TRANSFORMATION OPPORTUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC: ROBOTIC AUTOMATION

TRANSFORMATION OPPORTUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC: ROBOTIC AUTOMATION

The rise of remote work and temporary factory closures during the pandemic highlighted the importance of robotic automation. Tezmaksan General Manager Hakan Aydoğdu stated that investing in automation is the key to ensuring sustainability:

"Our keyword for sustainability is investment in automation."

Automation: A Driving Force for Industry 4.0

Automation is one of the core pillars of Industry 4.0. Given that 99% of Turkey’s economy consists of SMEs, which account for 73.9% of total employment (as of 2020 figures), automating production processes is crucial for efficiency, cost savings, and quality improvements.

In the coming economic cycles, where technology and sustainability will dominate, robotic automation will act as a leverage point for economic growth.

Global competition is fierce—in the past decade, China successfully transformed its industry from low-tech to high-tech, becoming the world’s second-largest economy and a dominant force in supply chains.

Despite pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, China still achieved 4.9% economic growth in the third quarter, emphasizing its focus on advanced technology production.

However, logistics bottlenecks and material shortages during the pandemic provided an advantage to Turkey, demonstrating a potential long-term opportunity.

"We Should Not Fear Digital Transformation"

Hakan Aydoğdu emphasized that Turkey should embrace AI and smart factories, stating:

*"Digital transformation, smart factories, and artificial intelligence should not intimidate us.

AI is closely linked to digitalization, and we must increase awareness in Turkey about its benefits."*

Remote Machine Monitoring via Smartphone

Tezmaksan’s CNC production, tracking, and efficiency software Kapasitematik enables real-time analysis of machine performance, detecting errors and inefficiencies and providing instant feedback to users.

During the pandemic, usage of Kapasitematik increased by 40%, as it allowed businesses to monitor their machines remotely via mobile devices.

With machine learning capabilities, Kapasitematik helps companies:

• Predict and prevent potential breakdowns

• Analyze production data in real-time

• Optimize machine capacity and reduce downtime

• Manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Track production output at every stage

"Manufacturing Operations Are Moving to Turkey"

Tezmaksan General Manager Hakan Aydoğdu explained how global shifts in manufacturing are benefiting Turkey:

*"As China’s prices increased and production in India and Europe slowed down, many manufacturing and supply chain operations moved to Turkey. The surge in shipping costs further contributed to this shift, driving a 35% increase in orders between Q4 2020 and Q1 2021.

Demand from automotive, defense, agriculture, and heavy machinery sectors grew significantly.

With this export-driven investment boom, Turkey has just experienced its best quarter in five years for machine tool usage.

If we want to sustain this growth, we must invest in automation today.

Turkey’s small-scale enterprises can only compete with European industrial giants through automation."*

"Turkey Must Focus on Automation to Stay Competitive"

Aydoğdu emphasized the importance of long-term strategy:

*"The recent 20% increase in machine tool production in Turkey proves that we are on the right track.

However, if we fail to invest in automation, we risk losing our advantage once the global giants resume production.

Until now, Europe’s manufacturing giants slowed down, allowing us to gain ground.

But looking ahead, our focus must remain on automation to ensure long-term competitiveness."*

Highlighting global trends, Aydoğdu shared an important statistic:

*"Globally, there are 113 robots per 10,000 employees in the machining sector.

In Turkey, this number is just 30.

This gap presents a major opportunity for increased adoption of automation."*

As remote work and temporary factory shutdowns increased during the pandemic, robotic automation proved its importance.

By 2025, global robot usage is expected to reach 3.4 million units.

If Turkey wants to maintain its competitive edge, robotic automation and digitalization must become top priorities.

Cubebox: A Locally Designed Robotic Automation System

Tezmaksan’s Cubebox, a domestic robotic automation system, enhances production efficiency, time savings, and cost reduction.

Cubebox enables seamless integration with all CNC machines, offering:

• Fast adaptation to production

• Easy operation—no programming knowledge required

• Automatic part loading and unloading

The Cubebox Blues variant allows multiple machines to be fed simultaneously, operating 24/7.

By developing Cubebox technology locally, Tezmaksan reduces dependency on foreign automation solutions, strengthening Turkey’s industrial autonomy.

Turkey’s First Digital CNC Marketplace

Launched during the pandemic, Parkurda.com is Turkey’s first digital CNC marketplace.

Unlike traditional platforms, Parkurda.com:

• Charges zero commission fees

• Optimizes supply chains for subcontractors

• Connects businesses needing work with those with available capacity

The platform’s four-layer structure allows manufacturers to evaluate each other’s skills and capabilities, promoting collaboration and efficiency.

With a goal of reaching 3 million TL in business volume, Parkurda.com also supports Turkey’s export potential.

"Turkey’s Manufacturing Strength Can Lead Global Growth"

Aydoğdu concluded with a strong message:

*"Automation is not just about efficiency—it’s about survival in the global market.

We must act now to ensure Turkey’s leadership in industrial automation and digital transformation."*

By investing in robotic automation, AI, and smart manufacturing, Turkey can cement its position as a major player in global manufacturing and exports.