WAM Talks 4.0 – Interview with Ilhan Ozdemir

• Can you give us a brief introduction to TREX Digital Manufacturing and the core services you offer?

Trex Digital Manufacturing is a leading provider of smart manufacturing solutions focused on driving operational excellence through data. Our core offerings include MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), Digital Twin technology, Track & Trace systems and Water & Energy Consumption Monitoring  tools and Standalone Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Platform. We help factories visualise their losses, optimise efficiency and achieve real-time production transparency.

• What key technologies or solutions will Trex be showcasing at WAM Saudi?

At WAM Saudi, we will be showcasing our latest advancements in MES platforms, including real-time OEE dashboards, AI-based anomaly detection and energy-performance monitoring. A major highlight will be our Digital Manufacturing Twin – a virtual replica of the factory that enables simulation, analysis and optimisation of production processes.
In addition, we will demonstrate our robust Track & Trace solutions, which provide end-to-end product traceability across the supply chain. These systems are especially valuable for manufacturers in regulated industries, helping them ensure compliance and gain full visibility from raw material input to final product delivery.

• Are you planning to launch any new solutions during WAM Saudi?

Yes, we plan to introduce enhancements to our Digital Manufacturing Twin solution, particularly around machine learning-based predictive insights and real-time simulation features. This will enable manufacturers to prevent downtime, improve planning and optimise resources more effectively than ever.

• How do your manufacturing solutions support digital transformation for industrial players in Saudi Arabia?

Our solutions align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by enabling manufacturers to digitise their operations, reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and make data-driven decisions. We support factories in their transition from reactive to predictive operations using smart, scalable systems tailored to their maturity level.

• What differentiates Trex from other digital manufacturing or MES providers in the market today?

What sets Trex apart is our strong focus on actionable data and measurable operational ROI. Our solutions are modular, fast to deploy and tailored to industry-specific needs. Unlike many vendors, we don’t just provide software, we partner with our clients through the full digital transformation journey.

Our implementation teams follow Agile principles and are led by consultants with PMP certification and deep manufacturing domain expertise. This ensures projects are executed with both speed and precision.

Trex Digital Manufacturing Solution has already installed many Poka-Yoke solutions. It means our clients can quickly recover their DT investment.

In addition, our WEMS platform, which combines water and energy management in a single, fully integrated tool, is a key differentiator in the market, especially for companies aiming to reduce their environmental footprint while optimising costs.

• Which industries are you targeting in the Middle East and what specific needs do your solutions address for these sectors?

While our current implementations in the Middle East are primarily in the food and beverage, bottling and packaging sectors, we are actively targeting a broader range of industries including automotive, cable manufacturing, white goods, plastics and aluminium injection and molding, plastics and aluminium extrusion, metal shaping, metal processing and general discrete and process manufacturing.

Our solutions are designed to address cross-industry needs such as full traceability, line efficiency tracking, machine downtime analysis, digital quality monitoring and paperless operations. In every production environment from raw material input to final shipment, we provide real-time visibility and control, supporting manufacturers on their path to operational excellence.

• Can you share a recent success story or case study that demonstrates the impact of your solutions?

Certainly. In a recent deployment at a high-volume manufacturing facility in the region, our MES and energy monitoring solutions contributed to significant improvements in operational visibility, efficiency and cost control within the first six months.

Key outcomes included:

• Enhanced OEE performance driven by real-time downtime tracking and performance analytics
• Noticeable optimisation in raw material consumption through dosing integration and process-level monitoring
• Considerable reduction in machine change-over and setup durations thanks to automated configuration and SMED tracking
• Granular visibility into energy consumption per unit product, supporting smarter energy-saving decisions

Beyond the measurable gains, the implementation also delivered strategic benefits:

• Real-time visibility across all production areas, enabling immediate issue identification
• Elimination of guesswork in performance evaluations through data-driven metrics
• Operational standardisation across lines and facilities
• Enhanced traceability and simplified root cause analysis
• AI-powered early detection of inefficiencies with actionable improvement suggestions
• Analysis of cycle time deviations with a focus on productivity-based optimisation

Moreover, the digital transparency and traceability achieved through our systems not only improved internal performance but also positioned the plant as a technologically mature and transparent operation in the eyes of external stakeholders.

• What do you hope to achieve through your participation at WAM Saudi?

Through our participation at WAM Saudi, we aim to connect with manufacturers who are seeking to accelerate their digital transformation journeys. Our goal is to better understand the unique challenges of the Saudi industrial landscape and demonstrate how Trex solutions can deliver real value in terms of efficiency, traceability and sustainability.

In addition to engaging directly with end-users, we are also looking to build strategic partnerships with local players who are closely involved with the manufacturing sector — such as system integrators, consultants and solution providers. We believe collaboration is key to creating long-term impact and localising support in the region.

• What are your future plans for growth or collaboration in Saudi and the wider GCC market?

We’re currently expanding our presence through strategic partnerships and local implementation teams in Saudi Arabia. In the coming period, we are also preparing to establish a joint venture with a local partner to further localise our operations and strengthen our long-term commitment to the region. Our focus will be on enhancing after-sales support, building regional innovation hubs and making it easier for manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies in a scalable and sustainable way. We believe that local presence combined with global know-how is the key to long-term success in the GCC market.