Kordsa, a global leader in advanced material technologies and a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. With operations spanning across four continents and seven countries (Turkey, the US, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand), Kordsa identified the need for a structured digital transformation strategy.
Partnering with Digitopia, KordSA leveraged the Digital Maturity Index (DMI) and the Impact Platform to not only measure but also accelerate its progress towards becoming a digitally advanced manufacturer. Kordsa has successfully leveraged data-driven insights to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and future-proof its business.
About Kordsa: A Global Force in Reinforcement Technologies
Since its inception in 1973, Kordsa has been a key player in the reinforcement sector, supplying top tire manufacturers and expanding into composites and construction. With a workforce of over 4,500 employees and two R&D centers, Kordsa continues to pioneer sustainable solutions in the industry. Its innovations serve aerospace, defense, automotive, and infrastructure sectors, reinforcing life through cutting-edge materials and digital innovation.
The Challenge: Scaling Digital Maturity Across a Global Network
As Kordsa expanded, it faced challenges in unifying its digital strategy across multiple regions. Operating with five different ERP systems, the company struggled with data consistency, operational alignment, and efficiency optimization. A fragmented digital ecosystem hindered strategic decision-making, leading Kordsa to seek a comprehensive solution. The need for a unified overview of technology operations and a shared digital transformation vision was critical. Moreover, staying ahead in a competitive B2B environment demanded heightened customer centricity and agility, coupled with the adoption of advanced technologies like AI.
Why Kordsa Chose Digitopia: A Data-Driven Approach to Transformation
Recognizing the importance of structured digital transformation, Kordsa selected Digitopia’s Digital Maturity Index (DMI) to assess, benchmark, and enhance its digital strategy. Additionally, Digitopia’s expertise in tailored digital roadmap creation provided Kordsa with a clear, customized path for transformation. The need for a holistic view of its digital capabilities, actionable insights, and a standardized approach to transformation drove this partnership. The ability to align with other Sabancı Holding companies using DMI further strengthened Kordsa’s decision.
The Approach: A Data-Driven Transformation Roadmap
Kordsa embarked on a journey to consolidate its digital infrastructure. By implementing Digitopia’s Impact Platform and leveraging DMI assessments, the company gained a clear view of its digital strengths and gaps. The approach involved:
- Standardizing ERP Systems: Unifying operations under one ERP system through Project Genius.
- Enhancing Data Collection & Analytics: Transitioning from fragmented data points to a centralized, real-time analytics framework.
- Fostering AI-Driven Decision Making: Implementing predictive analytics and automation to drive efficiency.
- Aligning Global Teams: Bringing all stakeholders together under a shared digital vision through structured roadmaps.
- Tailored Digital Roadmap Creation: Ensuring a customized strategy for each region and business unit to optimize digital investments.
The Results: A Unified Digital Strategy with Tangible Impact
Holistic Digital Maturity Assessments: Conducted evaluations across all global sites, aligning strategies company-wide.
- Stronger Executive Buy-in: Demonstrated tangible digital impact, securing top management support.
- Global Benchmarking: Positioned itself as one of the most digitally mature companies within Sabancı Holding.
- Operational Efficiency: Enhanced visibility and oversight across global operations have driven considerable improvements in operational efficiency.
- Cost and Time Savings: Strategic decision-making, underpinned by DMI’s insights, has resulted in substantial savings, optimizing resource allocation.
- Strategic Alignment: The establishment of a cohesive digital vision and the alignment of initiatives across global operations have streamlined KordSA’s journey towards digital excellence.
Digitopia’s DMI assessments have helped us create clear, actionable digital roadmaps while staying on track.
Their insights have been invaluable, guiding us to focus on critical areas like AI long before it became a major topic. As part of Sabancı Holding, it’s a significant advantage that other group companies also use Digitopia’s assessments, enabling a comprehensive view of digital maturity across the group.
Digitopia is not just a partner—they play an essential role in shaping and driving our digital strategy.
Fatih Akar, Director of Global Information Technologies
