Colins Shuts Down Aksaray Factory, 1,500 Workers Left Jobless

Turkish clothing brand Colins has officially shut down its factory in Aksaray, ending all production at the site where approximately 1,500 people were employed. The decision follows the company’s new investment in Egypt, which has now taken over the brand’s main production capacity.

According to local reports, production was halted over the weekend and the factory gates were locked, marking the end of an era for one of the city’s largest employers. The shutdown underscores a growing trend of Turkish manufacturers relocating production to lower-cost countries, especially amid high inflation, rising energy prices, and increasing labor costs at home.

Equipment Remains in Place for Potential Reopening

Sources close to the company indicated that Colins has left the machinery and production equipment intact at the Aksaray facility. This move reportedly reflects the firm’s contingency plan to restart operations in Turkey should its Egyptian plant face logistical or operational challenges.

While the company has not made an official statement, employees were reportedly informed that the closure is “temporary in structure but indefinite in duration.”

A Heavy Blow to Aksaray’s Local Economy

The closure of the Colins plant represents a significant economic setback for Aksaray, where the apparel industry has been a vital source of employment. With around 1,500 workers suddenly unemployed, the decision has sparked concern among local officials and business groups about the potential social and financial ripple effects on the region.

Economists note that factory closures of this scale can have a multiplier effect on local economies — reducing household spending, weakening supplier networks, and increasing pressure on small businesses that relied on the factory’s workforce.

Broader Trend: Industrial Relocation to Egypt

Colins’ move mirrors a wider shift among Turkish textile and garment companies seeking to optimize production costs. Egypt, with its lower labor costs, trade agreements with Europe, and access to raw materials, has emerged as an attractive hub for textile exports.

Industry analysts suggest that Egypt’s preferential access to EU markets through its trade agreements gives Turkish firms additional competitive advantages, particularly at a time when Turkey’s export margins are shrinking due to high input prices and currency volatility.

Uncertain Future for Aksaray Workers

For the 1,500 employees affected, the closure marks an abrupt and uncertain future. Many workers had been with the company for years, and while some severance packages were reportedly offered, local labor unions have called for state intervention and reemployment initiatives.

Community leaders in Aksaray have labeled the shutdown a “serious blow to regional employment,” urging both the government and the private sector to find solutions to prevent further industrial migration.

As one local official put it, “When a factory like Colins leaves, it’s not just jobs that disappear — it’s the heartbeat of the local economy.”