Manufacturing-Journal vol. 2/6-2011

Manufacturing Volume 2/6 - 2011

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â‚Ź5

The World of Business

Journal

magazine

Russia’s agricultural

giant page 64

Delivering excellence

page 15

They keep the world turning

page 26

A success story from Morocco

page 75

News

Trade Shows

Country profiles

Companies profiles

www.manufacturing-journal.net

EL UD E PR

Dear Readers!

I

am delighted to introduce the latest issue of Manufacturing Journal Magazine. In this issue we will present you Prodimex a one of the principal agricultural holdings in Russia. The group incorporates a large number of enterprises in different parts of the country. Today, after 18 years of successful development, the company owns 16 sugar mills located in three regions of Russia: the company has 12 sugar mills in the Central Chernozem Region, 3 sugar mills in the Southern Federal District, and one factory in the Republic of Bashkortostan, also the company has citric acid plant, which is the only one in Russia that produces citric acid. The production capacity of all sugar factories is over 75 thousand tones of beets per day. Full story on page 64.

Flexibility, the highest quality of products and services and individual approach to each project. Those features, characteristic to Sanden Corporation, acquired by the organization during many years of world scale activity, apply as well to Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. SMP, being a part of Sanden Corporation, can count on the technological and know – how support. But how, in just a few years, the company from Polkowice managed to achieve such a strong competitive position in an extremely demanding industry, like automotive industry? The answer to this question and the full article on page 15.

Clockwork means, literally, “working like a clock” - that much is obvious! It is also obvious to Hijos de Juan de Garay, a Spanish based company specialized in cold drawn precision steel tubing and automotive tubular components, that providing critical automotive applications, require high performance. Every year more than 100 million motorists depend on GARAY’s automotive tubular components turning their cars into success stories.

Sometimes, being an industry leader just isn’t enough. Why? Read full story on page 26.

Also in this issue you will find an article about SOTHEMA, a fast growing pharmaceutical company based in the region of Casablanca, Morocco. The very beginning of SOTHEMA project started in 1976 with the production of a toothpaste and mouthwash as main activity. The portfolio of the laboratory consisted in only two references and the number of employees didn’t exceed 10 people. Today more than 850 people including 100 managers work for the success of SOTHEMA. Full report on page 75.

Enjoy the magazine!

Editor:

We invite you to a digital free magazine subscription.

Filling out a short form you will regularly receive to your e-mail box our latest magazine.

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Prelude

Manufacturing-Journal | 1 |

CONTENTS

Contents: Editor Patryk T. Zborowski Profile Writers Anna Tomaszewska Bartosz Sowiński Elena Rozhko Jacek Głowacki Katarzyna Olszowska Kateryna Ferdyn Magdalena Urban Nicolas Desprez

1 2 4 8 10

Prelude Contents News Trade Shows Country profile

11 15 19 22 26 31 34 37 40 43 46

It’s not a company, it’s CEBI Delivering excellence Leader in logistics Together – One Step Ahead They keep the world turning Brand to Rely on The leader of the metal industry In Pole Position Men of steel Logistical primus Ships, towers and constructions – made by Stocznia Gdańsk

Art Director Wojciech Kosmowski Project Managers Katarzyna Marciniec Katarzyna Olszowska Marta Kaciupska Anna Sarwa-Mulczyk Administration Wioletta Adamczyk

Długa Street 48/38 31-146 Cracow Poland e-mail: info@manufacturing-journal.net advertising: pz@manufacturing-journal.net phone number: 0048 12 4337117 fax number: 0048 12 4337116 web: www.manufacturing-journal.net

© Manufacturing Journal 2011 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form for any purpose, other than short sections for the purpose of review, without prior consent of the publisher.

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Contents

NT EN TS CO

Setting the Pace „MS beyond WINDOWS” You know what. They know how New effective technologies in cattle breeding Follow their Lead

49 52 55 58

Russia’s agricultural giant Innovation and drive for success A success story from Morocco Affordable luxury Meeting every need

64 71 75 79 82

Index:

Articles:

Cadolto Polska Sp. z o.o.

Cebi Poland Sp z o.o.

Clever Company Holding DCT Gdańsk SA Dilis Cosmetic Joint Stock Company Format Urządzenia i Montaże Przemysłowe Sp. z o.o.

GEDIA Poland Assembly Sp. z o.o.

Goldbeck Sp. z o.o.

GRUPO CONDESA HIJOS DE JUAN DE GARAY, S.A. M&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien Sp. z o.o.

Martifer Polska Sp. z o.o.

Myronivsky Hliboproduct OJSC PRODIMEX GROUP Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o.

Société de Thérapeutique Marocaine Stocznia Gdańsk SA TCM Polska Tool Consulting & Managemet Sp. z o.o.

Ukrainska girnycho-metalurgiyna kompaniya OJSC VILLANOVA Zapagromash Ltd.

61

49 11 82 43 79 37 22 61 55 26 52 40 71 64 15 75 46 31 34 19 58

Advertising: AECAR S.r.l.

Amity Technology AMF Gustav Bruns GmbH & Co.KG BABBINI S.p.A. Berendsen Textile Service Sp. z o.o.

BMA Automation GmbH Bültmann GmbH dinamica generale srl EkoNiva Gesellschaft für Umformung und Maschinenbau GmbH MARIBO LLC MASCHIO GASPARDO RUSSIA OOO Propagroup S.r.l. quimdis Reika GmbH & Co.KG SOLEX Stord International SWIFT International syngenta united-turned-parts GmbH & Co. KG W&K Industrietechnik Sp. z o.o.

Contents

13 67 67 66 23 67 29 74 69 27 69 66 21 77 29 64 67 17 64 23 17

Manufacturing-Journal | 3 |

W S NE

Heineken named preferred bidder for two breweries in Ethiopia Heineken N.V. announced that the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has named the company as the preferred bidder for the Bedele and Harar breweries. The winning bids for the breweries were US$85 million and US$78 million, respectively.

Heineken will now work with the government to finalise the transaction. The decision follows Heineken’s participation in the public auction for the two breweries. Commenting on today’s announcement, Tom de Man, President of Africa and Middle East for Heineken, said: “We are delighted that our offer to acquire these two breweries has been selected as the winner by the Ethiopian Privatization and Public Enterprise Supervising Agency. This transaction represents another important step in Heineken’s strategy of increasing its exposure to emerging markets and we look forward to working with the Ethiopian government to grow the Ethiopian beer market and economy. Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most promising beer markets and our expansion into this market underlines our commitment to Africa and strengthens our platform for continued growth in the region.” The two breweries have a combined market share of 18% with brands such as Bedele, Harar, Hakim Stout and Harar Sofi (malt). Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populated country with 85 million people and its beer market (3 million hectolitres in 2010, source

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Plato) grew approximately 20% per year over the past 5 years, compared to a GDP growth of 8%. Beer and non-alcoholic malt consumption in Ethiopia was approximately 4 litres per capita in 2010, which is well below the global average of 27 litres and below beer consumption in neighbouring countries, such as Tanzania (7 litres), Uganda (9 litres) and Kenya (10 litres). In addition to a fast growing population and a developing beer market, the country’s political stability and improving economy, make Ethiopia a promising, long-term growth market for Heineken in Africa.

More info: www.heinekeninternational.com

ciency, reduce cost, and drive revenue.

We are working hard to meet the growing demands of the media industry.”

Reuters Live Stream is the newest component of the comprehensive coverage and delivery platform Reuters is building to meet the diverse needs of publishers and broadcasters around the world. It represents one additional step toward one stop fulfilment of our Reuters client needs worldwide. The Tribune Company, the second largest US publisher, and Fairfax Media, a leading Australian print and online media company, were the first to adopt Reuters Live Stream, which carried live coverage of the royal wedding.

More info: www.thomsonreuters.com

Metso to convert coal fired boiler to biomass fired boiler for EC Tychy S.A. in Poland

Reuters Live Stream provides unlimited, 24/7 access to news as it happens Reuters announced the launch of Reuters Live Stream, an online service providing live video access to breaking and scheduled news events from around the world. The service was designed for easy integration with newsrooms, and puts editorial control in the hands of online publishers. In an increasingly digital world, Reuters Live Stream provides a faster, cost-effective option to the traditional satellite news distribution method. Video content is also compatible with mobile devices, including tablet technology. “Publishers asked for customizable news video, and that’s exactly what we are delivering,” said Chris Ahearn, president of media, Thomson Reuters. “You will continue to see Reuters delivering tools that increase effi-

News

Metso will convert a coal fired CFB boiler to a biomass fired boiler for Elektrocieplownia Tychy S. A. in southern Poland.

The total value of the order is approximately 20 million EUR. The conversion of the coal fired boiler to a biomass boiler is part of EC Tychy S. A.’s production capacity reconstruction program. It focuses on the necessity to increase the share of renewable energy production and to adapt to the new, sharp emission requirements of the EU that will come into force 2016. Since year 2000 Metso has received several orders to convert coal fired boilers to biomass fired boilers in Poland, which in general takes strong incentives in green energy projects. EC Tychy’s cooperation with Metso emphasizes Metso’s strong capability as a fullscope supplier of bioenergy solutions, as well as Metso’s long service expertise in conversion and modernization of existing power plants. The order is included in the Energy and Environmental Technology’s Q1orders received. “Metso was chosen through the public procurement procedure to execute the task due

Bombardier and Trenitalia Sign Contract for an Additional 50 Locomotives

to their service expertise and project management in this area,” states Joanna Schmid, Vice President of the Management Board of Tauron Group. EC Tychy S.A is a subsidiary of Tauron Group, one of the largest energy companies in Poland. The holding company is engaged in all key segments of the energy market, and generates electricity from renewable sources through the operation of 35 hydroelectric power plants.

Technical information The EPC delivery scope includes modification works of the current boiler, such as pressure parts, fuel and ash handling equipment and erection, as well as a complete automation system. The supplied automation system consists of a process automation system, emission monitoring and reporting, as well as instrumentation and electrification retrofit. The plant will produce 70 MW of heat and 40 MW of electricity to the national grid. The new boiler system will be in operation as from October 2012.

Trenitalia (Italian Railways) has awarded Bombardier Transportation a new order to supply an additional 50 of its economical and proven E464 electric locomotives, exercising an option to the contract signed in 2009 for the supply of 100 units. Valued at approximately 128 million euro ($186 million US), the contract is a further landmark for Bombardier locomotives in Italy. With this contract, Trenitalia has placed orders for a total of 688 E464 locomotives, 570 of which are already in successful commercial service.

Delivery of the locomotives is scheduled for between 2012 and 2013. With these additional 50 E464 locomotives, Trenitalia will be operating one of the largest single vehicle-type fleets in Europe, making it one of the first operators to benefit from considerably reduced operational and maintenance costs,” said Ake Wennberg, President, Locomotives and Equipment, Bombardier Transportation. “In Italy, the E464 locomotives are as successful as the BOMBARDIER TRAXX locomotives are in many other European countries.” “We are really proud of this new order. We thank Trenitalia for its continued confidence in the manufacturing capabilities we have developed in Vado Ligure,” commented Roberto Tazzioli, Chief Country Representative Italy, Bombardier Transportation. “This order reinforces Bombardier’s already strong manufacturing presence in Italy.

It encourages us to continue offering superior solutions to Trenitalia, which

we believe is positioned to place both regional and high-speed rail transportation in Italy amongst the world’s greatest,” added Mr. Tazzioli. With a maximum power of 3.5 MW and a top-speed of 160 km/h, the E464 locomotive is particularly well known for its high level of reliability, availability and serviceability over its entire life cycle. Bombardier is the largest producer of locomotives in Europe and the world’s largest manufacturer of electric locomotives. The company’s portfolio covers all market segments, from heavy-haul to very highspeed passenger rail. Today, around 4,000 Bombardier locomotives have been sold. Bombardier Transportation is one of the most important manufacturers of rolling stock in Italy and is involved in some of the country’s most important rail projects. Trenitalia’s various types of electric locomotives, the new highspeed train V300ZEFIRO, the high-speed train ETR500 (as a member of the Trevi consortium), the Rome-Fiumicino airport people-mover, the tram vehicles in Milan and Palermo, the propulsion systems of the new Rome metro vehicles and the traffic management system installed in various sections of the Italian rail network (SCMT) are fine examples.

More info: www.bombardier.com

More info: www.metso.com

News

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W S NE

Nestlé to enter partnership with Chinese food company Yinlu Nestlé announced that it had signed a partnership agreement taking a 60% stake in the Chinese food company Yinlu Foods Group (Yinlu). Yinlu’s Chairman, Mr. Chen Qingyuan, will continue to lead the company in the new partnership.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in China. Other details of the transaction, including the acquisition price, are not being disclosed. Familyowned Yinlu is a well established household brand in China and a significant marketer for ready-to-drink peanut milk and ready-to-eat canned rice porridge.

The agreement builds on an already successful partnership between the two companies, as Yinlu is a co-manufactur-

er for ready-to-drink Nescafé coffee in China. Yinlu’s 2010 sales amounted to around CHF 750 million. Yinlu’s products are tailored to Chinese consumers’ taste and habits, and complement Nestlé’s existing product portfolio in China, which includes culinary products, coffee, confectionery, bottled water, milk powder and products for the foodservice industry. The healthy and nutritious Yinlu products perfectly fit into Nestlé’s global portfolio and emphasise its core strategy as the world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company. Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke: “We will submit this partnership proposal to the Chinese authorities shortly. It demonstrates our long-term investment in China and our commitment to further developing local brands. We are proud to build this partnership to bring healthy, affordable and tasty products to our consumers in China by combining Yinlu’s entrepreneurship, product expertise and consumer understanding with Nestlé’s innovation and renovation capabilities.” Yinlu Chairman Chen Qingyuan: “This partnership represents a very important landmark in Yinlu’s long-standing aspiration to be a relevant and favourite brand for consumers. Nestlé’s proven expertise will undoubtedly provide solid support for Yinlu’s continued growth. Together we

will continue to develop our brand and manufacturing capabilities, in particular in the Central and Western part of China.” Nestlé has been present in China for over twenty years and today operates 23 factories, two R&D Centres and employs 14,000 people. Nestlé in the China region achieved sales of CHF 2.8 billion in 2010. Main Nestlé brands in China include Nescafé, Nan, Maggi, KitKat as well as local brands such as Haoji and Totole.

Nestlé has established several technical assistance initiatives for milk and coffee farmers in China. For example, Nestlé buys fresh milk from thousands of farmers across the country, offering them assistance to increase the quality, quantity and efficiency of their production. In Yunnan province, Nestlé has been encouraging and supporting coffee cultivation for almost twenty years, and nearly 4,100 farmers have received direct training on planting, quality control and processing techniques.

More info: www.nestle.com

Chinese auto maker Youngman selects Opcon China Opcon Technology (Suzhou) CO., Ltd (OTS), a subsidiary of Opcon, the energy and environmental technology Group, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) concerning the manufacture of components for Youngman Automotive, of Jinhua, China www.young-man.cn (http://www. young-man.cn/) an expanding company with around 4,000 employees. Deliveries are expected to start in 2011. Youngman, which has a history of manufacturing primarily buses, has been approved by the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission for production

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News

New MAHLE production plant in Chennai/India

MAHLE Filter Systems India in Chennai, a new filter production plant of the MAHLE Group, takes up series production. It will supply Indian vehicle manufacturers with air filter modules. First orders of customers are on hand. In June, 2010, the ground breaking ceremony for the new plant took place according to Hindu tradition. The building was completed until December, 2010, and the installation of production equipment and basic facilities was finalized by the end of January, 2011. The factory is located at two hour’s drive from the harbor of the metropolis of Chennai, formerly known as Madras. In the first step of construction, the factory building has a ground surface of 3,300 square meters. In the

medium term, it is planned to produce air filter systems, intake modules, and cylinder head covers with integrated oil mist separation in the new plant. MAHLE has already received large-scale orders for these product groups and will supply automobile manufacturers in the Chennai area out of the plant. Currently, MAHLE employs 80 staff in Chennai, this number is planned to be increased to approximately 150 in the medium term.

The first intake modules and air filters will be dispatched from August, 2011.

“The proximity to the vehicle manufacturers strengthens our position in the Indian market”, states Prof. Dr. Heinz K. Junker, Chairman of the Management Board of the MAHLE Group. “The new plant in Chennai will be established as competence center for injection molding. It will play a model role for the other MAHLE filter factories in India, as we do no in-house injection molding there so far, apart from overmolded air filter elements in the Gurgaon location.” The MAHLE Group is one of the 30 largest companies in the automotive supply industry worldwide. With its two business units Engine Systems and Components and Filtration and Engine Peripherals, MAHLE ranks among the top three systems suppliers worldwide for piston systems, cylinder components, as well

as valve train, air management, and liquid management systems. The Industry business unit bundles the MAHLE Group’s industrial activities. These include the areas of large engines, industrial filtration, as well as cooling and airconditioning systems. The Aftermarket business unit serves the independent spare parts market with MAHLE products in OE quality. In 2010, the MAHLE Group achieved sales of approximately EUR 5.3 billion (USD 7 billion); more than 47,000 employees work at over 100 production plants and eight research and development centers.

of cars as part of China’s efforts to develop its own car brands and produce cars with lower emissions. “This is a further step forward for Engine Efficiency in our strategy of expanding with our technology and our focus on energy efficiency on the Chinese market. The Chinese car and truck market is growing strongly and China has already surpassed the US as the world’s largest market. Last year over 18 million vehicles were sold in China,” says Tom Gustavsson, head of Opcon’s Engine Efficiency business area.

The Letter of Intent concerns Opcon’s high-efficiency oil cooler, which is up to 20-30 per cent more effective than most products supplied by competitors.

Greater efficiency in cooling enables corresponding space and weight savings in

the engine compartment, resulting in higher performance and lower fuel consumption. The oil cooler, which is also available in heat exchanger format, has previously been sold to the motor racing industry and for other special applications where there are high demands for energy efficiency and top performance.

“We are proud that Youngman wants to use our technology in its efforts to make cars with better fuel economy. We expect sales this year to reach a couple of million Swedish kronor. Going forward we naturally see opportunities grow in line with Youngman’s expansion,” says Tom Gustavsson head of Opcon’s Engine Efficiency business area. Opcon’s Chinese subsidiary is part of the Engine Efficiency business area and has previously

supplied customers in Europe only. With its highly modern production facilities, high quality requirements and TS accreditation, Opcon Technology (Suzhou) is now making a strategic entry in the fast-growing Chinese market with future deliveries directly to Chinese customers. The letter of intent with Youngman is the second significant signing with a Chinese automaker in a short period.

News

More info: www.mahle.com

More info: www.young-man.cn

Manufacturing-Journal | 7 |

W S NE

TRADE SHOWS June 21 - 24, 2011

MIOGE 2011

SCA is investing in expanded tissue capacity in Russia and Germany, and in solid-wood products in Sweden. The investments will total approximately SEK 2.6bn (approx. EUR 290m).

There is favourable growth in the Russian tissue market and SCA is the leading player, with such strong brands as Tork and Zewa. To further reinforce and strengthen the market position, a decision has been made to invest approximately SEK 1.2bn (approx. EUR 130m) in a second tissue machine in Sovetsk, Russia. The new tissue machine has a capacity of 60,000 tons annually and production is based on virgin fibre.

Production is scheduled to commence in 2013. SCA is also investing approximately SEK 1.1bn (approx. EUR 120m) in a new tissue machine in Kostheim, Germany. This investment is being made to meet increased demand, primarily for AFH tissue products. The new tissue machine will have a capacity of 60,000 tons annually and production is scheduled to commence in 2013. To increase production capacity and reduce costs, a decision has been made to invest approximately SEK 300m (approx. EUR 30m) in the Bollsta sawmill, Sweden. The investment comprises two new biofuel boilers, increased drying capacity and an upgrade of the saw line. Through these investments, production capacity will increase from 450,000 cubic metres to 525,000 cubic metres of sawn pine products per year. The investment enables energy production exclusively from the company’s own biofuel, meaning that a large amount of oil can be phased out of production. The biofuel boiler is scheduled for commissioning at the end of 2012, while other parts will be successively commissioned during 2012 and 2013. “Through these investments, we will enhance our capacity, efficiency and profitability in markets that are

Moscow International Oil & Gas Exhibition Venue: Expocentr’ Krasnaya Presnya Fairgrounds 14, Krasnopresnenskaya naberezhnaya Moscow 123100 Russia www.mioge.com June 28 - July 02, 2011

METEC 2011 International Exhibition for Metallurgical Technology Venue: Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre Stockumer Kirchstr. 61 D-40474 Düsseldorf Germany www.metec.de June 29, 2011

THE SOLAR FUTURE IN UK International Solar Manufacturers Conference Venue: SolarPlaza P.O. Box 2299 3000 CG Rotterdam Netherlands www.thesolarfuture.com

important to us,” says SCA President Jan Johansson.

More info: www.sca.com

June 30 - July 02, 2011

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW National Agricultural Show Venue: Exhibition Centre Herning Vardevej 1 DK- 7400 Herning Denmark www.landsskuet.dk

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SCA is investing in expanded capacity for tissue and solid wood products

News

Aker Solutions wins construction contract for pipe mill in US

Aker Construction, Inc., a subsidiary of Aker Solutions, has been awarded a contract for the installation of the new V & M seamless pipe mill in Youngstown, Ohio, US. The contract for supply of materials and installation of the mechanical, electrical and piping for the project com-

mences immediately. Contract value is undisclosed. “Aker Solutions has exceptional construction experience in the steel industry in North America and we are very pleased with the award of this latest project,” said Steve Harker, who heads up Aker Solutions’ union construction business in the US. The project is located adjacent to V & M Star LP’s operations in Youngstown, Ohio. V & M officially broke ground on the new mill in late July, and plans for the new mill to be operational in 2012. Aker Solutions is currently executing the supply and erection of the pipe mill building necessary to contain the equipment and operations under a separate contract. V & M Star belongs to Vallourec, a world leader in premium tubular products mainly dedicated to oil and gas applications. Its operations are based at three sites: Houston, Texas; Muskogee, Oklahoma and the Youngstown facility. Aker Solutions’ contract party is Aker Construction, Inc., which will constitute part of Kvaerner.

