Success comes in twos Imperial Tobacco Polska

Imperial Tobacco Polska in Tarnowo Podgórne

Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing in Radom

SUCCESS COMES IN TWOS

There are two companies from the Imperial Tobacco Group which operate in Poland: Imperial Tobacco Polska SA, with headquarters in Tarnowo Podgórne near to Poznań, and Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing SA, with headquarters in Radom. Together, the two companies employ around 1500 staff.

Imperial Tobacco’s companies in Poland are continuously investing in the future, mainly through the installation of new machines and technologies. The most important investment of Imperial Tobacco Polska was the construction of a modern factory in Tarnowo Podgórne near Poznań. Numerous modernising investments were also completed in the Imperial Tobacco factory in Radom.

The success of both of the companies can also be attributed to the quality of their products, and timely and reliable completion of supplies to the Polish as well as foreign markets. The high quality of manufactured products was confirmed in 2011 when Imperial Tobacco Polska received the title of the Laureate of the Highest Quality Programme of Quality International 2011, in the category QI Order – management of the highest quality; meanwhile the company in Radom received the Polish Quality Prize in 2012. The companies also undertake a number of activities in order to ensure compliance with regulations and customs authorities, resulting in several certifications. In 2010 Imperial Tobacco Polska SA received the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate from the Customs Office in Poznań, while in 2012 Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing received the same certification from the Customs Office in Warsaw. Both of the companies were thus recognised by the customs authorities as business entities which meet the requirements of the Union Customs Code. The AEO status, given in one of the member states of the European Union, is automatically recognised across the entire Union.

Domestic market and exports

Imperial Tobacco Polska is one of the largest tobacco companies in the country, manufacturing tobacco products and tobacco accessories for the domestic and export markets. It is the leading supplier on the domestic market for the sale of tobacco and holds third place in the cigarettes market. The market share in sales of tobacco products (cigarettes and smoking tobacco) reached 20.8 per cent for the previous fiscal year (Ex-factory data for fiscal year 2015). Imperial Tobacco Polska is also one of the leading distributors of cigars and cigarillos, with an estimated market share of around 10 per cent.

Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing is engaged in the production, for both the domestic and export markets, of tobacco products and semi-products used in the manufacturing of tobacco goods (for example, specialist filters, cut tobacco). Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing is one of the largest manufacturers of tobacco products for global markets within the Imperial Tobacco Group. The company has high flexibility in the production for diverse markets which have different legal regulations.

In March 2011 Imperial Tobacco Polska completed the expansion of the production factory in Jankowice near Poznań, with the addition of a production and storage hall covering an area of approximately 10,000m2. Thanks to this investment the factory significantly improved the process of production of cut tobacco. In November 2013 the construction of a modern production hall was completed, covering an area of 13,000m2. Currently Imperial Tobacco Polska is also finalising the expansion of a very modern high-storage facility.

Customers and achievements

The direct customers of Imperial Tobacco Polska in Poland are tobacco wholesalers – country-wide, as well as local. The clients include, amongst others: Eurocash, Jeronimo Martins Polska,

Exports destinations from the factory of Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing in Radom

Production lines in Imperial Tobacco factories in Poland

Lidl, Makro Cash&Carry, PT Dystrybucja and Żabka Polska. The company is also closely cooperating with retail clients, on the basis of loyalty programmes, when it comes to displays of products and product information. Abroad, the customers of products manufactured by Imperial Tobacco in Poland are companies from the Imperial Tobacco Group, including in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Recently, Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing has managed to enter into new export markets, including China, Egypt, Greece and Switzerland.

In September 2014 Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing received the title of ‘Ambassador of the Polish Economy’ in the ‘Exporter’ Category. The competition was organised under the patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and its goal was, amongst others, to recognise and promote businesses which achieve success on international markets, as well as to promote good international business practices. In June this year Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing received the ‘Leader of Polish Exports 2015’ Title and Trophy of the Association of Polish Exporters, recognising the company’s ongoing engagement in export activities, which in turn helps to build a positive image of the Polish economy both at home and abroad.

A responsible employer

Imperial Tobacco in Poland strives to foster the best possible working environment. Cooperation and building of positive mutual relations is crucial to creating a friendly workplace. Both companies put a lot of emphasis on looking after their staff, particularly through organising regular health-focused programmes.

As part of its staff welfare programme, both companies have introduced the ‘Junior’ initiative for future and young mothers, which

is aimed at supporting future mothers, as well as helping women return to work after their maternity leave.

The companies also look after their employees who are close to retirement age and have created the ‘Gold Programme’ especially for them, which offers motivational benefits such as additional medical tests, extra days of annual leave and the possibility to submit a request to change working hours.

The safety of its staff, both in the workplace and outside of it, is very important for Imperial Tobacco in Poland. For this reason numerous staff safety projects are being carried out, including, amongst others, the recently introduced S-Factor programme, preceded by workshops and staff surveys, which is aimed at engaging staff more closely in improving safety. In September 2014 Imperial Tobacco Polska Manufacturing secured first place in the ‘Workplace Health and Safety Good Practices’ competition organised by the management of the Poland-wide Association of H&S Employees. The companies have a very extensive H&S culture, which is visible not only on posters, but can also be seen in the behaviour of staff.

Both companies have implemented internship and stipend programmes, which prepare young people finishing their studies to take up their first professional employment. In recognition of this, in 2011 Imperial Tobacco Polska received the European Medal in the competition organised by the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.

In February 2015 both Imperial Tobacco companies in Poland received, once again, the Top Employer Poland 2015 Certificate for their unique recruitment policies. International research carried out by the Top Employers Institute identifies the leading global employers: those who create excellent working conditions, look after talent and strive to continuously improve their recruitment practices. At the heart of the process in the Top Employers project is the fact that all participants must undergo a process of detailed research, independent audit, and meet the high standards defined by the research. Thanks to this the prize is an objective confirmation that Imperial Tobacco companies in Poland are good places to work.

Joining to fight the black market

Both Imperial Tobacco in Poland, as well as the entire Imperial Tobacco Group, have for many years actively engaged in supporting the relevant authorities in the fight against the smuggling of tobacco and fake products. On 27 September 2010 the Imperial Tobacco Group signed an agreement with the European Commission, focusing on cooperation in fighting cigarette smuggling in the European Union.

In May 2015 Imperial Tobacco Polska launched an internet website, www.stop-szarej-strefie.pl, whose aim is to fight the illegal market through supporting Polish authorities in the fight against fake and smuggled tobacco products, as well as reaching people who have knowledge of locations where the illegal trade of tobacco products takes place.

Imperial Tobacco in Poland has for many years been actively engaged in supporting the customs authorities, police and border control across the country in fighting crime on the tobacco market. Since 2003 the employees of the company have carried out over 30 training sessions for these authorities. Training courses, organised by the company, focus on the scale and sources of tobacco products smuggling, as well as the best methods for distinguishing legal products from illegal ones. n