Manufacturing-Journal vol. 3/4-2009

Manufacturing Journal Volume 3/4 - 2009

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magazine

The World of Business

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The best industrial Prefabricated steel We will quench insulation buildings your thirst page28 Księga1.indb 1

page 41

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PR EL UD E

Cutting costs During an Economic Crisis:

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illions of people, the current state of the economy is a source of concern and fear. Small businesses and large Corporation alike have begun implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures in an effort to survive. For event organizers, the economic crisis presents an unsettling challenge.

As businesses in every sector take steps to control their spending, casualties on the chopping block include lavish meetings, conferences, and other events. Over the past year, tax authority Deloitte, AIG, and Wachovia have canceled hundreds of affairs that had been planned for the coming year. AIG alone has cut over 160 conferences. And they are but a microcosm of a widespread trend. Below, we’ll explore how the economic climate is affecting event planners. I’ll also describe a few ways in which experienced, savvy organizers are coping with the challenge and planning their future success.

The Importance Of Customer Service It has never been more important to cater to your customers’ needs. Not only does that mean being responsive to their requests, but it can also involve fulfilling a consultant’s role. Remember, the businesses for whom you plan events are looking for solutions. While their objective may be to organize a trade show, conference, or meeting, their true aim is to have a package delivered to them that perfectly suits their preferences. If you can fill that role, lowering your costs in the process, your clients will be more likely to move forward, despite the troubled economy.

Increasing Registration And Attendance Even as businesses are cutting back, event planners must direct more of their attention toward increasing the number of registrations and attendees at their affairs.

Start with advertising channels that won’t require a significant investment. For example, create a system that markets your conferences, meetings, and seminars through an automated email campaign . People often need constant reminders before responding. Sending a number of weekly, personalized emails that encourage attendance will prompt a higher level of response. Also, keep in mind that

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you can suggest that your clients take a lower-cost approach to an event rather than simply canceling it. For example, if a large client usually holds their annual conference at a luxurious hotel in another state, recommend that they change the venue to a regional alternative. It’s less expensive and provides your client with a feasible option that makes canceling the affair unnecessary.

Reducing Your Cost Structure Planners should also be taking cost-cutting measures themselves. That may include negotiating more aggressively with caterers and venue operators. But, it can also involve small changes, such as replacing disposable cups and plates with china, or making handouts available online before a meeting or conference. Also, if you’re organizing a conference that spans several days, consider shortening the sessions. That may allow you to cut the number of days while delivering the majority of the content. By using several strategies to reduce your costs, you can enjoy a substantial aggregate effect.

Moving Forward In Uncertain Times Your job as a planning professional requires the ability to juggle and manage a myriad of small details. That’s one of the reasons why your clients are depending upon you. However, in a difficult economic environment, you need to expand your value. That means focusing on the level of support you provide your clients, including the development of packages that suit their needs. Remind them that planning events is still important to their businesses. Top salespeople need to be recognized and rewarded; opportunities to network with customers and leads need to be created; and employee team-building retreats can still yield immense long-lasting value. The savvy event planner who uses this approach in order to increase their registrations while lowering their cost structure will be well-prepared for the softening economy.

Editor:

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CONTENTS

Contents:

Managing Director Patryk T. Zborowski

1 2 4 12

Editor Patryk T. Zborowski Profile Writers Szymon Skrypoczko Aleksandra Strojek Berenika Wilczyńska Agata Nowak Marcin Zimny

Prelude Contents News Country profile

Construction Industry:

Art Director Wojciech Kosmowski Project Managers Agnieszka Bechta Katarzyna Marciniec Agata Nowak Administration Wioletta Adamczyk

14 18 22 25 28 32 35 38 41 44 47 50

Z-MEDIA Długa Street 48/38 31-146 Cracow Poland e-mail: info@manufacturing-journal.net advertising: pz@manufacturing-journal.net phone number 1: 0048 12 4337115 phone number 2: 0048 12 4337065 phone number 3: 0048 12 4337066 fax number: 0048 12 4337116 web: www.manufacturing-journal.net

© Manufacturing Journal 2008 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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Trakcja Polska Metal-Fach Spectus Trion Termoizolacja Integer RD bud Kalfrisa Borga Hale Herco Trasko-Stal Śrubena Unia

Contents 2009-05-18 08:57:54

EN TS CO NT

Food & Beverage Industry: Jamar San - Pajda Ybarra Bewa La MasĂ­a

From the cover: The best industrial insulation page 28

53 56 59 62 66

Prefabricated steel buildings page 41

Furniture, Forest Products, HVAC&Consumer Goods: Sits Stelmet Brugman Invena Wittchen

69 72 75 79 82

We will quench your thirst page 62

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Duracell Brings USB Charging to Auto Category The Duracell USB Charger is one of the smallest and simplest USB charging devices on the market with innovative technology that provides 5-volt DC power to charge mobile devices. Computer gear from iPods(TM) to iPhones(TM) and more will fit just right with the thumb-sized solution for cars of all kinds. The Duracell USB Charger turns a DC outlet into a USB opening that glows with a blue light to show it’s ready to charge. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, Americans are purchasing fewer new cars with integrated technology accessories, so if they are looking for the latest in-vehicle technologies, they often need to purchase portable devices to take into a vehicle.(1) Duracell offers a variety of mobile back-up power supplies that can be charged in the car to provide cell phone or mobile device power when away from the grid. New for the Duracell My Pocket Charger are three different connectors for mini USB, micro USB and iPhone to charge a variety of mobile devices such as an iPod, cell phone, PDA, MP3 player and more. “Everyone wants their charge to last a little longer, and the Duracell My Pocket Charger and USB Charger will provide the personal power insurance every road warrior needs,” said Rick June, Duracell Vice President and General Manager, North America. “Our portable devices give users the freedom to work, communicate and be entertained from almost any location. These charging solutions extend that freedom when they can’t be near a power outlet.”

Elizabeth Arden, Inc. to Participate in the Goldman Sachs Consumer Products Symposium 2009 NEW YORK, May 12, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEN), a global prestige beauty products company, today announced that E. Scott Beattie, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a panel discussion at the Goldman Sachs Consumer Products Symposium held at the Goldman Sachs Conference Center in New York City on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. ET. The discussion will also be webcast live at www.elizabetharden. com and will be available for replay. Elizabeth Arden is a global prestige beauty products company with an extensive portfolio of prestige beauty brands sold in over 90 countries. The company’s brand portfolio includes Elizabeth Arden skincare, color, and fragrance products, PREVAGE(r) anti-aging treatments, the celebrity fragrance brands of Elizabeth Taylor, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Danielle Steel, and Usher; the designer fragrance brands of Juicy Couture, Alberta Ferretti, Alfred Sung, Badgley Mischka, Bob Mackie, GANT, Geoffrey Beene, Liz Claiborne, Halston, Lucky Brand, Nanette Lepore and Rocawear; and the lifestyle fragrance brands Curve, Giorgio Beverly Hills, and PS Fine Cologne.

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News 2009-05-18 08:58:00

NEWS

Sports Car Manufacturer reopens the Leipzig Plant to Visitors Experience the new Porsche Panamera up close and personal Stuttgart/Leipzig. In the Leipzig plant of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, the production of the new Panamera has started. On April 19, it was presented to the global public in Shanghai for the first time. The car will be launched in September starting with some European markets. Porsche is manufacturing the four-door Gran Turismo together with the successful sporty Cayenne SUV on one product line. For this, the Leipzig plant has undergone a 22,000 square meter expansion over the course of two years. The state-of the-art production and logistics concept was also refined further during this time. No plant tours were possible during the past eight months due to the construction. Effective immediately, visitors may again experience production up close and personal and have the chance to see the first Panamera vehicles roll off the assembly line in Saxony. The approximately two-hour tours are free of charge, they can also be booked in connection with pilot and co-pilot offers, where participants have the chance to experience the Porsche driving features with a sporty Cayenne SUV on the racetrack or on the off-road premises. Further information, all key dates and the possibility to book online are provided around the clock under the internet address: www.porsche-leipzig.com

Unilever acquires leading Russian sauces business Baltimor

Unilever announced its intention to acquire Baltimor Holding ZAO’s sauces business, the leading ketchup business in Russia. The acquisition will further strengthen Unilever’s existing dressings portfolio and competitive position in Russia, one of its priority countries. The acquisition, which follows Unilever’s purchase of Russia’s leading ice cream business, Inmarko, in 2008 and its commitment to build a state-of-the-art food production facility in Tula, further consolidates the position of Unilever’s business in Russia. Vindi Banga, Unilever’s President of Foods and Home & Personal Care, said: “Russia is a key market for Unilever, and we believe that the ac-

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quisition of Baltimor, which is already a strong ketchup brand in the region, will strengthen our position further. Our world-class research and development expertise and knowledge of the foods business, coupled with Baltimor’s local strengths, can significantly enhance our position in the Russian ketchup and dressings market.” The acquisition includes ketchup, mayonnaise and tomato paste business under the Baltimor, Pomo d’ Oro and Vostochniy Gourmand brands – accounting for annual turnover of around €70 million – and a production facility at Kolpino, near St. Petersburg. It excludes Baltimor’s branded vegetables, condiment, preserve and juices business and production facilities at Krasnodar and Khabarovsk. The acquisition consideration is made on a cash and debt free basis and is not material to Unilever overall. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

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STRABAG receives large-scale order for new Gaženica port facility in Croatia in Zadar Vienna, 24 April 2009 European construction group STRABAG has received an order to build the first phase of the new Gaženica port facility in Croatia. The € 43 million order involves underwater and earthworks. Work is set to begin in May 2009 and is scheduled for completion in approximately one year. The excavation works in the seabed represent a particular challenge during this undertaking. With special technologies, STRABAG will excavate some 250,000 m3 of underwater rock to allow large draft ships to dock at the new port. The works also involve the dumping of approximately 1.8 million m3 of stone to create 20 hectares of ground. Furthermore, STRABAG’s subsidiary Pomgrad, which is specialised in the construction of waterways, is going to construct a 270 m breakwater. For the next phase, the Zadar Port Authority will issue a tender for the construction of twelve berthing facilities, port infrastructure and port buildings. Completion of all the works is scheduled for 2012. After Split, the new port of Gaženica will be the largest passenger traffic port in the eastern Adriatic and of strategic importance for Croatia’s economic development. The facilities will include a fishing port as well as additional berthing capacities for cruise ships, coastal boats and ferries, as well as a cargo and passenger terminal with garage. More information is available at www.strabag.com.

High-Capacity Stroop Waffle Production Line

Bilfinger Berger wins €100 million order for railway tunnel in Stockholm Bilfinger Berger has won an order to build a 1.9-kilometer long section of the City Rail Tunnel in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, improving the connection from the city’s main station to the national railway network. The order has a volume of €100 million. The tunnel section will be completed by 2015 and the entire line will go into service in 2017. The dual-track main tunnel will be built using the drill and blast method. A service tunnel built parallel to the main tunnel will later ensure trouble-free maintenance and a high safety standard.

A new 700-meter long station will also be built below an existing subway station, providing passengers with direct access to Stockholm’s urban transit system. Bilfinger Berger is currently carrying out a similar project in Malmö: the 4.6-kilometer long City Tunnel is the final section of the Öresund crossing which connects Malmö’s Central Station with the neighbouring Danish capital of Copenhagen. Structural works for the €260 million project will be completed in the summer of 2009 and the tunnel will go into operation in 2011.

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One of our latest projects is a high-capacity production line for Stroop waffles.

These are syrup-filled round waffle sandwiches originating from The Netherlands. The line offers a capacity of 22,200 products per hour and has a length of about 40 m (excluding packaging).

It consists of following components: • double shaft kneader for dough preparation • dough feeding system • dough depositor • oven • waffle punching and cutting unit • decapper/capper system with integrated caramel feeding/depositing • spiral cooler • transfer conveyor to the packaging units (provided by the customer) The decapper/capper system with caramel depositing is the result of a joint venture cooperation between HaasMondomix and Houdijk Holland. The flexible configuration of the line allows to produce the stroop waffles with a diameter of 45, 75 or 90 mm as desired.

The baking time is 65 seconds, cooling takes about 20 minutes. The waffle oven PZO serves as lead machine. It was selected, because its design is especially suited for such high capacities.

News 2009-05-18 08:58:02

NEWS

Arla Foods to buy Fresh Nijkerk from FrieslandCampina

HOCHTIEF to build 8-kilometer-long shopping center in Qatar for EUR 1.3 billion Barwa Commercial Avenue to be built in the south of capital Doha - Largest single-order contract in the history of HOCHTIEF Construction. In Qatar, HOCHTIEF Construction yesterday signed the biggest single-order contract in its corporate history: The HOCHTIEF subsidiary will construct a more than 8-kilometer-long building complex in Qatar‘s capital Doha for over EUR 1.3 billion. The client of the project to be completed by mid2012 is Barwa Real Estate Company which is made up of private investors and - with a share of 45 percent - the State of Qatar.

Barwa Commercial Avenue will be a center for retail, office and residential units. It will be built alongside the highway at Doha‘s southern fringe and comprise almost 900,000 square meters of gross floor space - the equivalent of roughly 110 soccer pitches.

HOCHTIEF Construction already provided consultancy services to client Barwa Real Estate during the planning phase under the partnership-based business model PreFair, which guarantees wide-ranging planning reliability to both parties. First contract lots for excavation works and construction pit preparation with a combined value of EUR 45 million have been realized since February 2008. During the planning, HOCHTIEF employed innovative virtual construction technology: Subsidiary ViCon developed a customized, complex 3D model of the shopping center and on this basis calculated the precise quantities of required construction materials. In addition, modern Internet-based communication tools such as iRooms are used for project support. “Intensified engagement in international growth markets is a key element of the restructuring we initiated in 2007,” underlines HOCHTIEF Construction‘s CEO Henner Mahlstedt. According to him, the Barwa Commercial Avenue project shows that there continue to be markets which are very interested in HOCHTIEF‘s know-how - and at reasonable margins. The company also already has its sight on further projects on the Gulf: As member of a joint venture, for example, HOCHTIEF Construction is planning the longest cross-border connection of the world. The 40-kilometer-long Bahrain Qatar Causeway comprising a total of 22 kilometers of bridge is to connect the two countries on the Arabian Gulf. http://www.hochtief.com

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The European Commission and the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) have approved the acquisition by the Danish dairy cooperative Arla Foods amba of Friesland Foods Fresh Nijkerk from Koninklijke FrieslandCampina N.V. The transfer has also been approved by the Friesland Nijkerk Works Council. The transaction was completed today, 4 May 2009. It includes the Friesland Foods Fresh Nijkerk daily fresh dairy business, its assets (plant, machinery, etc.) and the brands Breaker, Milk&Fruit, Kwarkyoghurt and Melkunie. A 10-year licence agreement has been entered into for the use of the Friesche Vlag brand for fresh dairy products in the Netherlands. FrieslandCampina is guaranteeing the supply of raw milk to the factory in Nijkerk until 1 January 2017.

Executive Vice President, Arla Foods, Consumer International, Tim Ørting Jørgensen is very pleased with the final approval of the Arla Foods’ purchase of Fresh Nijkerk. “We will immediately start up the work to integrate our new Dutch business into Arla Foods. We already have a very positive dialogue with our new collegaues in Nijkerk.

This is a major step in fulfilling our strategic ambition to be the leading dairy supplier to consumers in Northern Europe.” Friesland Foods Fresh produces milk, buttermilk, natural and fruit-flavoured yogurt, quark yogurt, custard, porridge, Milk&Fruit and Breaker. In Nijkerk, fresh dairy products are produced under the brand Friesche Vlag and for supermarket private labels. Friesland Foods Fresh employs 500 personnel in Nijkerk, including 150 temporary staff. Turnover in 2008 totalled EUR 240 million. FrieslandCampina will remain active in daily fresh dairy in the Netherlands through FrieslandCampina Dagvers, some of whose products are sold under the Campina brand.

It will also continue to use Friesche Vlag in the Netherlands to market long-life dairy products and coffee creamers. The sale of the plant at Nijkerk was one of the conditions imposed by the European Commission when it approved the merger between Friesland Foods and Campina on 17 December 2008. This was done to prevent Friesland Campina from gaining a monopoly on the Dutch market for daily fresh dairy. http://www.arla.com

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ALPINE wins contract to build National Stadium in Warsaw Football stadium with 55,000 seats to be built by ALPINE for 285 million euros in a construction period of 24 months.

ALPINE was recently named the best bidder for the National Stadium in Warsaw, one of the venues for the 2012 European Football Championships. The contract was officially awarded upon expiration of the obligatory period allowed for objections. “Construction of the National Stadium in Warsaw, to be one of the most modern stadiums in Europe, is an impressive addition to the list of stadiums ALPINE has built. We also landed the contracts for the Polish stadiums in Danzig and Posen,” Dr. Peter Preindl, managing director of ALPINE Bau GmbH, proudly announces. The joint venture partners are ALPINE Bau GmbH, ALPINE Bau Deutschland AG, ALPINE Construction Polska and Hydrobudowa Polska. S.A., ALPINE Bau GmbH being in charge of the consortium’s lead management. The National Stadium was designed by the international architects, J.S.K. It will be built on the same site as the old stadium. The old stadium was scaled back far enough to make room for the new stadium inside. The new National Stadium will seat 55,000 spectators on two tiers and 10 levels. Over 60 exclusive VIP lounges will offer up to 900 seats. More than 800 seats will be available to journalists. A basement garage with 1,700 spaces will be located on the two lowest levels. Restaurants, a shopping zone, a fitness center and conference rooms, etc. are also planned.

The contract value is PLN 1,263 million, currently equivalent to approx. EUR 285 million. Construction should be completed in 24 months. The carcass will be made of cast-in-place reinforced concrete with a height of up to 70 meters, combined with prefabricated reinforced concrete components for the tribunes and trusses. An impressive steel cable design was chosen for the roof, giving the stadium a particularly dramatic effect and making it possible to play in rain or snow. ALPINE has extensive experience in executing large-scale stadium projects, gaining highest competence on an international scale in the construction of sports facilities. Following the construction of the Allianz Arena in Munich, ALPINE recently completed the Dubai Cricket Stadium in the world’s biggest sports center. ALPINE was also responsible for the construction of the Wörthersee Stadium, the Tivoli Stadium and the enlargement of the Salzburg stadium in Wals-Siezenheim for the EURO 2008. ALPINE also won the contract to build the stadiums in Danzig and Posen a few weeks ago. http://www.alpine-bau.de/en/index.php

Sony unveils the x-series walkman®, delivering an unrivaled portable audio/video experience Sony took the wraps off its top-of-the-line Walkman® Video MP3 player – the X-series Walkman®. A premium portable entertainment device, the X-series (NWZ-X1000 models) is Wi-Fi enabled and features an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) touch screen, Sony’s Digital Clear Audio Technologies, as well as embedded contentprovided by Slacker® Radio and YouTube™. “The new X-series leverages Sony’s engineering heritage and integrates the latest advances in OLED and other innovative technologies,” said Andrew Sivori, director of the audio products business at Sony Electronics. “We focused on enhancing audio and video playback to develop a device that allows consumers a deeper, more interactive way to enjoy content, as well as discover new content, for a truly unique entertainment experience.”

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News 2009-05-18 08:58:05

NEWS

Danisco makes the best of cost-reduced cheese

3000 ton transformer platform boosted up on a barge On the 11th of May, this year, AB ”Vakarų laivų gamykla“ (VLG) subsidiary company UAB ”Vakarų laivų statykla“ (VLS) and UAB ”Vakarų krova“, together with foreign experts transshipped 3000 ton transformer platform, built by VLS, onto the barge ”Tow III”, which shall transform the alternating electric current, produced by windmill power park within the open sea, into the constant electric current, and shall transmit it to the power grid system. The Contract for the construction of the platform for “Bard Offshore 1“ windmill park was signed in January 20, 2008. ”The unique transporting operation, during which the barge was loaded with 3000 ton weighing platform upper structure, was a a big challenge for us, nevertheless we are ready to transship even heavier

Faster processing, improved reliability and less waste are key to cost optimisation in the cheese industry. New innovations from Danisco can give manufacturers all the support they need to ride out the recession while maintaining the high quality and safety of their cheese.

Ongoing development work has produced a range of CHOOZIT™ DVI Cheese Cultures that are specially designed to speed up cheese production, ensuring consistent batch-to-batch taste and texture development. The most recent studies have identified a means to better phage resilience during processing.

This new technology is currently being incorporated in the CHOOZIT™ range to give manufacturers even greater reliability and less waste on their processing lines. For manufacturers of processed cheese, Danisco provides opportunities for protein substitution with the GRINDSTED® CH range. New solutions are regularly added to this broad stabiliser se-

ries, enabling the development of new low-cost formulations with the desired creaminess, texture and handling properties. Annie Mornet, cheese application group manager, says Danisco is always ready to advise customers on the most efficient choice for their products. “We are not only here to sell ingredients but also to provide technical and innovation support. Over the past six months, we have experienced more customer requests for this kind of assistance,” she adds.For unavoidable cheese waste, such as cut offs from block cheese, Danisco has developed GRINDSTED® SLP. This flexible stabiliser concept allows manufacturers to use cheese waste as the basis for innovative recombined cheese products. New shapes, interesting inclusions and nutritional profiles are among the numerous possibilities for differentiation.“This is a way to make new cheese products without a lot of investment,” says Annie Mornet.

bulky size cargo in Klaipeda port,“ - said UAB ”Vakarų krova“ director. ”We hope to employ the gained experience successfully in future by offering our services to the Ignalina nuclear power plant builders, to other Lithuanian and foreign bulky and heavy cargo owners, logistics companies“. At present, main systems and accomodation spaces mounting are under completion on the transformer platform. Within a few weeks it will be transported to Ireland, where at ”Harland and Wolff ” company 335 m. length dock, it will be joined with the support construction. The lower part of the construction will be 60 m. length, 60 m. width and the height of all platform will be 76 meters. The completion of the construction will be ~ 7500 tons.

New accomodation and energy transformer platform will be maintained on the supporting structures, which will be mounted on the seabed. Later, a special hydraulic system will upcast the platform superstructure on the four poles to the designed height above the water. Fi-

nally, pole strikers will set the transformer platform into the seabed at a depth of 45 meters. The North Sea wind farm produced 400 megawatt electric current will be transmitted to the transformer platform by sea cables, in which alternating electric current will be transferred into constant and transmitted to the E. ON Netz GmbH electrical-grid system.

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Manufacturing-Journal 9 2009-05-18 08:58:06

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tion in this millennium”, adds Günter Ausserwöger. “Therefore, we will deal with customer demands even more intensively in the years to come – we will investigate their needs and surprise them with our creative packaging concepts.”

New distribution structure After ten years of intensive expansion activities and successful positioning of the brand Greiner Packaging, the company opted for a new arrangement of its distribution structure in autumn 2008, which is now split into three divisions. The Greiner Packaging Division K creates the unique packaging proposition in terms of cups and lids for the food and non-food industry.

The Greiner Packaging Division Kavo is the competent partner for the sectors of plastic bottles and containers. The Division Greiner Assistec demonstrates its core competences through development, production, logistics, assembly and service as a sourcing partner for the plastics processing industry.

Greiner Packaging International With team spirit and experience!

Günter Ausserwöger is the new head of Division Kavo at Greiner Packaging. General Manager for Capsnap Europe for the previous 10 years, the 43-year old is now responsible for the strategy of the entire hollow container business (=Kavo), the development and creation of the new distribution structure and safeguarding of cross-site communication. “I can rely on outstanding employees who use their comprehensive know-how, creativeness and flexibility to ensure that we are highly esteemed by our customers as competent partners.

Such a team can make perfect use of good wind and is capable of getting through troubled waters”, compares the enthusiastic yachtsman with respect to his favourite hobby.

