Tezmaksan, With Its Extraordinary Production Philosophy, Is Ready For Industry 5.0

Tezmaksan, one of the key players in Turkey's machining industry, emphasizes its readiness for Industry 5.0 with sustainable investments and R&D initiatives.

We spoke with Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Group, about the company's role in the Industry 5.0 transformation process and new investments.

Could you briefly introduce your company?

Since 1981, we have been enhancing production efficiency for the Turkish industry, not only by creating added value but also with business models developed through our technology-focused perspective. We carry out our operations at our centers in Istanbul Bayrampaşa, Istanbul Kıraç, and the Istanbul Trakya Free Zone, as well as at the Hacı Mustafa Aydoğdu Production Center in Sivas. Additionally, we operate offices in over five different cities. Engineers and technicians make up 70% of our total workforce. Representing 30 global and domestic brands, we are one of the most significant players in the sector. Our solutions, built on our accumulated expertise, are capable of addressing the needs of all industries, from SMEs to Turkey's largest industrial enterprises, spanning automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and defense industries.

Currently, our customer base is primarily concentrated in the automotive sector, which places a strong emphasis on efficiency and quality metrics and is already familiar with robotic automation systems. We export 65% of our current production, with exports going to European countries, the UK, and the United States.

What are your thoughts on Industry 5.0, often described as the new industrial revolution?

In today’s era of consumption, we tend to quickly move through concepts, much like we do with everything else. Industry 5.0 should actually be seen as a continuation of Industry 4.0. Since Industry 4.0 emerged in 2010, we have been witnessing numerous changes. Looking back, Industry 5.0 allows for the human element and emotional intelligence—which were somewhat neglected in Industry 4.0—to find a stronger place, evolving in a new direction alongside technology.

Do you think Turkey is ready for Industry 5.0? What needs to be done in this process?

As I mentioned, we tend to adopt and exhaust concepts quickly in Turkey. Studies by the Turkish Informatics Association have shown that Turkish industry is between Industry 2.0 and 3.0. Of course, some companies are implementing Industry 4.0, but their number is quite limited. Industry 4.0 is an ecosystem that requires participation from not only industrialists but also the public sector, industry associations, universities, and local organizations. In Turkey, however, it is mostly seen as the responsibility of the industrial sector alone. For instance, with our software like Kapasitematik, we have reached a point where we can collect millions of data points from machines. This data is transferred via GSM networks. Countries that fully embrace Industry 4.0 have 5G, while in Turkey, this system has yet to even undergo an auction. We lack enough systems analysts to analyze millions of data points, and our universities are not able to fully support the industrial sector in this regard. Thus, Turkey is not ready for Industry 5.0 as long as this ecosystem does not develop.

Another important component of Industry 5.0 is sustainability. What are your thoughts on this, and do you have an action plan?

We included the concept of sustainability in our agenda three years ago. Through our published reports and projects, we strive to give this concept depth. Under our sustainability vision, Tezmaksan focuses on key areas:

• Nature and human welfare
• Creating awareness
• Advanced technology usage culture
• Technology production
• Continuity in investment
• Education and employment

These are practices Tezmaksan has been implementing for years, but we have only recently started reporting on them as part of our sustainability goals. We aim to make these efforts more visible and develop them as part of our corporate culture.

Turkey, with its significant workforce, is seeing an increase in 'dark' factories. Where will this digitalization take us?

These discussions are not new; they have been ongoing since the first industrial revolution. The Luddites of the 1st Revolution, fearing machines would take away their jobs, tried to halt progress by breaking textile machines, but they failed to stop the revolution. In the last 50 years, despite the closure of thousands of factories, global production has increased by 30%. Digitalization allows for the more efficient use of resources, including human labor. With the increase in productivity, working hours are decreasing, enabling humans, as social beings, to spend more time on enjoyable pursuits.

On the other hand, it is said that Turkey has a significant workforce, yet the biggest issue for industrialists today is finding qualified employees. Unfortunately, the quality of education in our schools is declining, and young graduates are less inclined to pursue careers in industry. Industrialists, especially those engaged in international trade, are trying to compensate for the shortage of qualified workers by using automation and robots. Therefore, from a labor perspective, dark factories do not currently pose a threat; rather, they are essential for the survival of the industrial sector.

Artificial intelligence significantly contributes to Industry 5.0. Are industrialists adapting quickly to new technologies?

The industrial sector is Turkey's most adaptable to new technologies because it competes in the global market, where technological advancements are crucial. You won’t find an industrial organization that doesn’t use an ERP system, as they must constantly monitor every detail of their business, from production planning to cost, pricing, and raw material stock. In the 1980s, only 30% of companies listed on stock exchanges managed to survive, while the rest disappeared because they couldn’t keep up with technological advances. Therefore, living with technology is no longer a choice for industrialists.

Are autonomous systems that can self-manage, monitor, and optimize achievable in R&D?

No, not entirely, as current technologies rely on past data to create scenarios, but they do not plan for the future. I recently read a book that noted how we focus on the low accident rates of autonomous cars but rarely acknowledge the accidents humans prevent due to their driving skills. I think that’s a very valid point. In the late 1800s, American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie remarked, “If you remove the people from the factory, there would be nothing left but buildings and grass. But if you move those people elsewhere, production would resume as it was.” A century later, nothing has changed—humans remain at the center of work.

Will Industry 5.0 create new jobs and professions?

I believe new professions will emerge, while some existing ones may evolve. As I mentioned earlier, in an era that generates millions of data points, who will analyze this data? Fifty years ago, this profession either did not exist or was vastly different. Perhaps even data analysts will specialize. I foresee the emergence of various other professions.

What role will Industry 5.0 play in the future, and do you see yourselves on this path?

We live in a global world where, outside of political borders, there are no limitations. Someone manufacturing in a remote village in China can sell their product to Turkey on the same day, and products developed today can have numerous similar versions produced in no time. Think of the electric cars developed after Tesla. All these are part of Industry 5.0's processes or outcomes. Living with technology is no longer a choice but a necessity. If we want to continue in this game, we must embrace and implement technology. We need to plan several steps ahead and consider how we can outperform our competitors. Great companies can only make a difference with great employees; we must create teams that can integrate and internalize emerging technologies to survive. Tezmaksan’s philosophy embodies values that meet all these needs.