TRADE SHOWS

More info: akersolutions.com

July 01 - 03, 2011

July 05 - 09, 2011

BIONAZUR 2011

WORLD OF FASHION AND COSMETICS

Organic Food Show

Fair-sale. Clothes, footwear, underwear, knitted products, textile for home, perfumery and cosmetics

Venue: M.I.N. (Marché d’Intérêt National) - Nice MIN Saint-Augustin 06296 Nice Cedex 3 France bionazur.nicexpo.org

Venue: Kazanskaya Yarmarka Exhibition Centre 8, Orenburgsky Trakt Kazan, 420059 Russia www.expokazan.ru/eng Aug. 23 - 25, 2011

July 09 - 11, 2011

EMEX 2011

TRENDSET MÜNCHEN 2011

Exhibition for Marketing, Communication and Events

Glass, Porcelain, Ceramics, Arts and Crafts

Venue: Ferienmesse Zürich Wallisellenstrasse 49 CH-8050 Zürich Switzerland www.suisse-emex.ch

Venue: New Munich Trade Fair Centre Messegelände D-81823 München Germany www.messe-trendset.de

News

Manufacturing-Journal | 9 |

C PR OU O NT FI RY LE

Denmark

Full name: Kingdom of Denmark Population: 5.5 million (UN, 2010) Capital: Copenhagen Area: 43,098 sq km (16,640 sq miles) Major language: Danish Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 krone = 100 ore Main exports: Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals GNI per capita: US $58,930 (World Bank, 2009) Internet domain: .dk International dialling code: +45 The kingdom of Denmark has, despite its relatively small size, often punched above its weight internationally.

Vikings raiding from Denmark and the other Nordic nations changed the course of 9th- and 10th-century European history; in the Middle Ages, the Union of Kalmar united all of Scandinavia under Danish leadership. In recent times, Denmark has been known for its modern economy and extensive welfare system, while enjoying an often difficult relationship with the European Union.

Overview

The Danes rejected the euro as the national currency in a referendum in September 2000. Analysts believe that Danish fears of loss of political inde-

pendence and national sovereignty outweighed any economic arguments about the benefits of joining the eurozone. Denmark’s euroscepticism put it at odds with many of its European partners seven years previously when Danish voters rejected the Maastricht Treaty which proposed monetary union and a common European defence force. Denmark had to be granted opt-outs from these provisions before the treaty was approved in 1993. The Social Democrats led a string of coalition governments for most of the second half of the last century in a country generally known for its liberal traditions. Poul Schluter then became the first-ever Danish prime minister representing the Conservative People’s Party in 1982, leading a centre-right coalition until 1993, when he

Copenhagen

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Country Profile

was succeeded by the Social Democrat Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. A new centre-right coalition headed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen came to power in November 2001 promising tighter immigration controls. Denmark has won plaudits for running a healthy economy. Its employment levels are the envy of many industrialised countries and it accommodates a competitive economic edge as well as a generous social security system.

Danish cinema has won international recognition, not least for its willingness to experiment. Through the late 1990s and early 2000s the Dogme movement directors often used hand-held cameras to dynamic effect in a conscious reaction against high-tech, big-budget cinema. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are self-governing territories of Denmark.

S TI CL E AR

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Cebi Poland Sp z o.o.

PRESIDENT: Rene’ Elvinger OPERATIONS: Domestic Appliances & Automotive ESTABLISHED: 2000 EMPLOYEES: 240 TURNOVER: 45 mln PLN

www.cebipoland.pl

It’s not a company, it’s CEBI

I

n the modern world, manufacturing companies can build or strengthen their competitive position in three basic ways: through diversification of their activity, so that by using the company’s current technology and know – how, reach new Customers, representing a variety of industries, through narrowing specialization, to become an undisputed expert in a certain, clearly defined area, or, thirdly, leverage existing, extensive experience in the market and strengthen cooperation with Customers, while attracting new ones, basing on the recommendations from recognized Clients. But is it possible to plan the development of the company on the basis of all these strategies at once? Of course it is. Impossible? If You believe so, please read further. We are pleased to present CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. - a flexible and dynamically developing company.

The history of the

company

CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. was established in mid – 2000, and as early as August 2002, the company’s production was moved Marcin Rus to a new plant Sales Manager CEBI Poland in Sosnowiec.

Only this complex, 4,5 thousand square meters large, with a manufacturing hall 8 thousand metres large, was able to execute the company’s explosive growth and the ambitions of its Customers, whose number grew rapidly. But how was CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. able to dynamically grow its business in such a short time ? This was possible thanks to

the support of CEBI International Group, which the Polish company is a part of.

CEBI International Group means a huge production and technological capacity – 15 plants on 5 continents, over 30 years of experience, the most modern know – how, 3700 Employees worldwide, an extensive trade network with global reach, 360 million euro annual revenue: all these factors helped CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. to become a regional leader on the market of components for Recipients, representing automotive and household goods industries. At the moment CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. fulfills orders of many, globally recognized organizations from the automotive and household goods sectors, providing them with the highest quality fans, thermostats, actuators, tanks for windscreen washers and head – lights, and air – circulation fans.

Domestic Appliances & Automotive IndustryCEBI Poland

Manufacturing-Journal | 11 |

But even the greatest support of CEBI International Group would not help, if not the professionalism and skills of Polish Employees, and very strict quality policy, implemented by the company from Sosnowiec. Let us, therefore, analyze the most important aspects of activity of the company that, within just few years, became a leader in its field of interest.

The pillars of success

The most important part of any organization, are its Employees, and they determine the success or failure of the company. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. employs over 200, perfectly prepared for their tasks, Employees. The company focuses on young, creative engineers, offering

them wide opportunities of development and, thanks to a structured system of trainings and the chance to carry out projects for the most recognized Recipients, also the possibility to continually improve their skills. It is impossible to skip one of the most important factors for the dynamic development of the company – cooperation with CEBI International Group. This partnership develops perfectly and covers the whole range of aspects of the company’s business activity, from design issues, the technological and know – how support, to an extensive trading network, with headquarters in Germany. The decision to locate the Polish plant in Sosnowiec also plays a great role in the analysis of reasons, responsible for the success of the company. Attractive geographic

location influences the optimization of logistic processes in the company, so in the context of the supply of finished products to Customers, CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. is a very attractive partner for companies in virtually every part of Europe, also because of the extensive infrastructure in the Upper Silesia region. It can be concluded that the strategic decisions at the beginning of existence of the company from Sosnowiec, proved great choices. The above – mentioned issues, however, are only a small number of the company’s advantages in the eyes of CEBI’s business Customers. Vast experience and well – deserved reputation of CEBI International Group helped getting the first Recipients, but meeting the needs of each Customer is a result of work of the staff of CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o.

and very high quality of products offered by the company. The commercial offer is very wide, and every product is designed on the basis of individual, specific requirements of the Customer and fully adapted to his needs. Conducting the policy of preserving the highest standards while attaching great importance to issues of Customer service and products’ maintenance, result with trust of major manufacturers of automobiles and household goods, including companies such as General Motors, Fiat, Toyota, Volkswagen, Electrolux, Indesit, Whirlpool, General Electric and many more. The company’s strong position in the context of commercial offer and highest quality of products is proven by a fact that a hundred percent of cars made in the Fiat’s factory in Tychy has implemented

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Domestic Appliances & Automotive IndustryCEBI Poland

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Domestic Appliances & Automotive IndustryCEBI Poland

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CEBI’s tanks for windscreen washers and head – lights. Thanks to such credentials CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. did not lose financially during the period of global crisis and continually, year after year, increases its revenues. The good economic situation of the company allows the implementation of new investment.

Already, CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. boasts the possession of modern production technologies, yet still develops. New, large – scale investment allowed the company to build a brand new machine park specifically for Volkswagen. The company also carries on the process of

icate, as well as ISO TS 16949 certificate, obtained by CEBI in 2003 prove a high level of business acumen of a company that wishes to be a reliable and transparent partner for its Customers. Naturally, the dynamic expansion of the company did not pass unnoticed. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. was appreciated by both business partners as well as by independent organizations, professionally monitoring activities of Polish companies. CEBI was appreciated by Fiat Auto Poland, as well as it is a member of an elite club of “Business Gazelles” - the prize awarded by the “Puls Biznesu” magazine for the most

full automation of production lines used to manufacture electrical components, which will optimize manufacturing processes and reduce production costs even more. The company supports the philosophy of multiplying the capital by the maximizing the reduction of costs, which not only results with increasing revenues, but also provides invaluable benefits in the context of environmental protection. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. is aware of the importance of “green” policy in the context of strategic decisions, influencing the company’s direction of development. Prestigious certificates obtained by the company guard the highest standards of quality of products and environmental protection. Comprehensive Quality Management System based on ISO 9001 norm, integral with the Environmental Management System, implemented by the company five years ago, based on the ISO 14001 certif-

dynamically developing companies in Poland. CEBI’s strategic aims are clearly defined. The company wills to maximize the reduction of industrial waste, generated in the production process, increase its product range, establish cooperation with new Customers, implement new investment. Taking under consideration the pace of the company’s development and strengthening cooperation with CEBI International Group, and the continuous optimization of Customer service procedures, one can say that the future of CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. appears very optimistic. 

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Written by Jacek Głowacki

Domestic Appliances & Automotive IndustryCEBI Poland

S TI CL E AR

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o.

PRESIDENT: Tetsuo Shimizu OPERATIONS: Automotive ESTABLISHED: 2004 EMPLOYEES: 450

www.sandensmp.pl

Delivering excellence

J

apan is one of the countries that have gone through the most painful experiences during the nightmare of World War II. The economy of the Land of the Rising Sun collapsed completely in the forties, and it would seem that in such political and economic circumstances (occupation, the need to change branches of activity of many companies etc.), the position of Japan on the economic map of the world will not be enviable. Still, it turned out different. Thanks to legendary features of Japanese Employees, a specific school of management, a corporate culture characteristic exclusively to the inhabitants of the Far East, determination and very hard work, Japan has soon entered the phase of dynamic development, therefore becoming the second largest economy of the world. Today, all organizations whishing to improve their competitive position, can benefit from the experiences of the Japanese managers, and an example of Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. proves that it is usually a great idea for the business activity.

The History of the Company

While Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. (SMP), based in Polkowice in the Lower Silesia region, was established in 2004 and the production started a year later, the correct story of Sanden Corporation, which the SMP is a part of, reaches the most horrible, most chaotic years of War World II – the forties. In 1943 Kaihei Ushikubo, president of a textile factory with a history stretching back many generations, under pressure from the government, was forced to change the branch of the activity of the plant,

Automotive IndustrySanden Manufacturing Poland

so that it met the needs of defense industry. Thus the Sankyo Denki K.K. was born – the manufacturer of condensers and parts for wireless communication equipment. The history of development of the company is fascinating for the historians of organizations. Particularly surprising is the range of services offered by the company that was able to transform completely to realize the main goal, which was always the desire to meet all the Customers’ expectations, regardless of industry and area of activity. Thus, already in the 40s and the 50s,

Manufacturing-Journal | 15 |

Sankyo has been a manufacturer of bicycle lights, electric washing machines, freezers and other products, in addition to condensers. In 1962, the company, whose sales division had, already for seven years, its separate headquarters in Tokyo, was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, manufacturing pot – type kerosene heaters and investing heavily in new heating technologies, which resulted in the development of the world’s first clean – burning forced exhaust heater. Just two years later, the sales division transformed into an independent company, Sankyo Electric Sales Co., Ltd. The 70s was the period of the most rapid development of Sankyo – establishing cooperation with the American company, Mitchell Corporation and manufacturing of compressors for automotive air conditioning systems, changing the company’s trademark to “Sanden” in 1973 and finally creating Sankyo International Co. Ltd. in 1974, expanding to the U.S. and Singapore, as well as the UK and Australia four years later. The 80s means primarily the continuation of business development on a global scale and changing the name of the company to Sanden Corporation in 1982. Since then lasts expansion of the company, which at the moment, thanks to modern technology, sound investment and a coherent development policy that takes into account the latest trends and expectations of Customers, is a leader in the automotive industry, controlling 25 % of shares in the global market of compressors for automotive air conditioning systems.

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Automotive IndustrySanden Manufacturing Poland

The Philosophy of Success

Flexibility, the highest quality of products and services and individual approach to each project. Those features, characteristic to Sanden Corporation, acquired by the organization during many years of world scale activity, apply as well to Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. SMP, being a part of Sanden Corporation, can count on the technological and know – how support. But how, in just a few years, the company from Polkowice managed to achieve such a strong competitive position in an extremely demanding industry, like automotive industry ? The answer to this question must begin by discussing the situation of the company’s Employees, who, regardless of the scope and area of activity, are the most important part of strategic potential, the greatest good of any organization. Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. employs at the moment 430, perfectly prepared for their tasks, Employees. To support the development of their competencies and skills, the organization uses a specific system of training, involving various assignments, depending on personality and needs of each employee individually.

Moreover, thanks to the comprehensive training that supports the development of soft skills as well, teams of SMP’s professionals were, and are, successful in the small group activity contests, also on the international level. Thanks to these actions, one can say with full responsibility that Employees of Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. are among the best of the best, worldwide.

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Automotive IndustrySanden Manufacturing Poland

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SMP’s motto is “delivering excellence”. To make it real, staff alone, even it is a global elite, is not enough. Highest quality of the manufactured compressors can be attained only on the basis of excellent technological facilities. The modern production lines with high level of productivity, own foundry using the technology of shot blasting and laser marking, precise machinery involved in the process of machining of the aluminium parts, assembly technique that allows the execution of more than 1.5 million compressors per year and the company’s laboratory are hard arguments supporting SMP’s aspirations to become a modern plant, designating new trends.

Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o., even on the background of rapidly growing companies, appears as a very dynamically developing enterprise. It is the result of vast experience of Japanese managers, who created an entirely original philosophy of management and developed unique elements of corporate culture. “Delivering excellence” contains much more than just numbers and procedures, responsible for the production capacity. Sanden’s philosophy includes

a partnership approach to Customers in the context of the individual treatment of every contract and such activities of the company, which take into account the optimal development of Recipients. Not surprisingly, among the business partners of Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. we can find such renowned car manufacturers as Volkswagen, Opel, GM, Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin and McClaren. Trust of such brands is the best recommendation. Sanden operates globally, but pays attention to local conditions and treats with respect cultural distinctiveness, adjusting the procedures and processes of business activity to the cultural characteristics from societies, among which the company operates. Simultaneously, the corporate culture assuming that the

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best motivation is creating new challenges and the idea of a wide range of independence of every Employee, makes Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. the perfect place for young, ambitious Employees. The company’s activity in this area have been properly noticed outside – in 2008, SMP was awarded the title “Company of the Year” among medium – sized enterprises in the automotive industry. Sanden delivers excellence, which also means a commitment to carry on such a development policy that takes into account requirements of environmental protection and continuous reduction of the cost of activity, in order to optimize production processes and become a better partner for the company’s Customers. Implementation of the Kaizen philosophy as a way of managing processes in the organization ensures that Sanden Manufacturing Poland Sp. z o.o. walks the path of endless improvement in every aspect of activity of a modern production company. Taking into account that SMP has planned its development for the coming years in every detail, we can expect to hear a lot about the company’s activity. Ever – changing market conditions necessitate the same need for continuous correction of the company’s policy. The analysis of all elements of Sanden’s activity in Poland shows however that with appropriate approach to the hierarchy of values in the organization and management philosophy, which doesn’t allow stagnation, the company’s competitive position will only strengthen with time.

The constant search for new solutions already surprises, which is proven by the Akagi plant, established in 2002. The plant is designed to work in complete harmony with the environment. This type of investment and, more importantly, this way of thinking of Sanden’s managers, guarantees that “delivering excellence” is not and will not be just an empty slogan.  Written by Jacek Głowacki

Automotive IndustrySanden Manufacturing Poland

S TI CL E AR

Leader in logistics

E

stablished in 1952, the Bonzano Group has learnt, in the years of its existence, to increase its effectiveness exponentially, basing its prosperity on experience gradually acquired, and thanks to the efforts of its founder – Luigi Bonzano. For almost sixty years, the group has acted as a partner of the most important industrial brands all over the world, supporting them in their production and distribution processes. Due to the trust it gained over the years, acting professionally and with ability, the Group developed its activity beginning as a local Italian enterprise finally to become one of the main international operators in the field of integrated logistics, with its own branches localized nowadays on almost all of the continents: Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The Bonzano Group comprises two companies: IBL and ArgolVillanova. VILLANOVA is an important industrial reality with its consolidated turnover amounting to € 350,000,000. As of today, the Group employs 4,200 people: 3,300 directly and 900 in related entities, as external employees.

Successes achieved by the VILLANOVA testify to its indisputable ability to provide complete supply chain management, attaining a significantly high level of services and efficiency. Also, continuous investments, aimed at the optimization and improvement of the professional services offered, have led to the company’s specialization in various areas. The pursuit of standards determining constant improvement and striving for the excellence of the processes carried out by the company have resulted in its becoming a real leader in logistics, recognized worldwide and, importantly, adhering to the system of cost and quality control in accordance with the principles of the World Class Manufacturing (WCM).

Design and production

Undoubtedly, flexibility to the requirements of the customer, experience and ability in problem solving – are all characteristic features of the VILLANOVA which specializes both in deliveries (dedicated or groupage) and in the warehouse management. In particular, the latter has become subject to constant improvements owing to continuous trainings in the techniques of package design, involving detailed studies of the types of materials employed and of the appropriate means of transportation, the type of goods and the climate conditions in the country of destination.

All this is monitored by the internal pro-

Transport & Logistics IndustryVILLANOVA

cess development engineering structures focused on the study of a given product, which suffices to guarantee its integrity and to perform flow control by means of system integration technology offered directly by the company (including specific expertise in information technology and security systems). Apart from the technological advancements

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: VILLANOVA PRESIDENT: Carlo BONZANO OPERATIONS: Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain Management ESTABLISHED: 1952 EMPLOYEES: 4.200 TURNOVER: 350.000.000,00 Ml./€

www.villanovagroup.it Manufacturing-Journal | 19 |

in the study on warehouse automation improvements, resulting in advanced solutions in the creation of package prototypes, more and more functional and adjusted to the requirements of various customers (diversified by the sector and the category of a product), recently the main efforts concentrate on storage, preservation and electronic management of all the company’s documents.

This involves tests of the Radio Frequency systems, as well as unification and integration, among all the companies belonging to the Group, of the commercial registries through the new CRM systems, implementing control tools and monitoring the operational methods by means of Business Intelligence. The main investments made by VILLANOVA are those in the area of technological innovation, more specifically the acquisition of the high technology RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems purposed for the automatic identification of goods, and enabling storage and

remote access of the right kind of data with the help of electronic equipment (TAG/transponder). This allows to communicate the information to be used in tracing different transport streams.

Importantly, the group entered into partnership with the leading European information technology systems in order to implement security systems providing access control and presence detection. The systems have been installed in the company’s facilities in order to include protection of relevant goods among the services available to customers. Always meeting the requirements, needs and expectations of the customers, employees and co-operators, VILLANOVA received the certification of compliance with the quality and environmental management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, HACCP UNI 10854), in line with the norms currently in force.

In the implementation of the proper quality policy, VILLANOVA focuses on eight key principles: orientation on the customer, leadership, staff involvement, process approach, systems approach to management, continuous improvement, fact-based decisions, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.

The primary objective of the company consists in satisfaction of the expectations of those people who are directly or indirectly involved in the business cycle (customers, shareholders, employees, suppliers). The company’s manag-

Branch offices:

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Transport & Logistics IndustryVILLANOVA

ers are strongly convinced that the key to attaining prominent positions in the market lies in the quality of services provided, which can be achieved by continuous engagement in each phase of the business process.

Markets

VILLANOVA, recognized worldwide, can offer integrated supply chain solutions to any industrial sector, but in particular it has a proven track record in the automotive, food, white goods, retail and publishing industry, working for the largest and most prestigious Italian and international companies. The countries where it develops the major part of its activity comprise at the moment: Italy, Poland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Canada, the USA, India and China. But there are also prospects for development and new production investments in other countries. The Group provides its services to influential and qualified brands, both in Italy and abroad, such as: Fiat Group, Iveco, CNH, FPT, Suzuki, Chrysler, Gruppo Fata, Magna, Magneti Mirelli, Michelin, TRW, FinMeccanica, Italian Air Force, General Electric, Alitalia, Pirelli, Indesit, Lavazza. The areas of specialization include, accordingly, electronics, defense, mechanics, the automotive industry, fast moving consumer goods, white goods and retail market-

ing. The international economic crisis has motivated the companies constituting VILLANOVA to integrate with one another and to organize the workflow and commercial flow in a better way.

Production sites would be removed only to be set up anew on the territories where their establishment would previously be rarely taken into consideration, thereby redeveloping areas and sectors. In consequence, the network of the company’s relations has undergone significant changes: local connections have become replaced by global and international partnerships. As regards the main areas in which VILLANOVA intends to carry on developing its activity, they involve, first and foremost, those in which the company can be considered, so far, as really competitive, that is, essentially, the automotive industry and white goods. However, any business op-

portunities in sectors diverse from these two ones will be duly appreciated. The Group’s aim is also to specialize in exceptional kinds of transport – from freight forwarding to air transport, and that as an alternative to road and rail transport.