Kremsmünster, 14 May 2009. – K, Kavo and Greiner Assistec: These three powerful divisions define the new distribution structure at Greiner Packaging. For Division Kavo, Günter Ausserwöger took over total responsibility at the beginning of the year. Reliability, partnership and confidence are particularly essential values for the father of five. “Using a wide array of individual solutions, we present ourselves as a competent, reliable partner for various branches“, explains Ausserwöger.

“Market orientation is going to become a primary considera-

Maximum market orientation With its newly organised divisons K, Kavo and Assistec, Greiner Packaging focuses even more clearly on maximum market orientation. A wide range of technology and decoration methods are provided for all customers. Thus, the company perfectly sets the scene for both national and international customers. A high degree of transparency and perfect coordination of process sequences are the basis for future success.

Career at Greiner Packaging Having trained as a radio and TV mechanic, Günter Ausserwöger switched to sales at an early stage. At first, he worked for Haribo Austria and then for ÖKO PACK in Linz. During this time, Ausserwöger gained basic experience for himself on the sales “front line”. Apart from numerous seminars and further education, he successfully passed the Export Training Course at the university in Linz. He graduated in the Greiner Academy, which is comparable to the MBA. In 1996, he became Sales Manager at Greiner Packaging.

From 1999 to 2008 he was General Manager of Capsnap Europe. Since the beginning of this year, Günter Ausserwöger has been Head of Division Kavo at Greiner Packaging.

Corporate Data Greiner Packaging is one of the leading companies in the European packaging industry. In 2008, the company achieved annual sales of EUR 376 million or 34 percent of the total Greiner Group sales. Greiner Packaging employs a workforce of 2,935 employees at 21 production sites throughout Europe.

More information under: www.greiner-gpi.com

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News 2009-05-18 08:58:08

NEWS

At 50, the Mini Is Going Strong The beloved Mini has turned 50.

Launched by the now-defunct British Motor Corp. in 1959, this quirky little car has gone through several owners and various iterations from the early Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor to vans, station wagons, and convertibles.

Immortalized after its starring role in the 1969 film The Italian Job, the Mini has long been a cult favorite. “The size and shape of the vehicle have given it an iconic following, combined with the fact that it’s not perceived to be a mainstream vehicle,” says Jeff Schuster, executive director of forecasting for JD Power & Associates (MHP). A British legend that fell on hard times for decades, the car has become an international success since German auto giant BMW (BMWG. DE) took over the brand in 1994. BMW relaunched the car in Europe in 2001, a year before bringing it to the U.S., keeping the classic design of the original but

increasing the size and improving the technology. The car is now sold in 62 countries at an average price of $20,000.

The revival of the car—whose name was changed in 2001 to MINI—was one of the best relaunches ever in brand history, says Christopher Wünsche, managing director in the Munich office of branding consultancy Interbrand. “BMW brought together the myth and the history of the brand and built a cuttingedge, technologically leading car which was boosted by the reliability of German engineering,” he says. Just six years after the MINI was rolled out in the U.S., the market is now the brand’s biggest, accounting for 23% of 232,425 sold worldwide in 2008. That compares favorably with other high-profile revivals of classic cars. Italian automaker Fiat (FIA.MI), whose diminutive

500 (Cinquecento) first came out in 1957 and appeared in countless Italian films, relaunched the car to great acclaim last year. The new $15,000 version sold about 185,000 units in 2008— an impressive start, but less than the MINI. The reintroduction of the beloved 70-year-old Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) Beetle in 1998 was met with rave reviews and a big jump in sales, but enthusiasm didn’t last: VW sold only about 55,000 of the new “bugs,” which start at $18,000, around the world last year.

The VW-Porsche Merger: Fasten Your Seat Belt On a day when Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) executives in Tennessee erected the first wall of their new U.S. factory, a leading investment analyst warned that shares of the German automaker could plummet in the next six months if the planned merger of VW and Porsche isn’t handled smoothly. Sanford Bernstein London issued a devastating report on Thursday, May 14, suggesting several scenarios over the next six months in which Porsche (PSHG_p.DE) would be compelled to walk away from the proposed merger with VW, announced on May 6, and unwind some of the investment it has already made in acquiring 51% of the automaker. VW closed at €222 on the German stock exchange Thursday, but Bernstein set a target price on the stock of just €65. Already, warned the Bernstein report, VW shares are “grossly overvalued.” At more than €200, VW is trading at 40 times its average earnings of the past 10 years, the report noted. This skepticism from the investment banking community about the merger is just the latest turn in what has been a winding road for the German auto icons. Over the last two years, Porsche has tried to engineer a takeover of VW that seemingly had the endorsement of both companies’ managements. Ever since postwar VW Beetles and Porsche 911 sports cars started sharing the same basic air-cooled engine, the two companies have collaborated closely on design and construction. Even now they collaborate on the engineering and manufacturing of the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg SUVs, and the new Porsche Panamera sports sedan. So the recently announced merger plan for the carmakers should be easy compared with some other deals in the works—notably the devilishly complicated proposed tieup of Fiat (FIA. MI), Opel, and Chrysler, right? Maybe not. Negotiations on the structure of the new company must survive a murky, byzantine power struggle among top managers of the two companies and rival descendants of Ferdinand Porsche, designer of the Beetle and founder of the sports car company. Bolting Porsche onto Volkswagen shouldn’t be a huge engineering challenge, but managing the egos involved could be. “There are just too many alpha males,” says one auto industry observer.

News Księga1.indb 13

Manufacturing-Journal 11 2009-05-18 08:58:09

C PR OU O NT FI RY LE

Spain

Full name: Kingdom of Spain Population: 44.6 million (UN 2008) Capital: Madrid Area: 505,988 sq km (195,363 sq miles) Major languages: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan and its variant Valencian, Gallego (Galician), Euskera (Basque) Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 84 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents Main exports: Transport equipment, agricultural products GNI per capita: US $29,450 (World Bank, 2007) Internet domain: .es (.cat for Catalonia) International dialling code: +34

Located at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, Spain’s history and culture are made up of a rich mix of diverse elements.

Through exploration and conquest, Spain became a world power in the 16th century, and it maintained a vast overseas empire until the early 19th century. Spain’s modern history is marked by the bitterly fought Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, and the ensuing 36-year dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

Overview

After Franco’s death in 1975, Spain made the transition to a democratic state and built a successful economy, with King Juan Carlos as head of state. The constitution of 1978 enshrines respect for linguistic and cultural diversity within a united Spain. The country is divided into 17 regions which all have their own directly elected authorities. The level of autonomy afforded to each region is far from uniform. For example,

Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia have special status with their own language and other rights. Andalucia, Navarre, Valencia and the Canaries in turn have more extensive powers than some other regions. Asturias and Aragon have taken steps to consolidate language rights. In 2006 a Catalan referendum backed by the central government gave the region greater autonomy. The Catalans won nation status within Spain and the region’s parliament gained extra powers in taxation and judicial matters. The country’s regional picture is a complex and evolving one. One of Spain’s most serious domestic issues has been tension in the northern Basque region. A violent campaign by the Basque separatist group ETA has led to nearly 850 deaths over the past four decades. Eta declared a ceasefire in March 2006 saying it wished to see the start of a democratic process for the Basque region. The move divided opinion in Spain. Tentative moves to negotiate a la-

sting peace were dealt a blow when Eta carried out a deadly bomb attack at Madrid’s international airport at the end of the year. On 6 June 2007 Eta announced the end of its ceasefire, saying that „minimum conditions for continuing negotiations do not exist.” Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and its territory includes the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and two North African enclaves. From Velazquez in the seventeenth century, through Goya straddling the eighteenth and nineteenth, to Picasso in the twentieth, Spain has the proudest of traditions in art. Flamenco music and dance are widely admired around the world while Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote is one of the most popular ever written. Cinema is much loved and the films of directors such as Pedro Almodovar attract huge audiences.

Leaders

View of Madrid

Head of state: King Juan Carlos I Spaniards honour King Juan Carlos for ensuring the country’s transition to democracy after the death of the former dictator, General Franco, and for saving Spain from a coup attempt in 1981.

12 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 14

Country Profile 2009-05-18 08:58:12

COUNTRY PROFILE

Prime minister: Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who has been in office since 2004, led his governing Socialist Workers’ Party to another victory in elections in March 2008.

The party won by an increased margin, but fell just short of an absolute majority. The Socialist Workers’ Party won a surprise election victory over Jose Maria Aznar’s conservative Popular Party in March 2004. Polling was overshadowed by a series of explosions on Madrid commuter trains in which 191 people died just days beforehand. Mr Zapatero is considered to have won the elections because of voter anger over the conservative government’s insistence that armed separatist group Eta was behind the blasts, despite the evidence pointing to Islamist extremists. Following his election victory, Mr Zapatero described both the war and the occupation of Iraq as a „huge disaster” and pulled Spain’s 1,300 troops out of the country. He showed confidence that the Basque separatist group Eta was serious about the ceasefire it declared in March 2006 when he indicated a few months later that he would start talks with the organisation. But in early 2007, after an Eta bomb attack at Madrid airport, he apologised to the nation for having pinned hopes on peace talks with the group.

Eta withdrew its ceasefire in June. The prime minister supported the process by which Catalonia won greater auto-

The Hemispheric at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Valencia.

nomy at a referendum in June 2006. Mr Zapatero was born in 1960. His grandfather, a Republican army officer, was shot dead during the Civil War. He studied law but his career has been largely devoted to politics. He joined the Socialist Party while still in his teens and first entered parliament at 26. He became party leader in 2000.

Media

Broadcasting in Spain has witnessed a spectacular expansion in recent years with the emergence of new commercial operators and the launch of digital services. The cable and satellite TV markets are growing steadily and a free-to-air digital terrestrial TV (DTT) service was re-

launched in late 2005. The government aims to switch off of analogue TV transmissions by 2010. Home-produced dramas, „reality” shows and long-running „telenovelas” are staple fare on primetime TV. Public radio and TV services are run by RadioTelevision Espanola (RTVE), which is funded by advertising and state subsidies. As well as public and commercial national TV networks, there are 13 regional stations backed by regional governments and many local stations. Multichannel TV is offered by the satellite platform Digital Plus. In spite of the proliferation of print and broadcast media, and their diverse political stances, concerns have been raised about political influence in the media, and particularly in public broadcasting.

Culture

Corrida

Spain is known for its culturally diverse heritage, having been influenced by many nations and peoples throughout its history. Spanish culture has its origins in the Iberian, Celtiberian, Latin, Visigothic, Roman Catholic, and Islamic cultures. The definition of a national Spanish culture has been characterized by tension between the centralized state, dominated in recent centuries by Castile, and numerous regions and minority peoples. In addition, the history of the nation and its Mediterranean and Atlantic environment have played strong roles in shaping its culture. After Italy, Spain has the second highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, with a total of 40.

Country Profile Księga1.indb 15

Manufacturing-Journal 13 2009-05-18 08:58:15

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Experience and innovation

T

rakcja Polska Capital Group is widely recognised as a provider of comprehensive services in all aspects of rail and tram tracks modernisation. The strongest points of the group are: competent and professional staff, timeliness of realised investment and innovation.

The history of the company

Beginnings of Trakcja Polska are dated back to 1949 and are closely related to reconstruction of electrifier system after the Second World War. In 1953 company widen the range of activity and started to produce traction substations and section cabins. In 1991 within restructuring of PKP (Polish National Railways) Trakcja Polska was transferred into state-owned enterprise. Afterwards enterprise was turned into joint-stock company and was included in the National Invest Fund program. Next important change took place in 2004 when company merged with its controlling shareholder and as a result, Trakcja Polska – PKRE SA. was launched. One year later Trakcja Polska gained a strategic investor - one of the leading construction and services companies in Spain, with more than one hundred years of

14 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 16

experience - COMSA SA. Trakcja Polska Capital Group was created after takeover of Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Komunikacyjnych i Inżynieryjnych and its subsidiaries: Zakład Robót Mostowych and Bahn Technik Wrocław. In 2007 additional companies: Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Komunikacyjnych – 7 S.A. and its subsidiary PRK 7 Nieruchomości Sp. z o.o. were linked in the capital group.

As a result, the company was renamed Trakcja Polska S.A. Last but not least date worth remembering is year 2008 when Trakcja Polska S.A. made debut on the stock-exchange. Providing high quality services is a key part in building trust with customers. Trakcja Polska has been present on the market for 60 years and based on its long experience the Group has devised optimal delivery systems that are highly appreciated by business partners. Applied materials and technologies are delivered only by reputable Polish or foreign companies.

Among main suppliers and subcontractors are: ABB, Schneider, Nowa Apena, Elektromontaż Lublin, Medcom, Stalton, ZNTK Paterek i ZNTK Radom, Zakłady Automatyki Kombud, Torpol, Feroco and Voestalpine Schienen. Keeping in mind significance of professionalism the Group’s sole concern is to ensure

that all offered services come up with the highest quality standards. Company’s reliability has been recognized many times with quality certificates issued by such institutions like: Railway Scientific and Technical Centre or Electrotechnical Institute. Customer trust is built on professional approach, timeliness and complexity of offered services.

Key to success.

Strategic potential of Trakcja Polska is based mainly on well qualified and professional employees. Group’s management is an unique team of higher class financiers and experts with different technical backgrounds. At present 1049 people are employed by the Group but this figure will probably change in the future. Individual companies constantly hold an active employment campaign.

They organise lectures and presentations at Technical Universities to encourage talented students to choose further education on specific courses. Numerous trainings are organised in order to improve employees’ qualifications and for those willing to learn foreign languages or undertake additional studies, the Group offers partial refund of costs. This activity of the Group is aimed

Construction Industry >Trakcja Polska S.A. 2009-05-18 08:58:17

pendable partners place the Group in a favourable position. The strong financial potential and capability to attract outside capital is also significant for the Group as it gives the advantage over competitive companies. Company’s strategic potential is “simply” the capability of combining all above factors.

•

European Union

tivities: designing, track works, civil works, electric and energetic work, telecommunication, control of railway traffic, adaptation to “ design and build” system that consist in extensive completion-design, configuration and delivery of devices and materials, provision of the professional software, assembly, actuation, guar-

–new possibilities

not only at having strong, well qualified team but also at developing entire rail infrastructure. Modern and specialist equipment is one of the strongest points of the Group, especially when lease of machines is costly and buying new one involves time-consuming and complicated procedures. Having own equipment enables not only to save expenses but also boost flexibility in action. One of the Group’s companies is licensed to organise transport through goods train and for that purpose it uses its own rolling stock. This type of independence gives the relevant advantage over the competition. Long-term partnership with subcontractors is next important factor that determines the final outcome. Trakcja Polska cooperates only with subcontractors or suppliers that are reliable and whose efficiency is proved by long-time experience. De-

After accession to the European Union Poland gained funds for infrastructural investments. Soon a significant increase in new investments, especially in transport sector, has been noted. Nowadays more and more railways are modernised so the Group is given an opportunity to obtain high-value contracts.

Because of very detailed investment’s specification only few Polish companies can tender for a contract. On the other hand, foreign enterprises are more active on the Polish market and the competition is greater. Thanks to joining the UE Poland was given an opportunity to finance investments from EU funds but on the other hand was obligated to adapt railway infrastructure to European standards and requirements. For that reason the Group’s organisation had to be restructured, procedures had to be altered and employees had to be retrained according to the new norms.

New standards: •

•

during modernisation railway lines should be continuously in operation and any inconvenience to travellers should be minimised, necessity to coordinate many ac-

•

antee and post-guarantee service, implementation of international procedures FIDIC that are required for projects financed by EU.

Our company meets all these standards and therefore successfully operates on the united European market. Trakcja Polska owns its presence on the European market to the subsidiary: Bahn Technik Wroclaw which recently was one of subcontractors for new railway line from Norymberg to Ingelstadt.

Specialists from Trakcja Polska took also part in projects realised by the Group’s shareholder COMSA company.

Friendly railway.

The Group minimises harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, and achieves continual improvement of its environmental performance. Compa-

Construction Industry > Trakcja Polska S.A. Księga1.indb 17

Manufacturing-Journal 15 2009-05-18 08:58:19

Complex realization of investments in field electroenergy and construction first of all, in range of structure construction Electroenergy works: • overhead line nn, SN and WN; • cable line nn, SN and WN; • transformer station into and overhead; • switching station structure GPZ 110/15kV; • electric installation (hall, railroad stations, buildings); • earthing installation; • rebuilding of station and railroad stations in range of electroenergetics • external Illumination terrain ( square, stations, roads, parkings etc.)

Construction works: • structure of high capacity buildings object • structure of railroad infrastructure • general construction (office objects, service, productive) • steel hall • disassembling, demolition • dismantling and utilization of dangerous material inclusive asbestos.

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. .

„INTOP Warszawa” Sp. z o.o. ul. Wiertnicza 108 02-952 Warszawa tel. +48 22 885 6431 fax. +48 22 244 5336 www.intop.waw.pl

Company INTOP Warszawa established in march 2007.We are recognized in bridge structure construction works, where we pay attention not only with yellow uniform colour, but in the first place competence and working progress.

Hitherto we accomplishment works inclusive renovation and repairs construction concrete, reinforced concrete, brick and steel, in particularly in range of hydrotechnique construction, bridge and industrial. Based on rich experience we invite you to use our offer in range of new construction works, as well repairs or modernization.

.

Przedsiębiorstwo „EL-IN” Sp. j.

Ul. Kościuszki 8 96-100 Skierniewice Tel. +48 46 833-57-57 Fax +48 46 833-45-66 biuro@el-in.pl www.el-in.pl

Krakowskie Zakłady Automatyki S.A. ul. Wielicka 28, 30-552 Kraków tel. +48 12 25 51 101, fax: +48 12 25 51 152 e-mail: kza@kza.com.pl www.kza.com.pl

Safer with us

•

MANUFACTURING OF STEEL CONSTRUCTIONS •

REPAIR OF WAGONS

16 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 18

WE OFFER MORE FOR ALL WWW.MANUFACTURING-JOURNAL.NET

Zakłady Naprawcze Taboru Kolejowego ”PATEREK” S.A. Paterek, ul. Przemysłowa 1, 89-100 Nakło n. Not. marketing@zntk-paterek.pl tel. +48 52 386 31 46 fax +48 52 386 34 01

Construction Industry > Trakcja Polska S.A. 2009-05-18 08:58:21

nies have implemented management system standards of ISO 9001:2000(Quality Management) and ISO 14001:1996 (Environmental Management).

Environmentally friendly approach of the Group is performed through: • reducing cost of waste management, • saving on consumption of energy and materials, • lowering fuel consumption, • protecting surface and ground waters, • limiting of air pollution.

The Group sets following environmental objectives and targets: • increasing the number of rail transfers in comparison to motor transport, • installing protective systems (sound-proof screens or anti-vibration mats) in highly urbanised areas to limit inconveniences for inhabitants, • maximising safety and reconstructing points where railway goes across motorway, • implementing modern, rail traffic management systems in order to ensure safety.

The Group is fully in control of activities having an impact on the environment and operates in conformity to the environmental management standards. But not only ecology is in the deep concern of the Group... and children from Stróże know it. According to the public opinion business and charity does not go along with but Trakcja Polska proves that there is nothing more inaccurate. The Group supports generously the Foundation for the Disabled in Stróże. Foundation runs Training and Rehabilitation Centre that provides accommodation for 90 people with different disabilities. The main aim of the foundation is to provide medical care together with rehabilitation service and to offer relief for suffering patients.

Over the years the Group has contributed significantly to improvement of communication infrastructure which results in increase of safety, comfort and passengers’ satisfaction. This change in travelling standards is regarded by the Group as one of its biggest achievements.

Full steam ahead!

For the last few years the Group’s activity

has been clearly acknowledged by professionals. In 2004 Trakcja Polska won in ranking “Gazele Biznesu”. Three years later the company was nominated for the prize “Teraz Polska”. In 2008 Trakcja Polska came in 12th place on the Stock Exchange Market Ranking, that is published annually by “Puls Biznesu” magazine. Calling it a success is probably not enough as only nine months after the stock exchange debut Trakcja Polska has been recognised as one of the best managed companies in Poland. On the top of that Maciej Radziwiłł, the CEO of Trakcja Polska S.A. has been honoured with the title: “The Manager of 2008” at the “Man of the year – Friend of the rail” award.

For its products and services Trakcja Polska received following prizes: • 1st prize for the railway traction substation in Barłogi at “Rail 2001” exhibition • Grand Prix award for TC-SSO (microprocessor device used for control of disconnectors of the traction network) at “Rail 2000” fair trade.

The most important goal for Trakcja Polska Capital Group is to remain in a position of the leader in building construction sector of the railway transport. For that purpose, activity of the Group is focused on new technologies used for modernisation e.g. foundation piling, employment of self-propelled vehicles and trains (without separate locomotive). This confidently managed enterprise is ready to undertake the most challenging projects related to railway infrastructure. The manage-

Construction Industry > Trakcja Polska S.A. Księga1.indb 19

ment of Trakcja Polska has successfully combined 60 years’ experience with innovative approach of highly qualified specialists. The Group’s offer is being continuously improved and adapted to the dynamically developing market and the highest efforts are put in order to offer top-shelf products that meet requirements of well advanced technology.

Manufacturing-Journal 17 2009-05-18 08:58:23

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Pressing ahead with agricultural machinery Metal-Fach is the manufacturer of agricultural machinery and equipment as well as central heating boilers. An experience of 20 years, paved with professionalism and top quality, earned the company a reputation as the leading manufacturer on the Polish market. The firm has managed to create an interesting and competitive offer for individual and group customers.

All products which are certified are released after being put through indepth technical and functional testing procedures. The machinery and equipment, sold by several retail outlets all over Poland, include, among other things, bale wrapping machines and baling presses, feed mixers, front loaders and grabbers.

Grow in strength

Established in 1989, Metal-Fach has been developing from the incipient

18 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 20

stages of its activity and assumed leadership in the manufacture of agricultural machinery and central heating boilers.

One of the milestones in the twentyyear history, as the company admits, was entering the agricultural market as a manufacturer of harvesting machines and a provider of silage. The Spomasz factory, which the firm bought in 2003, was an important step towards increasing the output. What is more, Metal-Fach owes a lot to EU funds that were made available for entrepreneurs after Poland joined the EU in 2004. The money made it possible to advance with a series of investments. The business was able to purchase new machinery, modernize old machines as well as build new production plants. For example, the firm could afford an up-to-the-minute assembly hall with an automated warehouse and a modern paint house. The rapid development soon opened up the possibility of expanding the scope of business activi-

ties, enabling the enterprise to enter the steel construction market. Apart form the machinery, Metal-Fach offers a wide range of solid construction solutions which are suitable for steel warehouses, logistics centres, steel production plants, steel sports and entertainment halls, shopping centres, steel umbrella roof construction (e.g. for agricultural machinery), steel garage constructions, livestock facilities (e.g. barns, piggeries, henhouses) and many other facilities which can be tailored to the customer’s individual needs and requirements. Metal-Fach, with its long list of referees, has built up a very impressive image. There is one pivotal factor which influences and maintains the status quo – a narrow specialization. It has given the company a strong market position and boosted the customer confidence. As a consequence, the business activity, geared towards the special group of farmers, provides an interesting offer. For exam-

Construction Industry > Metal-Fach 2009-05-18 08:58:25

ple, when compared to other producers, the firm can boast the greatest number of wrapping machine types. At various agricultural conferences and symposia, by contrast, Metal-Fach strongly emphasizes the promotion of silage. It co-operates with research and development centres (PIMR, Poznań; IBMER, Warsaw; SGGW, Warsaw) with a view to developing silage technology, constructing prototypes of new machines and conducting research related to the machines.

All machinery must undergo functional tests before the launch. Since the customer is highly valued, he is also taken to be a good advisor. Farmers’ personal comments and observations are gathered regularly and analyzed by a specialist team of constructors. In retrospect, as a strong and successful business, MetalFach reveals that Poland’s accession to the EU was a turning point for the development of the enterprise. Once the EU financial programmes for farmers became available, Metal-Fach could easily advance with its plans, bringing silage to the market at the time when the silage technology was being propagated.

