 In 1878 a fire in the factory caused extensive damage, and it was not reopened until 1882.Carpet production began in Hereke in 1891 and expert carpet weavers were brought in from the carpet weaving centers of Sivas, Manisa and Ladik.The carpets were all hand woven, and in the early years they were either made for the Ottoman palaces or as gifts for visiting statesmen.