Şişecam, a global leader in the glass and chemicals industries, is celebrating its 89th anniversary in 2024.
Founded in 1935 with a mere 400 employees in Türkiye, the company’s remarkable journey exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable growth. From its humble beginnings producing kerosene lamps and medicine bottles, Şişecam has ascended to become a global powerhouse, a testament to its enduring vision and strategic adaptability.
CEO Görkem Elverici reflects on this milestone, emphasizing the company’s origins in meeting the nascent Turkish Republic’s urgent glass needs. He highlights Şişecam’s current position as the only global player operating across all core glass production areas, holding the title of world’s largest glassware producer, a top-three position in soda ash, and a top-five ranking in both glass packaging and flat glass. Further solidifying its global leadership, Şişecam also leads the world in chromium chemicals.
Elverici proudly notes the company’s diverse global workforce, comprising over 24,000 employees representing 35 nationalities and speaking 23 languages. This multicultural tapestry underscores Şişecam’s international reach and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. He emphasizes the company’s expansion from its Turkish roots to a presence spanning 14 countries across four continents.
Looking towards the future, Elverici underscores Şişecam’s successful completion of its digital transformation. This strategic move empowers the company with data-driven decision-making, enhancing agility and responsiveness in a dynamic global market. Sustainability, Elverici stresses, is not merely a choice but a fundamental responsibility. The company’s “CareforNext” sustainability strategy guides impactful projects focused on climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, technological innovation, and energy reduction. These initiatives are not only shaping a more sustainable future for Şişecam but also setting a new standard for the glass industry.
The launch of the “Plant of the Future” platform exemplifies Şişecam’s commitment to innovation. This platform aims to accelerate technological advancements and foster collaboration through an open innovation model, paving the way for next-generation solutions and a sustainable future for generations to come. As Şişecam enters its 90th year, its legacy of innovation, global leadership, and sustainability promises continued success and influence in the glass and chemicals industries.
Source: Şişecam with additional information added by GlassBalkan