As underscored by Fabio Guerrera, the Marketing Manager of the company, VILLANOVA would like to be recognized on the market as professionals in confectioning, packaging and containerization of materials from Europe to other countries. Primarily, VILLANOVA would like to increase its involvement in operating certain processes, such as, in particular, servicing production lines, compound car management and materials delivery management. Over the years of its existence, VILLANOVA has specialized in developing advanced solutions in the sector of integrated logistics and transport.

Compared to the initial core business of the company, focused on the design and industrial realization of packaging, the possibilities of the Group nowadays are considerably greater, but by no means complete. This continuous process of development and innovation is em-

bodied in distinct aspects and elements properly acknowledged and rewarded by the company’s customers. The origin from the industrial reality explains why VILLANOVA possesses knowledge and sensitivity to operational and management issues, rendering it unique in the world of providers of integrated logistics services.

Prospects for the future

There is recently a general tendency, in the world of industry, to cut down on the costs of manpower, organization and raw materials. And it is these areas that the most efforts, in the forthcoming years, will be concentrated on, especially in the countries which until now have not been considered as representative of the international economic development. Regardless of these tendencies, VILLANOVA foresees further expansion and investments in South America and the Far East. The new business plan which is currently on the agenda predicts an increase in turnover which will remain in progress by 2013 until it reaches € 500,000,000 per annum. To sum up: there are at least two factors which make the company’s leaders satisfied with its performance.

From the professional point of view, it is the ability, unique among other providers in the sector, to rationalize the whole chain of production processes for the customers, supporting them in the strategic decisions and organizing carefully the network of transport, storage, delivery and distribution of their materials, managing all their transports (both inbound and outbound) between suppliers, warehouses or production facilities. From the personal point of view, to refer to the words of Fabio Guerrera, one can take pride in being a member of a group which is constantly developing, and which, for half a century, has been considered, all over the world, as a trustworthy partner, always attending to the evolutions of the market and the requirements of every single customer.  Written by Anna Tomaszewska

Transport & Logistics IndustryVILLANOVA

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S TI CL E AR

Together – One Step Ahead

T

hey have come a long way – from traditional artisans to a multinational corporation – and yet preserved their own identity. They began by making jewellery and shoe springs. Today they cater for the largest cars and trucks producers worldwide. A business that is familyowned and has their branches in Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary Mexico and China? However poles apart these may seem, GEDIA knows how to make them work. “Our core value is respect.

Our mission statement: together– one step ahead,” explains Mr Andrzej Marcinek, GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director.

Come a Long Way

Managing Director Andrzej Marcinek

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For more than a century now, GEDIA has been maintaining the best traditions of German craftsmanship. Its success story began in 1910, when two brothers, Anselm and Ferdinand Dingerkus, established the family-run Gebrüder Dingerkus company in Attendorn, Germany.

With its initial focus on jewellery, the business soon expanded in scope with sheet handles for enamelware dishes and plastic handles. As for the latter, GEDIA’s factory could turn out even 10 million such handles every year. A jeweller’s precision and mass production: these assets could hardly pass unnoticed in the industry that relied and still relies on top quality metal sheets. Hence, in 1955, GEDIA launched the production of pressed, stamped and drawn parts, especially for the automotive industry.

The years that followed brought further improvements in the technology. It is the nineties that proved truly pivotal in this respect, when first transfer presses with a pressure capacity of up to 2000 tonnes and spot welding robots for large components were introduced (currently group uses welding systems with approx. 200 such robots). There is one more reason why the nineties proved so important, however. It was also then that GEDIA expanded overseas. Its first investment abroad was completed in Nowa Sól, Poland. Nowadays the group boasts branches in Tata, Hungary; Sta. Margarita, Spain; Puebla Mexico and Nanjing, China. As befits a traditional, family-owned business, the entire group is still run from Attendorn, where technology, logistics and tooling corporate centres are located, too. “Each of our branches is equally important. For this reason, we act as a group and support

Automotive IndustryGedia Poland

sustainable development,” emphasises Mr Andrzej Marcinek, GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director.

Facts and Figures

GEDIA’s business capacity is measured in facts, not in words. The group boasts five production plants all over the world and generates an annual turnover of more 340 million EUR. This tremendous success would not be possible if it was not for the workers: more than 2400 employed directly by the group plus those hired

by GEDIA’s joint-venture in Mexico. GE-

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: GEDIA Poland Assembly Sp. z o.o.

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Andrzej Marcinek OPERATIONS: Automotive ESTABLISHED: 2008 EMPLOYEES: 196

TURNOVER: in 2010: 38 196 629,16 T EUR planned turnover in 2011: 56 545 932,78 T EUR

www.gedia.com

Manufacturing

Journal

utp united-turned-parts GmbH & Co. KG An der Tumpe 6 - 58791 Werdohl - Germany Metal Components Turned parts Cold Forming Technology Stamping Prototypes / Small- and Pre-Series Please visit our website:

www.utp-metalltechnik.de

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www.berendsen.pl Automotive IndustryGedia Poland

Manufacturing-Journal | 23 |

DIA has also become a trusted associate in the field of R&D. As a first choice provider it cooperates with Audi, BMW, Citroen, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Karmann, Porsche, PSA Peugeot, Scania, Skoda, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Their greatest pride? “We boast competent and well-motivated people and the high quality of production,” says GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director.

“We have achieved this outstanding level of quality thanks to modern, automated production processes managed and supported by our responsible and dedicated crew. This in turn results in a fruitful and open co-operation with the Clients. Our chief assets are experience, timely delivery and flexibility. The latter seems especially in demand as the memory of the recent crisis is still alive in the industry.”

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Gedia in Poland

Satisfied Customers are those who keep coming back, even with the crisis still taking its toll. GEDIA Poland can boast exactly such Clients. “This year looks quite promising and we have already received a substantial number of orders. Hopefully, this upward trend will continue in the months to come,” adds Mr Marcinek. When entering the Polish market, the business counted only 27 employees. However, the company has been growing at a dizzying pace and has changed a lot since then. There are already two GEDIA branches in Poland: GEDIA Poland located nearby the city centre and GEDIA Poland Assembly, located in the Kostrzyń-Słubice Special Economic Zone. The former has been in operation since 1998 and is now em-

Automotive IndustryGedia Poland

ploying about 1000 people, who press and assembly components for the leading brands of automotive industry. The latter has been in business for 2 years only and yet managed to create jobs for about 200 workers, 54 of which are women, a fact to be noted in the automotive industry. “When we decided to develop a new factory floor, we did so with one aim: despite the crisis, it had to be built according to a strict schedule so that the company would be able to deliver components for a new model on time. Hence, around 18 months elapsed between initial groundwork and a grand opening,” remarks GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director. GEDIA Poland Assembly specialises exclusively in assembling complete longitudinals to Astra IV passenger vehicles. The longitudinal is a spatially complex chassis component and, as such, requires stateof-the-art technologies. “We have such technologies,” emphasises Mr Marcinek.

“Our innovative solutions helped us become a first choice supplier for General Motors. We have also made our mark in the field of research and development.”

Local Content

With two factories in Nowa Sól, GEDIA Group is still investing in the area. GEDIA Poland has recently started the construction of the new pressing facilities; these are going to be fitted with produc-

Together - One Step Ahead

tion lines specialised in the pressing and forming of car components and accessories. GEDIA Poland Assembly also plans to expand the production. It should be emphasised that the business is priming the pump in the area where it already employs more than 1200 people. “Everybody in Nowa Sól knows who GEDIA is and where our facilities are. We are the largest employer in the area. We do our best to live up to the excellent reputation we have there,” points out GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director.

“That’s why we spare no expense on charity and help those in need. We also support local schools and fire guard, and subsidise the local football team, too.”

Motivation and Respect

GEDIA attaches great importance to a living and breathing corporate culture, characterised by mutual respect and active support. The business actively supports the competence development of their employees and improves their motivation, self-confidence and capability. The basic tenets of GEDIA’s corporate philosophy? The group acts as a whole and, as such, strives for leadership in selected areas of sheet forming and joining technology. This common objective ensures the company’s recognition. What makes the business valuable is trust, readiness to change and responsibility.

For GEDIA, the integration of different kind of employees, regardless of their nationality, gender, religion or personal skills is a matter of course. “Our core value is respect. Our mission statement is: together – one step ahead. This means team work and strong customer focus.

However, we also support independent thinking and proactive attitude. Active motivation and development of all the employees plays a pivotal role in our success. That’s why we are after open dialogue, clear goals and that kind of management which is both resolute and lean. These are intrinsic parts of our corporate culture,” adds Mr Marcinek.

As a worldwide operating family-owned company GEDIA strives to maintain a market leading position in high-tech quality structural parts and assemblies for automotive body construction. Its main priority as a group is to secure Customer satisfaction and confidence in its products and services. For this reason, the business concentrates on a constructive and long-term cooperation with its business partners all over the world. The group is also striving for sustainable growth. Success-oriented and competitive, the company is equally aware of its social and ecological responsibility. “As a group, we know how important it is to protect the environment. That’s why we are committed to taking a responsible approach to natural resources. The better technology we implement, the lighter the cars will be.

This means lower fuel consumption, of course,” elaborates Mr Marcinek. “As GEDIA Poland Assembly, we have introduced a strict waste-disposal policy and developed energy-efficient facilities.

In doing so, we have followed the detailed and trusted guidelines provided by our mother-company. These efforts have been duly appreciated. We won the Polish Automotive Chamber Award for the Best Automotive Investment in 2009. We were also granted ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standards Certificate in May 2010. We did equally well in the check conducted by the Environmental Protection Inspector in September the same year.”

Automotive IndustryGedia Poland

Reliable and Proactive

“It pays to be our Client,” emphasises GEDIA Poland Assembly Managing Director. “We make a trusted associate and have a long and proven track record. We have come a long way since 1910: from traditional artisans to a multinational modern corporation. We are not an ordinary provider of products and services.

Not only do we complete the projects but also develop and readjust them in the process. We are sought after in the industry for being reliable and proactive.” At present GEDIA is developing a brand new hot pressing technology.

Even though nearly 80 per cent of the cars are manufactured with traditional, cold pressing solutions, the future belongs to new lighter counterpart. Thanks to this new sheet forming method cars will be lighter, safer and more efficient.

“Gedia is heading in the right direction.

We have also specialized and reliable team ready to co-operate with all the clients in the planning of new future projects, demanding modern technological solutions. Having clear roots, long tradition and modern technologies, we are the company with great potential for the future. Innovation aus Tradition this is our motto.” recaps Mr Marcinek.  Written by Bartosz Sowiński

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S TI CL E AR

They keep the world turning

C

lockwork means, literally, “working like a clock”—that much is obvious! It is also obvious to Hijos de Juan de Garay, a Spanish based company specialized in cold drawn precision steel tubing and automotive tubular components, that providing critical automotive applications, require high performance. Every year more than 100 million motorists depend on GARAY’s automotive tubular components turning their cars into success stories. Sometimes, being an industry leader just isn’t enough. Why? The simplest explanation is more likely the correct one. Innovation is one of the best attributes of a leader. Garay is not afraid of change. They think of new ways to get to the results Customers are looking for. They have the resources, expertise and talent to meet Customers’ needs. But often, the management of organizations fails to lead the people, and opts for contemporary management philosophies, processes and systems. Hijos de Juan de Garay treats their crew as valuable human capital and this… give them a measure of its success.

What matches, umbrella frames and

automotive tubular components have in common?

GARAY is heir to a long tradition of industrial services both to the domestic and international community. The origins of Hijos de Juan de Garay date back to the 19th century. It was 1864 when Cornelio Garay Zuazubiscar started production of matches. This manufacturing activity brought new economic perspectives to three hundred people. Although the manufacturing of matches was nationalised in 1903, the entrepreneur spirit of Cornelio Garay remained in his family, in particular with his son, Juan. Juan de Garay Aguirre started in 1921 in the original facilities, manufacturing umbrella frames. At that time, and for many years, it was the only company in Spain manufacturing this product. However, new product design and development is more often than not a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an industry that is changing fast, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of Customers. It was in the mid-1950s, under Luis Garay’s lead, that the tubing division became strategically more important.

The facilities were extended and the company expanded its tubing portfolio concentrating on manufacturing cold drawn precision steel tubes. As an aside, GARAY manufactured the structure of the Talgo train and the moto Lube, the

| 26 | Manufacturing-Journal

first motorbike produced in Spain. In 1954 the company started a new metal division to manufacture brass products.

Hijos de Juan de Garay began a new business unit manufacturing hot drawn and sized brass bars and profiles. Entering the global automotive market was crucial for the final quality certification of processes and the professionalisation of the company’s management. During the 1990s and the early 2000s, GARAY

Steel Pipe and Tube ManufacturingHijos de Juan de Garay

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: HIJOS DE JUAN DE GARAY, S.A. MANAGING DIRECTOR: Leopoldo Matos Castaño CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: Ignacio Garay Urbistondo OPERATIONS: Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing ESTABLISHED: 1864 EMPLOYEES: 420 TURNOVER: 90 MLN €

www.hjgaray.es

THE POWER OF FORMING

www.gfu-forming.de

Forging machines Push-point presses / Swager High speed end forming machines Upsetting presses Special presses

Gesellschaft für Umformung und Maschinenbau GmbH | Mötscherstraße 28a | 54634 Bitburg / Germany

Steel Pipe and Tube ManufacturingHijos de Juan de Garay

Manufacturing-Journal | 27 |

accordance with EN-10305-2 (DIN 2393) and EN-10305-3 (DIN 2394 ) standards.

They can comply with special Customer’s specifications and alternative standards once our engineering department has been advised to study the options and customise the production process accordingly. Being a high precision specialist, GARAY tubing fulfils strict dimensional, concentricity and mechanical strength demands. What is really important the most remarkable features of the GARAY’s tubing are high precision of all dimensional tolerances and first-class raw materials.

gradually extended its production facilities up to the current size of 70,000 m2.

In 2003 - after the consolidation of the cutting subdivision - the company created a new independent business unit, the automotive tubular component division.

Their portfolio

GARAY, is a specialised manufacturer.

Their quality management system drives them to better quality and cost, and ensures that their products meet the highest requirements. Oñate plant produces and delivers three major lines of products in a variety of specialities: •

Cold drawn welded precision steel tubing GARAY manufactures its steel tubing in

• Automotive tubular components GARAY’s extensive expertise in manufacturing precision tubes, its modern facilities, technical and human resources enable the company to supply a wide range of automotive tubular components solutions readiness for full series production. In 2005 y 2006 GARAY proceed with the acquisition of state-ofthe-art machinery for the automotive components division.

•

Hot drawn and sized brass bars and shapes Copper alloys developed to meet the EN 12164, EN 12165 EN 12166 EN 12166 and EN 12167 standards are the basic raw materials for GARAY’s entire range of solid brass extruded products. We supply a wide series of geometric crossshapes and profiles, custom-designed to our clients’ drawings and requirements.

Supplies are delivered in straight bars up to 4,200 mm long and coils up to 1,000 kg. Our engineering department is prepared to study alternative products including a large variety of profiles, alloy compositions, tolerances, mechanical demands and lengths so that we can recommend the most convenient and reliable process before we add it to our customised line catalogue.

You require performance, not philosophy

GARAY stands behind the quality of its products and services. For sure you can depend on them. Choosing GARAY’s services means to save purchasing time and money as the company business is the Customer satisfaction. Technical and sale GARAY’s specialists and experts give you support you might need. Their Customer Managers make sure that your solution is implemented efficiently, in addition their Customer service team is

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Steel Pipe and Tube ManufacturingHijos de Juan de Garay

Steel Pipe and Tube ManufacturingHijos de Juan de Garay

Manufacturing-Journal | 29 |

available whenever you need additional expertise. Moreover they have tremendous pride to be a recognized leader in the industry. Their highly trained staff understands Customer needs and use their metallurgical expertise to develop and deliver innovative steels that satisfy Customer expectations. Garay’s quality and reliability have been the key success factors to their presence around the globe. The objective of the quality system needs to be clearly defined so that the system can be effective. The Company establishes, documents, implements, and maintains a quality management system and continually improves its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of the ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001. It is widely acknowledged that proper quality management improves business, often having a positive effect on investment, market share, sales growth, sales margins, competitive advantage.

propriate to create value for an external audience. In 2007 GARAY built a production plant in Slovakia near Bratislava to develop the unit in the CEE market. They increase their Customers’ satisfaction by continuous technological evolution and adaptation to marketplace demands that’s why they have been working for more than 145 years to combine responsiveness to our Customers with pride in personal achievement. They are the specialized team that works to make the pride concept of their work.  Written by Katarzyna Olszowska

Their power

Currently GARAY tubing and components exports account for almost 50% of our sales. GARAY develops and manufactures top quality products in each of its business units. To achieve their goals, the company includes committed employees with the necessary qualifications. The entrepreneurial spirit of GARAY’s employees creates new ideas and brings these to the market in a way ap-

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Steel Pipe and Tube ManufacturingHijos de Juan de Garay

S TI CL E AR

Brand to Rely on

P

resent on the market for only 14 years (since 1996 and 1999 in Europe and Poland respectively), the TCM Group (Tool Consulting & Management) has already gained recognition on four different continents. A specialist in outsourcing, the company delivers tool management solutions to industry tycoons, including General Motors, Volkswagen or TRW. “We are a brand to rely on,” declares the TCM Poland Vice President, Mr Marek Polarski. It is thanks to Mr Polarski that “Manufacturing Journal” is now able to give you an exclusive close-up look at the TCM Service Centre in Polkowice, Lower Silesia.

Key Facts

Management at the TCM knows how to enter new markets successfully. A handful of key facts will testify to this. It was well before the Chairman of the board business set up Tomasz Kotowski its Polish branch in February 1999 that the first substantial contract was waiting to be signed by its president. Hence in March 1999 a deal to provide tool management services was struck with a real automotive industry tycoon, Volkswagen Motor Poland, and more precisely with its Polkowice-based engine factory. “It was a real boost for our activity. We’ve been cooperating with Volkswagen for more that 11 years now,” Mr Polarski recalls.

Two years later the TCM expanded in scope, taking over the TRW SSP factory in Czechowice-Dziedzice, Upper Silesia.

The market growing rapidly facilitated the decision to open a service centre in Poland. Completed in 2003 in Polkowice, the centre has been used ever since as a base for tool management business run in the whole of the country. The

expected results came soon, the group thus being able to win subsequent and substantial contracts. The TCM began to service Sanden Manufacturing Poland from Polkowice, a global-scale manufacturer of air-con solutions for automotive industry. Another huge success came in 2006 when the group struck a deal with the Neapco Europe factory (Visteon Polska S.A. at the time) in Praszka, the Opole region.

Multinational Capabilities

The Polkowice-based Service Centre is

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: TCM Polska Tool Consulting & Managemet Sp. z o.o.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: Tomasz Kotowski OPERATIONS: Machinery industry ESTABLISHED: 1999 EMPLOYEES: 74 TURNOVER: 38 mln PLN (2009)

www.tcm-polska.pl Machinery IndustryTCM Polska

Manufacturing-Journal | 31 |

just one of many branches of the group, which, however present since 1996 only, has already made it to enter four different continents. This vast network is managed from Georgsberg, near Stainz, Austria, and comprises 8 tool management centres that, apart from Austria and Poland, are located in the countries such as Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic and China. To top it off, the projects and branches in Russia, Slovakia, Brazil and Australia should be mentioned too. Brands that the TCM cooperates with speak for themselves, be it General Motors, VW, TRW, Neapco, ELAN and Flowserve. 21 tool management projects run all over the world call for numerous and highly trained personnel:

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as of December 2009 the company hires 516 people. Business of such impressive scale is bound to generate a suitably large turnover: last year its turnover topped the figure of 70 million EUR.

Exercise Your Choice

The services delivered by the TCM include: tool management, re-sharpening of machining tools, repair of tool holders and fittings, servicing of quick exchange chuck for thread cutting tools as well as tool trade. „The TCM is not merely a services or tools provider,” specifies Mr Polarski. “Our Customers are offered to participate in the production process. We aim to match our goals to those of the

Machinery IndustryTCM Polska

Client. By this I mean improving quality, a reduction in operation time and an increase in machines and production lines capacity, too.” These goals can be easily negotiated because the TCM is paid according to the system known as “cost per unit”, which means that the group is rewarded only for those items that have been turned out by the Clients according to their quality specifications. “From the Customer’s point of view, the main advantage of such a method of funding tool expenses lies in its simplicity. It is enough that you multiply the expected volume of production by the price per manufactured unit; this price is guaranteed by a relevant contract,” explains the TCM Vice President. The advantages of the company’s tool management policy can be presented in detail only if we go back to its inception and first lucrative contract with General Motors.

Mr Polarski recalls it thus: “The boss at the GM decided to strike a deal with the TCM because, as he said, General Motors can manufacture cars that are the best in the world but they can’t specialise in everything. Hence the decision to hire experts to deal with specific means of production, machining tools included.

Tool management outsourcing soon turned out to be an ideal recipe for our lasting success.”

Knocking Business into Shape

Every industry has its ups and downs.

The recent economic crisis has affected outsourcers, too. There’s no denying that the demand for their services has slightly dwindled since 2008. According to Mr Polarski, this segment of the market will have to wait for revival until the producers’ equilibrium is restored and their growth is stimulated again. For this reason, just not to miss the boat, the TCM is already working on how to diversify the offer. Hence the idea to build the company’s standing on a range of activity, not just on tool management, however vital it would be for the company’s profit-making . It is necessary to seek after innovative and yet tested ideas. Resolved to return to its roots, the TCM has already created a plan to develop re-sharpening and servicing of machining tools. It is worth bearing in mind that these particular solutions helped the company to build its reputation among big Clients such as General Motors. Moreover, specialist revolving tools produced from tungsten carbide

have been added to the offer. Last but not least, the TCM has introduced mechanisms to accelerate the process of machine grinding and regeneration, thereby reducing its length to 10 hours or so from the delivery. The TCM Centre in Polkowice guarantees that tools regenerated there will be like new again, this being achieved thanks to optimised processing and skilled personnel.

Message to Customers

These innovations has become an inherent part of the company’s long term strategy, which is best summarised by two punchy and convincing slogans.

The first one that reads “top of mind” has

been in the company since its inception.

“Whenever our Clients contemplate the idea of hiring a tool management outsourcer, we want them to think of the TCM,” explains Mr Polarski. “Passion for tools” is the second slogan. “Invented thanks to brainstorming among our employees, it best expresses out attitude to work,” explains Mr Polarski. “We achieved top notch quality of our services due to several factors combined, including top quality means of production and the personnel being conscientious and responsible. They know for a fact that doing your best is worth a try as it directly results in Customer satisfaction. Its importance can hardly be overestimated.”

• • • •

the TCM Poland had been the first in the group to generate the highest turnover.

And even though the branch lost its pole position in terms of profit-making to its Chinese counterpart (this should come as no surprise, though, considering Chinese market capacity), they are still the first to provide training for the TCM colleagues from abroad. The TCM Poland fails to export products, admittedly, but their services have nonetheless managed to find regular Customers in the Czech Republic, Germany and Luxembourg. “Here in Polkowice, we pay particular attention to partnership and teamwork. We also do our best to cater for our personnel’s needs as well as to create friendly atmosphere,” says Mr Polarski.

Look to Your Laurels

“We prefer not to see our Clients in terms of being more or less important.

For that matter, we appreciate every single prize awarded by them,” declares the TCM Vice President. The TCM’s extensive collection of honours includes:

The Supplier of the Year title granted three times by General Motors, The Supplier of Outsourcing Excellence Award title granted twice by Shanghai Volkswagen Powertrain, The Supplier of the Year granted by Ford Motor Company, Brazil, in 2003, First place in the Top of Styria 2006 competition, awarded for innovative solutions.

Moreover, the business takes pride in being in compliance with ISO 9001:2008

and Legalna Firma (Lawful Company) certificates. Awarded by BKK Invest, Microsoft and Autodesk, the latter confirms that there is only genuine software installed on the TCM’s computers.  Written by Bartosz Sowiński

Polish Branch in Close-up

A word devoted exclusively to the Polkowice branch. Every month the Service Centre located there grinds and sets approx. 11,000 and 15,000 tools respectively for approx. 60 different Customers.

74 people onboard, they are top specialists, who, however trained for the group and by the group, completed their apprenticeship a long time ago. Nowadays they are considered to be the ones who set company standards. For many years

Machinery IndustryTCM Polska

Manufacturing-Journal | 33 |

S TI CL E AR

The leader of the metal industry

O

JSC UGMK was founded only 13 years ago. In such a short period of time on the market it made its presence noticeable. The company’s successful growth can be attributed to its drive for achieving better results in the fields of quality and customer service.

Current achievements OJSC Ukrayinska girnycho -metalurgiyna kompaniya (UGMK) was established in 1998. The company’s obUGMK CEO jective was to Mladen Pejkovic deliver steel products in any quantity to the wide range of consumers. Moreover, the company offered related services. In 2002 the UGMK company opened its First Metal Supermarket. The concept was so successful that in a short period of time a whole chain of metal supermarkets grew all over the country. In 2006 the company entered several foreign markets establishing The International Metal Trading Network that includes such enterprises as UGMK (Ukraine), RGMK, Ltd (Russia), UGMK (Belarus), GCB Centrostal Bydgoszcz SA (Poland), UGMKGeorgia (Georgia), UGMK Central Europe (Czech Republic).The company has established its own metal trading network in Poland with the help of JSC GS Centrostal-Bydgoszcz, which is the biggest metal trader in Poland with 25 retail centers and offices all over the country.

In 2009, OJSC UGMK launched The First Online metal supermarket (www.ugmk. ua) in Ukraine. It became the first virtual marketplace that consolidated an inter-regional metal trading network into a single trading system. In a short period of time the UGMK company managed to establish partnerships with major companies-consumers of steel. In Ukraine and CIS UGMK cooperates with producers of railway cars and machinery as well as with shipbuilding and repair companies. In August 2002 the company implemented a quality management system in conformity with international standard ISO 9001:2000. The company

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Steel IndustryUGMK

has successfully passed an independent international certification audit, conducted by SGS (Geneva, Switzerland). In 2009, UGMK has received a certificate in quality management in accordance with international standard ISO 9001:2008.

The company has been on the market for 13 years and it continues to develop.

Competitive advantage

The company’s competitive advantage is the opportunity to cooperate with major manufacturers of steel products. Thanks to that OJSC UGMK has the ability to deliver a wide range of high quality steel products and to satisfy the emerging demand. The company has the largest trading network in Ukraine. One of the strategic advantages of the company is

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: OJSC Ukrainska girnycho-metalurgiyna kompaniya CEO: Mladen Pejkovic OPERATIONS: Steel Industry ESTABLISHED: 1998 EMPLOYEES: about 1000 people TURNOVER: 206 mln USD

www.ugmk.ua

qualified personnel. The employees are able to adapt to changing market conditions and ensure the company’s ability to react to market requests. The company employs more than 1000 people. The availability of a wide range of steel products, good infrastructure and prompt deliveries of products allow OJSC UGMK to provide the customers with solutions for any of their needs. The company’s experience in the field of steel industry and timely delivery makes it possible to win international tender projects. So far the company supplied steel for construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines: NAK Naftogaz Ukraine, Ukrnafta, PAO Ukrtatnafta. OJSC UGMK provides steels for construction and renovation of stadiums for Euro 2012, for subways and bridges from mills such as Arcelor Mittal Krivoy Rog, Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works, Dneprovsky Iron&Steel Works named after F. Dzershinsky, and many others. The company delivers materials for several shipbuilding plants among others to Kherson Shipyard, Illichevsk Shipyard; to a railway car building plant Kryukov Railway Car Building Works; and to several machine building plants such as Novokramatorsky Machine Works, Sumy Machine Building Scientific Production Association named after M.V. Frunze, Umanfermmash, Chernivtsi MachineBuilding Plant. OJSC UGMK is a strategic partner and an official representative of the ISD Corporation, which is one of the leading steel companies in Central and Eastern Europe Region. OJSC UGMK represents the largest Ukrainian manufacturers of steel products on the market: OJSC Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works; OJSC Dneprovsky Iron&Steel Works named after F. Dzershinsky; OJSC Kramatorsk Iron Works aft.Kuybyshev; OJSC Dniepropetrovsk Tube Works. Additionally, OJSC UGMK is a partner of several companies in the European Union which are

Steel IndustryUGMK

members of the ISD Corporation: Huta Stali Czestochowa Sp. z o.o. (Poland) and ISD Dunaferr Zrt (Hungary). The product range of OJSC UGMK includes more than 2000 different steel products, particularly, rebar, i-beam, rod, hot-rolled plates, squares, circles, flats, angles, water and gas tubing, hot-rolled seamless tubing, channels, L-bars, cold rolled strips, rails, etc. In addition to steel supply, the company is also experienced in manufacturing metal constructions. The metal construction network includes such plants as Zaporozhia Production Complex (Ukraine) and Container Production

Plant (Poland), Steel Coils Processing Center (Lodz, Poland) and Siding Production Plant (Bydgoszcz, Poland). The share of export is about 5 per cent of all steel deliveries made by the company.

The deliveries mostly include flats and structural shapes. OJSC UGMK export steels to several countries in Eastern Europe and the CIS: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Moldova, and Belarus.

Future plans

The company’s mission is to supply steel manufactured by foreign and domestic steel producers on the Ukrainian market. The company’s customer oriented approach, variety of its sales offer and high quality of services guarantee consumer satisfaction. Despite its many

Manufacturing-Journal | 35 |

achievements, OJSC UGMK does not stop developing and looking for new solutions and opportunities. The company’s development strategy covers a

number of areas. The enterprise aims to increase its operating efficiency, to optimize processes through the use of modern information technology and systematic market research of major products and services. The company strives to expand its network of regional offices, to diversify its products and services and to increase sales. Continuous improvement of the quality of services is another area targeted by the OJSC UGMK. The management is striving to form a team of highly qualified specialists creating the conditions for promoting the creative potential of employees by providing professional development opportunities and career growth within the company. Another major goal of the company is the improvement of management system in accordance with international standard ISO 9001. From a simple trading company OJSC UGMK has grown into the largest chain of metal supermarkets in Ukraine and worked out customer service standards that apply to all its retail centers. OJSC UGMK has adopted a more customer-oriented approach, paying special attention to each customer. The company continu-

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ously improves customer service processes by introducing new services and expanding the range of available products. Today OJSC UGMK is a leading metal supplier on the Ukrainian market. It is a company with the largest network of its own stores. Nevertheless, the company does not plan to stop growing. UGMK is planning to open new regional offices and strengthen the company’s position on the domestic market. Also one of the main priorities of the company is to expand the geographical reach of sales to new foreign markets, particularly the markets of Moldova, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. OJSC UGMK strive to become the leading distributor in the steel sector. OJSC UGMK has both retail and wholesale customers. The company is customer-oriented and cares about the needs of each client. A working relationship with a client is considered as partnership, which provides the possibility to interact and address relevant issues. To increase customer satisfaction and to facilitate the ordering process, OJSC UGMK has introduced a system of standards for convenient steel purchasing, which is valid for all customers in all the supermarkets that belong to the UGMK chain. OJSC UGMK provides the steel consumers in different regions of the country with standardized services and assured quality of steel products. In 2002, OJSC UGMK has become a winner of the national “Gold brand” competition. In 2009 OJSC UGMK was added to the list of TOP 500 richest companies in Ukraine, according to the rating of the “Gvardia” journal.  Written by Elena Rozhko

Steel IndustryUGMK

S TI CL E AR

In Pole Position

W

e know this story all to well. First came credit crunch; banks soon experienced cash flow problems; this in turn rebounded on the building industry. And yet there are construction businesses in Poland that have survived the crisis intact. Among these Format is to be found, the Warsaw-based company with more than 500 investment projects under its belt, completed all around Europe. This business never grows tired of success. They are now developing a nuclear power plant in Finland. Soon after that they are setting out to conquer Sweden.

Success Story

Format’s track record is like Polish reality in a nutshell. It has enough room for economic transformation and upheaval; it has room for ownership restructuring, international recognition and multimillion business deals, too. Let’s begin at the beginning, however. The turn of the 80s and 90s sparked off a dramatic change in Poland. The state liberalised economic laws, thus setting up freemarket economy and creating multiple opportunities to do business overseas.

Among those who jumped at the chance was Mr Wojciech Mikulecki, the founder of the company and its President. Format Urządzenia i Montaże Przemysłowe Sp. z o.o. (LLC) came into being in February 1990. “We launched our Technical Office in Wiesbaden the same year.

The office was responsible for suitable site control and marketing in Germany, where the majority of our Clients came from,” adds Format’s Managing Director, Mr Filip Górski. The contracts performed at the time included thermal insulation (cold and heat protection), soundproofing and fire protection. Format also specialised in interior building construction (drywall and suspended ceiling systems), building facade assembly and rust and corrosion protection. Last but not least, the business completed deals in the reinforcement and concrete formwork sector. Dedication and hard work gave rise to further expansion. In three years’ time Format set up Format-Lambda corporate group, which embraced Polish and German capital, including Format Baustahl- und Konstruktionsverarbeitungs- GmbH and Lambda S.A. The real breakthrough came along when Poland acceded to the EU.

Hallmark Investment

“We have achieved lasting recognition in Germany and France. We have also made our mark in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and Benelux; and are now setting about to complete our first deals in Sweden. What we pride most, however, is the contract we won in Finland.

This flagship project of ours comprises reinforcement and concrete formwork carried out for the nuclear power plant in Olkiluoto 3 (Ol3), the first plant worldwide to make use of a 3rd generation nuclear reactor. At their busiest, more than 300 of our staff worked on the site,” emphasises Format’s Managing Director. There are at least two factors that

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Format Urządzenia i Montaże Przemysłowe Sp. z o.o.

PRESIDENT: Wojciech Mikulecki OPERATIONS: Construction Industry ESTABLISHED: 1990 EMPLOYEES: 800 TURNOVER: 100 mln PLN (Group)

www.format-lambda.pl Construction IndustryFormat

Manufacturing-Journal | 37 |

ards, e.g. the plant being crashed by a large plane.

They Carried it Off

give a cutting edge to this project. Top of the list comes its multinational character. Whereas the plant in Olkiluoto is being built by businesses and staff from 61 countries, its site documentation, materials and information signs are prepared in 6 different languages.

Equally important are rigorous safety standards, however. Each and every contractor has to take proper care of the staff, environment and the plant itself. And each and every contractor has some achievements to his credit in this matter. The facts speak for themselves.

The average occupational accident rate in Finland is 73.1 accidents per million working hours. The contractors in Olkiluoto have managed to slash it by four.

Anxious not to affect the environment, these contractors are obliged to implement sustainable policy, including innovative guidelines for safe waste disposal.

Arguably, it is in the field of plant safety that Format has a chance to strut its stuff. Responsible for this are two coats of protective concrete, 2 metres thick each, which were designed to alleviate the negative impact of uncontrolled chain reaction and reduce external haz-

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Construction IndustryFormat

Top priority? „We focus on Customer trust. We know how to win over the Customer and how to keep him satisfied.

Our chief assets include timely and professional completion and proactive attitude. We are well sought after in the industry: where other contractors fail, we are able to carry it off. We acted as a troubleshooter, too,” replies Mr Górski. “Take this for example. The main contractor of Boberg power plant, Germany, asked us to rescue its project. With 26 different subcontractors on the site, they experienced difficulties completing the investment. Over 70 per cent of the scheduled time only 20 per cent of insulation works were executed. The situation being critical, we came up with a new schedule of works and carried it out on our own.

Despite the fact that we were running against the clock, 300 of our staff made up for the lost time and finished the project within the original time frame.” No wonder, then, that Format has so far catered for such industry tycoons as: Ruhl GmbH, BAG, Wendt, Bouygues TP, Vinci Construction, Farrans, Gilbert Ash, Elliot, Lang O’Rourke.

Seasoned and Professional

Second top priority and Format’s biggest asset is its staff. Depending on the season the company employs between 500 and 1000 people. “We are keen to select workers properly. Every candidate is subject to theoretical and practical examination. As a result, our employees are hand picked and matched

on steel type, malleability (workability), diameter and length of the steel bars are carefully checked. Steel itself is then assembled in utmost precision according to construction plans. “Every construction phase undergoes a two point quality control prior to concreting. Yet, we are able to launch a new project within several days, with all the necessary equipment, health and safety and social facilities,” adds Format’s Managing Director.

Focus on Steel Assembly

to meet the requirements of each local market and construction project. They also undergo regular performance appraisals,” elaborates Format’s Managing Director. Hence, a team of diverse and versatile professionals has come into being, the one that gathers experienced workers home and overseas, and young people, too. The key to manage such a huge team is motivation. The business combines competitive rates of pay with professional training and prospective career opportunities. It also maintains rigorous health and safety standards (Format’s workers in Finland attend between ten and twenty H&S sessions every year); secures suitable accommodation and transportation services; makes it possible for the workers to fly home over Christmas and Easter holidays; and provides them with additional personal accident insurance and necessary lan-

guage assistance when abroad.

Quality under Control

Format offers a wide variety of construction services, including both detailed orders and comprehensive construction projects: concrete formwork with geodetic staff, reinforced steel assembly (steel fixing) and concreting. “Thanks to our versatility and many years of experience we have been able to offer prompt and top quality services and functional logistic system in all European countries.

We have been awarded ISO 9001 and AFCAB (recognised in France) quality certificates in reinforcement assembly,” remarks Mr Górski. The company’s sites are subject to both internal and external quality control. This includes identification of construction plans and delivery of steel reinforcement, where all attests

Prospective goals? “We stay focused on reinforced steel assembly (concrete formwork and concreting are available on demand). Thanks to recent investments we can also supply prefabricated steel structures,” replies Mr Górski. Reinforced steel assembly is executed in several stages. The process begins with steel fixing performed either on site or in a prefabrication area. Next welding is carried out, by certified welders that hold all the necessary certificates. Finally, the prefabricated reinforcement can be placed in the shuttering, which is followed by prepared steel elements being assembled on completed formwork.

In Pole Position

“The fact that we focus on reinforced steel assembly does not mean that we gave up on insulation and drywall systems constructions. We are waiting for these markets to improve, however.

Once we notice that things are looking up, we will be there ready to generate income,” summarises Format’s Managing Director. “Our competitors waste no opportunity to catch up with us at the moment. The construction industry has already got to grips with the credit crunch. There are new promising players from the newly admitted EU members.

Multinational employment agencies of European range can stir up some trouble, too. We do not look to our rivals, though. Over the last few years we have managed to gain a considerable advantage over our competitors and we are not going to squander it now.”  Written by Bartosz Sowiński

Construction IndustryFormat

Manufacturing-Journal | 39 |

S TI CL E AR

Men of steel

S

ome of the industry sections achieve their success thanks to the revolutionary ideas while the others – like the steel section – require good planning, hard work of reliable people and constant evolution of proven technologies. These are the elements that underlie the quality of the Martifer Polska brand. The company’s beliefs, devotion to their work and its perfectly planned structure are reflected in the steel constructions they produce. The company is on its way to follow the success of Martifer Group, the company that has been a leader on the Iberian market for several years.

No revolution –

constant evolution

Martfier Polska Sp. z o.o. was founded eight years ago as a part of Martifer Group. That was General Director the beginning of Miguel Borges a gradual development of the enterprise. The first milestone in the history of Martifer Polska was the completion of their first project, Simoldes warehose. That project was so significant to the company because it was finished even before the opening of their factory in Gliwice. The Simoldes warehouse undertaking was coordinated by a few specialist members of Martifer staff. The next important step in development of the enterprise was the moment when the Gliwice factory was finished and they could start producing structures and steel products, having in mind that their success depends on increasing resources and courage to execute the most ambitious projects.

‘We look into future with hope’

The Polish industry market has not always been kind to the company though.

Martifer Polska had to face radical changes of Polish and international economy. The years 2005-2006, when the company entered the Polish market, brought the relatively steady increase, despite the typical difficulties that a new player in a steel industry would meet. The demand of their clients and their supply were well adjusted to the extend that allowed them to establish

| 40 | Manufacturing-Journal

ConstructionsMartifer Polska

their presence on the market. The next two years, 2007-2008, were the period of the rapid development and growth of the economy and steel industry. Although it was a time of company’s flourishment, from the present perspective the increase of the sector was the cause of the frantic rate of project completion and limited the long-term goals of the company. The outcome of this hectic period on the international market was the crisis in the years 2008-2009 which impacted Martifer Polska as well. Mr. Miguel Borges, the General Director of Martifer Polska, shows optimistic out-

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Martifer Polska Sp. z o.o.

GENERAL DIRECTOR: Miguel Borges OPERATIONS: Steel structure ESTABLISHED: 2003 EMPLOYEES: 230 INCOME SALES: 74 000 000,00 PLN

www.martifer.com

of the company concern strengthening its position on the markets where it is already present and seeking ambitious projects in respective geographical regions.

Clients’ trust in Martifer Polska brand

look though: ‘We have to be aware of the relatively mild form of the crisis in Poland in comparison to other European countries and considering their unpleasant experiences we should draw proper conclusions and try and take good decisions. The projects we have planned and slight activity of investors allow us to look into the nearest future with hope.’

Dealing with the results of the financial crisis, which impacted not only Martfier Polska but also the whole construction industry and most of its clients, the company takes an advantage of every chance that enables using its assets to the maximum. Among the projects Martifer is currently executing are various complex civil engineering and industrial structures. Company’s priority projects are those concerning infrastructure projects for EURO 2012 and industrial power sector.

International activity:

Martifer Polska is a part of the Martifer Group, who has a twin production plant in the south of Romania. These two plants focus on projects executed in Central and eastern Europe: in Germany,

Gaining clients trust is not an easy thing, and people of Martifer Polska know it.

That is why they constantly improve their qualifications and raise the standards of production and of the relations with the customers. They managed to do that during completion of respective projects. ‘When it comes to potential clients, our assets are our licenses and certificates, as well the references we receive after completion of various contracts’ says Miguel Borges. ‘Preliminary audits are conducted for individual branches, where before placing an order the client examines all aspects connected with the future project. It is our pleasure to inform you that 100% of audits conducted in our plant were successful.’

The steel industry requires the highest competence and Martifer Polska can prove it with several certificates: • • • •

Czech Republic, Moldavia, Slovakia, Latvia, Ukraine. Martifer Polska occasionally supports the production plants in Portugal that attend to western Europe and Northern Africa, it also delivered structures to: Angola, Cameroun, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland. Future plans

ConstructionsMartifer Polska

TÜV Rheinland certificate, ISO 9001:2008 no. 0198 100 00901/01 TÜV Rheinland certificate, OHSAS 18001:1999 no. 2 03 07020/2 TÜV Rheinland certificate, DIN 18800-7:2002 no. 01 203 973 TÜV Rheinland certificate, DIN EN ISO 3834-2 no. 01 3834-2 973-09 0648 – Qualification certificate of the Polish Welding Centre of Excellence no. 326/894/IV/10 - Qualification certificate of the Ministry of Infrastructure no. 02/09 – Certificate Ukraine, ISO 9001:2001 no. UA 2.011.03500-09 – Certificate Ukraine of conformity with GOST standard, no. UA1.022.0017948-09

Manufacturing-Journal | 41 |

We protect and take care of the environment we work in One of the values of Martifer Group is their respect for the natural environment and its protection. They are fully aware of the impact the company’s operations have on the environment. They execute their projects with consideration of the possibilities of environmentally friendly solutions and try to minimise this impact by: •

•

• • • •

observing the applicable statutes of the environmental protection law and other requirements concerning the company’s operations reduction of pollution released into the atmosphere

proper waste management optimising the use of production materials and natural resources preventing environmental disasters by monitoring instruments and installations improving environmental awareness of our employees on an ongoing basis.

administration staff also work for other companies of Martifer Group operating on the local market. Martifer Polska puts emphasis on human resources, searching for people who present such distinctive features as determination, dynamism, dedication, persistence and

motivation. The best professionals can be chosen thanks to the multi-level selection process. Each candidate is interviewed by several company’s representatives which gives them an opportunity to learn about the personality

People who build the success

Like the constructions consists of fitting elements, the structure of the company is built of the individual strengths of its employees. At present the company employs 230 people, 2/3 of which are the production workers. The members of

| 42 | Manufacturing-Journal

ConstructionsMartifer Polska

and technical skills of a future employee.

A person that successfully completes the application process can enjoy being a part of a team of an international company employing ca. 4000 people.

Well defined goals and clear distribution of responsibilities help create great everyday atmosphere in the company’s work environment. What is more, the members of young team (the average age of an employee is ca. 30 years) have several opportunities to take part in bonding events outside the company’s premises, both organised by the company as well as initiated by the employees themselves. The company gives also opportunities of supporting the human potential and introduces various career path programs developing skills which can be used later on in everyday work.

Mr. Miguel Borges comments on the professional training system: ‘We regularly organise both, internal and external trainings, funded by our own financial means, as well as with the help from the EU. Moreover, we stand by introducing innovative technologies and the necessity to maintain the quality of our products at a high level – indirectly it also helps improve the awareness of human resources’. Martifer Polska is also one of the very few institutions that invest in young future candidates, presenting special offer to the students – the Summer Internship Program. The company feels also an obligation to increase their employees’ awareness of social problems. Every year during the Christmas period they organise fundraising among our employees to support the institutions we consider to be in need during the time. Up till now they supported orphanages, animal shelters, and other institutions.  Written by Magdalena Urban

S TI CL E AR

Logistical primus

G

reatly simplifying, we can say that the success of any organization depends on meeting the four basic requirements: proper identification of needs of the market, professionally prepared staff, regardless of hierarchy level, excellent technical background and appropriate management procedures, optimal in the relation to the company’s current know – how, finally, though not in the terms of importance, there is a fourth requirement: the ability to provide effective logistics solutions, so that in each case products and services were delivered and implemented according to the most specific Customer requirements. Needless to say, all the decisions in these areas require constant updating and monitoring. While in the modern world the information has the greatest value of all goods, punctuality and reliability of supply have great impact on the company’s final image. Processes of globalization highly increased the role of the fourth requirement in the efforts of organizations, trying to strengthen their competitive positions. Corporations owning manufacturing facilities all over the world more often refer to the skills of professionals who specialize in the optimization of logistics solutions, so they could meet the needs of globally operating organizations. Among these professionals, a new player has appeared recently, increasingly gaining the trust of Customers. Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to present DCT Gdansk S.A.

The History of the Company

It is hard to believe, how fast the development of DCT Gdansk S.A. is progressing. The decision to start the investment and choose the location of the future logistics primus was made in 2005. Over the next two years the construction work was carried out, using the latest equipment and technology. More than 400 people were involved at peak times.

For the first time in Poland, steel highly resistant to corrosion was used for the construction. By implementing these and other efficient building solutions, the company began its activity in October 2007. Since then, DCT’s competitive position strengthens continuously.

With advanced technology and highest quality of services, DCT Gdansk S.A. established cooperation with Maersk Line – the world’s largest container operator, which resulted in achieving the position of the second largest container terminal in Poland. The company did not stop its development though. Another investment and maintaining cooperation with other major companies in the industry resulted in the extension of Maersk Line’s AE10 service, directly to the terminal in January 2010. Thanks to this fact, DCT Gdansk S.A. is the only container terminal in Poland, which supports weekly, direct container connection with the Far East (mainly China). As the “hub”, it is also able to reload the containers destined for the countries bordering the Baltic Sea. At the moment, DCT Gdansk S.A. is one of the largest container terminals in the Baltic, the most dynamically developing company offering this type

Transport & Logistics IndustryDCT Gdańsk

of services in Poland, the only one in our country, which is able to efficiently handle the largest transoceanic “Post Panamax” class vessels. It is also worth mentioning that DCT Gdansk S.A. is the only container terminal in the Baltic region, which is able to handle deep – sea container vessels – because of its location and infrastructure.

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: DCT Gdańsk SA PRESIDENT: Boris Wenzel OPERATIONS: Shipping / handling services ESTABLISHED: Activity since 2001 / in operation since 2007 EMPLOYEES: 332 CONTAINER TURNOVER: 451 730 TEU (2010)

www.dctgdansk.com Manufacturing-Journal | 43 |

Fot. Kacper Kowalski

How to become a logistics primus ?

Logistics industry is extremely demanding. Globally active organizations build their positions, inter alia, on the basis of perfect plans to deliver their products to all markets, on which they operate.

Timeliness and reliability of supply is the crucial condition for the effective implementation of expansion plans of companies, which have international ambitions. For this reason, the company responsible for the provision of such services can not afford even the slightest oversight. Rapidly growing list of DCT’s Customers indicates that the terminal in Gdansk is a reliable and trusted business partner. Let’s then analyze different areas of the company’s activity to find out, how to become a logistics primus in the circumstances of tough competition in the market. Employees are the most

| 44 | Manufacturing-Journal

Transport & Logistics IndustryDCT Gdańsk

important part of any organization. At the moment, DCT Gdansk S.A. employs over 300, perfectly prepared for their tasks Employees, mostly young and dynamic. The company offers a wide range of training, aimed at the development of both soft and hard skills of each Employee, regardless of his position. DCT’s CEO, Mr. Boris Wenzel, lists some courses and trainings available to Employees working in the organization: the course of the driving license category C, an exam for electricians and mechanics, forklift driving training course, examination for truck operators, training for crane maintenance, courses in accounting and secretariat, and even post – graduate studies, international conferences and many others. These capabilities combined with very rich social package make DCT Gdansk S.A. a great place to

work, bringing together satisfied professionals, which transforms into work efficiency. To maintain the high level of efficiency, it is essential to own well – equipped technical facilities. Using the latest technologies and specialized machines in combination with an extensive infrastructure of the terminal and correct decisions determining the direction of the development of the company result in constant growth of the terminal’s capability year after year. Achieving the level of 450 000 TEU in 2010 means the 177 % increase, comparing to the previous year. Meanwhile, the company plans to achieve the level of 840 000 TEU in 2012. And although in comparison to the possibilities of the largest hubs in Europe, such as Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Rotterdam, is a relatively small result, the pace of development of DCT Gdansk S.A. suggests that Polish terminal will become one of the major European hubs in not so distant future. These forecasts are also based on the growing interest of the largest companies, also be-

ed with many prizes. CEO Wenzel tells us about the most important of them: “Złota Żyrafa 2008” - for the current economic activity and hope for the future; “ Bursztynowa Kaczka 2008” - granted by KIGM as the most spectacular achievement contributing to the development of sea transport; DCT Gdansk was also nominated for the “Teraz Polska” emblem in 2010. The economic situation of the maritime logistics industry is improving, even in the context of the still raging financial crisis. At the same time we must remember that competition in this area of services is enormous, and DCT Gdansk S.A. still doesn’t have a dominant position in relation to Western European firms. However, it seems that the Management is doing everything to make the company’s motto: “DCT Gdansk – your Baltic gateway to the world” convince as much potential partners as possible to cooperate. Without a doubt, considering the steps taken by the company to strengthen its market position, we can conclude that the dif-

Fot. Kacper Kowalski

cause of the very wide range of services

by DCT Gdansk S.A. and highest quality at every stage of the execution of contracts. Among the company’s business partners we can find such prestigious organizations, as A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, Cosco, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HDS Line, Hyundai Merchant Marine, K Line, MOL, NYK, UASC, ZIM, China Shipping and others. The dynamics of development and the trust of the company’s business Customers have been adequately appreciated. Despite its young age, DCT Gdansk S.A. was award-

ferences between DCT and the industry giants become smaller every year, which is also affected by an excellent location and infrastructure, optimally supporting both the rail transport, as well as automobile.  Written by Jacek Głowacki

Transport & Logistics IndustryDCT Gdańsk

Manufacturing-Journal | 45 |

S TI CL E AR

Ships, towers and constructions – made by Stocznia Gdańsk

R

apid development, new profiles of production and investments – this is the current situation of Gdańsk Shipyard, the company known not only in the marine industry as a manufacturer of ships, but also as a symbol of struggle for free and independent Poland. During 60 years of its history, Gdańsk Shipyard has built over 1000 ships and hulls for companies around the world.

Now, the company conquers the market of steel constructions and the renewable energy sector.

According to the restructuring plan, Gdańsk Shipyard is to focus its activity on three types of production: specialized vessels, wind towers and various types of large steel constructions. Those three types of products are to strengthen even further the company’s marketing position and on the other hand, to expand the production profile of the yard. Experience gained with years of shipbuilding has resulted with highly specialized staff and technologically advanced products.

The yard means primarily - huge production potential and excellent machinery, currently supported by, automated, new generation devices and tools, such as modern designing software. With technologically advanced products that meet the highest quality standards and strict requirements of Customers around the world, Gdańsk Shipyard has gained recognition and trust of all the company’s Recipients.

tons of such constructions, Gdańsk Shipyard. ambition is to become the market leader in on and offshore wind towers production. The most modern production line in Poland was opened in Gdansk Shipyard in November, especially to meet the requirements of the wind towers production sector.

It is worth mentioning that thanks to the Yard’s extensive research facilities such as. Bureau of Product Development & Production Support and own Laboratory the company offers a wide range of services in the scope of ship and other steel constructions design ,. The pres-

FACT BOX

At first, there was a ship

The shipyard has built more than 1000 ocean – going units of various types. The company has recently been very active in the highly specialist units, mainly for offshore, sector. Since the privatization of the yard (2008), ten such units have been built, including PSV, SRV, DSV and more, all meeting the highest standards The company produces other kinds of vessels as well ( gas carriers, passenger/ car ferries) mainly based on the company’s own projects, but not only. Moreover the shipyard produces also steel constructions , such as crane jibs and booms, tanks, chimneys and pipelines, and structural elements of large steel constructions, e.g. bridges, roads and stadiums. During last two years, Gdańsk Shipyard manufactured 12 thousand

| 46 | Manufacturing-Journal

Shipbuilding IndustryStocznia Gdańsk

FULL NAME: Stocznia Gdańsk SA PRESIDENT: Andrzej Stokłosa OPERATIONS: Ships, wind towers, steel structures ESTABLISHED: 1947 EMPLOYEES: 1700 TURNOVER: 267 mln PLN (2009)

www.gdanskshipyard.pl

tigious certificates, such as the Quality Management System, complying with the requirements of PN – EN ISO 9001:2001 norm, certificates of approval of the Technical Inspection, Polish Register of Shipping and international Classification Societies: GL, DNV, RINA and Lloyd Register confirm the high standards of safety and quality of work. The above mentioned certificates cover all areas of the company’s business activity.

Definitely the most important factor that determines the development of the Yard are its Employees. The company attaches great importance to measures aimed at continuous improvement of skills and competencies of personnel in all positions, which is possible due to extensive training systems.

The great advantage of the yard is its technological infrastructure: two outfitting berths, modern cleaning and painting line, specialized cranes and finally seven – acre production hall with yaerly production capacity of 150 thousand tons, the largest hall in Central Europe.

All these features combined with the location of Gdańsk Shipyard give the company significant advantage over The competition.

Shipyard focuses on towers

Although the core of the company’s business activity was until recently shipbuilding, the current Shipyard’s offer is much wider. . Wind towers for renewable energy production set a new direction of the company’s development. and so , on the 18th of November 2010

Shipbuilding IndustryStocznia Gdańsk

Stocznia Gdańsk opened the largest in Poland production line of wind towers .

It is another step in the realisation of the Business Plan of Gdansk Shipyard and the agenda envisages further expansion of production. The construction of a new factory begins next year.

This new profile of production will increase the shipyards’ competitiveness.

A new entity - GSG Towers – was established to realise this new business target. Thomas Gaardbo, a renowned executive, who gained his experience

at one of the biggest producers of the wind energy industry, is responsible for the commercialization of GSG Towers; - Through the plans implemented at Gdansk Shipyard and by the strategic logistical position I see enormous development potential for a world class full range supplier for the Wind Energy Industry and I’m absolutely convinced that we are about to create one of the most outstanding European factories in

Manufacturing-Journal | 47 |

the areas of steel construction for the Wind Energy Industry, capable of delivering to all potential customers in this Industry.

Nowadays the new production line produces towers for the purpose of the contract signed with a renowned German company Nordex. This company is, already for 25 years, a world leader in the production of turbines and complete wind power stations. The contract with the Shipyard includes production of fully equipped wind towers for Nordex. - Wind power has great potential not only in terms of clean energy production , but also in terms of increasing the employment rate in Poland – says Marek Thau, CEO of Nordex Polska. - We felt that the Shipyard has the suitable location (close to the harbour) and skilled Employees (known producer of ships and steel structures) to produce the towers not only for the needs of Polish market – he adds. Until now, Nordex has installed around the world over 4200 turbines with a production capacity exceeding 6000 MW. The share of export equals over 95 % of the company’s turnover. - Nordex plays big part in the international regional development – explains Director Thau. - Poland has very good prospects. We see it as one of the most attractive markets in the future. We put great emphasis on the use of local resources and cooperation with companies operating in the selected region – Mr. Thau adds. Nordex Group has its office in Warsaw and employs over 2400 Employees all around the world.

profile is very good news for the Yard – says Jarosław Łasiński, Chairman of the Board of Gdańsk Shipyard S.A. - - We have a reliable client and favourable development perspectives. It means financial strengthening and work for wellqualified workers.

- Recently opened production line can ”release” 100 towers per year, both on and offshore type. The construction of the wind power station sections requires very precise workmanship and perfect coating protection, as the wind tower has to support overloads depending on the weather condition. Inside it has to fit all the installations and a staircase or lift system allowing service access to the turbine.

In two years another phase of the investment is foreseen - the most modern wind tower factory in a separate hall with capacity of 200 towers annually.

- The factory is another step in the implementation of the Gdańsk Shipyard’s Business Plan. - says Andrzej Stokłosa, President of Gdansk Shipyard. - It is also a proof of how seriously the investor treats his commitment twards the Shipyard.  Written by Ms. Aldona Dybuk

– Introduction of the new production

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Shipbuilding IndustryStocznia Gdańsk

S TI CL E AR

Setting the Pace

C

adolto is counted among the global leaders of the modular construction industry. Present in Germany for more than a century and in Poland for a decade, it specialises in erecting hospitals, laboratories, including the largest projects of that type worldwide. The two projects in question, namely Centre Hospitalier d’Argenteuil in Paris and Federal Centre for Cardiology in Penza, Russia, when put together, take up an unprecedented overall space of 80,000 sqm.

Mr Remigiusz Cichocki, Cadolto Poland’s Representative General speaks to Manufacturing Journal about the local peculiarities of this global player.

History in Brief FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Cadolto Polska Sp. z o.o.

PRESIDENT: Ferdynand Aptazy OPERATIONS: Modular construction of hospitals and laboratories ESTABLISHED: 2000

www.cadolto.com/pl

Cadolto Poland’s success story began exactly 10 years ago. Newly admitted to NATO at the time, Poland was also earmarked to join the EU within three subsequent years. Stability, safety and rapid development were expected to follow soon afterwards, thus bringing in international capital to Poland. Among the investors was Cadolto Fertiggebaud, the worldwide leader of the modular construction industry. The company acted the way the savvy do, carefully that is. Over the first few years the business learned the specifics of the market, tendered for contracts and established rapport with the Clients. Sustainable policy worked wonders: since its inception Cadolto Poland has managed to complete 9 huge independent modular investment projects. Set up in Wrocław in 2006, the company’s sales office has been thriving, too, providing customer service and winning prospective business partners. The company’s headquarters and factory floors are located in Germany; they secure jobs for more than 400 people and have been constantly in operation since 1890.

Construction IndustryCadolto

Focus on Healthcare

“We specialise in healthcare facilities,” says Mr Remigiusz Cichocki, Cadolto Poland’s Representative General. The business has completed the following projects so far, each of which vital for Polish healthcare services: the Euromedic diagnostic imaging unit, Olsztyn, Regional Centre for Blood Donation and Transfusions, Wrocław, intensive care and operating wings at the Jurasz Hospital, Bydgoszcz, operating block at Kołobrzeg Regional Hospital, operating block, diagnostic imaging and central sterilisation units at the Opole Voivodeship Hospital (completed in two stages) and, last but not least, Ursynów Day Treatment Centre, Warsaw. Such prominent investments can hardly pass unnoticed by the industry, which in turn garners new Clientele. “Each Cadolto’s investment turns out to be an event in Poland. We have to bear in mind that modular technology is less popular here than in Germany,” reminds Mr Cichocki. A pioneer as it is, Cadolto has more reasons to take pride, however. “It is not without significance that we render our services to healthcare. Any businessman would find it re-

Manufacturing-Journal | 49 |

Setting the Pace

warding. We contribute to the process of developing modern hospital facilities and provide nearly ideal recovery and working conditions for hospital patients and staff respectively,” adds Cadolto’s Representative General.

Daring and Flexible

“Every Client is important for us,” assures Mr Cichocki. With the number of its Polish Clientele growing steadily every year, Cadolto’s impeccable customer service has already managed to bear proper fruit. Being a global player requires flexibility, though. You need to be familiar with local peculiarities, rules and standards if you want to make your presence felt on various foreign markets, all at the same time. Such presence requires that you act quickly and efficiently and that the services you render are simply flawless. This in turn calls for prompt customer care, precise expenditure calculation, competent work staging; all these performed in order to mitigate any construction-related nuisances. “We never shrink from the task. We do our best to serve our Clients in the most professional and responsible manner,” declares Cadolto’s Representative General.

Key Factors Combined

For nearly 40 years Cadolto has been specialising in modular technology, now its sole field of activity and a key to further expansion and lasting success.

“How these two, conventional and modular construction technologies, differ? In all honesty, they differ in almost every way,” stresses Mr Cichocki. Modular solutions allow for unrestricted architectural

| 50 | Manufacturing-Journal

freedom. This enables Cadolto to erect a modular construction using any kind of design, including traditional ones, too. This also means timely completion, value for money, quality and flexibility, a winning combination indeed, especially in the construction of hospitals and laboratories, where technical innovation progresses rapidly, with ever decreasing breathing space in between technological generations.

Once the modules have been shipped and assembled, the building is almost ready to use. “We guarantee that all deadlines are duly met. Cadolto needs no more than 6 months to complete turn-key investments up to 5,000 sqm.

And projects such as the one we have recently launched in Paris, which takes up a space of 60,000 sqm and requires around 1000 modules to be erected, this one will be executed in only 3 years!” stresses Mr Cichocki. On leaving the factory, the building modules already contain all the equipment, including the entire medical, laboratory and building systems, together with tiles, curtains and façades. Thanks to this unifying of services, transportation is also economical and environmentally friendly, even over longer distances. On site, it is simply a matter of erecting the modules and connecting them to form a building which is immediately accessible to the Customer.

“Modular technology is a pleasure to deal in. Key decisions are taken fast, no time is wasted on unnecessary arrangements, there are no serious problems to be faced on completion, either, adds Cadolto’s Representative General.

Abreast of Technology

At the Client’s Convenience

How to complete such projects? Traditional technology requires a construction site together with its building materials, works that affect every one in their vicinity, nuisances to be put up with by the hospital, protracted arrangements, unreliable subcontractors and general contractors buying time and asking for more labour. “Hence we’ve come up with the idea to move the site to our factories,” emphasises Cadolto’s Representative General. Cadolto’s modular construction technology guarantees the highest possible degree of industrialisation to be maintained in the building process. Precise manufacturing workflows are based on tried-and-tested, standardised processes, thereby providing solid foundations for quality, sustainability and the long life of the building. Timely and effective, ninety per cent of the works are carried out in modern facilities, independently of the weather and subject to constant quality controls.

Responsible for materials logistics and ordering, the two refined and strictly monitored systems ensure absolute transparency, be they wall construction elements or the tiniest screw.

Construction IndustryCadolto

Apart from hospitals Cadolto also supplies highly technologised cleanroom and laboratory buildings. Since 1996, the business has proven construction experience in all research sectors, from medicine, pharmaceuticals and electronics to micromechanics, food technology and biotechnology. „Modular construction technology has no negative impact on cleanroom standards. The latter are specified in detail by the rules and regulations of a given country and are reflected by a relevant plan or design,” elaborates Mr Cichocki. Thus, Cadolto’s specialist designers transform the Client’s individual architectural sketch into a modular schedule of works that integrates necessary equipment and facilities. The building is then assembled on

site in a record time. From then on the building is finished and may either serve as a permanent solution or be moved or dismantled at the Client’s convenience.

Larger than Life

“We have every right to be satisfied.

Hospitals in France, Germany, Russia and Poland (e.g. Warsaw, Wrocław, Opole) are but a few examples of our comprehensive investments,” says Cadolto’s Representative General. The first on the list is Centre Hospitalier d’Argenteuil in

Paris. With a total area of 60,000 m2, this is the largest modular building complex in the world to date. Its construction will be carried out in three stages and is due for completion by the end of 2013. Conventional building methods will be used for the basement and ground floor only, the first, second and third floors will be erected using modules. Approximately 1,000 room modules will be installed.

Cadolto in Russia

Investment projects Cadolto completed in Russia comprise 14 high-tech medical centres erected to date. The largest of these is Federal Centre for Cardiology in Penza, handed over in December 2007.

With 14 hospitals 20,000 sqm each, the contract to complete these has become the largest in the history of modular construction technology. Cadolto has risen to the challenge, though. Thanks to its state-of-the-art medical equipment the centre provides high-quality

cardiology care for the population of the south-western region of Russia. Each building belonging to the complex is made up of 300 individual modules that were prefabricated at the Cadolto facilities in Cadolzburg and Krölpa, Germany, and by a joint venture partner in Ankara, Turkey. So far, 8 buildings out of 14, have been completed and in only 3 years.

Cadolto in Poland

As for Cadolto’s activity in Poland, it is the following projects that best reflect the company’s huge potential. First on the list comes Regional Centre for Blood Donation and Transfusions, Wrocław, which was erected in only 4 days. It was also the company’s task to integrate the existing structure of the centre into a new, visually harmonious whole. This turn-key investment included 48 modules whose manufacturing, installation together with some finishing touches took only 4 months. In 2008, Cadolto completed a 4-storey children’s intensive care unit at the Jurasz Hospital, Bydgoszcz. The premises that took up an overall floorspace of 2,100 sqm proved no easy task at all. The building was hardly on a level with the adjacent premises and the construction works were not to interfere with everyday activity of the hospital.

Kołobrzeg Regional Hospital was in turn composed of 6 different modules, which made 4 operation theatres. With a crane working in unfavourable conditions, the modules were hoisted and carried over the hospital premises to create a brand new block with the state-of-the-art equipment (columns, operation lamps and others). The Opole Voivodeship Hospital became yet another feather in Cadolto Poland’s cap. Completed in several stages, the hospital now boasts a 600-sqm nuclear medicine block developed in 2006, and 4-theatre operation block, central sterilisation, diagnostics and endoscope units handed over in 2009. In 2010, Cadolto made its mark revamping One Day Treatment Centre in Ursynów, Warsaw, in a span of only 5 months. The centre was thus extended by 15 beds, endoscopy unit and 2 operation theatres. It should be remarked that all the projects mentionaed above were designed as turn-key investments and were carried out in a timely, cost-avoiding and quality-oriented manner.  Written by Bartosz Sowiński

Construction IndustryCadolto

Manufacturing-Journal | 51 |

S TI CL E AR

„MS beyond WINDOWS”

I

n the global business ecosystem, in which all commercial enterprises acting on an international scale work today, there is a number of paradoxes, which contradict the logic of the functioning of organizations, which occupy leading positions in specific industries or industry sectors. One of these paradoxes concerns the matter of recognition of companies or brands by the average Customer. In assumption, the more awards won by the company, the broader the scope of its activity, the more satisfied Customers of the organization, the higher rate of recognition of the company and its products. Unfortunately for many companies, this assumption does not work. Of course, the value of the rate of recognition depends largely on the industry, in which the firm operates (luxury goods are definitely privileged) and the financial outlays that the company spent on marketing activities, still, the privilege of quality, yet generally unindetifiable companies and the duty of such magazines as Manufacturing Journal is to carry on such an activity, which would have to change the state of affairs, described above. So, with great pleasure we would like to present MS beyond WINDOWS - a company appreciated in many countries, but still little known.

The History of the Company MS beyond WINDOWS was established in 1991. Since the beginning, its development was characterVice President ized by vigor Artur Romanik and dynamism, although originally the company had nothing to do with its current area of activity, starting in fact as an advertising agency! Only a year later the company owners decided to start different kind of business activity, beginning the production of window frames. Since then begins the proper story of the organization that we know today. Focus on continous improvement of the company’s offer and its gradual expansion, resulted in constant improvement of company’s financial situation, so that already in 1997, M&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien was transformed into a limited liability company and increased its workforce to more than 200 Employees. Expansion of the company was followed by an increase in spending on advertising activity, which resulted in a TV campaign in 2001. Strategic decisions connected with marketing policy proved to be accurate, which accelerated the process of strengthening the company’s competitive position and helped to start the international activity, mainly in Western Europe. Yet, the work aimed at establishing the company’s position as one that sets the industry trends and technological primus among competitors has not

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Consumer GoodsM&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien

been neglected. Consistent improving of the quality of products and the continuing desire to develop new, more efficient and attractive design solutions, coupled with continous optimizing of production processes has led MS beyond WINDOWS to a leading position of manufacturer and supplier of building components for home and construction industry introducing this year the third generation of TITAN WINDOWS.

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: M&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien Sp. z o.o. / MS beyond WINDOWS Group VICE PRESIDENT: Artur Romanik OPERATIONS: Manufacturer of windows and doors ESTABLISHED: 1991 EMPLOYEES: MS PFO - 200 / MS Group - 430 TURNOVER: MS PFO - 54,5 mln PLN net / MS Group - 84,6 mln PLN net

www.ms.pl

To better understand the reasons for the rapid development of MS beyond WINDOWS Group, I spoke with Mr. Artur Romanik, the company’s Vice President, who described the nuances of industry and drew attention to several key aspects of the company’s activity, thanks to which the organization builds its success. The basics of the functioning of each company are their Employees. MS beyond WINDOWS is no exception. The company’s Employees are the core of the strategic potential of the organization. The most important issue for managers operating in this particular industry is the level of Employees’ experience.

Therefore, MS Group brings together in its ranks mainly Employees with more than a decade of working experience, so that the Customer can have the guarantee of high quality products and services offered by the company. Company policy also envisages every possible effort to create the best possible working conditions, irrespective of the position in the company’s hierarchy, whether we

speak about line Employees, management staff or design team. MS beyond WINDOWS Group employs at the moment more than 430, perfectly prepared for their tasks Employees and carries on efforts to continously improve both soft and hard skills of its Employees. The construction industry is strongly influenced by dynamic changes in terms of technology. The company’s Employees’ professionalism alone is not enough to ensure the efficiency of production processes, which is why it is so important to invest in the improvement of the machines and software used in the organization. What is typical for this industry, is the fact that it is not possible to purchase directly specific tools, which would execute optimally the company’s production plans, which is why the company’s experts had to prepare appropriate equipment and calibrate it, so that it could meet the needs of the organization. The whole process took the company two years. The organization also owns specialist facilities, essential to maintain high enough parameters of products manufactured by the company, as well as proper software that supports all processes taking place in the organization. Technological advantage over its competitors has always been a priority of the company’s policy. Both the quality of offered products and services, as well as their range are in fact the key to achieve to achieve the primary purpose of the enterprise: absolute satisfaction of the company’s Customers, regardless of their needs. MS Group focused on the specialization of the various production centers. At the momet, the Group consists of six plants, concentrated on their specific part of

Consumer GoodsM&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien

Manufacturing-Journal | 53 |

The Pillars of Success

production. M&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien is the most important element of the Group, because within its operational structure acts the Group’s board and the

company itself is responsible for manufacturing the most relevant product offered by the Group: PVC window, which generate more than 60% of the company’s turnover. Product range, however, is much broader and includes also wooden and aluminum doors and windows, PVC doors, roller shutters, mosquito screens, stone and marble that decorates building elevations and interiors. In the current situation of strong competition in the global market, companies wishing to succeed must not only prepare the highest quality products, but also provide a wide range of Customer Services. the company’s target Customer is an individual building or renovating his home, thus adopting a policy of individual approach to every order so that all Customer requirements are met, maintain competitive prices and flexibility in preparing products for event the most demanding needs and suggestions, and a wide range of after – sales services.

These factors and the careful selection of suppliers and dealers and creating

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an extensive networks of sales partners, has resulted in very good reception of the company not only in Poland, but also abroad. The organization based in Słupsk successfully exports its products to the higly developed and demanding markets, including Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom and Canada. It is worth mentioning that around 45% of the company’s products is manufactured for the needs of Western markets.

MS beyond WINDOWS builds its values based on today’s requirements in this regard. The company is characterized by a high level of business acumen, as evidenced by its activity in the filed of CSR and environmental policy. The company acquired a lot of certificates, both Polish and abroad that provide the highest international quality of the company’s activity, in its every aspect, including strict technical specfications of the company’s products, providing adequate level of safety of the Employees, as well as with the procedures connected with the issue of Human Potential management in the organization. The company’s achievements and the level of its development has been properly appreciated by the industry experts, as evidenced by „VIP Energia Premium” award, granted last year by infookno.pl. for outstanding results of the company’s windows in terms of noise reduction and many other prizes.

It appears that MS beyond WINDOWS is developing in the right direction and hopefully with time, the MS brand will be much better recognizable, not only among Poles, but also worldwide.  Written by Jacek Głowacki

Consumer GoodsM&S Pomorska Fabryka Okien

S TI CL E AR

You know what. They know how

S

ince the company began its production activity under Donato Iribecampos leadership, Grupo Condesa has grown from a small, family business to a corporation that spreads its manufacturing facilities in six countries. Its market share in Spain stands at 37% and has a 20% share of the European market. In total, Grupo Condesa has 2000 workers and its current turnover is 1000 million euros per year. Without further ado, here is Grupo Condesa’s recipe for success.

The Father of Success

Donato Iribecampos began his activity as a small manufacturer in his hometown- Mondragón (Spain), where in 1954 the present Grupo Condesa (Conducciones y Derivados S.A.) was founded. As the company’s growth continued with new acquisitions and the expansion of existing facilities, he was focusing its activity on manufacturing steel tubes. What is more he was providing its Clients with an ever- broadening menu of complementary services combined with the highest level of Customer support. From 1992 until 2004 Condesa was associated with Arcelor.

In 2004 Condesa bought Arcelor’s tube manufacturing plants in Europe, Arcelor Tubes and Aceralia Tubos: Perfil en Frío (Spain), Zalain Transformados (Spain), Mieres Tubos (Spain), Alessio Tubi (Italy), Longtain (Belgium), Tubes de Fresnoy (France), Lorraine Tubes, ex- Tubeurop and ex- Exma Production, (France), SRW (Germany), Industube (Morocco). The group has now become leader of the European Market for carbon welded steel. Today, Grupo Condesa is made up of 12 manufacturing companies (in Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Morocco), 4 general service companies (in Spain), 21 sales offices (in Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom), 3 sales agents (Gran Canaria, Ireland and Switzerland). Today, this is a solid and expanding Group, the result of a combination of several initiatives based on a number of clear objectives: To become a leading international company through excellence, quality, experience and know how, to resolve the problems of their Customers and in this way, move forward and develop together. Collaboration and coordination between the different members of the Group generate synergies that allow

Steel Pipe & Tube ManufacturingGrupo Condesa

them to tackle large markets with guarantees and with an excellent capacity to respond to Customers’ needs. Thanks to their large international network, they are always very close to their Customers, attending to their needs and providing solutions at each moment in time.

Its product line strategy

Grupo Condesa is one of the largest European manufacturers of carbon steel tubes, profiles and stainless steel tubes.

They are offering high value added solutions and products for many of the leading brand names in the most important sectors: automotive, construction, furniture, public works, providers

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: GRUPO CONDESA OPERATIONS: Manufacture of carbon and stainless welded steel tubes and profiles ESTABLISHED: 1954 EMPLOYEES: 2000 TURNOVER: 1.000 MILLONES €

www.condesa.com Manufacturing-Journal | 55 |

of executive charter services. The company provides their Clients with almost six decades of experience and quality standards with an unmatched safety record. Their success during the last several years was enormous. The major aspects of Grupo Condesa’s international performance are their product development, their extensive marketing and the human approach to high technology.

The Group produces 1.4 million tonnes per year and its current turnover is 1000 million euros. But what caused this giant strength? For sure a very special way of acting of the company is its product line strategy. While most major companies produce different products with sometimes negligible differences in their respective specifications, Grupo Condesa invests all its efforts into the development of a few really good products, thus making the best of one single device and giving the Customer the possibility of choosing rapidly without the need of a thorough documentation. It is often said that the best business portfolio is one that fits the company’s strengths and helps exploit the most attractive opportunities. Develop growth strategies for adding new products and businesses to the portfolio, whilst at the same time deciding when products and businesses should no longer be retained. In their opinion: “The evolution means there is no going back. Progress and a will to succeed urge us to move forward just a little bit more every day- they saidFor that reason, Grupo Condesa wishes to share its international growth and convey a new and unified image as the leading company in this sector, with an increasing range of products with better features at the service of their Customers”. They see investment and development opportunities based on their global focus and business concept. From their central base in Vitoria (Alava), and with their vast experience within Central Europe they are in a perfect position to obtain strong growth rates in fragmented market segments and significant progress in transformation to market based systems.

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The company’s products which are most directly related to their core competencies are: •

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Structural Hollow Section - offers a wide range of tubes of different shapes (round, square, rectangular and elliptical), manufactured according to different processes ac-

Steel Pipe & Tube ManufacturingGrupo Condesa

•

cording to the application. The use of steel tubular sections provides for strong, light and profitable structures and as a result offer a host of possibilities in terms of application (expressive capacity). The use of these products also facilitates designs with a greater aesthetic appeal.

Precision Tubes - provided by Condesa are supplied with BKM finish (welded and sized), GBK (annealed) and NBK (normalised). With regard to the geometric forms, tubes may be round, square, rectangular, oval, semi-oval, elliptical and special, among others. The most common applications are in the furniture and camping industries, the auxiliary automobile industry, carpentry, lock-making, structural elements, the construction of machinery and equipment or greenhouses.

Stainless Steel Tube - produced by Condesa Inox, manufactures stainless steel austhenitic and ferritic grades, supplying tubes for decorative construction, general uses and automotive markets.

Cold Drawn Tube - is obtained from welded hollows from which the internal weld is removed and one or several of special cycles are applied.

Gas and General Use Tube - this product supplied by Condesa has high mechanical strength and for this reason perform better under tensile stress, pressure, compression, etc., and greater resistance to external impact and attacks. In terms of health, tubes made with galvanised material are considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be the most suitable type of tube for drinking water.

Profile Tube - In order to manufacture these special welded sections,

•

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Grupo Condesa not only uses the most modern processes and technologies, but also a qualified and experienced team of specialists equipped with the latest generation of computer technology. This allows them to do more than just supply tubes or sections. They said that they can offer tailor-made solutions for each requirement and if necessary, work together with their Customers on the definition of the product to satisfy their needs.

With regard to materials and qualities, this company works both with carbon, black, semi bright, cold or galvanised steels, and stainless steel, atmospheric corrosion resistance steels, etc. It is also possible to work with several grades of steel, including materials with high yield strength, etc.

Carpentry Tube - tubular steel sections are of great interest for the construction industry due to shorter installation times, strength, duration and rigidity, as well as ease of use, leading to high overall economy. Moreover, their attractive appearance gives them great aesthetic appeal. There are different kinds of carpentry sections: Series A, B and C for carpentry and lock-making and D Series for carpentry with seals.

Tubes and Profiles for Greenhouses - Grupo Condesa has two kinds of tubes and sections designed for the framework of greenhouses for the banana, horticultural and flower sectors: on the one hand, hot rolled tubes and hot dipped galvanised tubes, and on the other, Sendzimir galvanised tubes.

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Open profiles - with regard to the state of the steel used in the sections, they can supply their Clients with black steel, pickled, cold formed, sendzimir galvanised, hot dip galvanised, stainless steel and pre-lacquered.

Equipment and Crash Barriers - the metal crash barrier manufactured

by Grupo Condesa is a semi-rigid type and its use has a direct effect on increasing safety on roads, dual carriageways and motorways. This company aims to provide an overall solution for the supply and installation of metal crash barriers.

They build their reputation with...

In business today, maintaining a close relationship is the corner stone of exemplary Customer service. Grupo Condesa strives toward that aim and offers services that complement each other. In doing so, this Spanish company has provided a great solutions for its Customers and give them an opportunity to build an enduring relationship with them.

This is the very best way to understand Customer’s needs and to serve Clients even better in the future. Sensitivity to Customers is something that has driven Grupo Condesa’s success from the outset. Although the company has experienced significant growth in the past and will continue to expand its capabilities in the future, Customers can rest assure that maintaining these important relationships is something that will never change.  Written by Katarzyna Olszowska

Steel Pipe & Tube ManufacturingGrupo Condesa

Manufacturing-Journal | 57 |

S TI CL E AR

New effective technologies in cattle breeding

Z

apagromash Group is one of the leading companies in the CIS producing machinery for cattle breeding and feeding. More than 2000 TMR-mixers work successfully on the farms in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. Zapagromash Group is known for its highly professional approach, experienced personnel, high quality of the production, warranty and service. The company has very positive reputation and is widely viewed as a reliable partner. Major activities of «Zapagromash» Ltd. are manufacturing and delivery of agricultural machinery. The production facilities of Zapagromash in Belarus are located on the territory of 4.500 m2, while the office area occupies 500 m2. In 2008 TMR-mixers production was launched in Russia on the basis of the Intensive Technologies enterprise where the rented production facilities occupy 2000 m2 and office premises - 50 m2. Both enterprises employ 130 people, among them 60 people work in administration.

Solutions for cattle breeding

The group has established lasting business relations with major European agricultural machinery manufacturers, organized production and delivery of up-to-date equipment for cattle breeding and other branches. The machinery produced by the group is valued for its quality, reliability and by that it complies with the European quality standards which all enable farmers to achieve high production results. At present the plants of the group manufacture TMR-mixer ISRK «KHOZYAIN» in different modifications under the license of the European manufacturers using proprietary parts.

TMR-mixer is exported to many CIS countries. All the products of Zapagromash are known within the CIS territory under the brand name Khozyain. The machines have obtained appropriate quality certificates and the quality has been proved by positive feedback from customers.

•

to encourage a personal improvement of each worker; to use company’s profits in an optimal and the most effective way to increase well-being of every person involved in the company and of the local society.

The company also renders services in technical consulting, machinery delivery, commissioning, warranty and post-

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Zapagromash Ltd.

Quality is a key word in all Zapagromash activities. The company sees its main goals in the following:

PRESIDENT: A. Fedukovich

•

OPERATIONS: Production machinery for cattle breeding and feeding

• • •

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•

to provide clients with the best solutions among those available in cattle feeding and breeding industry; to produce TMR-mixers using stateof-the-art technologies of the Western companies; to implement effective and energy saving technologies of cattle feeding and breeding on farms; to be a company open for cooperation;

Agriculture IndustryZapagromash

ESTABLISHED: 2002 EMPLOYEES: 150

www.hozain.com

warranty service, delivery of spare parts and consumables.

Milestones of product development

Zapagromash company had several significant milestones in its development which defined the company’s dynamic growth. In 2001 Zapagromash signed a contract for production of special machinery under license of the Italian company Storti and then the first TMR-mixer ISRK-12 with horizontal augers was produсed. Next within 3 years the production of ISRK-12G machines with selfloading function as well as ISRK-12F with loading mill was launched and put into serial production. Later on in 2004 the production of TMR-mixers with vertical augers was launched which extended a list of the machines offered and increase of a number of Zapagromash clients. In 2010 Zapagromash first presented its Khozyain New Line machines - vertical mixer feeders with bunkers of 6 and 21 m3, which are absolutely new machines in the Khozyain product range. Another addition to the product range was ISRK12F - a modified horizontal TMR-mixer of advanced design. Since 2001 the company has been actively implementing highly cost-effective and efficient technology of cattle feeding using the mobile TMR-mixers drawn by tractor motor drive. For example,the tractor motor-drawn feed processing room — ISRK-12 „Khozyain” is manufactured under license and uses components from the leading European manufacturers.

This machine helps increase milking and actual increment by 15 – 30 %, reduce costs for fodder preparation, save fuel and power. So, basically it all results in automatization of work which helps reduce costs considerably using human resources in other tasks and naturally saving fodder due to its better eatability.

Design advantages

All TMR-mixers are characterized by high

Agriculture IndustryZapagromash

Manufacturing-Journal | 59 |

reliability due to use of the main parts produced by the best European companies. Most quickly-wearing parts are produced by Zapagromash, therefore all parts can be supplied very quickly. The design of the machines is continuously being improved, on the basis of the information received from end customers, becoming more and more advanced.

Zapagromash pays special attention to the high level of service. The TMR-mixers have a 12-months warranty after which Zapagromash provides post-warranty service and supply of spare parts. There is a developed service system created in Russia - with 50 service centers on the basis of dealer’s enterprises. The main parts guarantee smooth work of feeding machine up to 10 years. TMR-mixer is shipped with an extended package of spare parts for the post-warranty period.

There are a number of important features of the Khozyain machines, which give them the following advantages: certification in Russia and Belarus and all-around testing, adaptation to conditions of the CIS countries. Moreover, due to the dimensions they can be operated without the premises reconstruction.

Each feature of the machine is worked out perfectly for specific works. The two-auger machine with special knives is the most efficient for milling of longfibre straw and hay, as well as root crops.

