Cover photo by Kateryna Babaieva

The innovations most preferred by the manufacturing industry are projects that increase operational efficiency with low cost and low risk.

The objective is to create efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage by improving existing products, services, or processes. It's an approach that focuses on enhancing what already exists through lower-cost investments, rather than breakthrough new products, while quickly responding to customer demands.

Focusing only on today might mean overlooking tomorrow's customers and markets. For this reason, we frequently share information about customer and market changes in different sectors and the work of technology startups. (Workinlot Sector Analyses)

We recommend collaborations with startups possessing diverse expertise so that industrial companies can improve their current operations while also preparing for the future

Examples of Innovation Projects in Manufacturing Industry

We have been working on these collaborations for a long time. In this article, we have listed the project examples that we most frequently receive requests for from manufacturing industry companies.

None of the projects are focused on first-of-their-kind innovations or expensive, risky breakthroughs. They all aim at digitalization and productivity improvements. We will detail the most demanded innovation areas with reference projects.

• Production Quality and Defect Detection
• Machine Enhancement and Improvement
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Remote Support

 

Production Quality and Defect Detection

Innovation Scope: Real-time autonomous inspection projects that instantly identify production defects or deviations in manufacturing processes and support decision-making. These projects develop systems that perform real-time production control compatible with the characteristic features of the manufacturing area. Some of the solutions used in these projects include: image processing, vibration and sound analysis, ultrasonic/radiographic/magnetic tests, laser and infrared scanning. 

Reference Project: In 2019, Simularge, also part of the cohort for the Workinlot Industry 4.0 program, monitors production processes with different sensors. With its digital twin solution, it collaborated with Beko in 2022. By detecting errors in thermoform processes and providing smart guidance, it created an annual gain of 2M€. (How Beko saved 2M Euro every year in Thermoforming Digital Twin) In 2023, Simularge received an investment of 350 thousand dollars from the Innovative and Advanced Technologies Fund managed under the Turkish Development Fund. 

Machine Enhancement and Improvement

Innovation Scope: Projects where old equipment is enhanced with digital capabilities and the connectivity feature that enables data flow between devices is developed. Thanks to IoT solutions, the usage history, repair history, and real-time data generated by equipment are obtained and transferred to a database. The provided data flow is used in retrofit projects aimed at different goals such as smart forklift applications, production image detection, and process digitization. Thanks to these projects, autonomous communication between devices is ensured, allowing for better monitoring of manufacturing and the production of digital twin and similar solutions for simulation.

Reference Project:
Selvi Technology, a startup we worked with in 2018 for the Brisa - Future of Mobility program, developed solutions by integrating with cameras and logistics equipment in the warehouse area during its work with Brisa in 2019 and 2020. This provided Brisa with different capabilities such as forklift product positioning, mapping, product counting, detection of workers without helmets, empty pallet detection, container fullness in the waste area, volume/weight information of scrap tires, development of a warning system to prevent worker collisions in forklifts, and detection of workers from their helmets.

Supply Chain Optimization

Innovation Scope: Supply chain optimization in the manufacturing industry is a critical focus area that ensures processes from raw material procurement to customer delivery operate with perfect harmony. This approach supports companies in reducing costs and increasing customer satisfaction by efficiently using their resources. Supply chain optimization solutions powered by data analytics allow companies to quickly adapt to market fluctuations and make their operations sustainable.

Reference Project: StarGrup was struggling to manually manage its complex supply chain processes manufacturing customized glass products for luxury residences and shopping malls with a customer-focused business model. Through the Optimized Decision Making solution provided by ICRON, the company succeeded in reducing production planning time by 80%, while increasing sales by 60% and net profit by 200%. Thanks to advanced planning, capacity management, and scenario management tools, StarGrup significantly optimized its supply chain efficiency by increasing on-time delivery rates by 40% while reducing raw material safety stocks by 10% and overtime by 70%. Following their own successful collaboration with ICRON, Şişecam invested in the promising startup (Şişecam'ın Icron'a Ortaklık Süreci Tamamlandı)

Remote Support

Innovation Scope: Projects that support the development of a qualified workforce and enable remote machine assembly, maintenance, and operation processes. Digital libraries covering company-specific developed products and processes provide remote support for employee training and maintenance processes.

Reference Project:

 Vsight  s a successful remote support solutions provider startup that we often recommend to our manufacturing industry customers. They developed an augmented reality (AR) remote support technology solution for  ISUZU's technicians that combines the physical and virtual world in solving technical problems through live video, audio, and file sharing. Thanks to this solution, ISUZU reduced travel costs and minimized production interruptions, while enabling technicians to connect with central experts in real-time to quickly solve complex problems, thereby increasing work quality, efficiency, and profitability.

Future of Manufacturing Industry

The first step to avoid missing out on change and maintaining your position in the industry is to make today efficient. It's impossible to focus on both tomorrow and today simultaneously. This is why developing the right partnerships is essential.

The future of manufacturing is evolving towards smart factories equipped with advanced automation, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technologies. During this transformation, production processes will become more flexible and personalized, shifting from global supply chains to structures based on local value networks.

Regular interaction and collaboration with technology startups provides companies of all sizes the flexibility to be part of this transformation