A potential temptation

A technologically advanced factory and a perfect link between experienced staff and young, vivid workers bears the hallmarks of the company’s advantageous position. First and foremost, Metal-Fach greatly values the creativity of employees which is treated as both an important contribution to the development and a source of innovative production solutions. The enterprise, with its staff of 500, is considered to be a flexible employer which makes use of modern management methods and techniques such as Lean Manufacturing or Kanban and offers its employees attractive bonuses. It takes great

Construction Industry > Metal-Fach Księga1.indb 21

heed of investments in human capital by offering to pay for employees’ postgraduate studies or organizing training courses. Attractive business journeys and integration-oriented trips are part of career development, too. Metal-Fach gives newcomers the possibility of employment in a modern and developing company with great technical facilities.

The above description accounts for a strong management policy which the firm has worked out. It implemented a human resources management system allowing for an effective conduct of recruitment, training courses and planning of career development. For the purpose of drafting the firm’s organizational scheme, Metal-Fach frequently uses other companies excelling at such services, thus delegating certain aspects of management to top-notch experts.

Profiling priorities

The cooperative services are merely an addition to main products. The enterprise, as mentioned before, focuses chiefly on the manufacture, distribution and improvement of agricultural machinery and heating boilers. As one of the first manufacturers to use an innovative method for the production of baling presses, Metal-Fach made the machine a landmark product, usually associated with the company, but other agricultural machines such as hay tedders, gripping and wrapping machines, loaders and tractor cabs are very much in the foreground as well. On the whole, Metal-Fach came to the fore as a provider of agricultural machinery for the production of high quality silage and it is still best remembered for that. Another aspect equally important for the firm is an efficient customer policy.

Bound to win the customer confidence, the company from the beginning has

Manufacturing-Journal 19 2009-05-18 08:58:27

ATW S.A. ATW S.A. company was established in 1996 when as a result of ZASŁAW factory of trailers and semi trailers restructuring, ADR group bought the Factory’s mechanical and axle production department.

It has to be mentioned that ATW possesses a range of products technologically advanced, which meet all the market requirements; starting from small axles with the load of 500 KG to the axles with the load up to 16 ton, with homologated brakes in the whole Europe from 30 km/h up to 105 km/h. Apart from the axles, with or without brakes, ATW offers also the most modern rear axles in Europe, which possess the solutions patented together with ADR and acknowledged in the whole world, apart from the axles, ATW has in its offer a whole series of one-axle, two-axle and three-axle suspensions – spring and pneumatic ones.

POLISH QUALITY, WHICH GAIN THE WORLD Let incur the power.

Manufacturing Journal

We will surprise you !!! info@manufacturing-journal.net

20 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 22

www.manufacturing-journal.net

Construction Industry > Metal-Fach 2009-05-18 08:58:31

implemented a number of practices aimed at better customer service. The general approach, based on individual treatment of the customer, is therefore geared to offer maximum satisfaction to each group of customers.

New tendencies

Recently the Polish agricultural market have come to a standstill, as there have been no EU programmes available for farmers, leading vicariously to a decrease in products purchased by farmers in the third and fourth quarter of 2008. As a result of the global financial crisis, the onset of 2009 was a commencement of the slump on overseas markets. Metal-Fach, however, is prepared to face new market tendencies. The company has great potential which it intends to use for reaching new markets. At the moment one of the most modern paint houses in the country which offers comprehensive painting is being under construction.

Incremental development, increased employment figures, big investments, modern and technologically advanced production facilities, investments in qualifications of employees and implementation of ERP computer software system are indicative of an up-to-theminute policy that puts the company on the top rung of the agricultural ladder.

Expansion to overseas markets, finally, is yet another and, more importantly, central aspect to the general development of the company. Metal-Fach wants to focus primarily on developing co-operation in Western and Southern Europe and subsequently on markets located in

the whole of Eurasia. In order to achieve the aim, it places a lot of emphasis on promotional campaigns. For example, the company is going to take part in the forthcoming international agricultural fairs held in Hanover, where it wants to develop a considerable momentum.

•

Certified quality

Metal-Fach has many achievements it can be proud of. The steady development, strong and secure position on the market, environmentally-friendly technology – those things indubitably add luster to the general picture. But there is also a multitude of awards and prizes which are the best indicator of what a good business consists in, i.e. high quality products, rapid development, reliable service and customer satisfaction.

•

•

•

Selected prizes and awards: •

• •

•

Award for the biggest employment increase in the competition “Ambasador Biznesu – Podlasie 2003” (Business ambassador – Podlasie 2003); The title of “Mistrz Podlaskiej Agroligii 2003” (The master of agro league of the Podlasie region 2003); Award granted by Gazeta Współczesna for the first place in the contest “Podlaska Agroliga 2003” (The agro league of the Podlasie region 2003); “Laureat Krajowy Agroligii 2003” (Winner of the national agro league

Construction Industry > Metal-Fach Księga1.indb 23

•

•

2003) – special prize granted by the President of Agricultural Market Agency; Award granted by the Polish Minister of Agriculture for innovative construction solutions related to the Z-562 baling press; First prize and the title of “Ambasador Biznesu 2004” (Business ambassador 2004); Gold medal received at the international fairs Polarge Farm 2004 in Poznań for technological line used for the production of silage; “Medal Europejski 2004” (European medal 2004) received for the Z-562 baling press at the contest held by the Office of the Committee for European Integration and Business Center Club; The first place and the title of “Gazela Biznesu – Podlasie 2006” (Business gazelle – the Podlasie region 2006) in the ranking carried out by the daily Puls Biznesu among the most dynamically developing Polish companies; Numerous safety markings awarded by the Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS) confirming the high quality and safety of products.

And last but not least, all abovementioned assets seem to be fairly convincing to qualify Metal-Fach as a trustworthy business partner, therefore those interested in co-operation are greatly encouraged to visit the company’s website at www.metalfach.com.pl.

Manufacturing-Journal 21 2009-05-18 08:58:33

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

WORLD CLASS WINDOW SYSTEMS

Managing Director Spectus Sp. z o.o. - Andrzej Szwaber

Spectus is part of the Latium Group, a privately owned international group based in the UK with an annual turnover of 600 million pounds and one of the leading companies designing and extruding PVC window system in Europe. As it has been producing high quality PVC window systems since over 25 years, it is trustworthy and has respect in many countries all over the world. The evidence of company’s high position are results of an annual, independent research of PVC market. They have placed Spectus company in leadership of the biggest profile extruders in Europe.

Target: Eastern Europe

Sales and Marketing Director - Wojciech Bober

Lithuania was the first country in the eastern part of Europe, from which the expansion of Spectus to the other countries of the region has started. The company entered the Lithuanian market in 1997. The next steps were Latvia, Ukraine in 1998 and two years later, in 2001, Estonia. Furthermore, Spectus perceived great possibilities in markets of Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania. The result of this was the establishment of Spectus s.r.o. in Slovakia at the end of 1999. Until the turn of 2007 and 2008 the Slovakian branch of the company covered with the scope of its operation the whole region of Central and Eastern Europe.

Development in Poland

The activity on the Polish market started in 1998. As far as the development of the company is concerned, the last two years

22 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 24

were the most crucial ones in the history of the enterprise. On 1st June 2007 Spectus took over the production facility of Roplasto in Poland – a well known profiles’ producer, which had been operating in Poland since 1994.

The production plant in Wroclaw taken over by Spectus was built in 1997 and restructured in 2006 and is characterized by an annual 20 000 ton extrusion capacity. - The decision to transform our distribution company to a manufacturing one was connected with the strategy of the new shareholder, Latium Plastics Holding. The Group searched for a production unit outside the United Kingdom and the tentative plans included a green-field investment in Slovakia. However, at the time Rolplasto declared itself insolvent and the Latium Group decided to purchase its business together with the highly qualified and experienced personnel. The option was more promising for the Group and much cheaper than the Slovakian alternative – says Mr Andrzej Szwaber, the Managing Director of Spectus. Another key moment in the development of the enterprise took place at the end of 2007. The last months of the year witnessed the transfer of a whole production process to the Polish workshop.

The transferred system is designed for continental Europe and since the beginning of 2008 its production takes place in Poland solely. – The third important moment was finishing the acquisition process of Rolplasto in December 2008.

It confirmed the investment decision of the Latium Group – adds the Director.

Construction Industry > Spectus 2009-05-18 08:58:35

Trust and mission

When asked about the reasons behind the success of the company and the trust that the customers have in Spectus’ products, the Managing Director says: - What brought about the trust of the clients is undoubtedly the quality of our products. It helped us to maintain the hitherto business relations and to start some new ones. Next to that, we believe in interpersonal relations with our clients and have to admit that they are quite extended. Furthermore, what has also played a role was professional and qualified sales and post-sales service.

Last but not least, we can boast a recognizable brand. The British technology has been a factor attracting our customers as well. The mission and main goal of the company is to supply its customers with high quality, reliable products, which find acknowledgment of individual clients. In order to achieve that, the company tries to develop and deepen its interpersonal relations with the cus-

addition. Obviously, technology, ingenuity or product innovation play a very important role, yet the people are the most important development factor – claims the Director. As far as the personnel policy of Spectus is concerned, the enterprise focuses on long-term cooperation. It does not register high staff turnover figures, which confirms that the strategy it opted for turns out to be a correct one and the employees are satisfied with what they do. – We are very open to the needs of our people and do our best to fulfill them. The team spirit is also important at Spectus – we do everything as a team, there is no place for individual solutions – adds Mr Szwaber.

The product range

The offer of Spectus includes a wide spectrum of PVC products, door panels and window boards. The firm specializes as well in the production of winter gardens in Classic system, resistant to the most severe weather conditions. A more detailed product offer of Spectus includes: •

•

tomers. Part of the success is in regular quality controls of the offered products and perfecting the technologies, devices, tools, etc. – Our mission is distinctive quality, which we treat as our competitive advantage – explains Mr Szwaber.

•

Focus on the human capital

The basic and key product of Spectus is PVC profiles. The production of the profiles is the main manufacturing activity of Spectus. The other product groups presented in the offer are not manufactured in Poland. - The fact that we belong to the Latium Group is very ben-

At the same time, the Director is convinced that the potential of the company is in its people. – No matter how large the company is and what profile it represents, the potential lies in its personnel. Everything else is merely an

Construction Industry > Spectus Księga1.indb 25

PVC profiles, among them: TK60 System enabling production of windows of untypical shapes such as trapezoid, arched, round and triangular; TK71 System, appropriate for demanding customers, designed to enable production of various windows constructions and equipped with outer frames with standard shapes and sashes in three versions: standard, decorated and rounded; Elite70 System, a full shaped, technologically advanced window and door system without sharp edges, a perfect solution with practical features and unusual design, conservatory systems, with possibility of adaptation to clients’ needs and preferences as well as individual design of roof’s shape, door panels, available in two product lines: Classic (e.g. Berkshire, Flintshire, Derbyshire) and Euro (e.g.

Savona, Zurich, Turin), window boards.

•

Manufacturing-Journal 23 2009-05-18 08:58:37

www.spectus.com.pl

eficial to us. Thanks to that we can offer and deliver products manufactured by other companies constituting the Group – says the Managing Director of Spectus.

This refers first and foremost to the conservatory systems. Spectus has a chance to become a leader in the delivery and distribution of this product on the Polish market. The reason behind that is the price – the systems offered by Spectus are much cheaper than their aluminum counterparts. Due to that they enjoy great popularity among Polish customers. In fact, the interest is so large that the systems are exported to the neighbouring countries and to the South of Europe. Another important products are window boards and door panels. The latter are not available in the offer of the Latium Group and owing to that have to be purchased from external suppliers.

Changes of the company and the market

The Managing Director of Spectus puts

24 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 26

an emphasis on the transformation of the company, which took place in 2007.

Due to that, the company changed from a distribution to a manufacturing enterprise. Simultaneously, it became the central warehouse of the Latium Group.

What is more, the Polish unit is also responsible for sales in southern Europe and post-Soviet countries. As far as the changes on the Polish market are concerned, Mr Szwaber points an enormous development that took place within the last five years. – It is connected with the rapid acceleration and boom of the Polish construction business. We can perceive it in the very surrounding. Next to a colossal number of new projects, lots has been reconstructed or renewed thanks to the financial support from the European Union – he says. The demand for companies specializing in production of various construction elements, resulted in a large number of new enterprises of diverse size and – due to a large number of orders coming from overseas – quickly evolving to international players. - The Polish market is a very peculiar one. Our country is perceived as the largest windows and window system producer in Europe. However, this status will not protect us from the consequences of the crisis. We will most probably experience a slowdown in the development of the construction business – asserts Mr Szwaber. According to the Managing Director, the crisis may also have influence on the European markets. In western Europe PVC systems have been gradually ousted by more expensive, wooden solutions.

– I think that in the time of saving and cost-cutting, the clientele in the West may return to PVC solutions – he says.

Plans for the future

The next month and years of Spectus’ activity will be connected with further expansion to the South of Europe. – We perceive large potential in the region of former Yugoslavia, generally in the countries trying to become members of the European Union – specifies Mr Szwaber.

The intention is to strengthen the position of Spectus on the rising markets of southern Europe. As far as the Polish market is concerned, the company wants to fight for new clients as well as increase its sales figures and production capacity. All that to maintain the leading position on the Polish market and to develop even more dynamically than before.

Construction Industry >Spectus 2009-05-18 08:58:39

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Chairman of the board - Mr. Marek Grzona

MANY COMPANIES, SYNERGY EFFECT

T

RION is a capital group of product companies active in the construction sector and acts as a managing company of „daughter” companies. The main strategy of TRION is to create and implement development strategies for each product company in the Group. TRION Group is created by acquiring new companies and developing existing facilities thus increasing its product portfolio.

History and development

TRION was created after merging two companies founded in 1990: TRAS TYCHY S.A. and INTUR-KFS Sp. z o.o. The merger took place in 2005 and since that time the company had been named TRAS - INTUR S.A. The nowadays name of the company – TRION S.A. – appeared in 2008.

As mentioned before, TRION acts a managing company of other companies constituting the Group. The capital group is currently active in the following areas of the construction market: • • • • •

steel construction, PVC joinery, woodwork, aluminum construction and joinery, logistic, dispatching and transport services.

Construction Industry > Trion Księga1.indb 27

The development of the organization is aimed at TRION becoming a leader while being the management center for the Group. The Group expansion is in turn focused on decentralizing each area of activities and consolidating production and services in each daughter company.

At the current moment, TRION Group constitutes of the following companies: INTUR Sp. z o.o. (PVC joinery), INTUR KFS Sp. z o. o. (logistic, dispatching and transport services), SYNERGIS Sp. z o. o. (aluminum construction and joinery), ORION + Sp. z o. o. (steel construction, aerial masts and towers, traffic security systems, halls and industrial facilities), HUMDREX Sp. z o. o. (fenestration joinery products group). The Board of the company is focused on getting new outlets and acquiring new companies into TRION Capital Group. Thanks to performing services and implementing production contracts in several areas of the construction industry, TRION wants to diversify its activities. Next to that, the enterprise believes that diversification and acquiring new companies allows to implement many projects all over Poland and Europe. Offering comprehensive solutions has made the product portfolio of the Group more flexible and allowed the company to gain a competitive edge in the construction industry in Poland and abroad. One more impor-

Manufacturing-Journal 25 2009-05-18 08:58:41

tant reason behind the creation of the product companies was to determine which product groups are the most cost-effective and shall be developed.

• •

•

•

reducing operational costs of management, marketing, distribution, manufacturing and accounting, financial savings through coordination of financing activities within the Capital Group and bank funding, elimination of differences gained through efficiency increase in each unit as well as technology and experience exchange, increasing market position resulting from reduced competition.

Review of the daughter companies

Success factors

TRION is the exclusive owner of all of the acquired companies.

It gives the company complete influence on the quality of the management as well as delivered services and products. According to Mr. Marek Grzona, the Chairman of the Board, what propelled the company and its ventures have been long-term, reliable and quality oriented relations with customers: - We believe in fair-play rules, long-term cooperation and delivering our customers top-quality products.

What played a role was also the personnel – team of highly qualified and experienced people, the competitive advantage of the daughter companies and the experience they possess – he says.

On the other hand, the company perceives its potential in the synergy effect it can gain from being a group of various companies.

– Our potential lies in the complexity of the offer. Thanks to the diversity, our customers can gain all the elements they need under one roof – adds the Chairman.

The synergy effect concerns as well the very management of the company. It is to be achieved thanks to:

26 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 28

The companies constituting TRION specialize in diverse fields, have different backgrounds and present diversified development tracks. INTUR is a company with many years of experience in fenestration joinery. Its strong market position is backed up with many certificates and recommendations. INTUR offers its customers well-known, high-quality window systems manufactured using the latest technology and machinery provided. The state-of-the-art processes used in the production of the windows enables the customers of INTUR to select not only the product shape but also the colour. HUMDREX has been a part of TRION Group since 2007. It is a manufacturer of wooden doors and windows as well as PVC and aluminum joinery. The main activity of HUMDREX is manufacturing indoor pine doors, outdoor use pine and meranti doors, pine, meranti and oak windows as well as plate doors with wooden sill-based „honeycomb” design. The company also manufactures PVC and aluminum windows and doors. The products of HUMDREX meet the requirements of highly demanding fenestration joinery market. In 2001 the Company was granted ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assurance System certificate by TÜV Rheiland certificate authority. Next to that, HUMDREX has an extensive sales network all over Poland and exports its products to Denmark, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Hungary. It is also one of the main suppliers of outdoor and indoor use doors for construction stores all over Poland.

ORION+ deals with production and distribution of all kinds of pre-fabricated steel structures. The company is particularly known for its skillfulness in welding works and has been a member of TRION Capital Group since December 2007. The main scope of the company activity is

Construction Industry > Trion 2009-05-18 08:58:43

pre-fabrication of steel towers and aerial masts, used for the purposes of wireless telephone network infrastructure development. ORION+ specializes as well in manufacturing steel structures of halls, shelters, road equipment elements and a variety of other structure elements requiring specialist construction-executive-assembly works. ORION + has a well established position on the German, Austrian, Dutch and Swedish markets.

The company is a professional supplier of galvanized steel construction, and thus is capable of performing the most demanding projects. Its entire manufacturing process is performed in accordance with the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard. SYNERGIS has been a part of TRION Capital Group since 2007.

The company manufactures aluminum constructions and fittings and is permitted to perform economic activity in the area of the Warminsko-Mazurska Special Economic Zone until the year 2017. At SYNERGIS, aluminum joinery and fittings products are manufactured in three systems renowned for high aesthetic and operation qualities. The constructions are very light, modern and corrosionresistant. Furthermore, when installed by professional assembly teams, they guarantee water- and wind proofing.

INTUR – KFS is the logistic, dispatching and transport services unit of TRION. The transport business of INTUR – KFS started in 1989. At the current moment, the company owns a fleet of cars including modern Volvo, Renault and Iveco truck-tractors and all-purpose 33- and 34-pallet trailers. The transport and logistic system includes over 60 vehicles. The company offers perfectly organized transport in Europe and Asia, guarantees fast and accurate order fulfillment as well as professional service level, satisfaction and competitive prices. INTUR – KFS can carry steel and metallurgic products and structures, industrial chemistry products, paper and card board for printing industry, food products, household chemistry products and many more. Besides its dispatching and transport activity, the enterprise sells EUR pallets produced in an automatic assembly line. As a member of EUROPEAN PALLET ASSOCIATION it is allowed to control the quality of EUR - EPAL pallets and has been granted sanitary approval certificate issued by Wood Technology Institute. The image of a renown manufacturer of high quality packaging results in constant flow of orders from in-country and EU buyers.

Strategy for the months to come

The aim of TRION Group is to be perceived as a comprehensive supplier of construction solutions for infrastructural and housing construction units.

What it would like to be associated with is professionalism and high quality. In the months to come TRION would like to develop in two different areas. – We are interested in strengthening the relations with property developers. The cooperation would assure a market for our products and services. Next to that, we are interested in the sector of infrastructural construction. We perceive lots of possibilities in the area of “green energy”, using the power of wind waves exactly. We would like to set up a production works specializing in the manufacturing of bearing elements of windmills. It is an advanced project and we perceive it as a chance to grow – says Mr. Grzona. Without doubt, the experience and offer complexity of TRION Group will support this development plan and the new specialization of TRION will result in further achievements.

Construction Industry > Trion Księga1.indb 29

Manufacturing-Journal 27 2009-05-18 08:58:45

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Slovnaft refinery, Slovakia

The best industrial insulation

N

owadays m o s t people associate TERMOIZOL ACJA brand with credibility, responsibility, good Chairman of the board organizational Stanisław Juda skills and efficiency in achieving goals. The company has been working hard for decades and become a reliable and trustworthy business partner, which keeps to the time-schedule.

Successful beginning

The company was established in 1947 as Assembly and Insulation Department of

28 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 30

Industrial Furnaces Building Company in Zabrze. Its founder and first managing director was Benon Szenkelbach. Although, at that time the firm employed only few labourers and office workers, it became a foundation of a great company that operates successfully until now. The company had dynamically developed for the next two years and in 1949 its production was 47 times greater that in the first year. In 1952 the company with the name Thermal Insulation Works Company – TERMOIZOLACJA was launched. In 1963 the company built its own office in Zabrze, where the head office is located up to this day.

Further growth

Since the sixties TERMOIZOLACJA has significantly evolved. Joining KAEFER Group structures, world leader in insulation and industrial building branch, was a crucial moment in the company’s history. KAEFER Group has been operating for over 90 years, since 1918 when it was founded by Carl Kaefer in Bremen. Its headquarters are still lo-

cated in Bremen. At the very beginning the company specialized in insulation materials for the shipbuilding industry.

Nowadays the Group is present in more than 40 countries and employs nearly 15 000 workers. Companies belonging to the Group work within the following scope of activities: industry, offshore installation, shipbuilding, construction and aerospace. TERMOIZOLACJA has been considerably developing since joining the KAEFER Group in 2002. Significant increase in employment (fourtimes bigger) was noted just after few years. As a result, the company become a well recognized brand with an international range and scope. TERMOIZOLACJA started to be associated with a national and European market place.

Capability of HR

The personnel of the company consists of many experienced employees. Chairman of the board, Stanisław Juda, has been connected with the company for many years. TERMOIZOLACJA contributes to the educational system with its

Construction Industry > Termoizolacja 2009-05-18 08:58:47

Wilhelm HundtGmbH E-Mail: info@hundt.de Schwabhausen 25 Telefon: 0049 202 473060 42349 Wuppertal Fax: 0049 202 470006 Germany

WE OFFER MORE FOR ALL WWW.MANUFACTURING-JOURNAL.NET

Manufacturing

Journal

Construction Industry > Termoizolacja Księga1.indb 31

Manufacturing-Journal 29 2009-05-18 08:58:50

Our employees, project Moneypoint in Ireland

Insulation works in The Netherlands

Project Snohvit, Norway

30 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 32

own three-year vocational school, which trains future industrial insulators. Proper organization and safety at building sites are the company’s main principles. “We carry out various projects all over Europe. Our achievements are the best proof of our professional approach. So far we have received many references confirming the highest standard of our services” says Mr. Stanisław Juda.

At present nearly 1000 people are employed by TERMOIZOLACJA. Majority of the employees work at building sites.

The board believes, that the company’s capability is based on human resources.

In order to successfully enter the European market the company had to employ young, talented people with foreign languages skills. The new employees together with their older colleagues created a skillful and promising team, which is able to achieve success. In the other words, TERMOIZOLACJA managed to build a competent multi-generational team, in which younger and older workers perfectly complement each other.

Mr. Juda would like to emphasize, that despite many difficulties in the past, massive layoffs have been never conducted in TERMOIZOLACJA. The company has grown and its strategy has been implemented by all employees. Thanks to professional staff the company is able to operate in eight European countries, which have eight different legal and tax systems. This is a great challenge for logistic and financial departments, as they need to organize work in such a way, that all requirements in particular countries are fully obeyed. The company does not enter a new market before getting to know its formal-legal aspects.

