Supplier selection in automotive technical textile supply and a case study

Technical textile products have become a frequently used input in industrial areas thanks to their superior performance and functional properties such as durability, high strength, resistance to abrasion, resistance to heat and chemicals, lightness, flexibility and longevity. One of the key application areas is the automotive industry. In automotive manufacturing, technical textiles are widely used for purposes such as decoration, insulation, filtration, and mechanical protection in various components including vehicle interior upholstery, sound and thermal insulation felts, belts, ropes, filter elements, composite structures, brake pads, pipes and hoses used in brake hydraulic lines, as well as safety elements like seat belts and airbags. The usage areas of technical textiles in automotive production carry significant responsibility in terms of safety, quality, comfort, and compliance with regulations. Additionally, the fragmented supply structure of the automotive industry positions technical textile suppliers as strategic procurement elements. As a result, the supplier selection process has become a critical decision-making problem for firms in the sector, necessitating a systematic approach to reach effective solutions. This study aimed to identify the selection criteria used in automotive technical textile procurement and determine their order of importance. For this purpose, the Expert Opinion Method was used to model the priorities of industry experts through semi-structured interviews conducted in the automotive sub-industry in Bursa, and their order of importance was determined. Formal contact information was obtained from the Exporters' Associations for company contacts. The criteria were narrowed down using frequency analysis, and consensus was achieved through a two-round Delphi process. The final set was categorized under the headings of Pricing, Quality Performance, Delivery Performance, and Supplier Profile. A weighting was applied using AHP, and consistency rates were verified below 10%. Using the AHP method, decision-makers' evaluations were mathematically grounded through pairwise comparisons, and the experts' subjective judgments were verified through consistency analysis. The model was used to rank alternative suppliers in a case study. Ultimately, the final set of criteria directly reflected industry-specific needs and provided a field-applicable decision-making support basis. The findings demonstrate that a solely cost-focused approach in technical textile procurement is insufficient; it demonstrates that criteria such as product quality, innovation, complete and on-time delivery, the ability to provide accredited testing and analysis, and transparency in cost breakdown are also decisive in supplier selection. The developed model provides a decision-support framework that directly reflects industry-specific needs, is applicable to field applications, and offers companies a holistic, data-based selection mechanism.