Vitra’s Innovative AI Investments Focus on Sustainable Growth and Equal Opportunities at Flagship Turkish Sanitaryware Facility
On 18 October 2023, VitrA, Eczacıbaşı Building Products’ flagship brand and Türkiye’s foremost exporter of ceramic sanitary ware, accounting for half of the country’s exports in this sector for decades, celebrated the inauguration of its latest facility. Building on a 65-year history in ceramic production, this inauguration underlines VitrA’s dedication to the intersection of innovation and sustainability. Its recent EUR 76.5 million investment champions best practice, emphasizing sustainability, AI integration in manufacturing, and a steadfast commitment to equal opportunities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Eczacıbaşı Holding Chairman, stated, “With an investment of EUR 76.5 million, our newest facilities leverage advanced AI technology, ensuring end-to-end automation. Sustainability is ingrained in our business model. Our recent inclusion of a solar power plant at the VitrA Production Complex and the switch to I-REC certified green electricity exemplifies our dedication to zero carbon emissions.”
Significant capacity expansion to meet surge in customer demand
With a substantial EUR 76.5 million investment in the VitrA Production Campus in Bilecik, Bozüyük, EBP is poised for remarkable growth. This strategic initiative not only aims to meet the surging demand and broaden market reach but also to enhance operational efficiency and prioritize renewable energy. Concurrently, VitrA’s annual ceramic sanitary ware production has surged to 6.7 million units, with concealed cistern production reaching 2 million units. This expansion has led to a 50% increase in the Bozüyük campus’s size, now spanning 469 thousand square meters, and housing a workforce of 3,664 professionals.
Gender Equality prioritised at new facilities
EBP continues to set the benchmark for industry commitment to gender equality, with a relentless pursuit of achieving a balanced workforce, aiming for an equitable 50-50 gender distribution. To this end, EBP has rolled out several initiatives designed to create a conducive work environment for its female staff. These range from ergonomic workspaces specifically tailored to female employees to embarking on a women’s literacy campaign in association with local educational authorities. The entire approach is seamlessly underpinned by comprehensive automation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to technological advancement while fostering a gender-inclusive environment.
Özgen Özkan, the CEO of Eczacıbaşı Building Products, remarked, “Our unyielding focus on marrying technology with human talent while safeguarding our planet’s future has set the foundation for our continued growth. As we stand ready for Europe’s burgeoning demand, our current 6.7-million-unit output positions us as in the top European manufacturers. The future looks promising with a forecasted 50% surge in faucet production by the end of 2024.”
Özgen Özkan: “We are ready for Europe’s new demand growth”
Just four years after introducing the second phase of its 4th CSW plant in Bozüyük in 2019, EBP are ready to bring our 5th facility into operation. This progression reflects a consistent approach of reinvesting profits to fuel growth. Anticipating the evolving dynamics of the European markets, EBP have positioned to effectively meet increasing demand.
Speaking about CSW’s ongoing projects, Özkan mentioned the decision to shift the concealed cistern production to the new facility. He stated, “Our yearly production now stands at 2 million units. Additionally, with ongoing improvements in our faucets factory, we foresee a 50% increase in our faucet production by the end of 2024.”