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.

London Business Press (LBP): Matthew, to start, could you explain the significance of subsidence repair in London?

Matthew O’Sullivan (MO): Certainly, and thank you for having me. London, with its rich clay soil, is particularly susceptible to subsidence. This geological aspect, combined with the city’s dense infrastructure and historical buildings, makes it imperative to address subsidence issues promptly and effectively. At Subsidence Ltd, we aim to provide a service that is both effective and minimally invasive to homeowners and businesses experiencing subsidence.

LBP: What are some of the typical signs of subsidence that Londoners should be aware of?

MO: Homeowners should look out for cracks in their walls, especially those that are diagonal and wider at the top than at the bottom, doors and windows that no longer close correctly, and uneven floors. These are all indicators that could suggest a property is experiencing subsidence. It’s essential to address these issues early on to avoid more severe damage and to maintain the property’s value.

LBP: Can you tell us more about what can be done to address these issues?

MO: We use a specialised resin injection technique that is designed to be quick and clean, avoiding the need for extensive underpinning. This method stabilises the foundation by filling voids and cracks in the soil beneath the property but also lifts and re-levels the structure where necessary. The process is typically completed within a day, causing minimal disruption to the property owner.

LBP: With London’s complex cityscape, how do you approach projects that are in particularly challenging environments?

MO: Our team is equipped to handle the intricacies of London’s diverse landscape. We conduct thorough assessments to ensure that our interventions are precisely tailored to each property’s unique needs. This might involve working in tight urban spaces, managing projects on historic properties, or navigating around the city’s extensive underground infrastructure.

LBP: Is your subsidence repair service environmentally friendly?

MO: Sustainability is at the forefront of our processes. Resin injection is less resource-intensive than traditional methods such as underpinning. Additionally, we focus on providing lasting solutions to prevent repetitive interventions, reducing long-term environmental impact.

Jigsaw Conferences Ltd, renowned for its global venue finding and corporate housing services, has been recognised in the L&Q Social Value Report 2022-23 for its substantial contribution to the L&Q Food Bank programme. This collaboration highlights Jigsaw Conferences Ltd’s commitment to community support and tackling vital social issues.

Last year, Jigsaw Conferences Ltd significantly supported the L&Q’s Lewington Centre Food Bank initiative, providing essential aid to families during the holiday season. This initiative aligns with Jigsaw’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful social value and community engagement.

Through their partnership with L&Q, Jigsaw Conferences Ltd funded food boxes for displaced vulnerable residents, ensuring they had access to necessary nutrition in times of need.

The Lewington Food Bank, bolstered by Jigsaw Conferences Ltd’s assistance, was able to support 50 local families with larger-than-usual food hampers. This support was particularly significant during the current cost of living crisis, offering not only essential sustenance but also a message of hope.

Mandy Kaur of Jigsaw Conferences Ltd stated, “We are deeply honoured to have played a part in such a vital community effort. Our collaboration with L&Q is a testament to what can be achieved when organisations come together to tackle the challenges faced by those in our communities.”

Jigsaw Conferences Ltd’s involvement with the Food Bank initiative reflects the company’s enduring dedication to social responsibility and collective action.

In a notable development in the tech world, Finsu, a burgeoning platform for sustainable shopping, has been acquired by a venture led by the serial tech entrepreneur Dr. Sven Lachhein.

Dr. Lachhein, known for his successful ventures and raising substantial venture capital, aims to leverage this acquisition to enhance Finsu’s unique sustainable ecommerce strategy, marking a significant step in his venture-building efforts in Berlin.

Finsu was founded in 2021 by Frederik Muelke and Dr. Julius Simon, with Ric Rodriguez joining as a co-founder the following year. The company’s proprietary technology has effectively bridged the gap between consumers and premier sustainable brands on the internet.

CEO Frederik Muelke expressed his pride, saying, “I am immensely proud of what the team have achieved in such a short time. Finsu’s strong traction to date shows the enormous promise in removing access barriers to verifiably eco-conscious brands, and Sven and his team are

well positioned to help accelerate Finsu’s positive impact by bringing the vision to an even broader audience. Seeing their level of confidence in what we have built has been tremendously rewarding.”

Finsu has demonstrated significant early milestones, establishing partnerships with numerous leading sustainable brands, experiencing rapid sales and user base growth, and attracting investment through two financing rounds from expert investors.

Dr. Sven Lachhein commented on the acquisition, “We are very excited to guide Finsu through its next chapter. The founding team have laid a powerful foundation, and we have high conviction in the potential of their tech, market fit and established networks. We will work hard to deliver positive impact at scale, accelerating the existing growth in a meaningful way.”

Following the acquisition, the original founders of Finsu will continue to contribute as strategic advisors. Dr. Lachhein noted, “I think their deep expertise in the space and experience as effective operators will be important as we navigate this exciting new growth phase for Finsu.” The deal, having received the nod from Finsu shareholders and supported legally by Markus Presch, has now been finalised.