Whereas 2-speed unique gearbox is engineered to use four speeds of the auger rotation and choose optimal modes for various types of components (depending on humidity, milling and compaction). The independent hydraulic system, in its turn, provides high reliability and durability. The TMR-mixers are equipped

| 60 | Manufacturing-Journal

with electronic weighing system with memory. 12 m3 capacity provides fodder for 1000 head per shift. Finally, one of the most important things for potential customers is that the payback period for the herd of 1000 heads is 6 months.

It is achieved by productivity increase, power saving technology, reduction

of costs for medications, labour saving technology, improvement of fodder digestion, use of straw and other fodder rich in dietary fiber.

10 years of development

The main treasure of Zapagromash is the team of professionals. All people working in the design group, service and commercial departments are highly-qualified and have been trained at the best plants of Europe being fully devoted to their work. The company’s management has chosen the right business strategy, i.e. implementation of new technologies into cattle breeding industry and providing the producers of agricultural goods with the reliable and highly-effective machines as well as the qualified technical maintenance. For 10 years of its work Zapagromash has been

Agriculture IndustryZapagromash

able to win the clients’ trust. More than 2000 machines work around the whole year through summer and winter from the Black Sea to the Kamchatka Peninsula. The first machines produced by Zapagromash 10 years ago are still working and bringing its owners real profit.

Clients’ trust and good reputation of the company are the main achievements of the 10 years of intensive work. Moreover for 10 years Zapagromash has been consequently developing its dealer and service network in Russia, Ukraine and Moldova. The technological processes were improved as well as new machines were purchased. The production facilities in Russia were founded. All this was achieved within a relatively short period of time. The future plans of Zapagromash involve further extension of the product range, improvement of the machines and taking stronger position in the CIS countries. Zapagromash is open for cooperation with the European countries.

Recognition of achievements

Products of Zapagromash were highly appreciated not only by the customers but also by different organizations.

For example, in 2000-2003 in Moscow «KHOZYAIN» had been three times awarded with medals at the All-Russian agro-industrial exhibition as “The Best Machine for Agriculture”. In 2009 Khozyain TMR-mixers were awarded with the prize as „The Best Cattle Breeding Machine” in independent competition organized within the largest international exhibition in the CIS Zolotaya Osen. In 2010 RVS-1500D was awarded with the silver medal in an independent professional competition of innovative machinery held within Agrosalon-2010 fair in Moscow. Whereas mixer feeder SRK-21B Khozyain New Line was awarded with the golden medal in a competition in the New Types of Engineering production Nomination. These awards prove high reliability and innovation of the Zapagromash machines.  Written by Kateryna Ferdyn

S TI CL E AR

FACT BOX

Follow their Lead

T

hey design, build and service. In next to no time they can erect a factory floor, a school, an office building, a car park or a solar power system. They guarantee competitive pricing and topnotch quality. Self-sustained, family-owned and based on modular technology, this business also seeks to protect the environment and promotes healthy lifestyle. With more than 40 years of its proven track record, they are counted among construction trendsetters in Germany and have made their presence felt all over Europe, Poland included. Who are they? Read all about Goldbeck below.

In the Ascendancy FULL NAME: Goldbeck Sp. z o.o.

PRESIDENT: Piotr Brańka OPERATIONS: Construction of warehouse halls and logistics centres as well as MFP plants ESTABLISHED: 1997 EMPLOYEES: 40

www.goldbeck.de/pl

1 4

Concrete Installation

Installation of thermal and water- resistant insulation and assembly of external cladding

Set up as Goldbeck Stahlbau KG in 1969, the company first excelled in traditional steel construction. For more than ten years since, it had gained enough experience and built a comfortable position on the market. With the foundations solid enough to absorb it, the company underwent a dramatic change in the 80s. For a rapidly growing business such as Goldbeck, steel construction alone proved no longer sufficient. Hence the idea to expand the offer and provide aluminium and turnkey solutions together with prefabricated construction components. Goldbeck’s management meant business from the very start: these products had to ring a bell with the Clients and be at their fingertips, too. For this reason, the company established a comprehensive network of subsidiaries and transformed into Goldbeckbau – Ge-

2 5

Installation of prefabricated columns

Finishing works

Construction IndustryGoldbeck

bäude aus Stahl und Aluminium. This approach soon yielded desired results.

With annual rates of increase reaching double figures, the subsequent decade became that of growth and prosperity.

It was then also that facility management services were first introduced and the company’s current slogan “Design – Build – Service” was created. Last, but not least, came the noughties, when Goldbeck set out to win over the markets in Central Europe, Austria, Switzerland and the UK; and expanded the product range with solar systems, renovation works and solutions sought after in Public Private Partnership.

Corporate Philosophy

“Design – Build – Service.” These fundamental concepts should now be presented in greater depth. Complex

3 6

Assembly of prefabricated elements, columns and wall components as well as roof construction Final

Manufacturing-Journal | 61 |

construction projects require a wide range of competences.

The selection of land, client-specific planning of premises and their prospective extension: these details and many more are seen to by Goldbeck’s experienced designers. At Goldbeck, even rough sketches and estimates are made with a view to meeting three basic requirements: efficiency, quality and timely delivery.

Once the design is ready, the job is taken over and carried on by builders and engineers. It should be emphasised again and again: Goldbeck builds using industrially prefabricated construction elements from its own production facilities.

Hence all the elements, including concrete components, steel supporting structures, aluminium facades and windows, are marked by precisely defined and reproducible quality. This technology also allows for timely delivery and makes it possible for the Investor to reduce installation expenses and thus better profitability of project. On the completion of the building, it is finally the facility management department that enters the stage. These people are responsible for a wide range of tailor-made solutions such as maintenance, cleaning and caretaking services

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Construction IndustryGoldbeck

together with cost- and energy-effective estate management. “Pricing, speed, quality and our own design offices hardened by demanding German market: these are our chief assets. In 2008 alone we carried off the following prestigious awards: the CEE Real Estate Commercial & Construction Services Company of the Year and Panattoni Europe Business Partner – the Contractor of the Year,” summarises Piotr Brańka.

Goldbeck in Poland

In 1969, the company began activity with only seven people onboard. Today the annual turnover of the group tops 1 billion Euros and is generated by 2,389 employees scattered all over 37 subsidiaries in Germany and in other European countries. A global player as it is, Goldbeck has made its presence felt in Poland, too, setting up two branches in Komorniki (Poznań area) and Kraków.

Their first project in Poland, the Helix Schuhfabrik industrial hall was completed already in 1997 in Lubsko, Lower Silesia. Subsequent deals came before long: in the same year Goldbeck jumped at the chance to strike a lucrative deal with Isuzu Motors Poland, Tychy, Upper Silesia. Two years later the Isuzu engines factory celebrated its grand opening and it was Mr Leszek Balcerowicz himself, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister at the time, who attended the ceremony. However, it is well after 2000 that the company’s growth in Poland finally picked up its momentum. Poland acceding to the EU played an obvious part in this.

As soon as the Polish market opened for overseas capital, the branches of global brands started springing up all over the country. With new warehouses much in

demand, particularly thriving was the logistics industry. For Goldbeck, this has become a real window of opportunity.

Bigger, Better, Faster, More

With its cutting-edge Gobaplus technology, the company is well equipped to complete huge industrial construction projects. This unique system utilises lightweight supporting structures, which in turn enable the facilities to be large and safe at the same time. Flexible and vast, the space thus created can serve a number of purposes. The modular structure of the facility and the prefabricated components, which the facility is made up of, allow for top quality, atractive pricing and timely installation.

“Our expertise in erecting logistics halls is undeniable. We are well familiar with the requirements of the logistics industry. We also do our best to meet them.

So far we have catered for the automotive industry, chemical and food sector, plastics, textiles and metal processing.

Our services are more varied than just warehouses and factories, however. We have also built a number of specialist markets, shopping centres and exhibition areas. And to top it off, we can boast technologies such as Gobaplan, Gobacar, Gobasport and Gobasolar.”

New Challenges Office buildings and multilevel parkings

What is a perfect office building like?

There can only be one answer to this question, namely the one that satisfies the Client. Industries, companies and people vary and so should the premises that cater for their needs. It is thanks to the Gobaplan technology that Goldbeck can do justice to this diversity. Moreover, the Gobacar solutions allow the business to complete single floor park decks and multi-storey car parks in a high level of quality and with short construction times. These premises help address the lack of parking spaces for clinics, private businesses, airports, public use facilities and many more. Numbers speak louder than words. So far Goldbeck has built over 450 facilities providing 150,000 new parking spaces in Germany and in other European countries. “Our cities are running out of space available for parking. We know how to address this issue.

We also know how to make the most of the tiniest plot of land. Our multi-storey

Construction IndustryGoldbeck

car parks are modern, functional and pleasing to the eye. Our designers do their best to match the facilities to the existing cityscape and to cater for the needs of the Client, no matter if they are of practical, aesthetic or marketing nature,” adds Piotr Brańka.

What the Future Holds

The sun provides energy that is priceless and yet free of charge. This enormously huge potential is virtually at our fingertips. Goldbeck knows how to use it and: their expertise places Goldbeck in the avant-garde of contemporary sustainable solutions providers. With a view to clean energy production the company has come up with the innovative Gobasolar technology. Be it an office building, an industrial hall, a car park or a sports hall, Goldbeck will not only equip these with a state-of-the art solar power system, but will also secure a high level of installation and operational safety. It provides both rooftop and open-space substructure systems, which are tailormade, lightweight and reliable. “This is our most promising product, together with the sports halls” says Piotr Brańka “It isn’t long before the Euro 2012 opening ceremony is going to be held. Of course, sports infrastructure is rather on the expensive side. We can see, however, that the government spares no expense on either local football grounds or large stadiums. We expect that sports halls are next in line to be developed. When would that happen? In not too the distant future, I believe. We have been biding our time for some time already. We have also brushed up on the Gobasport technology, which is now ready to use.” Written by Bartosz Sowiński

Manufacturing-Journal | 63 |

The technology is light years ahead.

TEN YEARS

SYNGENTA

The benefits are here today.

Technology for cooling sugar that uses 90% less energy.

Solex develops world leading technology for cooling, heating and drying a wide variety of free flowing bulk solids such as sugar, fertilizer, chemicals, plastics, minerals, and many other types of granules, crystals and powders.

Sugar Beet Hybrids • • • • • •

High level of sugar content and easy processing Excellent field germination and early crop stand High percentage of monogerminity Complex disease resistance Easy harvesting and low mud content High yield potential

HM 1820, Nero, Silvetta, Kampai, Horta, Freja, Heracles, Atamansha, Prometa, Olympiada, Triada, Veles, Spartak, Silenta, Rasanta, Volga, Caligula, SY Oka, SY Rakolta

FORCE MAGNA

Best solution for early crop protection •

•

Find out how we do it at www.solexthermal.com

•

Combination of two best insecticides – Thiametoxam (CRUISER) and Tefluthrin (FORCE) – which is used for sugar beet seeds pelleting Provides contact-systemic and gas-penetrating effect on soil and foliar pests Due to Vigor™ Effect it stimulates the development of root system and elevated parts of the plant which ensures stable and early shoots www.syngenta.ru

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AgricultureProdimex

S TI CL E AR

Russia’s agricultural giant

P

rodimex is one of the principal agricultural holdings in Russia. The group incorporates a large number of enterprises in different parts of the country.

History of

development

Prodimex has been established as a trading company in 1992. Three major stages of development can Chief Operational Officer be distinguished Victor Aleksahin in company’s history. The formation of the company coincided with severe economic, political and social changes. New economic relations were accompanied by government’s withdrawal from active economic life. The established industrial and economic connections between enterprises and entire regions were broken. The private businesses that were emerging basically had to restore and re-establish former economic ties. During the Soviet times large share of the consumption volume of white sugar was delivered to Russian from Ukraine. Since 1993, the Prodimex company started delivering white sugar to Russia. In the period from 1994 to 1996, the company became the major importer of white sugar from Ukraine. In 1996 Prodimex purchased its first sugar mills. At that point, it became obvious that if the company was to develop and achieve the desired results it needed to start building a manufacturing basis and invest in production.

Within five years, till 2001, the company acquired 11 sugar mills, as well as 8 agro-enterprises, with over 60 hectares of land. Today, after 18 years of successful development, the company owns 16 sugar mills located in three regions of Russia: the company has 12 sugar mills in the Central Chernozem Region, 3 sugar mills in the Southern Federal District, and one factory in the Republic of Bashkortostan, also the company has citric acid plant, which is the only one in Russia that produces citric acid. The production capacity of all sugar factories

AgricultureProdimex

is over 75 thousand tones of beets per day. The 16th plant was acquired in the end of 2010 after finalization of the M&A deal with one of the leading providers of sugar and molasses – British ED&F Man. The Prodimex group acquired a controlling interest Liski sugar factory, which is one of the two sugar factories in Russia, producing high quality sugar that meets the requirements of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola. In 2005 the company began a massive investment program aimed at increasing the production capacity of the plants and reducing production losses. The accent was made on four factories located in three native zones.

As a fact the investments achieved a result: these factories have capacity to process more than 36 thousand beet per day. Basing on the actual processing season 2010, Uspensky sugar factory (in

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: PRODIMEX GROUP

MANAGEMENT: CEO of the Group - Achim Lukas COO - Victor Aleksahin OPERATIONS: Sugar & Agri products producer ESTABLISHED: 1992 EMPLOYEES: 12 000 TURNOVER: more than 1 bln USD (2010)

www.prodimex.ru Manufacturing-Journal | 65 |

BABBINI

PRESSES

PB22FS PRESSES – Uspenskiy PRODIMEX Babbini wishes all success to Prodimex Group and it is honoured to be its preferred supplier for pulp presses for some years.

Comparative performance diagrams between two presses with the same capacity (P24 and PB32FS) with old and new technology.

BABBINI S.p.A. Loc. Belchiaro, 135/A 47012 CIVITELLA DI R. (FC) - Italy Phone: +39 0543 983400 Fax: +39 0543 983424 E-mail: babbpres@tin.it Web: www.babbinipresses.com

| 66 | Manufacturing-Journal

AgricultureProdimex

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Phone: +47 5598 4020 info@stord-international.no www.stord-international.no

AgricultureProdimex

Manufacturing-Journal | 67 |

the South region) is the biggest one in CIS. Particular attention was devoted to the efficient energy use and reduction of energy consumption. Currently, the Prodimex company is the largest producer of sugar in Russia with the market share of about 22 %. The company started investing in agro-business already in 2001, at the end of 2011, the land bank of the company will amount to 0.5 million hectares, 20 % of the land bank is under beet processing. The aim of the company is provide 50% of the beets for sugar production by the own growing.

This involves continuous investment in land, harvesting equipment and logistics, which will allow timely deliveries of the sugar beets from the fields to the production factories. It is also a good way to guarantee quality and safety of raw materials. These conditions created by the current regime of customs regulation of the market, which allows us to develop our own production of sugar beets, and have thus profitability above the average for other crops.

Competitive advantage

There are several factors that form the company’s competitive advantage, the first on is the Team. Management team of Prodimex combines many years of successful experience of Russian managers with advanced European knowledge and competence. Three years ago the number of European specialists in sugar and agricultural businesses jointed the company, among them Achim Lukas (CEO of the Prodimex Group) and Werner Kuester (The Head of the Sugar division) – well know European specialists with great experience in industry.

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AgricultureProdimex

Today, the company employs more than 12 thousand people. Prodimex takes pride in having kept many of the employees since the company was established in 1992. Other factors include vertical integration and territorial diversification. Vertical integration allows to understand the entire chain of different business processes and to react quickly to external changes. Moreover, vertical integration produces the effect of synergy and increases profitability of all operations. The added value of all production and business processes starting with growing crops through production of sugar to marketing of the finished products remains in the company. Territorial diversification allows Prodimex to reduce the risks associated with weather conditions. The network of trading dealers in different regions of the country is yet another important factor of the company’s competitive advantage. The system allows the company to respond quickly to requests from end-users of sugar and price fluctuations. Thanks to reliability and openness the company was able to achieve respect and trust of the customers. The company values all customers and focuses on long term cooperation, building strong business relationships with its partners. Currently only one of the company’s plants is certified according to ISO 22000:2005 standard. The company is planning to conduct certification at other plants that undergone modernization. The company managed to establish and maintain stable, long-term partnerships with leading enterprises that use sugar as a raw material for their production. This is yet another confirmation of the quality of sugar produced by Prodimex.

www.ekoniva.com

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AgricultureProdimex

Manufacturing-Journal | 69 |

Products

The company produces white sugar from sugar beets and sugar cane. Beet pulp and molasses are by-products of sugar beet production. Beet pulp is used as additive in the animal fodder. Nowadays beet pulp is dried and granulated to preserve its qualities. About 90% of all beet pulp produced in Russia is exported. The main consumers are Western European countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. Molasses is also a highly demanded raw material used in the pro-

duction of alcohol, yeast and food acids.

Belgorod Citric Acid Plant is the only plant that produces citric acid on the territory of Russia. It is necessary to mention that Prodimex group is one of the three largest Russian producers of grain.

The company has the potential of becoming a leading producer and trader of grain. Also it’s really needed to mention our Desugarisation molasses project. We finalized the project and are now planning that this new factory to achieve the planned production capacity by the end of 2011. The aim of the project is to produce the products (sugar, betaine) with high added value than molasses and also by this way to diversify our activity and take with betaine the part of the European and Asian markets.

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Financials and further development

Prodimex forecasts revenue for 2010 to exceed 1 billion dollars. The consolidated profits for 2010 will be a little bit lower than budgeted because of unfavorable weather conditions - drought. At the same time, it should be noted that the territorial diversification of the business and the insurance policy allowed the company to carry on the extreme weather condition much smoother. Also the high growth of internal market price due to reaching world sugar price the 30 years record level and also deficit of beet sugar offer in Russia compensated our losses. The group considers in future the possibility of launching an IPO on one of the European markets in order to attract a strategic investor capital.

Prodimex seeks to strengthen its leading position in agricultural production and to remain a reliable supplier and manufacturer of white sugar. The company focuses on economic development in regions where the company operates, and strives to help its employees to fulfill their potential. The major nearterm goal of the company is to produce at least 30% of beet sugar on the Russian market. The long-term strategy includes is the diversification of production. The company models its strategy on the experience of European sugar producers, which have diversified production lines, manufacturing sugar for further use in the products that use sugar as raw material. Moreover, as a company with high agricultural potential, Prodimex is interested in production of environmentally friendly fuel.  Written by Elena Rozhko

AgricultureProdimex

S TI CL E AR

Innovation and drive for success

M

yronivsky Hliboproduct (MHP) is one of the leading agro-industrial companies in Ukraine.

The group focuses on rearing, production, and distribution of poultry. The products are marketed under “Nasha Riaba” brand.

Important dates

Chief Executive Officer Yuriy Kosiuk

The company was established in 1998, and by 2002 it launched a new brand of chilled chicken “Nasha Riaba”, which started to compete successfully with the chicken products imported from the USA. Two years later, in 2004, MHP has put into operation a sunflower crushing plant, which allowed to substitute imported soya beans with sunflower seeds in the production of fodder. This guaranteed a significant reduction of the costs of production. In 2005, in order to supply the crops, necessary for the production of fodder, the MHP group incorporated a farm growing such crops as wheat, corn, and barley. In 2006, the MHP group has built the first plant in Ukraine to produce semi-finished meat products. The company launched the “Lehko!” brand of frozen convenience meat products made of poultry, beef, and pork. In 2007, the first production line of Myronivka Poultry Farm – state of the art facility built from “naught” has been put into operation.

In 2009, after the launch of the second production line, Myronivka Farm has become one of the biggest poultry farm in Europe with the annual production capacity of 220 thousand tons of poultry. In 2008 the MHP group listed on the

London Stock Exchange. In 2010, in the Vinnytsia region, the company began the construction of the largest chicken complex in Europe. The complex is to incorporate all stages of vertical integration business model: 1) a breeding facility, 2) a hatchery, 3) a broiler farm and a slaughter house, 4) a fodder plant, 5) a sunflower crushing plant; 6) and different infrastructure. The new complex will be two times larger than Myronivka Poultry Farm with the annual production capacity of 440 thousand tons.

Unique development strategy

Established just over 10 years ago, MHP is a vertically integrated company. Vertical integration minimalizes the company’s dependence on external suppliers of raw materials, consequently increas-

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: OJSC Myronivsky Hliboproduct PRESIDENT: Yuriy Kosiuk, CEO OPERATIONS: 360,000 tonnes poultry meat ESTABLISHED: 1998 EMPLOYEES: 22,000 REVENUE: 2009 - $711 mln

www.mhp.com.ua Food & Beverage IndustryMyronivsky Hliboproduct

Manufacturing-Journal | 71 |

ing cost efficiency. The group combines three related segments. The major segment is production of poultry and related goods: production of chilled and frozen chicken, and pre-cooked convenience food. The second segment includes grain growing operations of corn, sunflower, wheat, rape and other crops.

The last but not least is the segment of other agricultural operations which covers the production of sausages, cooked meat, premium fresh beef, foie gras, and fruit. In the recent years, the company expanded its production capacity in all three sectors. Firstly, between 2006 and 2010, the production of chicken meat increased by 170% - from 133 to 360 tons per annum. The output is expected to increase by 58% between 2010 and 2015, after the first two production lines of the new poultry farm Vinnytsia Broiler will be put into operation. Secondly, the company is largely investing in land. Only during 2010, the company acquired over 100 thousand hectares of land making the MHP group an owner of appx. 300 thousand hectares of land.

Thirdly, the production capacity of the company increased by 33% in 2010 and is expected to grow by at least another 30 % in 2011. At the moment the company exports about 10% of the chicken

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Food & Beverage IndustryMyronivsky Hliboproduct

meat it produces, while 90% of meat is distributed on the domestic market.

