Eczacıbaşı Group’s ceramic arm, VitrA Tiles, has been lauded for its innovative integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, becoming the first ceramics producer to join the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, a community of manufacturers at the forefront of 4IR adoption.
Türkiye’s Eczacıbaşı Group takes pride as its prime ceramics division, VitrA Tiles, is inducted into the Global Lighthouse Network (GLN), achieving recognition as a Factory Lighthouse among 21 new inductees. This membership in the World Economic Forum’s scheme underscores their position as pioneers in manufacturing innovation.
During the Davos Summit on January 15, 2024, Eczacıbaşı Group CEO Atalay Gümrah and VitrA Tiles CEO Hasan Pehlivan delivered speeches at the award ceremony. They highlighted their journey in enhancing operations through technology and scaling Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies across their production lines.
VitrA Tiles’ recognition as the first ceramic tile company to be acknowledged by the World Economic Forum for its use of 4IR technologies marks a significant milestone in the industry.
Transforming Challenges into Growth and Innovation
Atalay Gümrah, Eczacıbaşı Holding’s Group CEO, shared his enthusiasm about this distinction, saying, “We are thrilled that our Bozüyük Production Facility has been selected as one of GLN’s Factory Lighthouses, in recognition of the leadership we have shown in deploying Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Facing disruptions in manufacturing from climate change, a volatile financial landscape, and geopolitical crises that have led to fluctuating energy prices, particularly in Türkiye, this recognition underscores how we looked at these challenges not as setbacks, but as catalysts for further innovation and growth, harnessing 4IR to enhance our operational competitiveness.”
The GLN is a collective of manufacturing leaders who are utilising 4IR technologies to revolutionise their factories, value chains, and business strategies, resulting in notable financial and operational benefits. The Factory Lighthouses are exemplary cases of how manufacturing innovations have elevated performance, enabling companies to navigate through volatile times and achieve broader success.
Advancements in Digital Transformation Yield Impressive Results
Through its digital transformation roadmap, VitrA Tiles’ Bozüyük facility focused on intelligent processing and production controls. This approach led to a significant 19% increase in Overall Equipment Effectiveness, a reduction of scrap by 56%, a 14% cut in energy consumption, and a 43% rise in recycled content use in the past year.
VitrA Tiles CEO Hasan Pehlivan reflected on this success, stating, “While our solutions might be unique, the challenges we face are global, and we recognise the value of a global community in solving global challenges. The future of manufacturing is not about just one company, or one sector, or a single country, but about bringing the global community together to address major challenges. I believe the GLN has much to contribute to this journey, and I welcome this excellent latest initiative from the World Economic Forum.”
AI and Machine Learning Revolutionide Global Production
In a world facing rapid technological evolution, geopolitical unrest, and pressing climate change issues, Global Lighthouse Network members are adopting advanced technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, these factories are at the forefront of a global manufacturing revolution. Impressively, 85% of Lighthouse factories reported less than a 10% revenue loss during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a resilience that was not matched by most other manufacturers.
These Lighthouse factories are setting new standards for global manufacturing influence, integrating innovative solutions across their networks to pave the way for a sustainable future and transformative change. This strategic emphasis on innovation is redefining the manufacturing landscape, showcasing the profound influence of advanced technology in tackling current global challenges.
