VitrA Tiles, the flagship ceramics arm of Türkiye’s Eczacıbaşı Group, has been recognised as a Factory Lighthouse within the Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) by the World Economic Forum. This prestigious recognition marks VitrA Tiles as a leader in manufacturing innovation, joining 21 other new members in this distinguished initiative.
At the Davos Summit on January 15, 2024, Atalay Gümrah, CEO of Eczacıbaşı Group, and Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, shared their insights into the company’s application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. Their speeches at the awards ceremony highlighted how these advancements have not only enhanced manufacturing performance but also enabled the company to effectively manage market volatility and achieve broader success.
This recognition is particularly significant as VitrA Tiles is the first ceramic tile company to be acknowledged by the World Economic Forum for its innovative use of 4IR technologies.
Atalay Gümrah expressed his excitement about this milestone, stating, “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.”
VitrA Tiles’ Bozüyük facility has successfully implemented a digital transformation roadmap, focusing on intelligent process and production controls. This led to a significant 19% increase in Overall Equipment Effectiveness, a 56% decrease in scrap, a 14% decrease in energy consumption, and a 43% increase in the use of recycled content last year.
Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, noted the importance of a collaborative approach to global challenges, “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.”
The Global Lighthouse Network is a testament to how companies are revolutionising production globally through AI and machine learning. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, an impressive 85% of Lighthouse factories reported less than a 10% revenue loss, showcasing resilience that was not common among other manufacturers.