About Us

The “Digital Transformation of SMEs in Turkey through the Establishment of an Industry 4.0 Competence Center” project was implemented under the Competitive Sectors Program, which is financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey and implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. The project is implemented in partnership with the White Goods Suppliers Association (BEYSAD), Özyeğin University and the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD). The Competitive Sectors Program aims to achieve social and economic development by increasing the competitiveness of SMEs and entrepreneurs. The “Digital Transformation of SMEs in Turkey through the Establishment of Industry 4.0 Competence Center” project aims to improve the digital transformation skills of SMEs and entrepreneurs working in all sub-industry sectors, primarily in the white goods sector, and to make them globally competitive. The total budget allocated to the project, which has been ongoing since 2017, is approximately EUR 10 million.

The OZUBEX Industry 4.0 Competence Center will determine the digital maturity levels of SMEs, develop digital transformation roadmaps, and design solutions for sectoral problems. Through in-class and comprehensive applied trainings and certificate programs on the latest digital trends and technologies qualified human resources will be developed. In addition to digital trainings and the 8- & 16- week”Learn & Transform” support in system integration will be given. R&D and innovation capacity will be developed and university-industry cooperation will be strengthened by providing infrastructure, knowledge and technology in areas such as smart manufacturing technologies, additive manufacturing, computer vision, human-centered robotics and Internet of Things-oriented applications, digitalization of production processes, etc. In order for SMEs and entrepreneurs to benefit from TÜBİTAK and European Union Framework Programs information meeting activities will be organized, and local solution partnerships for digital transformation will be supported through the entrepreneurship program.

OZUBEX Industry 4.0 Competence Center, which has taken the first step in the digital transformation of the supplier industry with its advanced technology modules such as digitalization, human-centered robotics, and the Internet of Things, aims to create an environment where other manufacturing SMEs in Turkey can develop the necessary skills for their digital transformation.

Project Stakeholders

Ozyegin University

Founded in 2007 as a non-profit, private university in Istanbul, Özyeğin University positions itself as one of the most innovative and research-oriented universities in Turkey. Özyeğin University’s primary goal is to equip its students for the business world, to help them acquire new competencies, to develop themselves, to acquire a global vision, and to become individuals who benefit society. With a history of supporting the development of scientific research in the industrial sector, Özyeğin University is uniquely positioned to provide technical expertise, training and R&D services.

BEYSAD

Found in 1993 BEYSAD (White Goods Suppliers Association) is an association created jointly by firms providing services to white goods main industry firms as supply industry for the purpose of voicing their common issues more effectively and obtaining more tangible results in comparison with individual efforts. BEYSAD has more than 180 members consisting of manufacturing companies representing a significant percentage of the sector in terms of income and employment. Under the leadership of BEYSAD regular workshops are organized in which strategic plans are formulated and official reports with detailed action plans are published.

TÜSİAD

TÜSİAD is a voluntary business association of Turkey’s leading entrepreneurs and business executives. It was founded in 1971 and has a significant representation capability in areas such as production, value added, formal employment and foreign trade in the Turkish economy due to the organizations represented by its members. Through its activities, TÜSİAD aims to contribute to the establishment of a social order in which competitive market economy, sustainable development and participatory democracy are embraced.

Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision

OzUBEX leads a community focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting the economic development and growth of the supplier industries in their digital transformation journey. The company brings together different industry and technology providers by developing strategies that include diversity and flexibility in digital transformation processes. This leadership is not only limited to technological advancements, but also fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, enabling new business opportunities to emerge.

OzUBEX, which develops innovation-oriented projects to ensure sustainable growth especially in the digitalization journey of SMEs, aims to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in this process. This ecosystem offers a structure where not only technology providers, but also financial strategists, research organizations and publicly funded projects come together. Thus, digital transformation is not only a technology integration, but also a comprehensive transformation that enables new business models, job opportunities and economic development goals to be achieved.

This strategic approach accelerates sectoral transformation and enables entrepreneurs and businesses to become competitive in global markets. This diverse community, led by OzUBEX, not only contributes to the digitalization of existing industries, but also aims to create lasting change in the business world with next-generation technologies and business models.

Our Mission

Focusing primarily on the white goods sub-industry sector, we aim to improve the performance of Turkish sub-industry companies and bring them up to international level. By accelerating digital transformation processes, we aim to enable businesses to increase their production capacity, optimize their productivity and become more competitive in the global market. In addition to technological innovations, we support companies to achieve sustainable growth not only locally but also in the international market through strategic steps such as process improvement and cost optimization.

Furthermore, by encouraging innovation in Turkey’s industrial infrastructure, we help businesses in the white goods sub-industry to produce at global standards. In this process, we contribute to strengthening the operational processes of companies by moving to an integrated structure with digitalization and industry 4.0 solutions. In this way, we enable local businesses to become globally recognized brands and achieve sustainable success in international markets.

