply chains are transparent and products are traceable.

11. Educational Outreach:

- Question: How does Mentor GM educate its audience about the protective qualities of Armalith? in motorcycle apparel, especially concerning abrasion risks?

- Answer: We aim to raise awareness in two directions. First withing our team to carefully work with Armalith fabrics and our customers on working with an experienced production partner.

12. Material Innovation:

- Question: Does Mentor GM enhance the performance of Armalith? by blending it with other materials? If so, what kind of synergy does this create?

- Answer: Each garment comprises many components, such as metal buttons, invisible interlinings, or stitching yarns, supplied by different partners. We carefully nominate our partners in our supply chain to match high-quality standards. I believe Armalith? fabrics deserve to be crafted with the best workmanship, accessories, and trims. This combination enhances the inherent qualities of Armalith?, leading to garments that are not just safe but also functional and trendsetting.

13. Brand DNA Alignment:

- Question: How has integrating Armalith? technology into your product lines enriched the DNA of the Mentor GM brand?

- Answer: Integrating Armalith? has enriched Mentor GM's brand identity, aligning with our ethos of providing high-quality, stylish, and comfortable technical apparel. It resonates with our legacy of innovation and exceptional service.

14. Fashion Forward:

- Question: As Armalith? increasingly influences the fashion industry by blending functional and fashionable elements, how does Mentor GM align with and contribute to this vision?

- Answer: At Mentor GM, we are inspired by the vision of integrating functional qualities with contemporary style. Our commitment is deeply rooted in our heritage of premium fashion manufacturing, which enables us to bring a unique perspective to this fusion.

Each collection we create for the EICMA show is a testament to our capability and dedication to advancing this blend, showcasing how technical apparel can also be trendsetting.

We contribute to setting new standards in the market, ensuring that style and safety are no longer mutually exclusive but are complementary facets of modern apparel.

Maruf Canlioglu Canl?o?lu Interviewed by Pierre-Henry SERVAJEAN