VitrA Tiles has become the first company in the ceramic tile industry to join the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) program. Launched in 2018, the GLN is an elite network of leading production facilities that implement Industry 4.0 technologies on a large scale, showcasing digital transformation. VitrA Tiles has succeeded in joining among the 153 facilities worldwide in the GLN through the digital transformation processes implemented in its Production 3 line at the Bozüyük facility. This achievement solidifies VitrA Tiles' role as an industry leader in driving change within its sector.
VitrA Tiles has set new industry standards through its digital transformation investments and smart technology implementations at its Bozüyük production facility. By pursuing "excellence in production," the company achieves various sustainability gains through a data-driven approach. VitrA Tiles' membership in GLN has provided the opportunity to exchange experiences with Industry 4.0 leaders in a global network. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the company's journey towards global leadership in the ceramic tile industry.
Hasan Pehlivan, CEO of VitrA Tiles, emphasized the significance of this prestigious award and the impact of digital transformation: "In today's competitive landscape, digitalization plays a crucial role. We've strategically planned with this reality in mind. The ceramic tile industry's production phase is energy-intensive, and rising energy costs pose a significant challenge. To address these issues, we implemented a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap at our Bozüyük facility. This initiative focused on improving process and production controls through innovative digital solutions. As a result, we achieved remarkable improvements: overall equipment efficiency increased by up to 20% on the digitally transformed production line, waste was reduced by more than half, and energy consumption decreased by approximately 15%."
Hasan Pehlivan emphasizes that joining GLN marks a significant milestone: "Becoming part of this program heralds a new era for our organization. Through collaboration with fellow leaders in the Global Lighthouse Network, we are poised to continue spearheading innovation in our industry and expanding the frontiers of digital transformation."
Hasan Pehlivan emphasized the substantial investment made in preparation for joining the Global Lighthouse Network: "We have allocated nearly €1 million towards hardware and analytical capabilities. This investment has yielded significant advantages in three key areas: enhanced productivity, minimized error rates, and substantial cost reductions."
“Harnessing the Power of Productive Artificial Intelligence"
Hasan Pehlivan has prioritized artificial intelligence as a key component in the company’s future objectives: "Leveraging productive artificial intelligence more extensively is at the forefront of our strategic vision. We recognize that AI will enable us to develop new products more rapidly and efficiently. Additionally, it will streamline our design processes. To this end, we are actively seeking innovative ways to further incorporate productive AI into our manufacturing operations."
Features of VitrA Tiles' Production Facility in Bozüyük
VitrA Tiles' production facility in Bozüyük, Bilecik, has earned the company the distinction of being the world's first ceramic tile manufacturer included in the Global Lighthouse Network (GLN). This state-of-the-art facility boasts an impressive annual tile production capacity of 31.2 million square meters. While the facility-wide digitalization investment is currently operational on a single production line, it showcases cutting-edge technology. Artificial intelligence analyzes historical data to determine optimal working parameters for this line. The facility employs data analytics and Industry 4.0 approaches to enhance energy efficiency. These advancements culminate in an Internet of Things (IoT) application that adds significant value to both sustainability efforts and digital transformation initiatives in the ceramic tile industry.
Eczacıbaşı Employees Tell It All…
Eczacıbaşı employees recently discussed the digital transformation initiatives implemented at the Bozüyük production facility and their journey to join the Global Lighthouse Network. To access the talks, please use the links below:
VitrA Tiles Information Technologies Director and Digital Transformation Leader Murat Gölcü:
VitrA Tiles Technical Services Manager Dr. Burçak Atay:
VitrA Tiles Director of Factories Musa Yılmaz: