Global supplier Expom

gLoBaL suppLier

Expom S.A., a company based in Kurzetnik, is Poland’s leading manufacturer of metal parts, assemblies, devices and large-size steel structures for industries such as marine, machinery, power, mining, construction and others. “For our clients, we are the partner in solving their technological problems,” says Mr Rafal Domzalski, Expom’s president.

Although Expom S.A. was founded in 1991, the company is proud of its sound experience that has lasted for more than 65 years, since it is a continuation of the local POM (State-owned Machine Centre) tradition that reaches back to 1952.

“The political and economic transformations that took place in Poland at the turn of the 1980s and the 1990s found the Centre inefficient and losing its raison d’être. At the same time, the same situation created new possibilities for private businesses. In 1991, two local businessmen bought the failing POM and based on its fabrications, founded Expom, which refers to its predecessor (ex-POM). We started with only 30 people,” begins Mr Domzalski. “Initially we continued the POM’s manufacturing of parts for the agriculture industry. However, since the barriers in the international trade had been removed, we took the chance to go forward. In 1997, we entered the foreign markets and soon achieved international success. By 2007, we had extended our product range into the maritime and off-shore industries, including our flagship product, namely marine boat davits. Within a few years, we had become the European leading producer of marine boat davits.”

In 2012, Expom redefined its product range and diversified its customerportfolio. “At some point, we realised that we were focusing all our efforts on one client. When he got into trouble, it also affected our condition. Our new strategy was sustainable development, a multitude of industries and gaining more than 20 regular customers, none of which reached a share of more than 25 per cent of our sales. Such diversity ensured our security and development, regardless of the fluctuations in one or more markets,” explains Mr Domzalski.

From Kurzetnik to the world

Currently, 350 people work for the company, including 200 employed directly by Expom and 150 people outsourced. “We are very proud of our highly-qualified employees. We encourage them to propose changes and improvements in the company by putting suggestions in the Ideas Box. The best concepts are implemented and awarded with financial prizes. The Expom employees can also apply for co-financing of their sporting passions. It doesn’t matter if you play tennis, handball or if you are training in karate – when you need financial support for

sports equipment or participation in a competition, you will certainly get it,” says the company president.

Expom is headquartered in Kurzetnik, a small village in north-eastern Poland, owns five production halls with a total area of 6500m2 and a technological construction office. The company’s annual sales in 2017 were estimated at PLN 50 million (approx. €12 million). This means that Expom has doubled its sales in just seven years. 97 per cent of Expom’s production is based on foreign sales, with Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands as the main foreign markets. The company’s products are also well-known in more distant markets such as the USA, Canada, Asian and Arabic countries, Singapore and Congo.

expom loves challenges

The company is an experienced manufacturer of large-size steel structures for numerous industries, such as offshore and marine (it makes marine and harbour davits and cranes, lifeboat davits), machining (large-size machinery components), aviation (chassis components, airport logistics), oil and gas (special machines for deep foundation engineering), power (furnaces and exchangers for large-size kilns, stators for motors and power generators) and renewable energy (small wind turbines, welded stators for wind power generators).

“We love challenges and do not run a series, routine production. We only manufacture sophisticated devices for individual customer orders and offer comprehensive processing in covering the design of steel structures, the stages of analysis, production and provision of accessories and independent testing. For our customers, we are partners in solving their technological problems, from the initial concept to the final product, and when completed the products can be shipped to any place in the world,”,adds Mr Domzalski.

Expom’s entire production process is subject to strict quality control requirements in line with ISO 9001. The production starts from the order acceptance and analysis is carried out by the engineering and design department. Steel elements are equipped with electrical and hydraulic systems on site. Thus, each product leaving the plant is finished, ready to work and adjusted to market-specific requirements.

Structures intended for use in difficult conditions are enhanced with collision avoidance and anti-corrosion systems.

Expom strives to keep pace with modern technology. It uses EU funding to ensure its further development. The funds are currently being used to build a modern R&D centre.

Expom already holds a strong position in the static and dynamic testing of lifeboat cranes, lifts, elevators and winders with SWL (Save Work Load) from 900 to 24000 kg intended for the testing of prototypes in extreme conditions specified by the regulations of IMO and SOLAS. The company runs destructive and non-destructive tests of welded joints. From large international corporations to small local companies, Expom cooperates with many partners. This strategy translates into successes and business opportunities for all parties. The company selects its partners very carefully and, in return, receive a package of benefits, technological assistance, and full documentation. This approach guarantees long-term, close and fruitful cooperation. “Expom regards its subcontractors as daughter companies,” concludes Mr Domzalski. n

http://www.expom.pl