Since TERMOIZOLACJA joined KAEFER consortium, information flow has significantly evolved and improved. Now employees use advanced tools, which allow communicating efficiently. TERMOIZOLACJA takes care of its personnel development and offers interesting trainings for gaining additional skills.

This year the company plans to open two more vocational technical schools in the south and west of Poland. Employees also have the possibility to participate in corporate trainings organized by KAEFER Group, dedicated to Project Managers.

The Project Management Qualification Program is lead by a known training company, which guarantees a high level of the program. Employees have the possibility to learn foreign languages, especially English, which is an obligatory language within KAEFER Group.

Scope of activity

TERMOIZOLACJA has five branch offices in Poland and four abroad in Ireland, France, Sweden and Germany. The company has developed a wide range of services, that meet the needs of today’s markets. Its offer consists of: heat and cold insulation, acoustic and sound insulation, fire protection insulation, electrical heating of various devices, HVAC systems and façade works e.g. roofing, cladding. The company is qualified to dismantle and utilize asbestoscontaining materials. TERMOIZOLACJA performs investment and maintenance works mainly in energy and chemical sectors. As an enterprise with an international rangeTERMOIZOLACJA has experience in rendering insulation service for municipal waste and biomass heat boilers. The company has accomplished this kind of projects e.g. in Uppsala, Sweden and in Baruth, Germany. TERMOIZOLACJA has been present on the European market for years and gained international experience in realization of many projects, some which is now used in Poland. However, TERMOIZOLACJA should not be considered as a company that operates only within energy and petrochemical branches. The firm is also active in other sectors e.g. general construction, shipbuilding, food industry, sugar factories, sewage treatment plants etc. Recently construction and fire protection branch office, that specialize in construction of modern shopping malls and industrial buildings, has been significantly developed. The best way to show an extension of scope of works is to mention few projects completed

by TERMOIZOLACJA in 2008: insulation and façade works at new unit at Łagisza Power Plant; insulation works at following power plants: Połaniec, Jaworzno III, Skawina, Moneypoint in Ireland, Udevala and Borlange in Sweden, South Houk in England. One of the biggest projects planned for 2009 is Adriatic LNG at Venice’s shore, in Italy. The company has also started the realization of Walsum project in Germany – executed at a power plant, which is a part of Hitachi project. This project is realized for ARGE tripower, a consortium that consists of three German companies: Thyssen Krupp Xervon, Bohle and KAEFER. Another important investment will be done for Borealis chemical plant in Sweden. Last year TERMOIZOLACJA signed an agreement with Alstom for insulation of unit 13 at Bełchatów Power Plant. The plant is the biggest lignite fired power plant in Eu-

Construction Industry > Termoizolacja 2009-05-18 08:58:52

Insulation work on Biodiesel in Schwedt, Germany

rope, so unit13 will be the biggest of this type in Poland. Of course it is not possible to mention all the projects.

Some of them are done in cooperation with sister company IZOKOR Płock S.A.

The strongest points

The company is modern, credible and well-recognizable not only in Poland but also in other countries. For decades TERMOIZOLACJA has been building strong relations with clients putting its focus on this issue. Wide experience gained over the years of prosperous business activity plays an important role in this process.

The company has successfully completed different projects all over the world: in Europe, Africa and Asia. The firm has managed to offer high quality services at competitive prices. Now the company’s board can be proud of many Polish and European certificates, which are the best proof of high quality standards. As

TERMOIZOLACJA S.A. ul. Padlewskiego 6 41-800 Zabrze Poland tel. +48 32 277 75 20 fax +48 32 271 38 38 info@termoizolacja.com www.termoizolacja.com

health and safety issues are the company’s priorities TERMOIZOLACJA holds following certificates: SCC and OHSAS 18001. The company also has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001Quality Management System, certifications for environmental management system, which covers all the company’s activities. TERMOIZOLACJA is permanently improving standard of its services in order to minimize harmful impact on the environment. The company has been many times nominated to a prestigious “Gazela Biznesu” award.

It has also been awarded with a title of “Reliable Employer”. All achievements mentioned above give true satisfaction to the company’s management and employees. TERMOIZOLACJA offers its business partners experienced, highly skilled and professionally trained personnel with the know-how of one of the greatest consortiums in insulation and construction industry in the world. At

Construction in Szczecinek, Poland

Construction Industry > Termoizolacja Księga1.indb 33

present industrial insulation is essential for many companies, because it helps to reduce expenses and save energy, which is so precious nowadays. Insulation projects and maintenance services should be subcontracted only to the best companies. Mr. Juda, president of the board, strongly believes that TERMOIZOLACJA S.A. is one of them. Professionalism and competence are main principles of the company. TERMOIZOLACJA is also well known for a flexible and individual approach to every client and preparing offers responding to particular clients’ needs. Considering current condition of global economy TERMOIZOLACJA, like other big companies, will have to face new, sometimes difficult situations, but according to Mr. Juda, it should not be a problem as TERMOIZOLACJA is prepared and ready for changes.

Manufacturing-Journal 31 2009-05-18 08:58:54

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

On guard of the classic beauty INTEGER in dates and facts

INTEGER, a modern investment with versatile interests and potential representing constructional and renovation business, was founded as a limited liability enterprise in 1988. After a little bit more than ten years, in 1999, the company has been turned to a joint-stock, and automatically in such a way it has reached a strong position among the other Polish contractors operating in the renovation branch. However, few years before the big entrance on the stock-exchange ground, the company has gained the trust and good reputation abroad. In 1994 INTEGER has been welcomed in Germany, where its remarkable performances are still appreciated and high valued, even though the company went out of the restoration business there in 2008. Those company’s accomplishments mostly include the revaluation of historic castles, palaces, granges and tenement houses conducted on this territory. Today, INTEGER constitute a well-known brand, and is proud to call itself an unquestionable leader in the Lower Silesia region, with the significant output of more than one hundred executed contracts. Polish, especially Silesian works are those, who are being considered as the hardest challenges and seem to be most crucial in the company development. Above all the regis-

32 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 34

ter of these realizations contains more than a dozen palace and park complexes, several dozens of churches, historic tenement houses and other buildings, several hundreds of interiors - many of them in the totally unique style. Some of them are so exceptional that we cannot leave it that way, without mentioning.

The special underlining is deserved for such monumental and significant facilities as Wrocław Opera House, where the renovation works has been just finished, Peace Church in Świdnica, or Cisterian Abbey in Krzeszów. INTEGER is probably one of the most interesting and openminded companies representing this branch, because it operates and invests in the future in more than in one classic manner, declared in its basic mission.

In 2000 the company has expanded its activity by implementing and becoming an executor of the tourist’s services in the two freshly renovated historic buildings – Tumski Hotel in Wrocław and The Kliczków Castle. Furthermore, INTEGER actively operates on the field of modern architecture and constructions. There will be always a need for renovators, but the company, beyond its great achievements on the rather traditional ground, also believes in the new ideas. To give an more clear view of this side of companies activity, let us adduce at least a couple of realiza-

tions - Collegium Europeum in Gniezno and the Electric Faculty building of the University of Technology in Wrocław.

INTEGER about its

principles and achievements

“Confidence building, it is a long-lasting process”, points out during the interview Mr. Andrzej Woźny, The Vice-President of INTEGER. “We operate on the market more than two decades. Pending that time, we had a possibility to get to know the though construction market and our customer’s needs. That doesn’t mean that after that we rested on our laurels. Au contraire, we are doing our best to develop more and more each day”, underlines Mr. Woźny. Then again, what about that client’s trust?

“Bigger and more demanding projects, which are being entrusted to our company, are not only a great motivation, but also an expression of confidence that was bestowed on us by our partners in business.” And therefore “we wish to be a customer friendly enterprise, always open to their needs and expectations. Our successes simply have to constitute the foundations of future successes belonging to the people that have trusted our work”. As it was said by the Vice-President of the company, INTEGER’s cooperation with customers has a long-lasting character. The company

Construction Industry > Integer 2009-05-18 08:58:55

puts a real pressure on the client’s satisfaction, by performing the services of the highest quality. Every effort is being made, in order to assure that INTEGER’s customers will not feel the need for the drastic changes. The question concerning principal reasons of the company’s huge commercial success had provoque a smile of disbelief on Vice-President’s face. “This is rather a rhetorical question, don’t You think? However, I’m very pleased to know, that we are being see in that way. But then seriously speaking, our success is a resultant of many different factors – human capital, company’s mission, and even a bit of desire to compete. In the present, new realities we had to match to the European standards and much more demanding investor’s expectations.” The company cares a lot about its mentioned potential, especially this human one. From the very beginning of its activity INTEGER has been trying to secure the most comfortable work atmosphere possible for its employees, both the present and the future ones.

The company believes that the positive, favorable work environment is an effect of the propagation of the right values – team work in “hand in hand” style, but without forgetting about individual needs, hopes and goals. In the theory transforming to the practice, the employees should be, and they are indeed, the co-authors of the company’s profile.

“Paradoxically, even though we are a large, well-prospering enterprise, that does not necessarily mean that INTEGER is a heartless organization” underlines Mr. Woźny. Back to numbers – currently INTEGER employs about two hundred workers, and the employment is strictly connected with the wallet of orders.

The company desires to subordinate the whole developmental process to the people’s possibilities and strength, and not the other way round. Human centered priorities make INTEGER a good, loyal and trustworthy employee.

INTEGER in present and in future prospects

Although the spectrum of company’s realization is so wide and various, INTEGER’s representatives claims that they cannot value the executed projects in relation to their importance and worth.

Each and every facility has been significant, and has been treated individually with all respect and interest. The flexibility of INTEGER’s action enables to adjust

Construction Industry > Integer Księga1.indb 35

Manufacturing-Journal 33 2009-05-18 08:58:57

the methods to the customer’s needs and desires. “We aspire to perform in the best quality, no matter what is the scale of project. We wish INTEGER SA to be always associated with two words – quality and reliability”, says Mr. Woźny and he adds “We honestly believe in business ethics”. INTEGER’s projects has deserved for and achieved many extraordinary titles and prizes during the last 20 years of its activity – among others: first awards in such contests as “The most beautiful interior” (1993, 1994, 1998), “The most beautiful building of public utility in 1989-1999”, “The Hotel of the year 2001”, “European Medal” - but, recently, the company’s status and its aspirations had been rewarded the most. The company has just signed a contract for the renovation of the famous Sukiennice in Cracow.

“We treat this project as a great honor and in some way as a crowning of 20 year activity on the market” comments the Vice-President. For the last few years INTEGER has been developing and changing. The transformations and modernizations were somehow forced by the changing circumstances on the market.

The company knows that currently it should concentrate on its fundamental profile activeness, that is constructional and revitalization services. However, as it was mentioned before, 9 years ago INTEGER has started a tourist/hotel business in two specific places, and by that it saved those monuments from the certain ruin. Fortunately the decision has turned out to be good and profitable, especially regarding the recent floats and serious oscillations on the world’s constructional market. The international crisis suppressed INTEGER’s expansion, and for the present moment the company gave up constructions and renovations in Germany and Austria. Additionally, the crisis forced some verifications and clarifications of heretofore actions and future plans. It caused a bit sluggishness on the national market as well, but INTEGER does not worry so much.

To show the real and unafraid face of the company, let us quote Mr. Andrzej Woźny, the Vice-President for the last time. “Long-standing experience in the management allows me to advance thesis, that we as a company, we are ready and in the perfect condition to stand up to the recent economic slowdown”.

34 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 36

Construction Industry > Integer 2009-05-18 08:58:59

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

French class in Polish style Company’s roots and first steps

RD bud, the construction company operating on a Polish market, derives from almost one century of tradition started in France in 1920. In the beginning the idea of activity had concerned small family business set up by Mr. Henri Rabot and Mr. Barthélémy Dutilleul, but very soon the original founders transformed the company into a modern international concern. Smart strategic moves, wellplanned investments, and the highest class of working staff, has created the present shape of Rabot Dutilleul group activity and has put the company on the market’s “top shelf”. On the Polish land Rabot Dutilleul appeared over 11 years ago, in 1997, when the headquarters in Warsaw was founded, thanks to the trust, which had been given the company by the huge investor – Faurecia, leader in the world automotive branch. Faurecia charged RD with the construction of the

large industrial plant for 20,000 sq meter in Grójec, and thereupon it indirectly initiated and contributed to the official rise of RD bud. That was a memorable, even crucial moment in the RD development on the East European market, because there exists a clear, almost untouchable statement in the company’s policy, not to invest and operate in the given country unless there is a real need expressed by a future customer. Thus, Faurecia, by its interest in Poland, open many new possibilities for RD as well. Since those in a way first steps, young and fresh constructional company on a Polish market has developed enormously and has widen its reach to such a degree, that in 2008 its turnover reached the level of PLN 207 million. What is more, in 2008, after the tenth anniversary RD bud opened its first branch office in Katowice. The choice of place was obviously not a coincidence. Upper Silesia seams to flourish these days, and gives new investors a great field for the op-

Construction Industry > RD bud Księga1.indb 37

erational improvisations. The economic development of this particular region of Poland is an opportunity for constructional companies. Clearly, RD bud could not waste such a chance, and owing to this strategic decision the company coordinates several big projects in this area. In the words of Mr. Eric Agnello, the General Manager: “The new office in Katowice gives us the opportunity to be closer to our clients, to exert better supervision over construction areas; and also it shows how determined RD bud is to become a leader in the Polish construction industry”. The new Silesian department can be considered as another “first step”, but this time it guides the company from the consolidate, strong position to the leading one. In Fabruary 2009 RD bud opened his second branch office, this time in Poznań.

The range of activity

The constructional activity performed

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by RD bud mainly concerns all kinds of turnkey realizations of hotels, offices, commercial centres, car showrooms, service stations, industrial and logistic facilities, and sometimes even prestige refurbishment projects. The fame and good reputation of RD group is partially a guarantee of the highest quality of performance, but the Polish company, above all, has made every effort to form its repute by individual operations and strategic moves. Company’s work experience and its versatility in action, allows to conduct with a maximal flexibility for adaptation and with the highest efficacy on the local market. That concerns both the project realizations, constructional works, and larking of technical and administrative barriers. Furthermore, aiming in the consistent development and constant improvement, RD bud introduced and put into the practice the quality management system based on the norm ISO 9001:2000. However, the best proof which attests RD bud competences and possibilities constitute its projects pursued during over eleven years of activity in Poland. Pending that time RD bud team has been participating in the constructions and refurbishment of more than 500 000 sq metres of facilities on the Polish territory. Some of those projects, such as 10 Castorama, Auchan and King Cross shopping centres, L’Oreal, Faurecia and Michelin plants, Campanile and Ibis hotels, refurbishment works in Grand hotel in Sopot, in the French Embassy in Warsaw and

36 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 38

adaptation of offices at Plac Zbawiciela in Warsaw for YAREAL, are really worth to mentioned. As it is written above, during the last 11 years, of which RD bud can be really proud, company’s clients and partners had a chance to become convinced that the enterprise puts an extra pressure on the stability, responsibility and high quality of the provided services. RD bud is a reliable executor, and the investors, who will give it their trust, can be sure that their orders will be ready for

time and the company will arise from the assumed budget expectations. The quality of performance is guaranteed by the modern western technologies and organizational methods, which had been introduced to the Polish reality.

Its success on the national market RD bud owes to the perfectly prepared and performed HR policy, as well. The company is an attractive employer, assures friendly and cooperational atmosphere of team working, and cares about good efficient consolidation between international, basically French and Polish, relations and knowledge of its employees.

People constitute an important potential and living capital for the company, so the Board especially looks after their well-being and development, by offering numerous trainings, work practices in France and various possibilities for skills evolution. Above the professional care, RD bud looks after the private comfort of its working staff. The occasional events, meetings and seasonal integration trips provides a time to relax and to gain more positive attitude both for the employees and their whole families.

Working for RD bud it is a combination of vocational satisfaction and entertainment, but we cannot forget about their safety. Providing the security and safety systems for the workers it is a priority on the company’s list. The total

Construction Industry > RD bud 2009-05-18 08:59:03

tals for the youngsters. Recently, on the International Children’s Day in 2008, the company has been one of the sponsors for the campaign “Artists are painting for Akogo”, which aim was basically to support the charity organization of Ewa Błaszczyk “Akogo”. The money collected during the event were earmarked for the construction of the rehabilitation clinic called „Budzik”. What can we say more?

There is no need to comment, except that the others should be learning from RD bud how to operate and use gained influence not only for themselves, but particularly for the common good.

elimination of work accidents and the effective prevention of work illnesses is RD bud’s main goal. In this matter the company has implemented all the possible required manners : safety norms, actions of system prevention, analysis of risk and danger, work space improvements, employees awareness trainings.

Socially responsible business

There is a need to underline that RD bud’s activity concerns, not only a perfectly wisely prepared economic growth, but the company also propa-

gates the way of making business more sociable and people friendly. By feeling indirectly responsible for the impact on the society in the general sense, the company feels also responsible for its well-being and happiness. The Board, as well as the average workers willingly involve themselves in different types of social and charitable actions and events.

RD bud is always there to help and support those, who are really in need. Especially children are grateful for the company’s aid, because most frequently RD bud has a chance to support such institutions as orphanages and hospi-

w w w. r d b u d . c o m

Construction Industry > RD bud Księga1.indb 39

Manufacturing-Journal 37 2009-05-18 08:59:06

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

leadership on the Spanish environmental market

T

he Spanish company Kalfrisa was established in 1965, which was a result of the merger of two very well-known companies in the industrial market of Saragossa: Talleres de Calderería Claver S.A. (Workshops of Boilers Claver S.A.) and Fabricación de Cocinas Izuzquiza Arana S.A. (Kitchen Manufacturing Izuzquiza Arana S.A.).

Since its foundation, Kalfrisa S.A. has become a leader in providing equipment, plants and technologies for heat recovery, air or gases heating, incineration, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) abatement and industrial heating.

Currently the facilities of the enterprise occupy the surface of 12,500 m2 and are located in Zaragoza (region of Aragon) in Spain. All the engineering and production of equipment and components for many sectors of domestic and international markets are car-

38 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 40

ried out there. It is worth noticing that from the beginning Kalfrisa remains in technical collaboration with the most experienced European companies which have a great knowledge and experience in engineering related to thermal processes and waste air recovery.

Turning points in the history of the company Since its establishment in 1965, until 1975 the company operated mainly in the field of industrial cold storage and manufacturing of industrial kitchens under the German and French license respectively. The year 1975 witnessed the introduction of two new innovative products for a wide industrial use: the equipment for heat recovery and for air heating. Both of them, manufactured under the German license, were accepted favorably on the market. That was the

Construction Industry >Kalfrisa 2009-05-18 08:59:24

nologies which could complete all current activities of Kalfrisa.

The characteristics of the offer At present, the industrial activity of the enterprise is focused on engineering, design, fabrication, supply, assembly, putting into operation and post-sales service of equipment and installations in the field of manufacturing, energy recovery and protection of environment, all based on the implementation of own technology. Currently the flagship products of Kalfrisa are: equipment for heat recovery, equipment for reduction of emissions of different volatile organic compounds and equipment for waste recovery.

It is worth describing in few words the successful products of Kalfrisa: period when Kalfrisa gained customers’ confidence and attracted a lot of important and prestigious clients. At the end of 80-ties Kalfrisa became more and more eager to introduce innovations, which had driven the firm to widen the field of its operations. From that period the company included in the production also design and manufacturing of the equipment for waste recovery – solid, liquid and gaseous, which was an expected response to a growing demand.

These innovations were implemented with respect to the natural environment, in the light of tightening norms for launching specific lines for waste gases processing and treatment. At the same time Kalfrisa launched new equipment for the funeral sector, introducing crematories and pyrolytic incinerators for cemetery waste, fully compliant with the environmental standards. At the end of 2005 100% of the enterprise’s shares passed to the families of its founders. It was a result of the purchase of 53% of shares which before belonged to its German shareholder. This fact marked a noticeable change – the previous period allowed the company to expand on the foreign markets as well as to have an opportunity of collaboration in many new projects and to obtain innovative tech-

•

Heat recovery

This technology, accessible in different designs, is based on a heat exchanger installed in a hot gases stream. Its aim is to absorb a part of its calorific energy and transfer it to a secondary fluid.

•

Fired heaters

Kalfrisa offers a wide range of equipment of the technology which consists in heating a fluid (air or gases) through the combustion of a liquid or gaseous fuel.

•

Incinerators

•

Heating

Kalfrisa also offers energy-saving hot air generators - equipment designed for the air heating of premises. They are fed with liquid fuels (fuel oil and gasoil), PL gases (propane gas and butane gas) and others (natural gas, manufactured gas, etc.).

Step by step to success The most important factor which allows Kalfrisa to attract clients are design and engineering which correspond to customers’ needs thanks to the process of personalizing the offer. The customers to whom Kalfrisa particularly directs its offer are: big enterprises, environmental engineering, official units of environmental sector, town councils. The latest changes in the company play a significant role: having moved to new facilities in the recently created PTR industrial zone, with a high level of infrastructure and transport connections. The total expenditure related with investments for this purpose exceeded 7 millions euro.

The company provides complete plants for waste recovery, with production of hot water, steam, overheated water or thermal fluid. The offer is also directed to the funeral sector.

•

VOCs reduction

Construction Industry >Kalfrisa Księga1.indb 41

The use of organic substances in the industry, for manufacturing purposes, generates emissions of different volatile organic compounds that may become harmful to health or might cause serious damages in the environment. Kalfrisa offers plants for gaseous and liquid emissions which are purifying in the process of thermal oxidation, specifically designed to match the requirements of any application.

Manufacturing-Journal 39 2009-05-18 08:59:40

The facilities are located on the surface of 12.500 m2 and consist of 4.000 m2 build-up area, which are: a warehouse of 3.000 m2 and a two-storey office building which occupies the surface of 1.000 m2. Another important change is the consequence of the purchase of 100% of enterprise’s capital, made in 2005

by Spanish families from the region of Aragon. It brought the transformation of the Board of Directors – the new generation took over leadership of the enterprise – as well as restructuring of managing team. Talking about the employment in the company, according to the recent data, in 2008 Kalfrisa was employing on average 69 people. During the whole year the firm provided 570 hours of professional training, which means 8,26 hours on one worker. That numbers reflect the attitude of the enterprise which believes that investments in human capital bear fruit. Kalfrisa is aware of constant changes to which the environmental market is subject.

During the last few years in this sector, a growth of demand for products and equipment respecting the environment and compliant with the standards and norms in force, was noticed. Kalfrisa can be proud of having developed systems of waste treatment with a view to fulfill these new expectations of the market.

The enterprise, aware of its leader position in this sector of the market, has a very specific and simple purpose for the future – to maintain its leadership. One of the latest events that confirm development of the company is the fact that in October 2008 an important Belgian engineering has awarded to Kalfrisa the design and construction of a steel tubes heat recuperator that will be installed in the USA plant of one of the biggest iron and steel groups all over the world.

A sales record set due to the exportation Recently Kalfrisa has been pursuing the aim of conquering new markets

which has been a great success, on the markets of European countries, for instance: in France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Slovenia.

The company managed to increase the exportation also to other continents, which contributed to setting the sales record, with company’s turnover coming almost to 12 millions euro.

The quality is awarded It is worth mentioning that Kalfrisa S.A. is a member of SERCOBE - the Spanish National Association of Manufacturers of Equipment Goods which unites the most important companies operating in the sector of engineering, construction and erection of capital goods. The firm also enjoys the membership of the Federation of Businessmen of Iron and Steel in the region of Zaragoza.

