The American industrial design company NCal Corp has been connected with manufacturers in Turkey who can engage in long-term collaboration and produce their own designs. This article is based on the impressions gained during the search for a suitable supplier.
NCal Corp, which focuses on the design and sale of products made from natural materials, serves a “new age” customer segment with products made under natural and ecological production conditions, such as wood, gourd, and stone. Despite the many festivals in the U.S. themed around products made from gourds, the desire to source from Turkey indicates that the fame of this art has extended beyond national borders.
The gourd lamp design sector in Turkey
Turkey hosts many handcrafted products that have not yet been widely advertised or promoted abroad. Thanks to the global communication network, the internet, and social media, there is now demand for Turkish handicrafts from around the world. Gourd lamps are generally considered a part of traditional Turkish crafts and are unique and special due to their handmade nature. These lamps are used for aesthetic and decorative purposes and are regarded as works of art. Production in Turkey is typically carried out by small-scale workshops and artisans, attracting both local and foreign customers. However, challenges in this sector include material sourcing, marketing strategies, and competition, with product quality and durability being crucial factors.
NCal Corp is seeking suppliers who can reproduce (make exact copies of) their design lamps. These suppliers must sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) and be ready for collaboration. Suppliers are expected to design aesthetic, unique, innovative, and functional lamps, with a strong understanding of both traditional and modern design approaches. Additionally, knowledge and skill in craftsmanship, fine detailing, electrical connections, and lighting technologies are important. The lamps must comply with U.S. electrical standards and have a rotating base. Understanding the characteristics of gourds and other materials, knowledge of product storage and preservation, and good planning skills for production and delivery dates are also required. Suppliers should be capable of managing shipping and export procedures for the U.S. and Spain, and must be able to speak English.
During the search for suitable suppliers, approximately 23 manufacturers and suppliers were contacted. Price lists were requested from 11 of these suppliers, and supplier information forms were prepared. The candidates were then presented to the customer along with the prepared report. Due to the unique and artistic nature of each product, standardization in production was not expected. The number of suppliers who speak English and can manage the shipping process was quite small. Suppliers located in four different regions of Turkey were typically artists working in small, non-corporate craft workshops. Various suppliers who either grow, dry, and process gourds from seeds or only handle gourd processing or sales were consulted. Additionally, there are suppliers with their own sales shops in tourist areas, as well as many artists who produce as a hobby and sell online. This sector is open to industrialization, and promoting gourd crafts outside the country should be the first step in this process.
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