Powder coating and metalworking services

The COLOREX Group is one of Poland’s leaders in powder coating and metal processing, with its activities including bending, cutting, welding and laser cutting. In 2015 the company celebrates its 25th anniversary, as Dariusz Balcerzyk reports.

IT was 1990 when the predecessor of the current COLOREX group, a company located in Krakow, began its activity in the construction business. Two years later, COLOREX Powder Technology was formed with the first painting line. The following years saw new companies created under the umbrella of the COLOREX group. Owing to the growing demand for powder coating services, in 2000 another powder paint plant was founded in Krakow. Initially, it had two painting lines but today there are 12 of them. Covering an area of more than 8000 square metres are the ABC COLOREX powder coating plant, hi-tech machining plant and COLOREX Lift, which is a factory for the latest generation elevators with inverter-controlled motors, providing very low power consumption and high efficiency.

The year 2005 saw the launch of two fully automated painting lines dedicated to the automotive industry and household appliances. Both meet the most stringent requirements and standards, with guaranteed durability, adhesion and corrosion resistance the result of specialised surface preparation technologies. Each customer is important

“No-one even expected in 1990 that this was the beginning of the success that finally transformed us into a large financial group. Over the past 25 years the COLOREX Group has broadened the scope of its activities to include: production of fencing (the COLOREX fencing factory offers first-class panel fencing systems designed for private residences or industrial constructions); provision of services in the field of metal processing; production of passenger and freight elevators; and activities related to the production of water dispensers. Moreover, we have a recreation centre located in the woods away from the hustle and bustle, but still near Krakow. The group also brings together a cluster of companies engaged in the distribution of protective foil, aluminum profiles and the provision of services relating to the Renolit foil lamination of profiles. Today COLOREX is a strong and stable group, which, thanks to its experience and the professionalism of its employees, can confidently look to the future. Modern technologies and cooperation with scientific institutions in

Poland and abroad let us follow the changing trends in the industry to serve our customers and to be one step ahead of the competition,” says Jacek Figiel, the group’s president of the board.

At the moment, the group has five production facilities in four locations and employs about 500 people. Its wide range of products is targeted primarily towards customers from the construction, automotive, furniture and household appliances industries. It should also be noted that the group serves both large companies and corporations as well as individual customers. “Our aim is total customer satisfaction at all times, regardless of the size of services rendered. Thus, each client is equally important for us,” points out Mr Figiel.

Leading European player

Part of the group’s impressive growth can be attributed to EU subsidies which have enabled it to expand its machine park. The latest investment was 30 per cent financed by EU subsidies, which were used for the further expansion of the machine park and the creation of a modern line for powder coating.

The COLOREX Group has a very strong position in the domestic market with a 60 per cent share, whilst the remaining 40 per cent is sold in foreign markets. It recently took its first steps to establish its sales on the French market and this year it will also be looking to expand its offer to other western European markets as well as eastern European and Asian markets.

“A very high flexibility, the ability to provide personalised, tailormade services to meet customer needs and comprehensive services starting from design, to painting and delivery, are prime factors which distinguish us from the competition. Furthermore, close cooperation with scientific institutions and 25 years of experience in the field of powder coating have enabled us to introduce the most modern

technology into our painting lines. We have a number of certificates, such as the Qualicoat Certificate and ISO 9001: 2008, which confirm the high quality of our products and services, especially in terms of the quality of decorative coatings on aluminum elements used in architecture,” says Mr Figiel.

In terms of future development, the COLOREX Group’s strategy is to increase its presence in foreign markets. It also plans to extend its close cooperation with scientific institutions, universities and schools. Furthermore, it has been working on the development of a new product which, in contrast to the current seasonality of COLOREX’s services, would allow the group to maintain the same level of sales out of season too. “For this purpose, a special team was appointed which works on the development of unconventional and very innovative products,” concludes Mr Figiel. n

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Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes Polska Sp. z o.o. ul. Jana Dekerta 24 30-703 Kraków Polska

Mariusz Popielecki, Account Manager Architectural, Poland T +48 12 390 48 14,16,18 F +48 12 390 48 22 M +48 785 016 902 E mariusz.popielecki@akzonobel.com