Operating for the environ-

pounds emissions, due to the use of solvents in some activities, and forces to reduce the emission of these organic compounds down to the new required values. Kalfrisa’s products and equipment are compliant with this norm. Moreover, it should be emphasized that Kalfrisa collaborates with the Spanish Ministry of the Environment. During some important meetings of working committees of the Ministry, the company, as an enterprise which has a great experience and knowledge in the field of waste gases treatment, gave its contribution to an intense discussion about the best solutions to protect the environment on the market. The fact that the most important purpose for the company is to follow the philosophy of protection of the environment, will always help the company to develop, face new challenges of the changing market and maintain its strong leadership.

ment

Taking into consideration the growing respect for environment, it is essential for Kalfrisa to always adapt its product to the requirements of the environmental norm - the community directive 1999/13 transformed into the new Real Decreto 117/2003. This norm imposes the limits on the volatile organic com-

www.kalfrisa.com

Sales-Technical Dept.

Ctra. de Sabadell a Granollers, Km 11,1 Apdo. 7 08185 · Lliçà de Vall Barcelona España Telf.: +34 93 844 58 80 Fax.: +34 93 843 65 01 e-mail: teide@pyroterm.com www.teide.es

40 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 42

Construction Industry >Kalfrisa 2009-05-18 08:59:53

A

company with an extensive experience, Borga Hale specializes in manufacturing prefabricated steel halls, providing a viable alternative to traditional halls made of brick or reinforced concrete. Thanks to an up-to-date and economical system, the firm has earned a reputation as a reliable and renowned manufacturer.

Overview

Borga Hale belongs to the international Borga Group which was established in 1973 in Sweden. The Group deals in designing, producing and assembling prefabricated steel halls and manufacturing steel construction products such as trapezoidal steel sheets and cold-formed profiles. The main production plants are located both in Poland and Sweden.

More than 30 years of experience accounts for a strong market position. The company, besides selling reliable products, guarantees that they are always of the best quality. Founded in 1993, Borga Hale is currently one of the leaders in the manufacture of prefabricated steel halls on the Polish market. The company’s main business activities involve comprehensive solutions related to the design, prefabrication and construction of steel structures. The halls, built in compliance with the system implemented by Borga Hale, are an attractive alternative to traditional buildings made of brick or reinforced concrete. What is more, they are fast to assemble and, thanks to the lack of internal supports, they can be used without spatial limitation on the inside. Steel halls of the Borga Hale system are suitable for manufacturing plants, warehouses, retail outlets, supermarkets, riding arenas, sports halls, farms, office buildings, etc. The technology used by the company, including the arrangement of layers in the walls and roof, is the result of long-lasting expe-

Construction Industry >Borga Hale Księga1.indb 43

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Prefabricated steel buildings rience in the construction of halls on the European markets. It goes without saying that customer satisfaction is the best benchmark for measuring both a company’s performance and professional standards. Therefore, Borga Hale, as a manufacturer and provider of steel structures, attaches great significance not only to professional implementation of a project, but also to additional services which boost the customer satisfaction. Apart from the manufacture, the provider offers a range of standard services encompassing technical support, investment consulting, construction design, delivery and assembly of components. Furthermore, the customer is always treated as an individual. According to this aspect of the company’s policy, each customer receives due attention, which helps to tailor a single construction project to suit the client’s specific needs and requirements. The company’s highly qualified investment consultants provide the customer with technical and design expertise and a comprehensive customer service. In short, Borga Hale won the confidence of investors, because it proved to be a trustworthy and competitive building contractor which holds a robust business co-operation and professional standards in high esteem. Obviously, there are many factors which contributed to the prosperous condition of the establishment, yet the most prominent merits include: • • • • • •

short-term implementation of a construction project; low investment expenditures; a wide range of modern construction solutions; customised designs adapted to the profile and requirements of each investor; freedom to develop existing structures; interiors without visible elements of

Manufacturing-Journal 41 2009-05-18 08:59:55

•

secondary construction; one professional partner from the birth of concept to the stage of assembly.

Leading features of

the Borga Hale system

The system developed by Borga Hale and its technical know-how played a central role in the company’s history, paving the way for success. The hall’s supporting structures consist of specially designed plate girders with variable cross-section. All elements are anticorrosive and painted in topcoat chosen by the customer. After the manufacture, the components are bolted to each other. The hall rigidity is strengthened by wall and roof bracing hidden inside the walls and the roof. This technique provides an aesthetically pleasing interior of the building, an element of pivotal significance if the hall is to serve a public purpose, e.g. a supermarket or a sports hall. What is more, using structures built of plate girders guarantees ample space and height required for the construction of sports halls.The lightweight framework, offered by the company, consists of zinc coated thin-walled cold-formed C and Z profiles bolted to columns and spandrel beams by means of special grips and zinc coated bolts. Cold-formed C profiles are used for framing windows and doors. The walls and the roofs are planted with metal sheets attached to spandrel beams in the wall and roof panels with Borga’s self-drilling screws and neoprene gaskets matching the colour of the sheet. The sheet colour can be selected from a wide range of colours. As thermal insulation, Borga uses glass wool. Alternatively, as part of the system, laminated panel walls are used.

There are also other constructional good points which deserve a mention. For example, tapered built-up constructions, beneficial in terms of both the appearance and price, provide a wide choice for clear span structures as well as con-

42 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 44

struction of multi span halls. Primary construction comprises pre-fixed clips for connecting secondary structure and appropriate holes for assembling cross bracings. Lightweight and durable girts and purlins (secondary construction) are made from galvanised cold-formed Z-profiles, allowing for the reduction of costs of materials. Cross bracing, on the other hand, guarantees strength. Braces can be either revealed or covered. The insulated walls offer an attractive finish with braces hidden behind the cladding.

Standard roof slope is 7 degrees. To optimise the use of materials the following distances between frames are recommended: 5.46m, 6.54m, and 7.62m.

Besides the advanced technology, the company’s policy is also geared towards a successful consulting system. Therefore, taking into account the expected use of a structure, Borga Hale’s qualified teams of designers and consultants are always helpful to select optimal technical and functional solutions. It is important to note that adapting the space of the structure to its intended use takes place during the early stages of design.

•

Cold-formed C and Z profiles

Cold-formed C and Z profiles are made from high quality steel (with plasticity of 350 Mpa) coated by zinc layer equal to 275 g/m2. The adjustment of manufactured beams to the customer’s requirements results in better cost efficiency.

Features:

•

•

•

lightbeams are usually used as secondary construction;

Z-profiles are used as roof purlins or wall girts, produced in lengths of up to 15 m, specially designed Z-profiles are for overlap splicing,

where the strength of double section is used in the engineering process to lower the total weight of the construction; C-profiles produced in maximum lengths of 10 m, mainly as wall girts when overlap is not required, practical as support around windows and doors; special customised profiles are manufactured in lengths of up to

Construction Industry >Borga Hale 2009-05-18 08:59:57

10 m.

Borga lightbeams are manufactured using latest technology, thus making it possible to offer customised pre-punched holes. This kind of policy unquestionably means a highly personalised service.

same as those of Borga steel sheets, which means that the assembly is simple and fast and guarantees high tightness. Using this type of translucent panels is the most economical method of lightening the interior of the hall by the exposure to sunlight.

For non-insulated panel, trapezoidal and polyester sheets are used.

Insulated panel (sandwich) is made from double trapezoidal, polyester or PVC profile (outside and inside).

In between polyester panels polycarbonate panel is placed to ensure appropriate heat insulation. Light transmission for insulated (sandwich) panel depends on type of used material. It equals approximately 60% of single, plain and clean glass. For noninsulated panel (just translucent panel) light transmission is approximately 85% of single, plain and clean glass.

Drop-Stop

Borga Hale’s original trapezoidal sheeting featuring „Drop-Stop” anti-condensate coatings is a popular choice for noninsulated halls.

The revolutionary system allows the roof panel to be cooled by the outside air, while the non-woven film banded to the materials absorbs the water. The absorbed water then evaporates due to the rise in roof temperature and ventilation. Using metal sheets with the “Drop-Stop” film not only offers a protection, but it also reduces the noise level „WAR-BO” Sp. z o.o. Bogdanka to the minimum.

We provide services in range: • • • • •

21 - 013 Puchaczów, POLAND tel. +48 81 462 53 34 fax +48 81 462 51 30 www.warbo.pl biuro@warbo.pl

Steel construction production according to individual clients demand, Production device for mining industry, construction and other branch, Repair of instrument and machines, Welding, machining and mechanical working, Frames, pallets, assembly tables, hoppers WE INVITE FOR COOPERATION and containers to customer needs

Translucent

panels

To provide light transmission in halls the company uses roof or wall translucent panels. The parameters of transparent sheets are the

Construction Industry >Borga Hale Księga1.indb 45

Choice that pays for itself

The Borga Hale system is an efficient and modern system enjoying great popularity among European investors. It has all qualities which make it attractive and competitive on the market: lightweight, economical, fast to assemble and inexpensive to maintain. Moreover, the company’s technical support team is always ready to help you choose the most practical solution. Building a sports hall with the use of the Borga Hale system guarantees reliable and wellthought-out solutions that will be followed by a spectacular sports events in a warm and aesthetically pleasing hall.

The greatest merits of a hall built with the use of the Borga Hale system include: • • •

fast assembly; freedom in the use of hall spaces; lack of internal supports despite a wide span of a hall.

Finally, with its strong technical and financial base, Borga Hale is a trustworthy business that offers good prospects for co-operation.

BORGA HALE Sp. z o.o Ul. Rdestowa 43 81-577 Gdynia Poland www.borgahale.com

Manufacturing-Journal 43 2009-05-18 08:59:59

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

TOP QUALITY NAILS

H

erco is one of the leading fastener manufacturers on the European market specialized in the production of nail. HSM, Herco Styling and Manufacturing, is specialized in the production of fiberglass parts such as car bumpers, flower containers and swimming pools. The company is part of the Belgian FastHercoGroup, known for its transport and logistic activities.

FastHercoGroup is a group of family owned companies with its head office in Antwerp, Belgium. The group has branch offices and production units in Poland, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Herco Ltd and Herco Styling and Manufacturing are the manufacturing branch of the group. They are active in two very different fields. Herco Ltd is a producer of machine quality loose nails and wire or plastic collated coil nails.

The firm does not have its own B to C distribution network and produces mainly costumer designed products.

Some years earlier…

All companies of the FastHercoGroup were founded by Herman Scheers, who was the driving force behind all of them until his death in 2003. The history of Herco in Poland started in 1993 when Herman Scheers invested in buying a cement mixer production plant in Łowicz. The plant in Łowicz had already a tradition of making cement mixers for over 30 years. In 1995 the company decided to expand. A lack of space, growing demand for its products and higher requirements on quality standards led Herco to buy and move to a new production unit in Rawa Mazowiecka, a small town around 70 kilometers from Warsaw. After moving to the new plant, Herco started the production of Collated

44 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 46

Nails. At first the plant was only collating nails that it was buying from other manufacturers in Poland. However, the company quickly realized that in order to control the quality of the product, keep to the delivery times and to be competitive, it had to control as many steps of the production process as possible. Owing to that, in 1999 Herco bought its first nail machines. At the beginning, it started out with more conventional nail machines. In 2001 the cooperation with Enkotec started. At the current moment, over 80% of Herco’s nails are manufactured on machines delivered by Enkotec. As the focus of Herco was more and more on the production of nails, the shareholders decided in 1999 to sell a 50% stake in the production of Cement mixers to an English competitor, Belle.

This was the start of Belle Poland and the rebirth of Herco. From that moment on, Herco has been focusing only on the production and sales of machine quality loose and collated nails. Herco was constantly growing and evolving, but following a clearly set path and reacting to the market situation. At the end of 2004 a new computer system was implemented which marked the reorganization of the whole production unit in Rawa Mazowiecka. In that way the management wanted to prepare Herco for the future.

One of the most pleasant events in the history of the company came in 2006.

In that year, Fast Lines - a FastGroup company- celebrated its 15th anniversary. This called for a party, which was held at the premises of Herco, HSM and Fast Logistics in Rawa Mazowiecka. For two days the families of the employees could get to know the workplace of their nearest and dearest.

Construction Industry >Herco 2009-05-18 09:00:01

Success thanks to People and quality

Mission and goals

Herco’s vision is to be a profitable nail manufacturer that provides top quality products and service to its customers, is a stable business partner for its suppliers and subcontractors as well as gives a suitable return on investment to its shareholders and offers an inspiring working environment to its employees.

Due to the economical crisis, the shortterm horizon includes restructuring Herco’s operations in order to adapt to the market conditions and get ready for the trends of the future. The focus lies on reducing operational costs.

Next to that, the company wants to expand its product range and increase the quality of the existing products.

Without a doubt, what brought the company so far has been the team of people involved in its activity. Starting 2009, Herco has a staff of about 130 people. Herco does its best to offer its clients good, reliable products and a good service (before, during and after sales). The focus has never been on the short term gain, but on the long term business.

The company believes in the strength of top quality products. In April 2002 Herco was registered by the accredited certification institution TÜV Polska Management Service. As a result of an audit, the functioning of the company’s quality management system was evaluated very highly. This gave the ground for giving the company with ISO 9001:2000 certificate. Thanks to the certificate, Herco joined a group of companies which can boast having attained this prestigious distinction. Receiving the certification was actually just the beginning of providing continuous and systematic quality support system and increasing the quality of the products. Another proof of the firm’s quality focus may be the fact that products of Herco comply with DIN 1052/2 requirements as well as with the requirements of the European Pallet Association (EPAL). The company perceives its quality certificates both as a sales tool as well as prevention against quality claims. Careful monitoring of the quality and manufacturing processes allows Herco to prevent having a large number of quality claims and - in case they appear - to understand the reason why they occurred and to prevent the problem from happening again. Last but not least, the trust that the company receives from its clients, is the most important award it can think of. All other distinctions are just a supplement to that.

The offer

The product range of Herco includes: machine quality loose nails, plastic sheet coil nails and wire coil nails. It contains 8 or 12 micron galvanized nails, 5070 micron hot dipped galvanized nails and stainless steel nails. Herco produces as well nails made of square twisted wire. It can also provide collating service for screws and specials. For packing the nails the company has a range of standard boxes, but more than 70% of all products manufactured by Herco are packed in costumer designed boxes.

Usually the company uses the stand-

Construction Industry >Herco Księga1.indb 47

Manufacturing-Journal 45 2009-05-18 09:00:03

ard boxes and personalizes them with printings. For big volumes, the company manufactures boxes according to the costumers’ design or its own proposal.

The goal is to live up to the costumers’ expectations. The product range of Herco and its sales service are therefore constantly expanding. Next to that, Herco does its best to have its products and service associated with top quality.

Export and crucial markets

FastHercoGroup is active on the international markets. In fact, Herco is very much dependant on the external markets as over 70% of its production is exported. Over the past few years Herco has experienced some difficulties and obstacles in its export activity, as the Polish currency would strengthen against the dollar and the pound more then the producer could absorb. The current market situation has changed – there is a decrease in the value of the Polish currency against most of the export currencies. For the business activity of Herco, this transition is creating new opportunities. Even though some of the exporting markets of the company have dropped considerably, the enterprise hopes that in the countries where it lost some market share, it will be able to take some back. This situation would allow Herco to sustain in the time of shrinking economy. For Herco its domestic market is the most important one. After Poland, the neighboring countries are perceived as the key and most promising markets. What is more, the company believes in local manufacturing, which considers first and foremost low added value products. Herco is sure that in the time when financing possibilities become limited, small stocks with fast rotation and low financing costs will gain in importance again. This is where it perceives a chance for growth as it can offer all these to the clients – fast deliveries, vast assortment of products as well as convenient payment conditions.

In order to take advantage of the chance it has, Herco decided to restructure its production and build a new production plant. Next to that, the focus will be on further quality increase, expansion of the product range as well as reduction of the cost base and energy consumption. Taking into consideration the previous experience of the company, the reinvention will most probably turn out to be a positive and value adding process.

46 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 48

Construction Industry >Herco 2009-05-18 09:00:05

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Board member, Marketing and development director - Katarzyna Wawrzyniak

F

ramings and steel structures represent the modern construction technology, especially utilized in elevating various types of halls and high-rise buildings. There is a lot of advantages of using this method, therefore it is more and more popular nowadays, owing to its resistance, and also from the economic point of view.

Use of minimal structural materials allows builders to enclose a large area with minimal cost, while achieving a wide variety of architectural styles.

This is mostly why steel structures have become dominant construction manner in North America and Australasia.

On Polish market this domain is proudly performed, for almost twenty years,

by TRASKO-STAL established in 1991 in Ostrów Wielkopolski. The company has several specializations – designing the constructions themselves, production of all the necessary steel elements and items, and finally, assembly. Not to mention transport and logistics which are closely related to the whole process. From the beginning TRASKO-STAL has been developing very vigorously and after 5 years, in 1996, the company started its activity as a totally independent unit. There were several crucial moments in company’s history which have influenced its current position and its presence. The constitution of the planning office and architectural activity initiation seem to be one of the most breakthrough decisions that were made during the company existence. From that moment TRASKO-STAL has been offering its customers a complex service, from the first design, through the whole manufacturing process, till the last hall element is placed on a right stand. It would not have be so easy though, if the proper distributional and marketing sections had not be set up, in and outside the Polish country. Fortunately, company did not forget about this im-

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portant detail in its business plan. Contrary, wide and effective commercial system is a priority for TRASKO-STAL’s Board. Speaking of priorities, the company claims that there are two main areas of interest : customer’s needs, and the service – product quality. TRASKOSTAL very precisely checks and pools client’s expectations. After such research, company’s engineering stuff can more easily adapt the technological and constructional solutions, and introduce new methods into the steel framing branch.

Each customer is very important and he is being treated with a great attention from the company’s side. During the individual projects company takes an active part in planning, designing and cooperating with an investor. TRASKOSTAL wants to implement customer’s ideas in a best way possible, but still company always offers a good advice when it is needed. The individuals cooperates with TRASKO-STAL all the way from the first design to the last detail. For the building enterprises, TRASKO-STAL works rather as a subcontractor elaborating one or more elements of a process, and for the power industry company works up only constructions. In spite

Manufacturing-Journal 47 2009-05-18 09:00:08

of this variety of orders, the company representatives underline that every client is essential for its well-being. The highest possible quality of production is being kept by complying with the international norms and standards. Company’s high competence and qualifications have been proven several times.

TRASKO-STAL’s activity was honored by Welding Institute Certification Centre in Gliwice with Quality Management Certificate as per Polish Standard PN – EN ISO 9001:2001. Company also is a proud owner of Certificate of Compliance with Welding Quality Requirements as per Polish Standard PN-EN 3834-2:2007 and a Duisburg SLV Welding Institute Certificate certifying to conduct welding jobs in accordance with DIN 18800-7 and DIN 4132 standards. Moreover, TRASKOSTAL’s factory achieved a high place in Quality International 2007 contest finals in the “Q1 Product” category, which shows how adequately the company cares about its manufacturing activity.

However, what is the main reason of company’s success, You may ask. No one cares more about company’s future, and no one is better prepared to reply on any questions which may occur in the hard process of building company’s status, than its own work team. Well-qualified, loyal and competent stuff is, indeed, the strategic potential of TRASKO-STAL. Each employee, from the production line to the high-level managers, has his contribution to the current shape and condition of whole business. At present, there are almost 150 permanent workers employed. The company believes that effective, well-performed human management is the answer and key to the forefront on a market, especially in this present high-competitive environment. Company’s HR policy rests on a conception regarding employee constant development. By introducing and encouraging them to the different types of competence and qualification raising methods and styles, company makes a change in them and by that in itself, as well. All the employees are guided and directed to attend on professional trainee programs, trainings, symposiums and science conferences, for pick up some new work skills and be aware of all the newest technological innovations coming. These activities are always coherent with current expectations, motivational needs and gratifications, which are being defined on a observational and experimental basis. The company knows when something is wrong

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Construction Industry > Trasko-Stal 2009-05-18 09:00:10

or when something should be improved for the best of everyone involved. In the result of this HR developmental policy, good work atmosphere and appropriate organizational culture TRASKO-STAL is being consider as a good, reliable employer, who offers not only honest salaries, but above all, it offers work places in stable enterprise. Employees are able to co-decide about company’s future and to take active part in its live. In all their functions there is a great deal of liberty and decisiveness involved. After all, as we mentioned before, TRASKO-STAL is a caring and fair human-centered company. Thus, what are the prognosis for such a reputable company? They are in fact really promising and bright. The influence of several factors, both internal and external, should be consider when we speak about the future of TRASKOSTAL. First of all, as it was mentioned in the opening sentences, steel constructions industry is experiencing its boom for the last few years. In Poland the branch is constantly developing, simultaneously to the increase of orders for building implementations. The explanation of this phenomena lies in

the great number of new international investors, and in the growing dynamics of our native companies. Unfortunately, there is no doubts, that the recent world economic crisis will not stay indifferent for the whole branch activity. The investment’s brake is expected, as well as the other problems and difficulties on the Polish and International market. However, TRASKO-STAL seems to stay optimistic, owing to the multi-functional status of its activity and products. There is a really big chance of avoiding this inconvenient situation by turning to the other branches of industry. The company combines many prospects with power industry, as well as with the development of international cooperation and export activity. The recent statistics have shown that over 20% of company’s income is an effect of its export activity. Regarding these numbers the company’s Board bravely looks forward to the future.

TRASKO-STAL is constantly searching for new foreign investors, and even consider an expansion. On the other hand, the power industry, especially power plants and thermal-electric power stations, are obligated by European Union

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norms and standards to transform and make some necessary changes. This may be the answer and a right direction for TRASKO-STAL because, between other qualities mentioned above, the company is very flexible and quickly adapt to the superior alterations generated by world’s market. The company cares a lot, not only about its own private future and benefits, but also about “the future” generally speaking, by providing special ecologic and environmental-friendly policy. All the activities are carefully observed and analyzed with regard for the environmental influence that may appear during the manufacturing or constructional process. TRASKO-STAL functions in agreement with all the obligatory ecological norms and standards. The company tries to limit its own negative impact, and it also operates on the preventive ground, by popularizing the ecological philosophy between its customers. TRASKO-STAL is a good and reliable company. The company’s history and future prospects show that it always has come into the right conclusions. It is really worth it to cooperate with such inventive and honest partners.

Manufacturing-Journal 49 2009-05-18 09:00:12

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

TRADITION AND QUALITY…

Chairman of the board - Mr. Mieczyław Harężlak

Ś

rubena Unia was launched in the first half of nineteenth century, when Archduke Karol Ludwig Habsburg founded a huge forge in Sporysz, nearby Żywiec. Afterwards it was transformed into steelworks which has initiated the economical development of the region. Proper fasteners manufacturing started there in 1911. After the Second World War the factory has been continuously enlarged and modernised. In 1994 it was formed as Joint Stock Company and it started to operate under the name: Śrubena S.A and was included into VIII-th National Investment Found „Octava” within the Public Privatisation Program. In 1999 Srubena-Produkcja Sp.z o.o. was launched and replaced the old company.

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In the first period of its activity, the company struggled for existence and got involved in long negotiations with all sorts of creditors, suppliers, banks and efforts to get back a strong position on the market and reliability amongst former and new clients. With total understanding and great support of the workers, the board of the company begun restructuring operations which consisted in improving organization of work, reduction of expenses, increasing range of products and coming back onto the market. Consequently, in 2003 the company managed to overcome difficult situation and the board begun to think about new investments both in machine park and environmental protection. As a result of all these activities, in 2005 the company was completely privatized with participation of the board, the stuff and important investors. The privatization lead in transformation into jointstock company called Śrubena Unia.

Famous for…

For all these years the company has been famous for a few important features.

Nowadays every company has to provide its clients with services and products of

the highest quality and meet absolute dead-lines. These two factors have to be guaranteed if one want to be important and serious subject on the market. If one wants to stand out from the crowd and be competitive, it has to provide its potential clients with something more.

Today, in the face of such changeable and difficult macroeconomic reality, the most important thing that matters is reliability and some kind of predictability of future activities. It is really hard to build and keep stable and partner relations with clients without being reliable and predictable in a sense of making decisions and picking up the challenges. The client has to know that he can count on help from its supplier even in bad days.

