Business trips & facility visits
Seeing factories and meeting suppliers in Türkiye: spend your few days where it really counts
Chinese companies coming to Türkiye often want to see several cities, factories and suppliers within just a few days. Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) takes care of multi-city program design, appointments and correspondence for factory and industrial zone visits, supplier meetings, transport and accommodation, and Chinese-Turkish communication and interpreting throughout, so at every stop you meet the right person and ask the right questions.
What to know before visiting Turkish factories and suppliers
Beyond Istanbul: where is Turkish industry located?
Many people assume Turkish companies are concentrated in Istanbul, but factories are often in surrounding provinces and other industrial cities. For example, Kocaeli, Bursa and Sakarya in the Marmara region, İzmir and Denizli in the Aegean, and Kayseri, Konya and Gaziantep in Anatolia host many manufacturers and organized industrial zones (OSB). Which cities stand out depends on the sector.
So the first step in program design is to identify the cities you really need to visit based on your sector and goals, and build the route accordingly. Cities in the Marmara region can usually be reached by road, while more distant cities require domestic flights. Spreading the program over too many cities often means spending most of your time on the road.
Five details to confirm before a factory visit
When Turkish factories receive foreign visitors, they usually ask for names and passport details in advance; some require a non-disclosure agreement or prohibit photos and video in production areas. Entering the production area usually requires protective equipment such as safety shoes, a high-visibility vest or a hard hat; the factory often provides these, but it is best to confirm in advance. The length of the visit, the areas that can be toured and the title of the person receiving you should also be settled before you set off.
Many Chinese delegations ask directly about capacity, prices and customer lists during the visit, while Turkish companies may be cautious at a first meeting. Before the visit, we discuss with the other side what information can be shared, and help you split your question list into "to ask on site" and "to ask in writing afterwards." That way the other side is not put on the spot, and you still get the information you need.
The difference between a supplier meeting and a factory visit
The purpose of a factory visit is to see: the production line, equipment, quality control and level of management. The purpose of a supplier meeting is to talk: price, delivery time, payment terms, certificates and samples. When the two are mixed, both often end up half-done. We usually recommend visiting first and then meeting, or setting aside separate meeting time after the visit, and asking the other side to prepare a quotation and product documents.
If the aim of the trip is to find a partner, it is best to run a basic preliminary check on candidate companies before departure, such as trade registry information and operating status. Our Turkish company check service supports this. Contract, payment and legal terms raised in meetings should be reviewed by a lawyer before signing.
By the end of the trip, you should have a comparison table in hand
After seeing five or six factories, many details blur together. After each visit and meeting, we take notes in Chinese: the company's products, capacity information, certificates, quotation terms and documents still to be provided. At the end of the program, we compile these into a comparison table, making your internal evaluation easier once you are back in China.
Subsequent sample shipments, requests for additional documents and second-round meetings can also be handled with Turkish companies through us. Keeping the same point of contact helps the other side respond faster and prevents information from getting distorted as it passes between many people.
Those coming to Türkiye for purchasing, a facility or a partnership
Buyers looking for Turkish suppliers
Buyers who want to see the production capacity and quality of Turkish factories on site. We identify factories based on your purchasing needs and book appointments. After the meetings, we prepare a comparison table to support your internal decision.
Companies considering a production facility in Türkiye
Companies wanting to see organized industrial zones and understand local supply and labor conditions. We arrange zone visits and meetings with zone management. Legal and tax questions about the investment are answered by specialist advisers.
Brands looking for partners or distributors
Brands that want to meet potential partners in Türkiye face to face. We arrange the meetings and research the other side's basic background in advance. Subsequent communication can also continue through us.
Industry delegations and company executives
Executives or association delegations wanting an overview of a sector in Türkiye. We plan factory, chamber and industry association visits together. For larger groups, this can be combined with our delegation organization service.
