VitrA Tiles, the flagship ceramics division of the Eczacıbaşı Group from Türkiye, has been inducted into the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) by the World Economic Forum, earning its status as a Factory Lighthouse. This accolade acknowledges VitrA Tiles as a frontrunner in manufacturing innovation, especially in the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.
The acceptance speeches by Atalay Gümrah, CEO of Eczacıbaşı Group, and Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, at the Davos Summit on January 15, 2024, highlighted the transformative impact of 4IR technologies on their manufacturing processes. They emphasised how these advancements have enabled the company to excel in a volatile market environment.
This award is especially noteworthy as VitrA Tiles is the first company within the ceramic tile industry to be recognised by the World Economic Forum for its innovative use of 4IR technologies.
Atalay Gümrah shared his enthusiasm, 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 site has made significant advancements through its digital transformation strategy, achieving a 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.
Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, spoke about the value of global cooperation, “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.”
Members of the GLN, adopting AI and machine learning, are redefining production on a global scale. Impressively, 85% of Lighthouse factories experienced less than a 10% revenue loss during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a level of resilience rare among other manufacturers.