At the same time the company has to be assured that it can rely on its clients.

This modern and aware attitude to the matter of subject characterizes Śrubena Unia which has been built by acknowledged and experienced professionals. Śrubena Unia employs 400 people what makes her one of the biggest employers in this part of Poland. All of them work in this company thanks to their skills and qualifications. There are also very good and harmonious relations between the board and trade unions what

Construction Industry > Śrubena Unia S.A. 2009-05-18 09:00:13

has a positive influence on the atmosphere at work. The board understand needs and tries to come up to expectations of union trades which represent a will of workers, and they are aware of the situation at their workplace and understand the rules put by the board.

It is very secure activity, because crisis never affects all branches of industry.

The offer of Śrubena Unia contain many different products and the most distinguished are the screws of class 10.9, available in full range of sizes, from M12 to M36, which are used in compressed connections of HV-type – screw with nuts and washers acc. to requirements of EN 14399 standard which are mainly used in difficult connections in steel constructions. The company is the only producer of such elements in MiddleEastern Europe and has the full TUV certificate with CE sign. The other special product Śrubena offers are the screws of high durance which are used in building wind-power stations. The company also produces bolts of special requirement which are used in automotive industry acc. to requirements of ISO/TS 16949.

The company has changed its offer for years providing its clients with different products. A few years ago the market was full of the standard products which were of lower quality and durability.

are often made up according to client’s wish, expectations and technical specification. There is a need for this kind of products for many reasons. One of them is rooted in conviction that one can not make any progress in this business without changing and keeping its offer up-to-date. To go forward one has to know what the market needs and try to provide it with such things. The reason is of macroeconomic nature and connected to the fact that the Eastern market has become more competitive and the products coming from that part of the world has been more attractive for Western people than it was years ago.

The products coming from East, mainly from China, are very cheap. Their prices are so competitive that they made many Western suppliers had to cut down their production or even disappear from the market. Nowadays, the situation is likely to change mainly thanks to recent decision of European Commission. This institution decided to take control of imported products by enforcing new

Today the situation has changed.

Producers can not let themselves go under some level and have to concentrate on making competitive, first-rate products which of the highest standard.

Durability of the products is much bigger and they

legislation which suppose to regulate import of the products that come from Eastern countries with anti-dumping customs. Cheap products may not cost much money, but their durance is also much lower. Today, potential users become more aware of this obvious fact and they decide to pay more and get valuable and useful product which is technically advanced. This tendency is clearly seen amongst all kinds of constructors who have to use reliable products of the highest endurance.

Modern technology…

The biggest advantage of Śrubena Unia is its unique range of production typical of European companies, suppliers and factories. They use highly sophisticated and advanced, modern technology. Large selection of products make that the company’s offer is addressed to various clients who run different kind of business and specialize in developing varied branches of current industry: building industry, engineering industry, mining industry, railway network and automotive. In the face of crisis, which is the biggest danger for industrial world at the moment, differentiating outlet market is one of the most important gauntlet every company has to take up.

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Manufacturing-Journal 51 2009-05-18 09:00:16

Dedicated to…

Śrubena Unia is well-known and internationally acclaimed company – 50 % of its production is dedicated to foreign markets. Its products go to different countries form Western Europe such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, France, Great Britain; and to the Eastern Europe and countries such as Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and many others. The company still enlarges its outlet market. For now it is concentrating on distributing its products in Scandinavian lands like Denmark or Sweden.

The best and the most effective way…

Today, being environment-friendly is an important task every modern company has to take up, especially when its activity can affect natural eco-system, what often happens in different branches of industry. In Poland pro-ecological policy is still fresh and new and Poles still have to learn a lot as a member of European Union which concentrates on protecting environment to a great extent. As the company specializes in industry which can be harmful for ecology, Śrubena Unia is aware of the fact that it has to be sensitive about needs of environment.

The company works on the basis of on the system of environmental protection acc. to requirements of ISO 14001 which is certificated by TUV. As this system is only a tool with which one can control and manage all environmental issues and aspects and solve its problems, there are other methods the company can use in protecting environment from many currents threats. The best and the

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most effective way to be environmentfriendly subject is to invest in ecology. Śrubena Unia has been active in this field for a long time now. The main activities in which the company is really active consist in coping with a problem of oiling and purifying rain water. The company has been using many modern technological solutions to solve these important problems and has achieved success in this field. As a result, emission of these dangerous factors has been cut down to a great extent and the company is still working on this issue.

Solid Businessman - Śrubena Unia!!!

Besides coping with environmental pollution Śrubena Unia engage itself in other activities which are done for the common good. The company supports local initiatives to promoting the region of Beskid Żywiecki.

It also organizes sport events. Last year the company celebrated

its 175th founding anniversary. The ceremonies related to this special occasion were performed in companionship of many clients, suppliers, cooperators coming from Poland as well

as other countries. Śrubena Unia is a laureate of the third edition of “Solidny Przedsiębiorca (Solid Businessman)” award. It also got many distinctions and diplomas from local governments.

Construction Industry > Śrubena Unia S.A. 2009-05-18 09:00:19

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

THE BEST POLISH FOOD PRODUCTS

J

amar is a Poland-based company with nearly 15 years’ experience in producing top-class processed food products. Both its history and business profile confirm the widespread belief that Polish food products are rated very highly on the European market.

A star that sparked

Founded in 1994, Jamar worked hard during incipient stages of its activity to achieve what it is today. The early development meant mostly creating a business profile and making decisions regarding a range of products on offer. Initially, the company produced vinegar, but soon after it plumped for an ambitious plan to expand the range of products.

Vegetable and fruit preserves, tinned vegetables, seasonings, vinegars, ketchup, mustard, sauces, ready-made dishes, syrups and juices are only some of Jamar’s products. With hindsight, it goes without saying that Poland’s accession to the EU in 2004 had a great influence on the development of the company. Co-operation with partners on formerly inaccessible markets became genuine and, as a result, the company saw a steady increase in sales volume in 2006. These circumstances gave the green light to significant investments, i.e. reorganizing management, building up a base in the form of efficient trade department as well as building up technical and pro-

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duction infrastructure. Thanks to such favourable macroeconomic conditions, the company was able to exploit its potential and grow bigger at a fast pace.

Jamar has never lost loyalty to the customer though. Conversely, it won the confidence by showing respect towards consumers, and today this is the aspect that is highlighted when the company’s success is brought up. “From the beginning, we have known that we wanted to offer an impeccable product and, more importantly, a product that would be unique because of its quality and exquisite taste, but sold at a price which the customer would be willing to accept,” says Jarosław Szczepaniak, a co-owner of Jamar. There seems to be no silver bullet for successful business, yet if you offer the product which satisfies the customer’s needs and you sell it at a fair price, this is going to pay you back in the future. “We have made it and our customers keep reminding us of it. The confidence is not ever-lasting and we are aware of that. The confidence is built through flexibility and ability to meet expectations in the long term – this is a very difficult task, but possible!” says Mr Szczepaniak.

Jamar vs. goodwill

Jamar has earned a good reputation as a producer of processed food products ranging from vinegar, tinned vegetables, jams, sauces, syrups to mustard and ketchup. All those products are equ-

Manufacturing-Journal 53 2009-05-18 09:00:22

ally important, as each of them is geared to satisfy the consumer’s need. There are, however, certain goods which have been given more attention than others.

They include tomato concentrate, spirit vinegar, tinned peas, tinned corn, preserved vegetable mixes and fruit preserves. What is more, being innovative is important to the company, too. When a new product is brought to the market, it is very interesting and absorbing to gain an insight into every stage of the development and sale process of such a product. New commodities often give a lot of satisfaction and raise the question of whether they will be accepted or rejected by the consumer. Curious about technological developments, Jamar is always open to innovation. This year the company is going to launch a few brand new products and is looking forward to knowing customers’ opinion on them.“Health from the nature!” is the dictum that should call up the company’s policy. In short, anything that is natural becomes an inspiration and this is the message that comes from Jamar’s advertisements. “We want the consumer

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to know that our products are not only tasty, but, more importantly, that they are also healthy and nutritious,” says Mr Szczepanik. Nowadays, when the pace of life is faster, the consumer wants to be sure that preparation of a meal will not be time-consuming and that the meal will be rich in nutritients. On the one hand, Jamar’s products are reminiscent of tasty food from childhood and, on the other hand, they set apart by beautiful and functional packaging. This is the message carried by the brand. To customers, the company is a reliable and professional supplier of high quality food products. Perhaps, it is because every customer is considered to be important. From the very beginning, the company has aimed to satisfy the needs of all clientele, therefore every consumer has been given due attention. As one of leaders in the food industry, Jamar has attached a great significance to the value of people and their potential.

Good ideas, proficient skills and abilities to cope with nasty situations are areas where no machine or computer is likely to replace a human. In the age of tech-

nological advancement, information and the ability to interpret it have been a great boon which Jamar managed to make use of. According to the company’s policy, success has many sides, but the most difficult feat consists in reconciling them all successfully. For example, Jamar can boast a successful employment policy. At the moment the company employs 250 people, but, owing to heavy investments made in the production base, it managed to lower the employment for the benefit of the development of trade and marketing departments. Mr Szczepanik reveals that “so far we have been building technical infrastructure and have been competing for a low price and, with the onset of 2007, we have been busy increasing sales and creating Jamar’s goodwill.”

Economic tempest in a teapot?

The Polish vegetable market has soared every year for the past couple of years and even though analysts predict slowdown in 2009, the bright side of the prognosis is that a slump will be

Food & Beverage Industry > Jamar 2009-05-18 09:00:24

avoided. However, a Polish entrepreneur is not unfazed by macroeconomic circumstances. The emerging crisis has already forced many producers to be more careful about making business-related decisions. Jamar is perfectly aware of this fact; it follows most recent news about the market condition and keeps any signs of commotion at bay. This somehow unveils the true nature of business: there are times which yield good financial results and times which make you tighten your belt and learn how to be more careful. What is important is that any business should be prepared for both good and bad times.

Going abroad!

The last five years have been a milestone for Jamar: preferential access to the EU markets, big investments, development of managerial staff and implementation of ISO 9001 and HACCAP. Such achievements contributed to the fact that Polish food has become competitive on the EU markets and has won the confidence of West-European consumers.

80 % of the Polish food exports goes to the EU Member States. Due to competitive prices as well as a competitive quality which Jamar offers to its partners, those two elements often come to serve as a bargaining chip during business talks. The company exports its products mainly to the EU states such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ireland, United Kingdom as well as outside the EU, i.e. the USA. EU markets show great purchasing potential, hence the company also wants to reach new customers on the foreign markets. In order to achieve this, many goods are tailored to suit consumers’ regional preferences and requirements. Sometimes it is even possible to implement those products on the Polish market. Jamar believes that Poland can offer plenty exquisite tastes to the EU markets and many others. Polish food has a well-established stance worldwide as good and tasty food which is also healthy and of high quality.

Prizes and charity

For the past fifteen years Jamar’s ambitions and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Numerous prestigious prizes and distinctions were awarded to the company. Some of the most important include: “Najlepsze w Polsce” (The best in Poland) in 2007 for tinned peas, “Złoty Laur Konsumenta” (Consumer’s golden bay leaf ) for tomato concentrate, “Srebrny Laur Konsumenta” (Consumer’s silver bay leaf ) for preserved vegetables. The company can also boast distinctions pointing to Jamar’s dynamic business development: “Gazele Biznesu” (Business gazelle) and the first prize in the Economic Initiative competition. The greatest sense of achievement, though, comes from customer satisfaction. Involvement in charity is yet another aspect of the activity that Jamar holds in high esteem. Supporting charity institutions and foundations has been a common practice for many years. The firm usually offers help to orphanages and childcare facilities by supplying those places with food products and noncash prizes. In return, they are happy to see children smiling, which, as they admit, is the best gift one can ever have.

The fruit is in people

Jamar has reasons to be proud of. High quality products indisputably come to the fore. An innovative production plant could come next. But the most important asset is people creating the company. It is their skills, willingness and potential that helps the firm stay one step ahead of competitors and makes it an attractive business partner to co-operate with.

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Manufacturing-Journal 55 2009-05-18 09:00:26

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Hidden power in delicacy “Lady Fingers”. The most fine Polish sponge biscuits. Loved by children and by grownups, as well. Esteemed and often used by housewives and professional confectioners. Natural, fresh, crunchy and delicious. They can make your day and cheer You up with a bit of sugar bliss. Aren’t we just all crazy about them, at least a little? But we would not be enjoying them if it is not about Pajda Family, the new owners of SAN biscuits brand, who proudly continues dozen or so years of bakery traditions. Their commitment and several courageous moves has preserved, and even raised, the popularity and significance of SAN products. Let us follow their story...

Want to succeed? Take a risk

The present shape of the company’s SAN-PAJDA profile is a result of many years of transformational process, filled with crucial decisions and quite few

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turnovers. First of this mentioned important changes has happened in 1994, when the confectioner’s industrial plants “SAN”, established and operating ever since in Jarosław, had become a private manufacturer, thanks to the United Biscuits capital. This British company had invested in the four factories owned by “SAN Jarosław” and had started to modernize its already very high potential, by applying West-European business organizational norms and well-elaborated standards. An impressive development had encouraged the new investor, who came along with its capital. The famous DANONE concern - company’s bakery segment LU, to be exact.

However this particular seizure was combined with a must of shutting down one of the cookies factories – the unique one,where the majority of the baking production was basing on

traditional hand-made technologies. It turned out that this kind of production had required more employees than it has been defined in European standards. Fortunately, the enormous thread of suppression had motivated a current company’s Chief of the Managing Board into action. In the official proposal, he shaped an idea of buying the concrete plant by physical private

Food & Beverage Industry >San-Pajda 2009-05-18 09:00:29

investor, a Polish manager, to continue this great “home made product” tradition and to avoid harmful consequences. Finally the deal was made. LU Poland has become an only distributor and dealer of SAN’s products, and Mr. Jan Pajda has saved tens of workplaces. Moreover, since that time, the company can operate and sale its famous sponge biscuits under a “SAN” brand.

This contract is being consider as the greatest company’s achievement till today. It took a lot of courage and faith in success, to purchase the plant and start the independent business. The fresh proprietor believed, that at the time of the mass production preformed on the newest technologies, there will be still a place for a recessive traditional product being made only on natural basis, with the dominative “hand made” process involved. Frankly, that was a really risky move, but after six years we can say without a doubt, that it payed off splendidly.

Why are they so tasty?

“SAN” brand is well-known among customers since the first moments of its appearance on a market. There is a need to particularly underline the phenomena of the one special company’s product – sponge biscuits “Lady Fingers”. These cookies are really making a difference, and as Mr. Piotr Pajda, Company’s Director of Development, characterizes them – they are “the engine”, which is running and keeping the whole business together on a straight road to success. What is determining their growing popularity day after day? Obviously it is at some point, as always, a matter of “the secret recipe” and we can be sure that they would not be so tasty without “the mysterious, magical ingredient” and “a real love for baking”, but let us leave for a moment those exemplary enigmatic marketing catches and go directly to the facts.

SAN-PAJDA’s todays sponge biscuits are the continuation of the long bakery tradition, and in spite of many years of industrial and technological changes, they did not lost their high quality and famous taste. On the contrary, their quality is constantly growing, while the brand itself is being preserved in the customer’s opinions. The main goal of company’s mission is to increase the knowledge of a product by widening the distribution networks on the one hand, and simultaneously, to retain its unique, traditional recessive features, on the other. We can find “Lady Fingers” and the rest of SAN-PAJDA’s sponge biscuits, both at the huge supermarkets and through the private distributors. They present the best quality possible indeed, but not necessarily owing to the newest technologies. The quality is being preserved with the use of rather time-honored methods, and on the invariable ingredients basis. This production process, dominated by natural healthy ingredients, is the exact potential that is being consider, from the company’s point of view, as a strategic one, which significantly distinguishes itself from the competition. The traditional recipes and methods of production, natural resources, growing sales and distributional numbers are the most important elements for the company’s well being, but what is most valuable for the average customers? A great taste, the reasonable price and a variety of usage, of

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Manufacturing-Journal 57 2009-05-18 09:00:30

course. Even though “Lady Fingers” and other kinds of sponge biscuits are prepared for the immediate consumption there is still a place for the sweet experiments and improvisations. For example, sponge biscuits are just perfect enough to complete the Tiramisu cake. They really fit in the cream cake production, as a semi-finished article. Thanks to their spongy texture, SANPAJDA’s delicious products can be tasted and consumed not only by adults, but by kids and by aged people as well. Their delicacy is even being appreciated during the stomach troubles and sicknesses by some. It should be mentioned, that even though this paragraph has started with some made-up parts of slogans, in the reality SAN-PAJDA do not feel a pressure to advertise its products in some aggressive, special way.

The biscuits are so good, and by that so popular, that they do not even need a promotional campaign. It is a extraordinary achievement that we rarely come across in the food industry.

San-Pajda owes its success to...

Primary, to the cooperation with huge corporates - DANONE, and currently Jacobs Krafts. With their help and with constant investments in the company’s activity we can observe its spectacular development during last 6 years. SAN-PAJDA cares about its product and about keeping it on the top-sale position, but the real value company sees in the organizational, strategic process and precious, loyal employees. The company presents a rather familial structure, and as a real family it takes part in the evolution process of its members. It stays aware of any financial, health or other problem that may appear among the stuff, always ready to offer some social help. At present there are almost 100 persons employed. They work for the SAN-PAJDA since the redemption in 2003, without any changes or reductions. The work system contains 3 reshuffles. The company is really proud of its organizational compatibilities, which regard a good, universally available inside communication, a full informational access, modern and fast system for crisis reactions.

The work team is well-qualified and can be trusted in any time.

However, the company often supplements its team with new, young managers from latest generations to keep it fresh and up-dated. Employees understand company’s needs. They respect and supports company’s goals with they work and good attitude. Finally, the company owes its present success to the consequence in its well-planned strategical moves. The company’s strategy, from the beginning, was very effective, and now it is being reformulated by adding new projects to it. Only cooperating with Jacobs Kraft (LU) it is simply not enough, so the company is creating its own distributional side. In the nearest future SAN-PAJDA will concentrate on brand managing of 2 most important brands - the famous one “Lady Fingers” and the new sponge biscuits, presenting the same high quality, but in the different, round shape under the name “Biszkopty Kresowe”. This fresh product is going to be relatively cheaper, and hopefully it will become as popular as the major one. The company honestly believes that a real devotion and precision in its activity will once again succeed.

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Food & Beverage Industry >San-Pajda 2009-05-18 09:00:32

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Quality by principle

A

fter more than 160 years of experience on a food market Ybarra is one of the most trustworthy Spanish food enterprise whose products range from olive oil, mayonnaise, different sauces, vegetables as well as pre-cooked food. The company is always working on improving and widening its offer. Ybarra operates in three main facilities in Spain: Dos Hermanas near Sevilla (mayonnaise, sauces, olive oil), Cadiz (pre-cooked food) and Lodosa in Navarre (pasta sauces and products made of vegetables), which are constantly modernized.

Long experience builds confidence

The company was established in 1842 under the name of Hijos de Ybarra (Sons of Ybarra) in order to sell agricultural products of the region of Andalusia.

At the beginning the main production concerned only olive oil packed in cans, which revolutionised the market.

In 1876 the company expanded and entered the international market. The

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same year witnessed the quality prize awarded by Ybarra’s olive oil at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. The new century brought new solutions – plastic bottles for olive oil and new production lines of mayonnaise and sauces.

In 70-ties Ybarra entered new markets in Latin and North America. It is worth noticing the significant role of publicity of Ybarra in 70-ties and 80-ies which helped to build its position. In 2007 one of the succssesful advertising campaign „Olé Olé” was trasformed and adapted to present times. One of the turning points for the company was the year 1995 when Ybarra obtained the international certificate ISO 9002 as a pioneer in olive oil industry. In the following period the company developed in the direction of expansion. New companies emerged which created the Ybarra Group and new products were launched: i.e. olives, canned tomatos and pasta sauces. In 2001 was established Hacienda Ybarra in the region of Navarre where the company launched new products based on vegetables. 2006 witnessed the purchase of a pre-cooked products

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Olive Oil, which is recognized internationally.

Key products and export

factory in the freez trade zone of Cadiz in southern Spain. This event allowed to create a new trade mark called „Ybarra Gourmet” which started to produce pre-cooked food of the highest quality. The success of the enterprise was confirmed by many prestigious prizes and honours, starting in 1876 with the quality prize described above. In 2004 Ybarra was awarded the „Trajano award to the best andalusian entrepreneurial trajectory” by the Journal „El Mundo de Andalucia” and Andalusian Enterprises Confederation. It is worth mentioning that in February 2008 the Regional Government of Andalusia awarded the Medal of Andalucia 2008 in the entrepreneurial area to Mr. Jaime Ybarra Llosent, president of the enterprise and a member of the family founders of Ybarra.What is importnant on domestic and foreign market, Ybarra has got the C.A.A.E. (Andalousian Comitee of Organic Farming) certificate for packers and distributors of Organic

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The flagship product of Ybarra have always been olive oil, which conquered foreign market (at present its sales constitute 20% of the whole turnover), mayonnaise and different types of sauces which succeeded above all among Spanish consumers. Taking into consideration quantity, turnover and history of the company the mayonnaise is the most successful product. The philosophy of Ybarra is focused on promotion of healthy lifestyle based on Mediterranean diet, which includes vegetables, legumes, fish and olive oil. The geografic location of facilities in the region of Andalusia is favourable to produce olive oil made of olives of the best quality and tradition. Regarding the production of olive oil, the company relies on the traditional recipies but adapts production process to the most modern standards. Andalusia means the 75 % of Spanish production of olive oil and 40 % of the world’s one. Recently the company launched a new organic extra virgin olive oil, obtained by the most respectful methods for the environment, with total absence of fertilizers or chemical insecticides, destinated for the overseas markets. What is important, all the raw materials used by Ybarra as ingredients of the products are of the best quality, i.e. the olives used in production are par-

ticular species regarded due to their flavour, size and plumpness. The olives are picked up by hand. All the raw materials of Ybarra are carefully selected which meets customers’ demands. The strategy of the company is to introduce every year from 4 to 6 new products, from which 1 or 2 enter the market. Recently the company has been working on new types of sauces, all based on olive oil.

The product which has been launched this year is „Ligeroliva” the first lowcalorie mayonnaise based in 100 % on olive oil. The exportation of all products of Ybarra offer is organised according to the division of the world in 3 zones, any of which has its own responsable employee. In every country where the company sells its products, it has many clients and distributors, among whom it chooses one representant of Ybarra. At present the enterprise exports alimentary products to more than 72 countries, i.e. Norway, China, Mexico, Japan, Russia as well as all Latin America countries. In order to be present in the awareness of customers Ybarra participates in many interantional trade fairs of agro-alimentary sector, i.e. in Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Singapore and many others.

Satisfying customers’ needs

Ybarra operates according to the motto: „quality as principle”. That is why the company is able to satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers. The fact that Ybarra has been present on domestic and international market for 160 years and always maintained the high quality of its products permitted to win customers’ confidence. The solution of diversifying and widening the offer of Ybarra, transforming of packaging as well as introducing new products and modernizing production process have always been customer-oriented. Thanks

Food & Beverage Industry >Ybarra 2009-05-18 09:01:06

to a modern logistic system and efficient management Ybarra products can easily reach all the destination countries all over the world in order to satisfy the needs of Spanish and international customers. Ybarra is concerned about customers’ health, that is why it disposes of modern laboratories in order to control products before they enter the market.

This attitude of the enterprise is also reflected in the fact that it collaborates with the Spanish Heart Foundation.

Moreover, Ybarra is the company that operates not only guided by analises of consumers’ need, but also by a need to protect the enviroment. Taking into consideration the problem of pollution, Ybarra has already adopted the system of wastewater treatment before it became obligatory. In 2009 with a new project of production line the enterprise is planning to reduce a half amount of energy consumed over a manufactured unit. Ybarra is the company whose aim is development, that is why it also invests in human capital.

