VitrA history

World War II to the present day; it was a stagnant period for international trade, and very difficult times for people all around the world. The ceramic workshop founded by Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı in Kartal, Istanbul, in 1942, was producing tableware and ornaments with only 8 employees back then. After the war, the economy returned to normal. In parallel with Turkey’s economic development and urbanization, the facility also grew rapidly, and in line with consumer demand it focused on products such as washbasins and toilets. Bathroom ceramic production, which turned out to be a promising industry, quickly grew, necessitating the opening of a bigger production facility in Kartal, in 1958. Continuing its growth, the brand took its current name, VitrA, which the employees voted for, in 1966. In 1977, a new factory was established in Bozüyük, Bilecik, with state of the art technologies. With the commissioning of a brassware factory in the late 80s, and the ceramic tiles factory in the 90s, Bozüyük rapidly became VitrA’s main production campus.

The process that brought VitrA to its current leading position started with the first exports to Germany, back in 1983. Initially producing for big global companies, VitrA began to expand its product range, starting its first overseas operations. The 2000s brought the company into a turning point in terms of branding. Redefining the world of bathrooms as "rational, aesthetic, and equally sensitive", VitrA brought a brand new concept to the culture of bathroom. Using the combination of comfort and technology, it transformed bathrooms into living spaces. With a capacity to develop and manufacture all the products that may be needed in a bathroom, VitrA secured its position in the industry by giving priority to R&D and working with leading international designers.

As part of its strategy to become a global brand, VitrA continued to grow by expanding its portfolio with global giants. In 2006, it incorporated Engers Keramik, a famous ceramics business from the German market, marking the first overseas acquisition by a Turkish ceramics business. It acquired majority shares of the Tiles Department of Villeroy & Boch AG, the world’s most reputable and well-known ceramics brand, in 2007, and of Burgbad, one of Europe’s leading luxury bathroom furniture producers, in 2008. Earning approximately three quarters of its revenues from foreign markets and boasting numerous achievements crowned with international design awards, today VitrA is a global brand recognised by world-famous designers and architects.

1958
Became the first Turkish brand to produce ceramic sanitaryware
1972
Produced the first ceramic bath basins, shower trays, and washbasins in Turkey
1983
The first Turkish brand to operate in export markets
1985
The first Turkish brand to manufacture brassware
1987
The first Turkish brand to produce wall-hung WC pans
1990
The manufacturer of Turkey's first WC that uses only 6 litres of water to flush
1991
Became the first Turkish brand to produce concealed cisterns
1992
Opened Turkey’s first authorised service in the industry
1993
Issued Turkey’s first warranty certificate in the ceramic industryTurkey’s first ceramic sanitaryware specially designed for the physically handicapped usersThe first ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate in Turkish ceramic industryThe first TS EN ISO 9002 Quality System Certificate in Turkish faucet industry
1994
The first TS EN ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate in Turkish faucet industry
1995
VitrA Arkitekt: The first complete ceramic tile product range aimed at the Turkish contracts market
1998
Turkey’s first, and the world’s second, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certificate in the ceramic industry The first 5x5 and 5x10 cm sized mosaic tiles in Turkey
1999
Produced Turkey’s first cisterns that had 3 or 6 litre flushing options Turkey’s first TS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certificate in its industry Turkish ceramics industry’s first production plant abroad, the first and only ceramic tile factory in Ireland: VitrA Ireland
2000
Became the first European ceramic sanitaryware producer to receive the European Quality Awards given by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM)
2001
Produced Turkey’s first toilet which uses only 4.5 litres of water to flush VitrA Clean was born: a surface finish that makes VitrA sanitaryware product incredibly easy to care for Turkey’s first PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating technology in the industry was developed: Chrommax
2002
The first 2.5x2.5, 2.5x5, 5x5 and 5x10 cm sized mosaic tiles in Turkey
2003
Turkey’s first antibacterial glaze technology: VitrA Hygiene
2005
Turkey’s first odourless WC Pan technology The first rounded mosaic tile production in Turkey Turkey’s first glass mosaic and sintered glass tiles production facility
2006
Turkey's first hexagon mosaic tiles The first overseas acquisition by a Turkish ceramics business: Engers The first use of "Chrome +3" coating technology in global faucet industry
2008
The first 1x1 cm sized mosaic tiles in Turkey Turkey’s first no-splash urinal
2009
The world’s first LGA approved cistern offering 2.5 or 4 litre flushing options
2010
Turkey’s first LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) catalogue in the industry The first pentagonal and hexagonal mosaic tile production in Turkey Turkey’s first TS EN 16001 Energy Management System Certificate in the industry
2011
Turkey’s first TS EN 249 Compliance Certificate in ceramic sanitaryware industry The first brand to receive the European Union Eco-label in the ceramic sector
2012
The first brand to receive the European Union Eco-label in the ceramic sector The first brand to make Forest Stewardship Council Certified (FSC) furniture in Turkey
2013
Turkey’s first Green Bathroom Solutions (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB) catalogue in the industry EPD Type III certification was the first manufacturer in the field of basin mixers in Turkey By publishing the first "Green Bathroom Solutions" brochure of the sector, green building certification systems presented products compatible with LEED, BREEAM and DGNB. VitrA earned EPD, Greenguard and Greenguard Gold certificates thanks to its tile products. VitrA Innovation Center; was selected as the most successful R&D center in the industry within the scope of the R&D Centers Performance Index of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. It was the first manufacturer brand in Turkey to receive the "European Water Label" certificate in the basin mixer sector.
2014
Ceramic Sanitaryware production started in Russia. With the Blue Life was a finalist in the European Union Environment Awards Turkey Program and was the first organization to be considered worthy in Europe from Turkey. VitrA Innovation Center; was chosen as the most successful R&D center in the sector for the second time in a row within the scope of the R&D Centers Performance Index of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. VitrA proved that it has exceeded the standards in two product categories as the first producer to be awarded with the "Double Star" application of the Turkish Standards Institute. The first TS ISO 50001 Energy Management System certificate of the basin mixer sector was obtained in Turkey.
2015
VitrA was awarded the EPD certification for bathroom furniture. “TSE Double Star” certificate was obtained with tile products. The VitrA Innovation Centre was chosen as the most successful R&D center in the sector for the third time in a row within the scope of the R&D Centre Performance Index of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
2016
With the total efficient maintenance management in basin mixer production, VitrA was awarded by JIPM (Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance) with the award of excellence. VitrA Innovation Center has been selected as the most successful R&D center of the sector for the fourth consecutive year within the scope of the R&D Centers Performance Index of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
2017
VitrA Innovation Center was selected the fifth consecutive time the most successful R&D center in the sector and also the second best R&D center in Turkey.
2018
Artema was awarded the special prize by successfully completing the 3rd level within the scope of TPM Excellence Awards (Total Productivity Management Excellence Awards) given by JIPM (Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance).