Turkiye has established model factories as learning and demonstration centers that strengthen the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With 12 model factories nationwide supporting around 4,600 firms and 850 SMEs annually, the country has developed considerable experience in scalable capacity building. By combining industrial infrastructure with structured training, these centers enable workers to apply productivity, lean manufacturing, digital transformation, and Industry 4.0 concepts in real shop floor settings. As micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises represent over 90% of licensed enterprises in the Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP, 2022), assessing this role is of strategic importance.

Twenty-five participants from 16 APO members attended the Workshop on Development of a Nationwide Model Factory Network, held in Adana, Turkiye, from 1 to 4 September 2026. The workshop was hosted by the national productivity organization of Turkiye (the Directorate General for Strategic Research and Productivity, Ministry of Industry and Technology) and the Adana Chamber of Industry, in cooperation with the APO. The workshop aimed to examine the effectiveness of model factories in productivity enhancement, digital transformation, and SME competitiveness; share best practices among APO members; and strengthen model factory networks.

The four-day program combined presentations, experiential learning, country papers, group work, and visits to the Adana Model Factory, Adana Industrial Campus, and SASA Polyester Sanayi A.S.

A group-work session, “From Observation to Strategic Action Plan,” enabled participants to assess their countries’ digital, productivity, and sustainability readiness; identify barriers facing SMEs; and adapt Turkiye’s experience to their national contexts.