PR91970

ISTANBUL, Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Arceik's Eskisehir Plant Named One of the World's Most-Advanced Manufacturing

Facilities

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Has Welcomed Arcelik's Eskisehir Refrigerator

Plant Into its "Global Lighthouse Network," Which Recognizes Leaders in

Utilizing Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies

Koc Group has reached yet another milestone in its transformation journey with

another manufacturing plant included in the "Global Lighthouse Network" by the

World Economic Forum (WEF), which recognizes leaders in applying Fourth

Industrial Revolution technologies. Arcelik Eskisehir Refrigerator Plant has

joined the ranks of the world's most advanced manufacturing plants, following

in the footsteps of Arcelik's Washing Machine Plant in Ulmi, Romania, and Ford

Otosan Kocaeli Plant, both of which were named "Global Lighthouses" in 2018.

Launched in 2018 by the WEF, the Global Lighthouse Network list has admitted

just 90 manufacturing plants to date and these have been selected among more

than a thousand candidates. Cakýroglu will be participating as a featured

speaker in the Annual Meeting of the Global Lighthouse Network, which is taking

place on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, and share yet another success story by

Arcelik.

Levent Cakyroglu: "We see digital transformation as a key component of our

cultural transformation program."

"At Koc Group, we are focused on increasing our competitiveness, improving our

technology and innovation capabilities while managing our business through a

global lens," said Koc Holding CEO Levent Cakyroglu, adding "We see digital

transformation as a key component of our cultural transformation program.

Today, our Arcelik Eskisehir Refrigerator Plant - the biggest large-volume

refrigerator production facility in Europe, which started production in 1975 -

has been selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the world's leading

Industry 4.0 plants. This prestigious global recognition is much deserved

thanks to investments in digitalization, artificial intelligence, machine

learning, robot and sensor technologies and other exemplary technological

practices. I'd like to thank all of my colleagues for helping achieve such a

significant success that made us proud."

Levent Cakyroglu stated that a special digitalization roadmap was set for

Arcelik as Koc Group began its digital transformation journey, saying: "The

digital transformation of our Eskisehir factory is an inspiring success story.

To meet rising consumer demand for its expanding product range, while also

meeting all quality expectations, Arcelik created more than 30 use cases. To

accomplish this, our company, which develops new ideas and can test them

quickly, used in-house innovation and advanced engineering platforms like

Atolye 4.0 and The Garage. We also collaborated with SMEs, universities, and

start-ups. As a result, digital applications could be implemented at a lower

cost. Thanks to the digitalization of operations, our factory was able to

quickly adapt to shifts in consumer demand caused by the pandemic. Furthermore,

in response to increased demand, we plan to invest in increasing our capacity."

The manufacturing plant employs artificial intelligence, machine learning and

closed-loop feedback control systems.

Acknowledged as a global leader, the Arcelik Eskisehir Refrigerator Plant

stands out with the following achievements:

-  The manufacturing plant uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and

closed-loop feedback control systems to enable artificial intelligence-based

decision-making solutions, which has resulted in significant improvements in

quality indicators and a 20 percent reduction in customer complaints.

-  The closed-loop feedback control systems were adjusted to the machinery,

resulting in a 43 percent capacity increase and a 17 percent reduction in

transformation costs.

-  Carbon emissions were reduced by 14% thanks to digital solutions.

Additionally, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) were integrated to replace

forklifts and automate the material distribution system, resulting in a 7

percent reduction in carbon emissions.

-  The closed-loop feedback control systems improved energy efficiency by 19

percent by optimizing the core production processes.

-  The manufacturing plant's 11 robots and 3,500 sensors collect 7.5 million

pieces of data per day. The facility makes use of digital manufacturing

equipment that it designed itself.

-  Employee engagement increased by 82 percent, exceeding the Best Employer

average score, thanks to effective transformation management, employee

participation in the process, and improved employee competency.

About Koç Holding

Dating back to 1926, Koç Holding, one step ahead of change at all times, has

become one of the largest and most successful groups in Turkey and in the

region and the only Turkish company to be listed in Fortune Global 500 list. As

of today, Koç Holding is Turkey's leading investment holding company and Koç

Group is Turkey's largest industrial and services group in terms of revenues,

exports, number of employees, taxes paid and market capitalization on Borsa

Istanbul. Koç Holding has leading positions with strong competitive advantages

in energy, automotive, consumer durables and finance sectors, which offer

strong long-term growth potential. Creating long-term sustainable value for the

world and the societies in which the Koç Group operates, lies at the heart of

its business model.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1636010/Levent_Cakiroglu.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1636004/Arcelik_Eskisehir_Plant.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1636009/Koc_Holding_Logo.jpg

Source: Koc Holding