In the near future the company plans to increase the export to 15-20%. MHP enterprises which can export products have already been inspected by EU Committee and receive a certificate of compliance with EU standards. The main objective of the MHP group is to provide high quality products. The company contributes to the economical development of the Ukraine by building new production facilities. MHP focuses on the development and growth. The company values its employees and their contribution to the company. The group employs around 22 thousand people.

Thanks to the high quality of its products the company was able to quickly gain the trust of the customers, which guarantees successful development and growth. The following quality and food safety standards have been introduced at the company: HACCP, ISO 22000:2005, 9001:2008. In 2010 the Marketing Media Review awarded the “Nasha Riaba” has won a nomination of “Industry’s Benchmark”. The company’s dynamic development strategy guarantees high financial results. The expected revenue for 2010 is 920 million dollars, EBITDA - 310 - 320 million dollars, EBITDA margin - 35 %.

Among four chief poultry producers in Ukraine, MHP is the largest. The company’s market share in 2010 reached 50%. The main goal of the MHP group is to maintain its leading position in the sector of poultry and grain production in Ukraine and in 5 to 8 years to become Europe’s leading producer of poultry.

Another important objective is further vertical integration. The company has many strategic advantages such as the use of latest technologies, stable and unique business model, skilled personnel, and the desire, ability and strengths to develop. During its 12 year long history, the main belief of MHP is that “If you want something to be done well, do it yourself.” In compliance with this belief, the MHP equips, operates and manages all its facilities. The key values on which the company is build include efficiency, quality, affordability, responsibility, market leadership, profitability, proficiency, market share.

Product range

The “Nasha Riaba” brand was launched in 2002. Thanks to the intensive marketing campaign, by 2003 there were about 1,000 retail outlets all over the country.

In 2010 the brand awareness of “Nasha Riaba” reached 97%. MHP plans to introduce new types of packaging and to include natural chicken products (without GMO, flavorings and preservatives) in order to extend the brand’s line of products. The “Druzhba Narodiv” brand includes sausages and ham products.

The brand offers 90 different kinds of ham and sausages made from in-house (produced by MHP’s enterprises) raw materials. The “Baschinsky” brand includes various kinds of meat products.

The brand offers cooked, smoked and semi-smoked sausages and hams: overall around 48 different products. The “Europroduct” brand offers optimal correlation of price and quality. The brand includes various types of sausages and hams. The MHP group is an innovative company. The “Lehko!” brand was intro-

duced to the market in 2006. It includes various kinds of pre-cooked poultry, beef and pork products. The product line includes 23 products. Pre-cooked products are very popular because they allow to save time spend on preparation of meals. The “Foie-Gras” brand was launched in 2005. At the moment, MHP is the only commercial producer of goose and foie-gras in Ukraine. The product are available both chilled and frozen. MHP plans to begin exporting its goose meat products to other European countries. The “Certified Angus” brand was launched in 2004. It is a brand of fresh beef produced from specially breed Aberdeen-Angus cattle. This kind of meat is best for steaks. It is valued for its rich taste and tenderness. It is proud to be the first company in Ukraine which started industrial production of chilled chicken, offering the Ukrainian customer a domestic alternative to the imported from the USA deeply frozen chicken legs. MHP has established the first plant

for production of pre-cooked food. The largest poultry farm in Europe has also been built by MHP. The company is proud of the fact that Ukrainian customers trust the quality of its products and remain loyal both to the company and its brands.  Written by Elena Rozhko

Food & Beverage IndustryMyronivsky Hliboproduct

Manufacturing-Journal | 73 |

S TI CL E AR

A success story from Morocco

S

OTHEMA is a fast growing pharmaceutical company based in the region of Casablanca, Morocco. The very beginning of SOTHEMA project started in 1976 with the production of a toothpaste and mouthwash as main activity. The portfolio of the laboratory consisted in only two references and the number of employees didn’t exceed 10 people.

In 1980, SOTHEMA built its first real factory of 2600 m² covered area in the industrial zone of Bouskoura, located about 20 km from Casablanca. AlongPresident side this investMr Omar TAZI ment, SOTHEMA recruited new partner laboratories leaders in scientific research. Thanks to these partnerships, SOTHEMA managed to launch new types of drugs on the Moroccan market and has built a specialist position in several activities. Indeed, SOTHEMA started in 1983 the production of insulin. A few years later, SOTHEMA began the production of serum in flexible pouches and eye-drops. Its industrial site has undergone numerous extensions to reach the covered surface of 65,000 m² with 5 production units like the unit of cephalosporins and another one for injected drugs. Thanks to technologies, know-how of its employees and manufacturing quality recognized by the major international laboratories, SOTHEMA is now the leading Moroccan laboratory in shaping for 33 foreign clients and a leader in export. In the future, the company will make more value added biotechnology products such as vaccines and anti-hepatic. Today SOTHEMA is a company with strong values and assets. Its IPO in 2005 made it the first Moroccan pharmaceutical laboratory listed on the stock exchange. This will give SOTHEMA access to larger financing possibilities for the future expansion of the group in Morocco and abroad.

Export and opening factories abroad

A large and growing part of the company’s production is destined to exporta-

Pharmaceutical IndustrySOTHEMA

tion, mainly to the north and west of Africa but also to Europe, and Persian Gulf.

One of the company’s ambitions is to expand in the future on American and European markets thanks to free trade agreements signed by Morocco. To stimulate its foreign development on the African continent, SOTHEMA decided to set up a subsidiary in Senegal. That’s how WEST AFRIC PHARMA opened recently a 4000 m² factory - fully equipped with the highest quality standards of the pharmaceutical industry - which is dedicated to the production of generic drugs for the west African markets. This huge project which will help Senegal to be self-sufficient in the drug production was launched a few years ago but the industrial production just started at the end of 2010.

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Société de Thérapeutique Marocaine PRESIDENT: Omar TAZI OPERATIONS: Pharmaceutical Industry ESTABLISHED: 1976 EMPLOYEES: 960 TURNOVER: 821 mln MAD = 82,1 mln euro

www.sothema.com Manufacturing-Journal | 75 |

The main strength of the company: the quality According to SOTHEMA’s CEO Omar TAZI, the reputation of the company and its products is the first priority: « At SOTHEMA, we know what really count is not what we say about ourselves but rather what is said about us and what we do. » Sothema’s production is submitted to a series of controls implemented internally and by principal laboratories and external organisms. They are determining since they allow SOTHEMA to guarantee the conformity of its fabrication with the most recognized standards of quality in the pharmaceutical field. This recognition binds the moral responsibility of the enterprise regarding its partners. Besides the accreditations by the European agencies such as the AFSSAP and INFARMED, SOTHEMA is certified in conformity with the pharmaceutical norms GMP (Good Manu-

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Pharmaceutical IndustrySOTHEMA

facturing Practices). From a commercial point of view, SOTHEMA is also certified in conformity with the ISO 9001 version 2000 standard. Thanks to these international recognitions of its high quality standards, SOTHEMA has the confidence of several major companies of the sector which entrust a part of their production to SOTHEMA’s factories.

A company proud of its people

As a technological company, SOTHEMA’s main resource is its staff which reach today more than 850 people including 100 managers. With its particular philosophy concerning the human resources management, SOTHEMA makes of the employee its top priority. It also endeavors to maintain the respect and the rigorous implementation of the procedures as well as their simplification.

Objective: to facilitate the implementa-

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tion (from the name of its president and founder) which will promote and finance charity projects in area of health, culture and micro-finance.

SOTHEMA and European market

tion of tasks and humanize the relations between the Sothemians. The human resources policy of SOTHEMA is based on strong values of respect for employees, trust and demand. The stages of HR process are : recruitment, training, career management, etc. The integration of new employees in SOTHEMA is made according to their training, experience and also their human potential. For the common interest, the employees can choose their mission. Coaching is a variable that cannot be dissociated from the SOTHEMA’s HR policy. Indeed, the managers are close to their teams in order to help them in the accomplishment of their tasks. They regularly and rigorously follow the process of the mission of each member. As Mr. Omar Tazi says the personal involvement of SOTHEMA’s employees is very important : «With the Sothemians, we form a real family that really believes in our motto “Energies for life”. »

At the European level, the dynamic of the concentrations of pharmaceutical companies is still ongoing. The European laboratories are involved in more and more R & D and neglect the industry. For a laboratory like SOTHEMA, this represents an opportunity to grab as

An environment friendly company

SOTHEMA has established a system for environmental and industrial security in conformity with the international norms in terms of protection of the environment and industrial security. The existence of a HES department (Health Environment & Security) is a proof that the company has adopted the culture of security. A real warning, this department works in synergy with all the elements composing the organization of SOTHEMA. It works to maintain security for all the employees, reduce the risk of industrial accidents, clean and treat toxic waste resulting from the production stage. Bouskoura’s wadi was in danger because of the industrial zone but SOTHEMA built a waste water treatment plant in order to preserve the nature. For the same reasons, SOTHEMA decided that a large part of its 6 hectares land in Bouskoura will remain unbuilt to let some free space for nature. SOTHEMA also created the Omar TAZI’s founda-

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Pharmaceutical IndustrySOTHEMA

they introduce itself as a major industrial partner for these companies. According to SOTHEMA, European pharmaceutical companies have much to gain by working with it for production contracts and promotion in Morocco and Africa where it has an outstanding presence.  Written by Nicolas Desprez

S TI CL E AR

Affordable luxury

D

ilis Cosmetic company was founded 20 years ago. Nowadays Dilis Cosmetic is a leading company in the Republic of Belarus producing perfumes. Each year in a company’s history is an important step forward in dynamic development. Still, 2009 became a special year - French company Floressence S.A.S., being a producer of perfume compounds, became a shareholder of Dilis Cosmetic. For 20 years of Dilis Cosmetic presence on the Belarussian market the company has been improving its technology and products all the time and now it produces perfumes which comply to the European quality using the most state-of-the-art equipment.

Commercial Director Natalia Kozyrenko

Since French producer has become Dilis Cosmetic’s shareholder, yet even higher standards and requirements have been set up. Dilis Cosmetic keeps improving its technology and now learns the experience from French partners. Dilis Cosmetic uses only French perfume compounds from famous producers such as F. Mane Fils, Floressence, Jean Niel, Argeville and others. All these producers, as well as S.A.S. Floressence are located in the world’s capital of perfume industry - in the French town of Grasse. Floressence mainly specializes in creating new perfume compounds having old production traditions, highly qualified perfumers, hi-tech laboratory, special machinery of new generation for creation and improvement of perfume compounds - all this contributes to stability of perfume formulas used in further production of perfumes, colognes and eau de toilettes. As markets become more and more competitive, Dilis Cosmetic does its best to strengthen its positions on the market and follow current market trends. Every year the company increases its production capacity by 20%.

Products that can make people happier

Main priority of Dilis Cosmetic is a customer, so the company produces the goods which would meet market expectations and requirements. Dilis Cosmetic chooses perfume compositions in a very thorough way - all perfume compounds are bought in France. In addition, Dilis Cosmetic pays special attention to packaging cooperating with leading European printing houses and producers of glass perfume flasks. The main company’s principle is to offer the highest quality at affordable price.

Dilis Cosmetic sees its main priorities in:

Cosmetics IndustryDilis Cosmetic

• •

•

achieving the highest possible quality of products; offering wide product range to every taste - perfumes, eau de toilette, colognes, compositions of perfumes; using market-oriented approach to creation of new products taking into account preferences of consumers and trends in the world perfume market.

Currently Dilis Cosmetic in cooperation with its partner S.A.S. Floressence produces more than 200 items of products.

Each season the company presents new

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Dilis Cosmetic Joint Stock Company PRESIDENT: Edmond Shemis OPERATIONS: Manufacturing of perfumes ESTABLISHED: 1991 EMPLOYEES: 280

www.dilis.by Manufacturing-Journal | 79 |

products to the market and improves the existing assortment. There are a few specific features of Dilis Cosmetic perfume products which are highly appreciated by Dilis Cosmetic customers and specialists in the fragrance industry.

Dilis Cosmetic perfumes are characterized by multiple notes of fragrance, stability and nobility of scents. The content of fragrance compositions in all Dilis Cosmetic products comply to the highest French standards. Dilis Cosmetic respects its customers and does its best to bring them satisfaction with its perfume products. Dilis Cosmetic is oriented for long-term relations, not one-time sales, so it does its best to produce perfumes in such a way that if the customer buys Dilis Cosmetic products once, he or she becomes the regular buyer everafter.

What makes Dilis Cosmetic proud most of all is a number of reliable clients which highly appreciate Dilis Cosmetic products and, as the company hopes, who were made at least a bit happier after buying its products.

Quality cannot be compromised

All Dilis Cosmetic products are certified according to the current requirements in force on the territory of Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Ukraine. The company works according to multi-level management system STB ISO 9001-2001. All products are tested in a special laboratory equipped by the most state-of-the-art technologies. Very smooth system of order processing allows to fulfil orders without any delays.

It is not a secret that in perfume production oriented on mass market the producer tries to save money both on packaging and on quality of fragrance.

Dilis Cosmetic decided to follow another pathway and keeping quality of all perfumes on a high level has become a cor-

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Cosmetics IndustryDilis Cosmetic

nerstone. Dilis Cosmetic is determined to follow this principle despite anything in future. All the advantages mentioned above were highly appreciated not only

by Belarussian customers but also by foreign ones. Nowadays Dilis Cosmetic ships 50% of all its products for export.

For more than three years Dilis Cosmetic has been entering new markets and increases export supplies annually. Currently perfume products by Dilis Cosmetic are available in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Lithuania. Dilis Cosmetic plans to enter Western European markets in future. No achievements have been possible without a team of devoted professionals. People working at Dilis Cosmetic do their best to help company be a success even in unfavourable economic conditions. Currently Dilis Cosmetic employs nearly 300 people including those working in production division, sales department and other structural units.

Perfume for every taste

To meet requirements and expectation of the most sophisticated buyers Dilis Cosmetic analyzes current trends in the perfume world and follows the latest and the most interesting tendencies. For the last years Dilis Cosmetic has introduced a range of new products. To name a few of them: Atlantica, Extreme Sport lines for men; Japan line both for men and women. Atlantica perfume line was created in close cooperation with Alex David, a leader of Atlantica band, popular in Belarus and abroad. The line comprises three fragrances which reflect the mood of Atlantica band’s songs - a little bit cold, estrange and at the same time bright, full of passion and emotions. Perfume line for men called Extreme Sport consists of 6 modern, bright fragrances reflecting self-confidence and reliability.

This is a line for men with active lifestyle.

Perfume line Japan is a line of fragrances both for men and women - Early Spring for women and Early Spring for men, Silent Lake for women and Silent Lake for men. Dilis Cosmetic offers both classical fragrances and those more unconventional ones. Women perfumes and eau de toilettes are offered in small 7 ml flasks, and in 30, 50 and 90 ml flasks, while men perfume is sold in 75 or 100 ml flasks. Among other popular Dilis Cosmetic products it is worth mentioning such perfume lines as Dilis Classic Collection, La Vie, Le Charm, Cinema, Flowers. Men’s lines known in Belarus and abroad are the following: Classic Collection, Trophy, Hunt, La Vie, Cinema, Respect, 313.

Plans and new products

In the last few years both in Belarus and on other markets of Eastern Europe the culture of perfume consumption is improving. As a result, the structure of perfume market changes, and so Dilis Cosmetic follows the trends trying to be one step ahead of other producers. At the beginning of 2011 Dilis Cosmetic will present new bright and interesting perfume products for teenagers which no doubt will be able to compete with the products made by Western European producers. In addition, to be on top, Dilis Cosmetic is constantly searching for new forms of packaging for its products - for flasks, flask hoods, decoration, etc. In the season to come Dilis Cosmetic in cooperation with S.A.S. Floressence plans to surprise its clients with some new original ideas. Future plans of Dilis Cosmetic involve creation of distribution network in Western Europe. So, the company is interested in receiving offers of cooperation in this field of its activity.

Written by Kateryna Ferdyn

Cosmetics IndustryDilis Cosmetic

Manufacturing-Journal | 81 |

S TI CL E AR

Meeting every need

C

lever Company is a Russian holding operating on the market of children’s cosmetics and hair care products. The company is one of the leaders in this field both on the national and foreign markets. One of the key features of this company is a great number of brands, created or distributed by them.

Basic information

The history of the Clever Company holding dates back to 2008, when the merger of three companies happened.

The holding was created on the basis of Kosmetikmarket-Center that was established in 1995. Then 13 years later two more companies – KM-group and RoKolor – merged and formed the holding that is nowadays one of the leaders among the cosmetics producers on the Russian and international markets. The merger brought about a strong player on the market with a big number of research labs, manufacturing companies, and logistics centers in Russia and other countries. Simple calculation will let you see that the company has been on the market for quite a while, which means that many plans and tasks were set and accomplished, and the experience and understanding of different aspects have been sharpened during these years. The major focus of the company is development, production and launch of the conceptual products of high quality with creative design and assortment on the market. That’s what takes the company’s significant financial expenses. Along with that the company also works on the ways to distribute skin and hair cosmetics, make up cosmetics, professional and salon cosmetics of the famous international producers. The company has its branches in St. Petersburg and Ukraine.

The number of clients is so big that practically all of the trading networks of Russia as well as numerous independent retailers are covered. Over 1000 skillful employees make it possible for the company to grow and flourish. And this growth and development are happening not just in the eyes of the company itself, but it is approved by the professionals of the market and independent experts as well as by the consumers.

The brands of the company

The company’s name is transliterated from a Russian word for “clover”. It is interesting that the transliteration actually looks like another English word. And if you didn’t know that the company is calling itself clover, not clever you would not be that wrong in a sense that the decisions that the company management makes do prove it to be clever. The key aspects of the company growth and development have everything to do with the brands. The company is continually investing into the creation of the new brands, the major of which is Princess TM. This relatively young trademark of cosmetics for girls aged 5-12 has been approved by the love and respect of the consumers since 2003, and in 2006 this

FACT BOX

FULL NAME: Clever Company Holding PRESIDENT: Boris Sargin OPERATIONS: Cosmetics Industry ESTABLISHED: 2008 EMPLOYEES: about 1000 people

www.clever-company.ru | 82 | Manufacturing-Journal

Cosmetics IndustryClever Company

trademark won the prestigious Russian award «EFFIE – BRAND OF THE YEAR 2006» for the brand creation. The children’s cosmetics is the major activity of the company, and this is the process which gets a lot of of attention, investment and resources. The results of this work speak for themselves. Princess brand is the leading brand of the market of children’s cosmetics due to the constant expand of the assortment of skin and hair products, make up cosmetics, and products of other categories (hair accessories, purses, bags, books, children outfit, mobile phone accessories, imitation jewelry, stationery). In 2010 Erich-Krause obtained the license for the production of stationery under Princess trademark. One of the most serious achievements of the company is the development of NEPOSEDA trademark for the youngest consumers. The products of this brand have been approved as safe and of high quality both by mothers and babies for 15 years of existence. The series of products is divided into 3 age groups: for babies from their birth (0+), from 6 months (6m+), and from 3 years (3+). The components of each products are carefully chosen according to baby’s age needs. Clever products cover the whole range of baby care products needed for diapers change, washing, massage, being outside. NEPOSEDA children’s cosmetics have successfully passed the clinical tests for efficiency.

The quality and hypoallergenicity of these products are verified by dermatologists. The company’s collection of brands is constantly being expanded.

Clever Company obtained the exclusive

permissions for the production of the products under the Walt Disney trademark. The company received the awards for creating WITCH and Disney Baby product lines in The best Disney product category and The best development of Disney products. The company is also focusing on the work with the licensed brands. SPIDER-MAN brand was the first one under which the company manufactured some products. After that the number of licenses grew and reached as many as 17. One of the major directions is hair care products. RoKolor brand products are taking the leading position among the Russian hair dye producers.

The range of products under this brand covers every possible product needed

Cosmetics IndustryClever Company

for dying. RoKolor and Tonika trademarks have won the contest for The best cosmetics of the year, The best product of the year, and The brand of the year for several times. These two trademarks are exceptional in a sense that they take up 10% of the national (Russian) market, whereas usually the maximum share of the local companies is not higher than 3%. CONCEPT is the brand of the professional hair cosmetics created by the Clever Company. The company is able to supply a hair stylist with every necessary product for dying, curling, special care, and styling as well as to offer a training program, seminars, and master-classes for the professionals.

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Major dynamics

The results and achievements of the Clever Company clearly show that the general tendencies and dynamics that that the company management undertakes are working and promising.

It is important to see some of the key aspects of the company’s operation.

When asked about the company’s strategic potential, three things were mentioned by the company’s representative: human resources, production capacity, and clever distribution. Flexibility, quick decision making and mobility are named as key features of success. Over the past few years the company’s focus has turned from the quantity to quality. A lot of attention is paid to the distribution and to the promotion of the

to work and the products they manufacture will help them keep their good reputation for many years. It seems that the company is never going to stop growing just like its major consumers, and that proves that the decisions that are made by the management are correct and good, and secure a great future for the company.  Written by Kateryna Ferdyn

brands. As to the perspective and plans for the future, Clever Company is planning to take even deeper roots in the field of children’s cosmetics, expanding the geography of sales, and mastering the makeup market. All of that conforms with the general mission of the company, which is the creation of the latest cosmetics based on the innovative formula and components from the leading specialists in this field. People, which are interested in the business, and are able to act and achieve results, are the basis and the major asset of the company.

Clever Company appreciates friendly, professional and partner relationships, and respects its serious competitors.

The company is set to make interesting and profitable offers to its distributors and consumers. All of the above is underlined with the fact that the company firmly believes that their attitude

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Cosmetics IndustryClever Company