Turkish ceramics major Eczacıbaşı Group which markets the VitrA range of sanitaryware has invested TL 250 million to expand capacity by 1.1 million units to 5.6 million. It has set up its fourth production line, at Bozüyük. The company has cited growing demand from European countries as the key factor for undertaking this investment.

The investment, which was completed in two phases, has added 40,000 sqm of new production space and created close to 500 new jobs. With this new capacity, which makes extensive use of robotic systems, VitrA aims to increase exports by €40 million in the coming year. The company already accounts for more than half of all ceramic sanitaryware exports from Turkey.

According to group chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı, the domestic share of value-add created by Turkey’s ceramics exports was currently at a record high of 82%. “We’ve created a whole new production infrastructure at the new facility that blends technology and human labour. VitrA’s growth in international markets, including India, has contributed to our decision to make this investment. VitrA is one of the leaders in Europe’s ceramics industry, with expertise acquired over more than 60 years in the business. We’re very proud of our powerful position and the fact that VitrA contributes to more than half of Turkey’s ceramic sanitaryware exports.”

The company’s deputy VP Ali Aköz added, “As always, one of our top priorities in this investment was occupational health and safety, in line with our principle of ‘people first’. The robotic systems we’re using here increase both our productivity and the comfort of our employees. They’ve also enabled us to increase the number of women working on our production lines, which is a priority for us that reflects the Eczacıbaşı Group‘s commitment to providing equal opportunities for women.”

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