VitrA Tiles Recognized in World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network

Eczacıbaşı Group’s VitrA Tiles has been acknowledged for its exemplary adoption of technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, earning a prestigious position as the first ceramics producer in the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network. This induction highlights VitrA’s leadership in the application of 4IR technologies.

Türkiye’s renowned Eczacıbaşı Group’s VitrA Tiles division has been inducted into the Global Lighthouse Network (GLN), celebrated as a Factory Lighthouse among 21 new members. This accolade from the World Economic Forum’s initiative recognises leaders in manufacturing innovation.

At the awards ceremony of the Davos Summit on January 15, 2024, Eczacıbaşı Group CEO Atalay Gümrah and VitrA Tiles CEO Hasan Pehlivan presented speeches. They elaborated on how their investments in tech-enabled operations have led to the scaling of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in their production networks.

VitrA Tiles’ achievement as the first in the ceramic tile industry to be recognised by the World Economic Forum for its innovative use of 4IR technologies is a significant milestone.

Harnessing Innovation and Growth Amidst Challenges

Atalay Gümrah, CEO of Eczacıbaşı Holding, expressed his enthusiasm, 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 manufacturing disruptions due to climate change, financial volatility, and geopolitical crises leading to fluctuating energy prices in Türkiye, this recognition highlights our approach to viewing these challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth, utilising 4IR to bolster our operational competitiveness.”

The GLN is a network of manufacturing leaders who have innovatively applied 4IR technologies to revolutionise factories, value chains, and business models, resulting in significant financial and operational returns. Factory Lighthouses demonstrate how innovations in manufacturing have enhanced performance, enabling them to manage volatility and achieve broader success.

Impressive Results from Digital Transformation Strategy

VitrA Tiles’ Bozüyük site, through its digital transformation strategy focusing on intelligent process and production controls, achieved a 19% increase in Overall Equipment Effectiveness, a 56% decrease in scrap, a 14% reduction in energy consumption, and a 43% increase in the use of recycled materials last year.

Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, commented, “While our solutions might be unique, the challenges we face are global, and we recognise the value of a global community in solving these challenges. The future of manufacturing lies in uniting the global community to address major challenges. I am confident that the GLN will be a significant contributor to this journey, and I am enthusiastic about this latest initiative from the World Economic Forum.”

AI and Machine Learning Transforming Global Production

In an environment of rapid technological advancement, increasing geopolitical tensions, and escalating climate change, Global Lighthouse Network members are adopting cutting-edge technologies for enhanced productivity and sustainability. Utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, these Lighthouse factories are revolutionising global production. Impressively, 85% of Lighthouse factories experienced less than a 10% revenue loss during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a level of resilience not achieved by the majority of other manufacturers.

These Lighthouse factories are setting a precedent for global influence in manufacturing, integrating innovative solutions across their networks, paving the way for a sustainable future and a transformative era of lasting change. This strategic focus on innovation is reshaping the manufacturing landscape, underlining the importance of advanced technology in addressing today’s global challenges.

Danie

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