Digitalization - Future of Manufacturing

In a world where the future of manufacturing is defined by agility, intelligence, and automation, digitalization has become not just a competitive advantage, but a necessity. According to McKinsey, companies that adopt Industry 4.0 technologies see productivity gains of up to 30%, while in Turkey, only 24% of manufacturers are considered digitally mature, a gap that pladis aims to close through leadership and innovation.

As part of its commitment to reimagining production in the digital age, pladis Türkiye launched the “Digitalization- The Future of Manufacturing” strategy marking a bold step in smart manufacturing, integrating IoT, CIMS, AGV, MES, SCADA, and predictive analytics across biscuit, chocolate, and cake production lines. With a goal of creating fully traceable, automated, and sustainable production ecosystems, the project has redefined operations from paperless material intake to AI-supported quality control delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, safety, and sustainability.

Smart Factory Infrastructure:
pladis deployed SCADA, MES, IoT, and Data Collector systems across all biscuit, chocolate, and cake factories. Environmental sensors (Lorawan) now provide real-time data on temperature, humidity, and air quality, while digital tablets deliver on-the-spot specification access, eliminating paperwork and ensuring instant quality validations.

Operational Excellence through Automation & AI:
Inline weight control, Brix and moisture sensors, and color/size detectors enable live quality monitoring. Optical readers detect defects like broken or burnt products, while AI-driven cameras perform visual checks on topping, labeling, and expiry dates. Predictive maintenance via sensor feedback minimized downtime and helped ensure consistent product quality.

Sustainability & Resource Optimization:
Digital energy and steam monitoring systems ensure real-time efficiency across equipment. Automatic alerts and process automation help detect anomalies early, preventing energy waste. IoT-connected X-ray and metal detectors secure food safety while generating actionable data logs that support compliance and sustainability audits.

Human-Centric Digital Culture:
Beyond technology, pladis fostered a mindset shift. Employees use digital dashboards for transparency and rapid response. Internal quality and safety data became accessible and verifiable by all stakeholders, increasing trust and collaboration. This people-focused approach ensures that technology amplifies -not replaces- human capability and engagement.