Annual Report 1999

Business

Other Group Companies

SUPPORT SERVICES

On the threshold of the new millennium, the objective is to actualize the transitions necessary to reach excellence in the workplace and promote the development of the organization.

In spite of the economic difficulties prevailing in the marketplace, in an effort to avoid such disruptions, all parties were determined to resolve problems amicably and to find common solutions through clear communications.

Fully cognizant of the fact that competitiveness can be attained through regular review, comparison and improvement of technological processes, Şişecam attaches great importance to cooperation between the production units.

Şişecam's research and development staff continued to follow up and transfer the latest in glass technology through their close relations with the international glass community.

Human Resources and Training
In today's world where intensive competition on national and global fronts exists, successful companies must be aware of the fact that the distinguishing factor remains the individual employee. A highly qualified, motivated and innovative labor force that possesses the skill to seek information and to learn represents a unique advantage over the competition. Companies possessing a labor force of this caliber are able to apply strategies of change, are able to foresee the opportunities and the risks and are able to create competitive advantage that cannot be emulated.

Converting human resources into a real advantage requires the application of various management systems in an integrated manner including recruitment, planned training and career development, performance evaluation and promotion. Şişecam follows these guidelines strictly and conscientiously.

Long-term Şişecam training activities, aimed at the continuous development of the managerial staff and employees, were carried out in 1999. The Training Department ran an educational program that included 275 courses and seminars for a total of 54,429 man-hours reaching 4,671 participants. Taking into account special training programs and computer training courses arranged by the Computer Support Services Department, these figures total 121,552 man-hours and 18,174 personnel.

On the threshold of the new millennium, the objective is to actualize the transitions necessary to reach excellence in the workplace and promote the development of the organization. In 1999, new programs dealing with compliance of technological developments and a program package applied under the title of ‘Sales Academy' licensed by Wilson Learning was adopted, along with periodic and standardized training for such topics as Organizational Development, Improvement of Individual Efficiency, Management and Professionalism, to improve the sales and marketing skills of the personnel.

With the intention of training to obtain direct and measurable results, Şişecam is ready to improve its competitive advantage by fine-tuning its human resources. Training is handled as a dynamic structure within business activities as a whole.

Industrial Relations
In 1999, the Industrial Relations Department continued its basic activities in such areas as interaction with labor unions, workers'health and job security, analysis of idle working days and work evaluation studies.

With regard to industrial relations, 1999 was a difficult year. The global economic crisis produced conflicts in the workplace between the workers, labor unions and employers. In spite of the economic difficulties prevailing in the marketplace, in an effort to avoid such disruptions, all parties were determined to resolve problems amicably and to find common solutions through clear communications, sharing of information and dialogue with workers and labor unions.

Another study made in 1999 was related to wage structure and job titles for hourly paid employees. Job titles and wage classifications made in 1983 have changed considerably over time due to diversification and unification of tasks to cope with technological developments and to adopt flexible working conditions. In addition, the transfer of some tasks to sub-contractors has had an impact on wage as well as job classifications and needed to be revised.

As in previous years, efforts continued to increase the utilization of protective equipment and to improve the workplace using various methods, measures and training in the field of worker safety and job security.

In 1999, a third five-year statistical study on accidents in the workplace began. The target for this five-year period is to attain the frequency ratio of ten as put forward by the American National Safety Council. During the year, efforts to bring the number of non-working days for the employees that are paid hourly to a minimum continued. This issue is an important factor affecting costs and efficiency.

Research and Development
Fully cognizant of the fact that competitiveness can be attained through regular review, comparison and improvement of technological processes, Şişecam attaches great importance to cooperation between the production units. The purpose is to increase efficiency and decrease costs, to determine the ways to improve performance and solve problems and to arrange development programs that meet the potential demands of the marketing units.

Research and development activities concerning new and profit-generating markets are continuing; the intellectual rights pertaining to technology and products already in use and developed have been reviewed in accordance with the restrictions and opportunities of EU regulations. The search for design, color, raw materials and energy transfer systems for future furnace investments are continuing.

Increased competition and changing priorities were reflected in the selection of research and development projects and projects for innovative products that generate additional value. Improving productivity and decreasing costs have also been emphasized.

Studies on the development of new products in the field of flat glass are continuing, using the expertise the Group has gained in coating technologies. Isıcam Konfor, an original product for off-line coating, won the Jury Special Prize in the Grand Technology Awards, while efforts to develop multi-functional glass and special automotive glass have continued. Studies were accelerated to obtain pyrolitic products for on-line coatings. Finally, the efforts to put these into production lines are about to be completed.

Research and development units continually assist the production units with expertise that can only be achieved through long years of technical experience, analysis and support services at world quality standards. The laboratories and test methods, which were not accredited in the past, have been included in this framework.

Şişecam's research and development experts continued to follow up and transfer the latest in glass technology through their close relations with the international glass community, through their participation in technical committees and with attendance at various international scientific congresses and meetings where contemporary developments regarding environmental protection are also discussed. As members of a leading research institution, Şişecam experts have contributed to the structuring of the scientific-technological production system in Turkey.

After the completion of all infrastructure investments enabling the latest information and communication technology to contribute to Şişecam's collective productivity, training and assistance programs required for the realization and maintenance of a cultural change began and are still continuing. The Group is aware that such efforts and work depend upon voluntary changes in group attitudes as well as changes in daily habits and personal behavior. New methods linking Şişecam to society, e-trade, web pages and similar means have been made available for the production and marketing groups.