Our Team

Erinç Albey
Director

Dr. Erinç Albey received his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Boğaziçi University. After completing his PhD in 2012, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University and taught courses in operations research and production systems. During his academic studies, he worked on projects with companies such as SAP, Intel and Novartis. In addition, he managed an analytics team in a customer analytics company and developed various predictive models. His research interests include optimization, planning and scheduling, predictive modeling, and mathematical modeling and simulation applications in flexible manufacturing systems.

Ahmet Şahin
Operations and Analytics Manager

Ahmet Şahin earned Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Ozyegin University, M.Sc. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Istanbul Şehir University, and B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Işık University. He has extensive experience in software development and data science by leading projects and teams at Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Vodafone, and ICATLabs. His expertise includes machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mathematical modelling applications in manufacturing systems and customer analytics.

Gizem Aslantepe
Project Manager

Gizem Aslantepe holds a BA in History from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and an MA in International Relations from Istanbul Medeniyet University. During her graduate studies, she worked as a researcher on a TÜBİTAK project and has extensive project management experience in the fields of Middle East politics, gender equality, sustainability, digital transformation, innovative technologies and social responsibility. Aslantepe is currently employed as a Project Manager at OzUBEX. As a project manager at OzUBEX, Aslantepe plays a facilitating role in the digital transformation processes of SMEs and successfully manages projects funded by prestigious national and international sources such as the European Union and TÜBİTAK. She also specialises in resource management in project management processes, cooperation with stakeholders, optimising operational processes and implementing new projects. She is proficient in English and Persian.

Yashar Mohammed Sardroudi
R&D Engineer

Yashar Mohammed Sardroudi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tabriz University and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Ozyegin University. He also completed a year-long MBA programme at the University of Tabriz. Drawing on his management experience in a medical characterisation centre, he specialises in alloy design and additive manufacturing. His professional interests revolve around digital transformation and automation within the field.

Alper Abanoz
Laboratory Manager

Alper Abanoz completed his Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Kocaeli University in 2010. In 2023, he joined the OzUBEX team and previously worked in the iron and steel industry, automation, machine manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Burak Gedik
Transformation Consultant

Burak Gedik holds a bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. In 2023, Burak Gedik joined OzUBEX team and has in-depth expertise in robotics, image processing and automation technologies. Throughout his career, he has provided automation consultancy to machine manufacturing companies and has been involved in important projects for robotics and automation software in the industry. His professional interests include industry 4.0, smart manufacturing systems, autonomous machines and digital transformation applications and he has extensive experience in developing innovative automation solutions.

Buse Hızal
Business Development Manager

Buse Hızal received her BA in Statistics from Hacettepe University in 2012 and her MA in Economics from Middle East Technical University in 2019. Buse Hızal, who has been working professionally since 2012, has taken part in many tasks such as preparing technical and financial proposals, business development processes and tender application processes for projects funded by the European Union (EU) in project management consultancy firms. Between 2018 and 2022, she worked as a Consultant at the Ministry of Industry and Technology, General Directorate of EU and Foreign Relations, on project definition documents, preparation of technical specifications, and managed projects focused on manufacturing industry and R&D under the Competitive Sectors Program.

Murat Günay
Transformation and Training Manager

Murat Günay received his bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1999 and his master’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Sabancı University in 2002. Murat Günay joined the OzUBEX team in 2022 and has been working in the Robotics, Automation, Special Machinery manufacturing sector since 2004.

Kaan Tanrıverdi
Production Techniques Manager

Kaan Tanrıverdi completed his high school education at Pendik Technical Anatolian High School, Department of Mechanical Technologies. He then completed his education at Kocaeli University, Faculty of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. He has gained experience and experience in various sectors. In the shipbuilding industry, he has undertaken tasks such as ship construction 3D modeling, on site manufacturing follow-up, CNC cutting and follow-up in the R&D department. In the iron and steel industry, he carried out electric arc furnace design, assembly and quality control in the field. He took an active role in all processes from design to manufacturing in the R&D department of a company producing SAT assault boats and coast guard boats under the Presidency of Defense Industry. He is currently actively working as a production techniques manager at OzuBEX.

Eren Zeytünlü
Hardware Technician

Eren Zeytünlü completed his associate degree at Marmara University, Department of Electronic Communication Technology. While his education process was continuing, he worked as an intern at OzUBEX Industrial Transformation Centre in 2022. Currently working as a Hardware Technician at OzUBEX Industrial Transformation Centre, Zeytünlü applies his experience gained in different sectors in various fields within OzUBEX, where he actively works.

Emirhan Zeki Düşünsel
Software Technician

Emirhan Zeki Düşünsel graduated from Marmara University, Department of Electronic Communication Technology. During his education, he deepened his software development and technical skills and took part in various projects. He is currently working at OzUBEX in technical and software areas and contributes to the development of the technological infrastructure of the center.