Because of that fact it has implemented the policy based on professional growth of all employees, possibilities of promotion, social benefits and stability of employment. At present in the company are employed 286 people who participate in the process of constant learning and reaching Ybarra’s goals.

Methods of development

Undoubtedly, Ybarra understands the need to adopt itself to changing requirements of the market in order to be competitive. During the last 5 years

it has made many steps towards modernisation of production. In 2006 were launched more than 6 new products and a new production line of pre-cooked food in southern Spain. The company modernized 100 % of packaging and production lines. Recently the enterprise has managed to obtain certificates BRC and IFS which approve the safety of Ybarra products among the international customers. During the last 5 years Ybarra has transformed the structure of commercial departament, which now is focused on customers and not on products as before. The recent strategic alliance with Heinz (2008), on the basis of which Ybarra has become its co-producer and co-packer of sauces in the system of PET packaging in whole Europe, allows the company to think that the perspectives for the future seem to be more than good and that there are moving in the right direction. In terms of agreement Ybarra Group will carry out the production and packing of the sauces that Heinz had launched at an European level.

This important fact permits to open new business possibilities for Ybarra in the international market. Moreover, having in mind a constant development

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and adjustment to changing market, in 2009 Ybarra has set up a new factory of production of mayonnaise and sauces which allow the company to double its production capacity in the facilities of Sevilla in southern Spain „Nowadays, when all the companies have to face the period of economical incertainty, we can find ourselves standing on the priviledged position because we dedicate ourselves to food industry - and everyone eats three times a day” - emphasizes the company. „We think that the companies with a stable financial structures will exit the crisis stronger” – they add. The principles of tradition, modernity and innovation, applied by Ybarra already since its foundation, remains the key principles also for the present century.

Manufacturing-Journal 61 2009-05-18 09:01:23

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Chairman of the board - Mr. Artur Lewczuk

BEWA

WE WILL QUENCH YOUR THIRST

A

n average Pole drinks around 61 liters of mineral water a year. It is 20 liters more than ten years ago, yet the figure is still much smaller in comparison to the amounts of water drank by citizens of western or southern Europe. The fact causes that the market of spring and mineral water is one of the most promising ones as far as the development possibilities are concerned. BEWA is a company representing this thriving part of the Polish market.

Spring water from the depth

BEWA is a company specializing in the extraction and bottling of spring water.

The company is located in Kleszczów, in the central part of Poland. The origins of the company date back to 1992 and at the current moment its main

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shareholder is Kopalnia Węgla Brunatnego Bełchatów (Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine). The idea of creating BEWA appeared in 1990. The company was established on 6th August 1992 and the name BEWA came from the first letters of two towns: Bełchatów and Warszawa, from which the partners who established the company came from. The water has been extracted from four wells. Two of them belong to the group of the deepest wells in the country - 312 meters long. In 1993 the first bottles of spring water and soft drinks were produced. Originally, the enterprise intended to produce and deliver water for the purposes of the coal mine solely. However, with the flow of time it appeared that the production capacity of the company allowed it to sell its water to other customers. The idea of extension turned out to be a correct one.

While at the very beginning of its busi-

ness operations BEWA would sell around 6-8 million liters of water annually, the annual sales of water and drinks reached the level of 200 million liters in 2007. The development of the enterprise was so rapid that around 2003 the annual dynamics of sales oscillated around 20%.

It is worth mentioning that at the very beginning of BEWA’s operations, its water and soft drinks were spilt into glass bottles. At the moment, its products are available only in PET bottles at capacities of 0,5 l., 0,75 l., 1l., 1,5 l., 2l. and 5 l.

Crucial moments

– The advantage of the company has always been the fact that it functions next to the coal mine. An important moment in its history took place in 1997 when all legal issues were clarified. At the time, some of the private shares were pur-

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chased by Kopalnia Węgla Brunatnego Bełchatów. As a result, BEWA became a single owner company, which made many management and strategic decisions much easier – says Mr Artur Lewczuk, the President of the company. The President adds that every investment of the company propelled its development and distinguished it from the competitors. – Every investment decision was an important step for the enterprise as a whole. Every machine we would purchase helped us to move forward – he claims. At the current moment, the production halls of BEWA are equipped with five spilling lines of KHS, VIPOL, and KRONES companies. Independently of these lines, the company possesses syrup mixing plant, PET bottles blowers of famous companies SIDEL, KRUPP and all necessary infrastructure for spring water and soft drinks production.

Products and offer

The products of BEWA cannot be easily found in a shop or a supermarket. At the current moment, the enterprise cooperates with large retail chains and delivers its water for the purposes of their brands. The customers of BEWA include for example Auchan, Carrefour, Biedronka, Eurocash or Kaufland. - Without doubt, having an own, strong brand would be an ideal situation. On the other hand, our current method of functioning has many advantages. First and foremost, we work the whole year round. Obviously, there are some seasonal slowdowns in winter, yet their scale is much smaller than what we would observe as an own-brand producer solely – informs the President.

As far as the production of BEWA is concerned, the spring water amounts to 74%, flavoured water constitutes 14% and soft drinks 19% of the production.

In more details, the offer includes: •

• • •

The first of the above mentioned products has been strongly developed recently and its offer adequately adapted to the current market reality.

Potential for the future, success factors

What the President of the company perceives as a strong propelling factor is the quality of the water BEWA extracts and bottles. – Our water comes from as much as 312 meters below the Earth’s surface. It is one of the deepest wells in Poland – emphasizes Mr Lewczuk. Furthermore, the President of BEWA perceives lots of possibilities in strengthening the image of its 5PLUS brand. Its offer was much extended and the products are currently available in the form of soft drinks, still and sparkling water as well as isotonic drinks. Last but not least, another development aspect evolves around the 5 liters packaging. - Gradually, the customers would be more and more interested in larger, more economical packaging. We intend to move towards this direction – says the President.

When asked about the factors which brought the company to where it is now, Mr Lewczuk points to the politics of the owner in the first line: – We could always count on the support of a generous and wealthy sponsor. Next to that, he underlines the meaning and determination of the previous Board, which managed the company for almost ten years. Interesting enough, the management talents of the previous President of BEWA are currently used in the organizational aspects of another unit of Kopalnia Węgla Brunatnego Bełchatów, a vulcanization company. - What has also played a role was good time for business and lots of profit possibilities – says Mr Lewczuk.

still and sparkling natural spring water 5PLUS (available capacities:

Food & Beverage Industry > Bewa Księga1.indb 65

•

0,5 l.; 0,75 l.; 1,5 l.; 2 l.; 5 l.), carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks (available capacities: 0,5 l.; 1 l; 1,5 l.; 5 l.), ice tea, ISOTONIC drinks, energy drinks: GOLDEN EAGLE (available capacity: 1 l.).

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Changes and plans

Cer-

tified quality

In fact, the dynamic development of the company was perceived by a Polish newspaper, Puls Biznesu. In one of its competitions, Gazele Biznesu (Business Gazelles), BEWA was distinguished and numbered among the prestigious group of the most quickly developing companies in Poland. The distinction came in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Another

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Polish newspaper – Rzeczpospolita – honoured the company with the title of Dobra Firma (Good Company) in a ranking concerning the enterprises of the Lodz province.

In 2007 the company received the title of Solidny Pracodawca (Solid Employer) for the fair-play rules of its personnel politics. It concerns the motivational factors and compensation principles in the first line – they remain clear and understandable for both administration as well as production employees. However, for a producer of water and drinks the most important distinction is fulfilling the rigorous sanitary and hygienic criteria.

Due to that, certificates confirming the safety of the products and appropriate course of production processes, are of greatest meaning to BEWA. With respect to that, an important event took place in December 2008. In that month, BEWA received again the International Food Standard (IFS) certificate issued by Bureau Veritas and confirming the highest level and standards of hygiene. Furthermore, in February 2009 natural spring water 5PLUS gained the title of Jakość Roku 2008 (Quality of the Year 2008).

At the current moment, the market share of BEWA amounts to around 8% and the company can boast one of the most advanced technological parks in the country.

What the enterprise wants to achieve in the months and years to come is first and foremost the promotion of its 5PLUS brand and increasing business relations with the retail chains it has been cooperating so far. According to Mr Lewczuk, lots of effort will also be put in changing the visualization of BEWA’s products and refreshing the image of the company. – We hope to be associated with active, healthy lifestyle as well as family values, sport and fun. We would like to contribute to promoting a healthy lifestyle in Poland – asserts the President. The plans for the future were shaped by the changes that appeared on the market of mineral and spring water in Poland. The international, capital connections intensified the competition and brought about the need of strong, marketing activities. Furthermore, the accession to the European Union transformed the expectations of the customers. They have become much more aware of the health aspects of the products – they compare nutrition facts and want to be precisely informed on what they purchase. Notwithstanding, the market that BEWA represents, is one of the most dynamically developing ones in Poland. Owing to that, the products of BEWA will easily find customers, whereas the manufactures’ top quality will ensure that the clients stay loyal and decide to purchase its corporate brands.

Towarzystwo gospodarcze „BEWA” Sp.z o.o.

Piaski 4, 97-410 Kleszczów, Polska, Tel/fax +48 44 737 77 50, bewa@bewa.pl, www.bewa.pl,

Food & Beverage Industry > Bewa 2009-05-18 09:01:28

We dress your containers

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Didac Mendez S.L. C/ Solsonès, 21. Pol. Ind. Pla de la Bruguera. 08211 Castellar del Vallès. Barcelona (Spain) correo@didacmendez.com www.didacmendez.com Tel. 93 714 24 15. Fax 93 714 33 98.

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Manufacturing

Journal

Manufacturing-Journal 65 Księga1.indb 67

2009-05-18 09:01:30

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Oil for all Aceites La Masía, one of the première enterprises which produce different types of oil, was founded as a familyrun company in Gandía, a beautiful town close to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain, at the end of fifties of XXth century. The name reflects his roots and Mediterranean lifestyle. A “Masía” is a typical farmhouse of that part of Spain, in which peasants cultivated olive trees in order to obtain olive oil for their families. Up until today, La Masías’s products aim is bringing the well-being proper of the base of the Mediterranean diet, Olive Oils, with the original dedication and excellency of those farmers.

Becoming a member of Mi-

gasa

The last 5 years has been a period of considerable changes for La Masía. In 2001 La Masía was purchased by Migasa of Miguel Gallego, one of the biggest and

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most important companies in oil sector in Spain, which manages 14 enterprises of oil and alimentary segment. Migasa owns facilities in all Spanish territory, which occupy 240.000 m² and employ 350 people. The enterprise has adapted itself to new conditions which emerged of its membership in Migasa. The company, deriving from a big multinational like Unilever, has come through the process of adjusting itself to the culture of a big family-run company, which was a long and difficult operation but now it is almost finished. Being a member of Migasa gave the company a strong and important feeling of safety as well as increased the level of specialization which allowed to gain a position over the rest of the competition. As for today, La Masía is included in the Top 3 most important companies in the Olive Oil Retail & Food Service sectors in Spain. In the foreing markets, La Masía is already present in the five continents. Taking into consideration the problem of pollution, La

Masía is an environmental-friendly enterprise which fully participates in the system of protection of the environment implemented by Migasa, pioneering in this field in Spanish oil sector.

Strenght lies in

human resources

It has to be emphasized that the secret of success of the company is hidden in human capital. Without the employees who every day shows at work their professionalism, it would have been much more difficult to succeed. That is why professionally trained and skilled staff is, according to the company, a half of the success. La Masía is a big group which shares all human resources but have one independent commercial team. It is a group of 22 people responsible for commercial and marketing sector. The biggest investment in human capital are selling meetings, which are treated as a possibility of being together out of the of-

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The enterprise does not give priority to any customers’ target because for all of them olive oil is a priority product. The company does not discriminate against any consumer only because he wants to buy food products in a shop which belongs to a small local chain, without going far from home or if he prefers going shopping further but to a hypermarket which due its large dimentions supposedly increases company’s turnover.

La Masía implements a basic principle, according to which all consumers have the same rights. The company’s goal is to guarantee the total satisfaction of the customers.“La Masía will surprise you” are key words for the latest changes of the image of the company. The enterprise has innovated packaging of products in order to approach everyday life. They focused on labels and images because they say more than words. In

fice, of reinforcing bonds between people as well as developing team potential.

Approaching the customer

La Masía has won customers’ confidence by showing since its foundation that it takes care of the clients and wants to fulfill their needs as well as by showing that the enterprise is an expert in the field of olive oil production. The company has built up its success on a solid base of credibility of the selling team.

What also counts for consumers is the fact that La Masía is a recognizable mark, now belonging to Migasa - the leader group of olive oil enterprises in Spain.

place of drawings the company uses now photos, which are more real in significance, so that a consumer could identify himself with people shown on the images. This attitude illustrates an aspiration to come closer to a customer and to arouse in him familiar feelings. A very interesting and innovative idea of La Masía is to organize competitions for everyone who wants to participate and win La Masía products and other prizes. The competition’s aim is to create new advertising works in a field of audiovisual media (photog-

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raphy, jingles and videos) which would correspond to a new philosophy of the company: “La Masía desde siempre y ahora” which means: “La Masía from always and now”. Every participant has to show in his work a day of an average family life which consumes La Masía products. It is a good idea to attract consumers’ attention and to stress a key role of a new image of the company.

Improving the offer

La Masía supports principles of healthy nutrition based on a mediterranean diet, the crucial ingredient of which is olive oil. However, they don’t want to neglect

other products important in this diet – margarine and vinegar. All are produced of the best raw materials. The flagship product of La Masía is an olive oil of intense flavour known under the name SUMUM, which has a high quality, unique in the market segment of oils. The product on which the company is now working is a new combination of oils Premium for the mark FENOMENO, which has reached a leadership position in the sector of seed oils. Fortunately many products in the history of the company have succeeded but the most successful category are olive oils of intense flavour.

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Among many factors which allowed the company to succeed it is worth noticing: more than 50 years of experience on national market, leader position in oil sector in Spain, all production process taken place in facilities and factories belonging to La Masía, coming up to the highest quality standards, a high level of department of scientific investigation and technological innovation.

Fulfilling professional customers’ needs

An important alliance between La Masía and Bertín Osborne (a celebrity and well-known business man) bore fruit on market by creating two new products – an olive oil extra virgin cold-pressed and obtained from selected species of olives of high quality, intended to satisfy gourmets and restaurant industry needs. The successful results of alliance were seen not only on market but also in the social field – there has been created a foundation in order to help children suffering from serious diseases. Since it was founded in 1954, the company has been partly dedicated to the sector of restaurant-industry activity in the establishment of La Masía División Horeca.

In this field of operation the enterprise has been developing two types of oils in order to fulfill the most particular needs of its clients: the mark Arbequino (olive oil) and Generoso (sunflower oil). The fact that the company gives its attention also to professional clients is confirmed by sponsorship of the chef annual competitions in Spain destinated only for the professionals of the sector.

This movement is compatible with the objective of changing the image of La Masía. The main aims are to become more and more innovative and at the same time to considerate a human being in the focus of all activities. Sponsoring the chef

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competitions confirms the strategy of La Masía to distinguish private customers from professional clients coming from restaurant industry. The final of 3rd edition of the competition will take place in March of 2010 in Barcelona.

Adaptation to changing mar-

ket

According to La Masía, the market segment of oils has changed a lot recently.

First of all a phenomenon of demand concentration has appeared. Secondly, the amount of house brands on the market has increased considerably. The enterprise believs that in 2009 consumers will not stop giving signs to which La Masía will react properly, introducing new solutions. The enterprise is now pursuing its main aim to maintain customers’ confidence in the future, without which it would’t be able to continue its growth in good financial conditions. The enterprise will continue its policy, believing that it is a right way to achieve this goal.

Success

of exportation

The exportation net of La Masía is a part of commercial and marketing independent unit.

The budgets and selling objectives for different products are diverse. The company lays emphasis on the fact that the expor-

tation based on the strategy of mark is a very long process. In spite of that they decided to start it from the beginning, having chosen the philosophy of supporting the proper mark. This year will be the 6th of implementing the project of exportation and the 2nd year when the company will double its sales figures in comparison with previous year. Nevertheless, the company is very demanding - that is why it craves for closing the year with the export amounted to more than 3 million litres of oil sold to more than 20 countries. Lately La Masía has launched ESENCIAL OMEGA 3, an innovative and healthy product for export for which it is already getting orders. It has to be stated that La Masía is the mark which has evolved, becoming an innovative enterprise which respects its tradition and is proud of it. Acting in a Global Market, demands at the same time being able to meet local needs, La Masía is aware of that for that reason, his flexibility, resources and his aim is to maintain this tendency in the future in order to be able to respond to signs from its customers, descibing and which are their new needs and expectations and requests. Trying to follow these principles undoubtedly will help the enterprise to maintain its good financial position as well as to develop and expand.

Food & Beverage Industry >La Masia 2009-05-18 09:01:36

FURNITURE INDUSTRY

TURN YOUR HOUSE INTO HOME

S

its is a young and promising manufacturer of upholstered furniture combining innovative design with comfort. Its short but eventful history, paved with incremental development and growing popularity, showed that Sits can make the grade as a topnotch furniture supplier which holds professional standards in high esteem.

Past into present

The incipient stages of company’s activity can be traced back to the early 1990s.

Established 16 years ago, the enterprise was initially a sub-contractor for projects commissioned by big and famous companies. At that time it dealt with the manufacture of furniture only. The early days let the firm learn the ropes of the trade, gain experience in the manufacture of upholstered furniture, know customers’ needs, train staff as well as follow the design trends and visit furniture-related fairs. After a couple of years the company plumped for more independence. In other words, events which took place 8 years ago were a turning

point in the firm’s history. Feeling strong enough, it began to offer private furniture collection, co-operate with designers, stage exhibitions at fairs and, as a consequence, win over the direct recipients.

The company found itself on a winning streak, making the interest in the collection grow year by year. Different location and the construction of new manufacturing plants were part of the development. At that moment the name Sits became an official trade mark under which the enterprise sold its products. The present trend is towards expanding the collection of products and burnishing the company’s image.

Things that really matter

As both a manufacturer and a provider of furniture, Sits outstrips competitors in the delivery time. It is the company’s strong asset which has been highly valued by recipients. In addition, customers did not omit to appreciate high quality of furniture and reasonable price attached to it. All of this is geared towards achieving the desirable effect: win-

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ning the loyalty and establishing a long-lasting co-operation. High quality means using materials of good quality, controlling each stage of the manufacture as well as selecting and training experts in the field. The mnufacture of furniture is inextricably bound to a comfortable use.

Sits’ products, in this and many other respects, got the credit: seats, backs and armrests are filled with a good-quality material. The company uses always certified materials compliant with the strictest European norms and requirements, and, depending on model, as a filling it uses either flexible foam, if required, goose’s down or duck’s down in the case of soft furniture. The second, equally important material which affects the quality of furniture is fabric. The company carefully analyses the parameters of different fabrics, choosing those which pass suitability tests with flying colours. Sits selects fabrics which are, on the one hand, durable and comfortable and, on the other hand, pleasant to the touch. Furthermore, furniture manufactured by Sits is always checked for care-

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ful workmanship, compliance with relevant documents and internal manufacturing procedures. People are considered to have been the main contribution to the success that Sits achieved.

When it comes to furniture experts, however, the situation on the Polish market looks more than gloomy. There is a clear shortage of people who can be hired or employed as experts. Concerned with the status quo, the company decided to start a department where Sits’ top engineers give vocational training to young people who are willing to work as upholsterers, carpenters and furniture assemblers. In this way the company’s experts disseminate general knowledge about furniture, carpentry etc. as well as in-house methods and hands-on practices which cannot be learnt from books.

What is more, Sits co-operates with local pre-secondary schools, organizing presentations for pupils and egging them on to join their vocational training programmes, which also makes it an attractive employer. Employment policy adds luster to the company, too. Sits not only provides excellent career opportunities, but also gives a secure long-standing employment. People form Brodnica and its immediate vicinity are pre-

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ferred candidates. Currently, the company employs a total of about 600 staff working in a friendly atmosphere. People are generally open, there are no barriers set between various job positions, and relations between workers are constantly built up and strengthened during numerous parties and other events which the company arranges periodically for employees and their families. Finally, the company’s owner himself has an enormous potential for running the enterprise. Knowing every stage of production in detail and each and every customer and employee, he is totally committed to the creation of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, motivating other employees at the same time. For customers who are always treated as individuals, appointments with the owner give them a sense of stability and long-lasting co-operation.

They do things in a big way!

The company conducts business in every part of Europe. It implements different strategies on different markets.

But one is for certain: it does so, because it strives to set the trends and treat the recipients on individual basis at the

same time. The company’s private collection was made available for the first time on the Scandinavian market. Perhaps it was because the Swedish are the owners. With the best working knowledge of Scandinavian preferences and fashion, it was natural to make an offer for this group of recipients first. The move brought about the domino effect. For many years Sits has taken part in furniture fairs in Stockholm. The event attended to by customers from all over Europe was the birthplace for company’s international contacts. Though Scandinavia still remains the greatest recipient of the products, Sits also found business partners on the markets in Switzerland, Germany and France. Sits can arguably boast strong international contacts and, as a consequence, a robust export-oriented management system. The company sells almost all its products to the West-European markets where it still plans to strengthen the position as a leader. The biggest markets include Scandinavia, Switzerland, Belgium and France. Ready-made manufactures are purchased by both chains of furniture stores as well as single stores interested in a particular model or collection. Given the industrial circumstances, it is important

Consumer Goods Industry >Sits 2009-05-18 09:01:40

that any piece of furniture can be manufactured following customer’s individual order specification. The company has many interesting offers. For example, at the furniture store the customer, using special multimedia and software or printed materials, can with the assistance of a salesman design own unique piece of furniture that would be tailored to his or her needs. Then, the order is sent to the plant for the manufacture.

Every month Sits produces several thousands items of furniture commissioned by individual consumers. The so-called modular sets for self-assembling seem to be the most popular all over Europe.

Sit(s) down and make yourself comfortable

Making your life comfortable is the catchword which aptly summarizes Sits’ efforts and activities. The high quality combined with comfort gives you topof-the-range furniture which meets all European standards (including all British) and, besides, creates a homely atmosphere, making every nook and cranny look and feel comfy – perfectly fit to accommodate a piece of decent furniture. Even in spite of the economic slowdown which reached Poland in 2009 Sits appears to be alive and kicking, because, as it claims, the company has a reasonable spending policy according to which it does not spend money without in-depth analysis. Moreover, the diversification of deliveries and markets keeps the risk of slump at bay. There is also a lot of optimism beaming from within the firm. Perhaps that is partly why it feels ready to follow the current trends both on the Polish and foreign markets. Every day is taken as a bunch of new challen-

Consumer Goods Industry >Sits Księga1.indb 73

ges that the company willingly undertakes. Taking all goals that have been set for granted, the company always implements them consistently. Finally, apart from the above, Sits means high quality products and joint effort of skilled people who, despite not being collectors busy with winning prizes or being awarded with distinctions, are happy if their work happens to be noticed occasionally. This is how, for example, the company was awarded the prestigious Polish prize Diament Meblarstwa (The diamond of the furniture making) for furniture known as Quattro system. A decade and a half of domestic and international experience in the furniture industry unquestionably makes Sits not only an important or trustworthy company, but also a competent business partner.

The high quality products and customer satisfaction are self-explanatory: the interest in products offered by the firm grows steadily every year and the company grows stronger as a result. It rightly does not conceal the pride. Internally, it takes pride in the atmosphere at work.

Externally, it is very proud of fast development of the company and, be that as it may, it seems that the ‘external pride’ is likely to take a lead, as Sits associates future with the belief that the most exciting experiences are still to come.

Manufacturing-Journal 71 2009-05-18 09:01:42

FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY

A MANUFACTURER OF FINEST GARDEN ARCHITECTURE

From the day Stelmet was founded in 1985, it has specialized in garden ornaments and architectural elements.