Route, appointments, meetings, transport, interpreting and notes
Multi-city program design
Cities and the route are set according to sector and goals. Road travel and domestic flights are sequenced logically. Time wasted on the road is kept to a minimum.
Arranging factory and OSB visits
We contact factories in Turkish and inform them of the visit's purpose and participants. Visitor registration, confidentiality, photography and protective equipment requirements are confirmed. The length of the visit and the person receiving you are clarified.
Supplier meetings
Meetings are arranged and the other side is asked to prepare a quotation and product documents. We help you organize your question list. Business interpreting is provided during the meeting.
Transport and accommodation
Intercity transport, a private vehicle and hotels are arranged. Hotels are chosen as close as possible to the day's visit locations. Airport transfers are planned as well.
Interpreting and communication from start to finish
The accompanying team handles interpreting and coordination with all parties. For technical visits, the interpreter prepares the terminology in advance. Correspondence with Turkish companies is handled from one point.
Notes, comparison table and follow-up
Chinese notes are taken at every stop. A comparison table is prepared at the end of the program. Support continues for sample and document follow-up.
Service summary and requirements
| Program scope | Single or multi-city |
|---|---|
| Trip content | Factories · OSBs · suppliers · chambers |
| Deliverables | Chinese notes + comparison table |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Sector, product and purpose of the trip (purchasing, facility, partnership)
- Known target companies or the types of companies you want to see
- Participant list, names as in passports, and arrival and departure dates
- A list of questions you want answered on site
Once the goal is set, this is how the trip unfolds
- 1
Clarifying the trip's goals
We discuss your sector, product and the types of companies you want to see. The number of days and budget framework are set. We assess which cities are worth visiting.
- 2
Selection and appointments
Candidate factories and suppliers are identified and presented for your approval. Companies are contacted and visit and meeting times are confirmed. A preliminary company check is carried out first if needed.
- 3
Finalizing the program
The final program is sent, including transport, hotels and reception details at each stop. A short profile of each company is provided. Protective equipment and photography rules are confirmed.
- 4
Running the trip
The accompanying team handles interpreting and coordination from start to finish. Notes are organized after each stop. Upcoming items are adapted to the situation on the ground.
- 5
Review and follow-up
The comparison table and all notes are delivered. Support is provided for requesting additional documents and samples. Second-round meetings are planned.
Frequently asked questions
We don't have specific target companies yet; can you help us find them?
Yes. We identify candidate companies based on your sector and needs and book appointments after your approval. For key candidates, we recommend a basic preliminary company check first. The decision to cooperate is yours.
Do Turkish factories accept Chinese delegations?
Many factories are keen to host potential customers, but they may be cautious if they worry the visitor could be a competitor. The more clearly the purpose of the visit is explained, the easier it is to get approval. We cannot guarantee that every factory will accept a visit.
How many factories can be visited in one day?
It depends on the distance between factories and the depth of each visit. Several factories within the same OSB can be scheduled; between different cities, travel time must be taken into account. In general, quality matters more than quantity.
Can we take photos during the visit?
Many factories restrict photography and video in production areas, and some require a non-disclosure agreement. We confirm each factory's rules in advance. Please follow these rules so as not to affect future cooperation.
Can we discuss prices directly and sign a contract at the meeting?
Prices and key terms can be discussed, but we do not recommend rushing to sign a contract on a first trip. Matters such as contract terms, payment method and dispute resolution should be reviewed by a lawyer. We handle meeting interpreting and contract translation.
Do we need a business visa?
Chinese citizens generally need the appropriate type of visa for a business trip to Türkiye, and sometimes an invitation letter from a Turkish company is required. For exact requirements, the current rules of Türkiye's diplomatic missions in China apply. We can support the translation of the invitation letter.
Can follow-up continue after the trip ends?
Yes. Sample shipments, additional documents and second-round meetings can continue with Turkish companies through us. To move cooperation forward, this can also be combined with our partner and distributor search service.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
