“Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, we have the opportunity to present our products to opticians and opticianry students in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.”

Hello Mr. Keleş. Could you introduce yourself to our readers and share your journey into the optical industry?
Hello, my name is Can Keleş. I represent the third generation of a family of opticians. Our optical stores began operating in the mid-1990s. When my older brothers, who belong to the second generation, were running the business at the beginning of the new millennium, I was still in middle school. During that period and throughout my high school years, I became familiar with the profession by spending my free time at our stores. After graduating from high school, I officially entered the industry by working as a full-time store manager.

Could you share the story behind Ninoflex Glasses, its defining features, and where the brand is today?
The story behind the creation of the brand is based on the lack of sufficiently suitable frame models for babies and children in Turkey. While more than 200 brands could be found in adult eyewear, there were only four or five brands available for children. In order to fill this gap, preliminary research was conducted in 2018, and production began under the Ninoflex brand in 2019. The most significant advantages of our products are that they can be orthopedically adjusted according to children’s facial structure, ear distance, and nasal width, and that they are delivered to families together with spare parts included in the box. This provides a highly beneficial solution for children undergoing vision correction treatments. Today, Ninoflex has become a widely accessible brand for many families, with more than 600 sales points across Turkey.

How did your retail heritage influence your move into manufacturing and the growth of Ninoflex Glasses?
The experience we gained in retail allowed us to better understand the end consumer and enabled us to adopt a more solution-oriented approach to potential issues. As a result, the satisfaction we create through our after-sales services greatly pleases our dealers as well. Our goal is to support both sides under fair conditions. By protecting our dealers’ interests while offering solutions that do not disappoint consumers, we leave a positive impression in the minds of both sellers and users, which has played a significant role in the growth of Ninoflex Glasses.

How did you decide to focus on such a specialized field as baby and children’s eyewear?
After observing that this area was not given sufficient importance within the Turkish optical sector, we decided to focus on it. It is known that there are approximately 10,000 optical retail stores across Turkey. In the vast majority of them, only low-priced models commonly referred to as “institutional frames” are available. Very few companies focus on orthopedic and functional frames. However, we have observed that when these products are properly explained to families, they are willing to allocate a budget for specialized frames. After closely observing consumer behavior in stores, the idea of focusing on a niche area such as children’s eyewear naturally emerged.

Could you tell us about the materials and production techniques you use for Ninoflex Glasses products?
Since our products are designed for babies and children, we use European-origin raw materials and production techniques whose quality we fully trust. All of the raw materials we use have undergone laboratory analysis by authorized institutions and are certified. We take a highly meticulous approach to our products. In addition to selecting allergen-free materials, we prioritize user health throughout the entire production process. Once our frames are carefully manufactured, they go through multi-stage quality control before being delivered to our dealers and then to the end user. Even if this level of care and quality is not yet fully recognized by the end consumer, the positive feedback we receive from our dealers and our continuously expanding dealer network clearly demonstrate overall consumer satisfaction.

By initiating local production of silicone nose pads and headbands, you reduced reliance on imports. How did this process come about?
From the very beginning of our production journey, one of our key objectives was to ensure that every component of our eyewear would be easily accessible within Turkey. This was especially critical in terms of providing fast after-sales service. Today, we have reached a point where 97 percent of the components that make up our eyewear are produced using locally sourced suppliers. Since silicone nose pads and headbands are exclusive to our brand, we did not want to remain dependent on foreign suppliers. These initiatives have also contributed to keeping capital within the country rather than sending it abroad.

You currently have more than 600 dealers across 67 cities in Turkey. What are your main priorities when managing this network?
We provide our dealers with supportive materials, display products, and auxiliary equipment that make it easier for them to explain and present the product to potential customers in-store. Our aim is to stand by our dealers and continuously support them with visual and video content that assists their sales processes. Being fully aware of how crucial these elements are when introducing products to end consumers, we continue to provide this support without interruption. For the same reason, we approached the Ninoflex Glasses website with great care. We ensured that it is detailed and easy to understand. In order to help consumers access our products regardless of their location in Turkey, we integrated a mapping system that directs them to the nearest dealer. Additionally, we operate a support line that responds very quickly during business hours.

You maintain a balance between high quality and accessible pricing. How do you manage this challenging equation?
In order to maintain this balance, we make sacrifices not only in profit but also in time. We conduct meticulous analyses. At this point, I would like to emphasize once again that our priority is to ensure the satisfaction of both the dealers who sell our products and the children and parents who use them. Compared to international brands, we offer the same quality at more affordable prices, while providing even more comprehensive after-sales service. Strengthening our brand’s reputation through a solution-oriented approach toward all our business partners results in a high level of satisfaction. For this reason, we believe our positioning against global brands is quite strong.

As CK Grup Optik, which areas are currently the focus of your R&D efforts?
As a company, our primary goal is to produce eyewear using materials and production techniques that cause minimal harm to the world we live in. This has been our fundamental objective since the very beginning. With our structure that is always open to development, we are focusing our R&D efforts and investments on the search for and application of environmentally friendly production materials. I can say that we are fully committed to turning our vision of producing recyclable raw materials and adapting them into our products into reality.

Could you share your short- and mid-term plans for Ninoflex Glasses?
We closely follow global industry developments and innovations worldwide. In the short term, we aim to increase digitalization by implementing a B2B ordering system that will cover all our dealers. In the mid-term, our goals include expanding our color and model range, creating a sunglasses collection when conditions allow, and developing collaborations for popular children’s models. At the same time, we plan to invest in innovative orthotic products that support visual disorders. When the right timing and teams come together, we also aim to expand into new markets.

What does Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair represent for the optical industry in general and for local manufacturers like yourselves?
I believe Silmo Istanbul is an extremely important and prestigious organization for our industry. It creates a valuable experience and vision platform for both those already in the sector and those considering entering it. As manufacturers, we have the opportunity to present our products to opticians and opticianry students in a comfortable and welcoming environment. At the same time, the fair plays a critical role in bringing local brands and products together with international visitors. I sincerely hope that this valuable event, which was held for the 12th time in 2025, will continue to serve the Turkish optical industry for many years to come.

Thank you for taking the time to join us. Finally, would you like to share your thoughts on 4 your eyes?
I do not think there is another magazine that delivers industry innovations with such speed and precision. I make sure to review every issue to stay informed about the latest developments. Thank you for all the work you have done so far and for everything you will continue to do in the future. It is great to have you.

February 2026