Now, Chairman of the board twenty-four years Mr. Stanisław Bieńkowski later, the once small company has turned into one of the international leaders in garden equipment manufacturing. It is the biggest firm in Poland, and one of the biggest in Europe, which supplies wooden garden ornaments and architectural features for fencing, decorating and equipping gardens, parks, terraces, patios, balconies and many other leisure areas.

A trajectory of milestones

There are many important milestones in the company’s history. Stelmet started its business as a manufacturer of semifinished products made from wood. In 1990 the company revamped its business profile incrementally, shifting the production focus to the so-called ‘garden-oriented progamme.’ It brought forward the possibility of buying both

72 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 74

single elements and ready-made sets for fencing, decorating and equipping garden spaces as well as other related leisure areas. In addition to this, the 1990s was an era of a continuous search for new business partners and contacts to establish cooperation. This is obviously related to the increase in the range of products on offer. Towards the end of the decade, the company made a lot of investments, e.g. it purchased an automated sawing system which made the firm independent of external sawmills.

The most significant changes, however, date back to the year 2000 when Stelmet purchased new plants located in Lubięcin and Kowary. It also took over a number of sawmills, improved its production plants, and implemented new technology which let the firm boost the production limits and diversify the range of products, delivering high quality goods to the market. The turn of 2008 brought yet another array of challenges and investments: a wood pellet plant in Zielona Góra was built. Thanks to similar investment-oriented initiatives, the production forces are constantly on the increase. The company has the knowhow to exploit the technology to the fullest and guarantee high performance,

interesting products and high quality.

Enter the space entrepreneurs

As far as the company’s position on the market is concerned, Stelmet has been ‘invited’ to many European gardens and it looks like it is here to stay.

The products offered by Stelmet can be obtained at a European chain of hypermarkets selling building materials or garden equipment as well as they can also be purchased from private retail outlets. The wide availability of products did not happen overnight. As the company admits, trust in business cannot be won within a month or a year.

It is a long-lasting process. Stelmet can boast over twenty years of experience in the trade. Tradition, constant development, enhanced quality of products and services and flexible approach to changing demands of the customer – all that contributed to the company being perceived as a reliable business partner.

Even though the success is great nowadays, the firm still wishes to reach more and more new customers in Europe.

They never let the grass grow

under their feet

Stelmet, with a clear set of objectives, is

Forest Products Industry >Stelmet 2009-05-18 09:01:59

thermore, the production and sale of goods bearing the emblem of Stelmet has come to set the direction of professional development, as most wooden elements of garden architecture traded on the European market are known under the names of wholesale and retail middlemen. Products offered by Stelmet stand out from others due to its special pattern and higher quality.

The development of foreign and domestic markets

Production line - plant Zielona Góra definitely not a partner to lead anyone up the garden path. It always follows its good practices which have contributed to the firm’s well-established position on the international market. Most of the products (98%) are exported to the EU states. A lot of attention is given to the development of new systems designed to implement high quality products. A professional customer service, covering all stages from order placement to the delivery of the product to customer’s warehouse, is equally important for Stelmet. Recently, the company has started implementing ambitious development plans. New investments are geared to boost the production, offer a new range of products and utilize waste more profitably. Since Polish and European markets are developing quickly, the greatest successes are expectant. “We have been and still are very ambitious.

We have achieved a lot, but we also believe that the greatest successes are still ahead of us,” says Stanisław Bieńkowski, the president and owner of Stelmet.

Future

sawmilling, the pellets are eco-friendly type of fuel: the emission of carbon dioxide during the combustion process is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by a tree during the growth period, and the residual ashes (less than 0,5% in the case of pellets produced by Stelmet) can be utilized as a fertilizer.

Thanks to the properties, the pellets have become one of the most effective sources of energy. This type of fuel has a firm position on the West-European market and it is also gaining popularity among the Polish consumers. Since the promotion of pellets is central to the company, any actions undertaken

by Stelmet are likely to vicariously raise public awareness of environmental issues, and draw attention to the problem of non-renewable sources of energy.

The company is also planning to make its offer more attractive by selling garden houses, so well-known in Western Europe, but still less popular in Poland. It is hoped that garden houses will be received as yet another attempt towards the comprehensiveness of products supplied by the firm. Fur-

The past five years have been a period of rapid expansion on foreign markets.

For instance, the French market surged 25 per cent (about € 821 million) in the years 2003-2005. Poland’s accession to the EU had a great influence for the development of trade. It facilitated Stelmet’s cooperation with existing business partners and opened up the possibilities of reaching new ones. As regards the present market conditions, despite the credit crunch, the European market looks ready and prospective. The German market, with a value of € 1.2-1.3 billion, appears to be the most attractive. Next come the British and French.

The Polish market, by contrast, as seen from the perspective of garden architecture providers, is rather small, but seems to grow fast. The current value of the Polish market of garden architecture is estimated at € 12.5-17.5 million.

The main tendencies accompanying the developing Polish market are new chains of stores and an increased demand for higher quality goods. These are the factors which create favourable conditions for the company on the domestic market, so far deluged with cheap products offered by small manufacturers. The company’s future will therefore focus on satisfying the growing demand in Poland and abroad.

the pellets and garden houses

Currently, the products are manufactured in ten plants, including the pellet plant in Zielona Góra. The company adopted a strategy which aims not only to boost the production, but also to expand a range of products, e.g. garden houses. Stelmet wants to focus predominantly on creating the goodwill of the pellets, delivering innovative products, and improving the logistics system, an indispensable advantage in market competition.

Wood pellets, an eco-friendly fuel made from biomass, are used for heating houses. Produced as a byproduct of

ul. Klonowa 5: 64-420 Kwilcz Telefon / fax : 0 61 29 15 038 Spedycja : 0 61 29 35 039 www.perz-orzechowski.pl perz-orzechowski@wp.pl

Transport Ciężarowy i Spedycja s.j. Krzysztof Perz & Zbigniew Orzechowski - domestic and International shipping: • we own 22 Scania truck tractor, 2 Man, 30 semitrailer including 10 silo • repair service/ fuel station/ In the area of base • car wash for trucks and cars • cargo insurance in transportation • quality certificate ISO 9001 : 2000 • certificate GMP +

Forest Products Industry >Stelmet Księga1.indb 75

Manufacturing-Journal 73 2009-05-18 09:02:14

Stelmet's selected products

Going green!

It should be stressed that green issues are not alien to Stelmet, too. Environmental concerns are present in everyday business practices. The company’s policy regarding the protection of the environment is geared to minimize the negative influence. Since large production scale entails a great responsibility towards the environment, Stelmet constantly develops its eco-strategy which is based on the use of closed production processes, recycling and environmental monitoring. The wood used for production must be certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which guarantees the compliance of materials with Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental standards.

port. In 2005 the company received the prize from the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs for excellent results in exporting goods to France. For many years Stelmet has also been classified high in the ranking of business establishments of the Lubuskie Province. As a reliable and trustworthy supplier, Stelmet has always attached great significance to the high quality of products. What is more, it is a FSC certificate holder, and the pellet was granted a quality certificate DIN 51731 and DIN Plus.

Strength is in the people

Employing a total of over 900 staff, the most precious asset is, as the company claims, the people paving the way for a successful business. It is much easier to assert the leadership with a properly selected staff. Therefore, the provider looks set to cherish the development of competences, good atmosphere at work as well as an attractive remuneration system offered to employees. All that together paints a rosy picture of a company which plumped for experience, professionalism, modernity, solidity combined with high quality and eco-friendly approach.

Achievements

Stelmet’s achievements have been awarded with numerous distinctions.

The most prominent ones include winning the ranking of Filary Polskiej Gospodarki (The Pillars of Polish Economy) in 2005 and 2007 and the title of Gazela Biznesu 2005 (Business Gazelle 2005).

The titles are awarded to the most dynamically developing companies which contribute to the growth of Polish ex-

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Production plant - Zielona Góra

Forest Products Industry >Stelmet 2009-05-18 09:02:36

BRUGMAN in Poland

The great popularity of BRUGMAN radiators in Poland was the reason behind the construction of a new BRUGMAN Radiator Plant in the Legnicka Special Economic Zone. Simultaneously, the sales activity of the company was transferred there from BRUGMAN Polska in Wrocław – up to that moment the sole distributor of BRUGMAN radiators to the Polish market.

HVAC INDUSTRY

British, Danish and Polish market.

The factory specializes in the production of new models of radiators, not known on the Polish market so far. At the current moment BRUGMAN Radiator Factory PLC: • • •

• • •

QUALITY AND WIDE ASSORTMENT

B

RUGMAN Radiatoren was one of the first companies which had perceived and appreciated the attractiveness of the Polish construction market and its dynamic growth. The works established by Hans Brugman Sr. at the beginning of the 1960ies in the Netherlands as a small, family business has been offering a wide spectrum of products from the very onset of its activity. What is more – the manufactures of the company are characterized by high quality and are available at very competitive prices.

At the current moment, BRUGMAN company produces 2 millions of radiators a year and is one of the biggest radiator producer in Europe. The company is active on the Dutch, German, French,

HVAC Industry >Brugman Księga1.indb 77

is a production company with a state-of-the-art logistics centre, offers products for Polish as well as European markets, employs around 150 highly qualified technicians, production engineers and professional managing personnel, has finished up an investment of 42 mln PLN, functions on an area of 40 000 square meters, is characterized by initial capital of 60 mln PLN.

The nowadays form and shape of BRUGMAN Radiator Factory PLC is a finished phase of the investment. In the years to come, the company intends to expand further and to equip the works with new, modern production lines. It will allow the enterprise to increase the production capacity and to guarantee even higher efficiency of the plant. What is more, BRUGMAN is one of the six brands of The Heating Company, which sells its products worldwide and offers top quality manufactures. BRUGMAN is the leading panel radiator brand of The Heating Company and offers a very broad range of steel panel, column and bathroom radiators. The radiators are manufactured using the most modern production methods. Automatic production lines combined with electrophoretic priming and electrostatic powder-coating operations guarantee high-quality finish.

Offer in more details

The range of products that BRUGMAN Radiator Plant PLC offers to its customers includes over one thousand types of panel radiators, columned radiators, mini radiators, Verti vertical radiators, Interra

Manufacturing-Journal 75 2009-05-18 09:02:38

underfloor convectors radiators as well as Ergo convector radiators. The number of the company’s products amounts to an astonishing figure of 3 626 different types of radiators.

The details of BRUGMAN radiator offer can be presented as follows:

•

•

•

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• panel radiators with profiled plates of vkuniversal, compact, standard and hygienic universal type as well as radiators with flat front plate of piano-universal type, • columned radiators of classic and clinic types. The models refer to classical type of ribbed radiators, which give the interior a stylish look. The products are easy to clean and owing to that recommended for hospitals and other rooms of increased hygienic requirements, mini radiators of the height of 150 mm and 200 mm, which can be used first and foremost in glassed interiors, where place for standard radiators is limited to the minimum, Verti vertical radiators of various types, heights, widths and colours and a durable, impermeable varnish cover, Interra underfloor radiators, a unique form of radiators hidden under the floor. Due to that, the surface of the floor contains a small, decorative drain through which the warm air flows. This type of radiators is an ideal way of heating rooms with windows coming down to the floor as well as terrace doors.

The Interra products are available in three types: GK (deep canals with a steel heating element in steel tubs with thermal isolation), PK (shallow canals with copper-aluminium heating element in steel tubs), PKVT (shallow canals

•

with copper-aluminium heating element in steel tubs with forced air circulation), Ergo convector radiators made out of steel pipes thickly ribbed with rectangular fuses and covered with an elegant, compact cover.

Products’ advantages

The advantages of the firm’s radiators are many, yet without doubt the greatest merit is the material that they are made out of. In the production process a peculiar Swedish plate of 1,25 mm thickness is used. Next to that, the products are equipped with specialist anti-corrosion protection and a 10-year guarantee. What is more, they are characterized by small water capacity – four times smaller than in traditional radiators, which guarantees quicker cooperation with thermostatic valves. Thanks to that the heat consumption can be limited by several percent. That is not the end of the pluses that BRUGMAN products bring to its clients. The upper cover of the radiators – except for their esthetical values, possesses another advantage – it can be cleaned easily without taking off. The functionality is also reflected in the possibility of taking the radiator off without removing the water.

That is due to special valves with which the products are equipped. The designers have also looked after the safety of the customers. All edges of BRUGMAN radiators were rounded. As a result of that, none of the edges is a sharp one. Last but not least, the manufactures are compatible with all types of installations, i.e. copper, steel and plastics.

Quality orientation

Radiators of BRUGMAN are designed with a long-term vision. Optimal heat provision and superior quality are the basis of the design process. All products are carefully studied in form so that welding seams, fixings, connections, air release valves, etc. are as understated as possible. The manufacturing process at BRUGMAN Radiator Factory PLC is in line with a number of various quality norms.

They include: ISO 9001:2000, French NF124, German DIN 4704, English BS3528, Dutch NBN-236 and PN EN-442, valid in Poland and the territory of the European Union. The quality standards as well as internal requirements used by the enterprise, guarantee that the consumer can be recommended BRUGMAN radiators with confidence. The products are all made out of high-quality materials

HVAC Industry >Brugman 2009-05-18 09:02:40

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We will surprise you !!! info@manufacturing-journal.net

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HVAC Industry >Brugman Księga1.indb 79

Manufacturing-Journal 77 2009-05-18 09:02:42

and their quality is confirmed with a factory guarantee of many years. Acknowledgments come also from various institutions and certifying bodies. BRUGMAN radiators have been distinguished by the Golden Medal at the Poznań International Trade Fair. The product received the honorable prize thanks to its peculiar values in the range of: • • • •

modern construction and technology solutions, technical parameters, functionality, ergonomic virtues, work safety and hygiene, top quality and workmanship precision.

Quality is not the only focus of the company. It pays also a lot of attention to the products’ form and character. The form is based on the fact that radiators have a long life. That is why the manufactures have an architectural form free from fleeting trends or fashions. The character of the radiators is another thing that the company can boast of. The design of the manufactures stands out for its sobriety and makes the products prepared to meet any style confrontation. This quality aspect, besides the durable, functional construction of the radiators, is what makes them unique for application in the bathroom, kitchen, hall or the living room.

Environment concern

With concern for the human life and health as well as environment protection BRUGMAN Radiator Factory PLC has decided to introduce a system of old electrical equipment collection. The activity is conducted in line with the rules of su-

78 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 80

stainable growth and is oriented at decreasing the quantity of waste. The system is in line with the act of 29th July 2005 on used electrical and electronic equipment. In order to meet the legal requirements presented in the bill, the enterprise signed an agreement with a company specializing in the collection of the devices as well as their processing and the processing of waste appearing in the course of this advance. The duty of the cooperating company is to pick-up the used equipment from the business partners of BRUGMAN Radiator

Factory PLC, which has been left at their premises by the customers. It is an easy and non-involving system, which does not burden any of the contractors and significantly contributes to the environment protection. Without doubt the strength of BRUGMAN Radiator Factory PLC is in the quality of the products delivered to the customers and the diversity of the offer.

With so many products available, everyone can find something for themselves.

HVAC Industry >Brugman 2009-05-18 09:02:44

Who could have thought that one brand named INVENA could dominate the whole company’s activity? Or, should we say Gama San’s S.A. activity instead? Because, that is exactly what had happened in 2009. The product had become its own producer and dealer, metaphorically speaking, and by that INVENA’s “swan” have become a symbol of integrity and bravery on a market. But let us start from the beginning...

Quick glance at the company’s story

Gama San S.A., one of the most wellknown Polish distributors of plumbing elements for sanitary and heating systems, was established in 1992 in Koszalin, by famous traveler and polar explorer Mr. Marek Kamiński. At first, the company was occupied mainly with commercial and sale activity, concerning valves and water network’s fittings.

However, that situation did not last for very long. After less than a year on a market, company’s board have decided to invest in machines specialized in steel braided flexible hoses production. By this particular decision company “hit the jackpot” in two fundamental points – it added a second, manufacturing aspect to company’s profile, and what is more, it replied satisfactory on a lack on a sanitary market. Gama San’s hoses had become known and popular among the Polish plumbers. They were so popular, that even for some time Mr. Kamiński, Company’s founder and single owner, was operating under a nickname “Hose’s King”. This surprising success inspired company to take next expanding steps.

The heating systems and bathroom accessories were added to the company’s permanent offer, and in the 2002 Gama San have started to manufacture corrugated pipes and fittings for the installation systems. From the organizational point of view, by the year 2000, Gama San has changed it status into a joint stock company and has implemented the Quality Management System ISO. In the 2004 the new company’s brand has been created – the famous INVENA – and after a spectacular entrance on a market it won a prestige “Golden Plumber” award. The INVENA line of products has been very profitable and even domi-

Consumer Goods Industry >Invena Księga1.indb 81

native, ever since. It has increased total Gama San sales to 56%, so after few years the Company’s Board had decided to change the whole company name to INVENA. Seventeen years of experience in constant development has put INVENA on the one of the leading positions in its branch. During that time the company had reached a status of “serial prize winner”. Today it can pride itself on owing two “European Medal” prizes, awarded by the Office of the Committee for European Integration and Business Center Club, three Golden Certificates won in the “Fair Play Enterprise” competition, and two “Golden Plumber” awards.

In spite of this official extraordinary distinctions the company mostly values its own determination and efforts, which have leaded it to this special position only by the independent actions with totally private capital invested.

CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY

Pure ideas - brave actions

How invena achieves its goals?

INVENA presents itself as a “Family friendly brand”. We wanted to know what are the main goals in the company’s mission. How did the company, as a wholeness, achieved customer’s trust and respect and how it is possible that since the beginning these values are constantly increasing among company’s clients? “Customers, they are building their trust on their own experiences, or they do base sometimes on the independent expertises”, says Mrs. Dorota Bireta-Tomaszewska, The Member of Managing Board. “We operate over 17-years on the market, but we still listen to our clients.

For example, if they suggest us some new product solutions we instantly prepare a full presentation for their consideration, of course keeping in mind the most important rule: The best quality possible for the reasonable price.” Briefly speaking, that is what modern business is all about, but still the company does a lot more than that. INVENA looks after its good name also by asking the different independent organizations for their approval and recommendations. Company’s products are being technically tested in respected Polish research labs, and these actions regard not only obvious required tests, but also a whole bunch of other voluntary examinations. They are being conducted to assure the quality,

Manufacturing-Journal 79 2009-05-18 09:02:46

safety and resistance of a product. As an organization INVENA is also a frequent subject of evaluation. That process concerns the obligatory work-stuff checkups, audits, and external evaluations, which are being made during the popular annual contests and business competitions. Above these companycustomer relations, what is INVENA’s key to success and its strategic potential? “People who form a well-motivated team, are the most important element.

We are lucky to have such open-minded employees. But maybe it isn’t only a matter of luck, cause good company attracts good employees” replies Mrs. BiretaTomaszewska. Currently, the company employs 115 people on different levels and posts. It cares about their work development and growth of skills. By sanding them to various trainings and seminars INVENA wants to help them in increasing their own potential and competences. “As the employers we do require high standards, but in return we are ready to guarantee the stability of employment in well prospering company” underlines Mrs. Bireta-Tomaszewska.

A swan ?

INVENA’s marketing campaign, especially brand design, was being consider as rather brave and hazardous, even from the initiator’s point of view.

At the time it was created, nobody would have thought about connecting an aggressive vivid orange color with any product, any brand or even advertising

80 Manufacturing-Journal Księga1.indb 82

brochures.

None the less the company took a risk, broke off the common patterns, and simply succeeded.

The courage walking hand in hand with consistent promotional actions and keeping the high quality still, have resulted in the most spectacular way. Both elements used in the promotional materials, the color orange and a quite realistic swan’s image, which has been chosen as a brand sign, are very unique and by that - noticeable. The swan has been selected not par hazard. In company’s opinion it is the most faithful bird from all kinds. A male swan spends all his life at the same female partner side. Besides, it is also a water bird – so here we have a simple connection with company’s profile – and, what is rather obvious, it is very attractive and it symbolize beauty, dignity and power. Today, INVENA’s orange boxes with famous white swan on a cover, definitely distinguish themselves on the shop shelves and attract customers – at first only visually, but then the voice of reason enters and tells to pick it up.

The present and the future

Last few years were very important and significant for the company’s development, which has been regarding the manufacturing offer, as well as sales and the profits. The economic situation in the constructional branch was really favora-

Consumer Goods Industry >Invena 2009-05-18 09:02:50

ble at that time, and presumably that is one of the success reasons. The fear connected with current economic crisis does not concern INVENA. The company stays moderately positive. Owing to strategic plans made in advance and a number of new products, a considerable drop in sales is not expected. INVENA looks always a head, and often invests in modern products before any competitor will. This courage for investing in the novelties gives an advantage over the rivals in business. Not indifferent on company’s position rests its international activity. INVENA exports its products to Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldavia.

The future export moves are directed at the expansion of company’s influence in Germany and at the entrance on Benelux economic market. Hopefully the value of Polish “złoty” will let that happen.

The current company’s operational task is to attract the final customers, familiarize them with the brand and make them attached. This final recipient’s group is mainly composed of average owners willing to build or just renovate their houses. In connection with the specifics of that particular group, the company

Consumer Goods Industry >Invena Księga1.indb 83

puts an extra pressure on widening the bathroom accessories offer, particularly by introducing new lines of shower equipment and hydromassage shower panels. Additionally, the company aims to form an evident association with INVENA mark, as the best relation between price and quality of the product. The quality is confirmed by number of certificates, and each client, who has decided to invest in INVENA, has a possibility to take a professional advice from company’s foreman being there to consulate and help directly at the place of the renovation. INVENA’s products can be trusted and the company family-friendly orientation has been well proven. The brand is also noted between the professionals. INVENA distributes its products through the medium of wholesales and supermarkets, thus both, individual clients and professional renovators have a chance to familiarize with the product and make their opinion. INVENA’s activity shows that there is always a good time to make new ideas happen. By choosing INVENA not only we invest in the high quality, but moreover, we support the courage and the great ideas becoming a reality.

Manufacturing-Journal 81 2009-05-18 09:02:52

CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY

Chairman of the board - Mr. Jędrzej Wittchen

Exclusive brand, highest quality T

he company Wittchen and its brand are the leader in the Polish market of exclusive leather accessories. After a little less than twenty years of business operations, the enterprise has its own extensive salon chain and brand stands all over Poland, sells products to institutional customers, dynamically develops its export activities as well as sells via the Internet. Yet, what distinguishes the company the most is attention to detail, exceptional design as well as unique character of the products.

Dynamic development,

rapid growth

The history of the company dates back to 1990. At the time, the founder, own-

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er and President of the company – Mr. Jędrzej Wittchen – decided to return to Poland after a series of voyages around the world. What he brought back home were finest leather products, which he perceived as crucial attire addition in the countries he had visited. In the same year, Mr. Wittchen designed the logo of the company – a crest – that became the foundation of the brand. Another element of the brand happened to be his own surname, foreign to a Polish ear. From the very onset of the business activity, the corporate image strategy has been concentrated around luxury and exclusivity. Owing to that, leather accessories of Wittchen quickly appeared in the most exclusive boutiques in Poland and first brand stands were

Consumer Goods Industry >Wittchen 2009-05-18 09:02:54

established. Dynamic development of brand stands and great popularity of the leather collections resulted in starting B2B sales in 1993. Another crucial step was the extension of the product offer in 1995, when the first classic handbag collection of Wittchen was introduced.

However, the most intensive development of the product range took place in 2003 and 2004. Within those years, the assortment of Wittchen was extended to include luggage, neckerchiefs and scarves, the Young handbag collection and elegant umbrellas. In 2006 the company turned to another product line – elegant, traditionally handmade footwear for men and women. What the last decade also witnessed was opening of the company’s first salon in Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw. The event marked the beginning of the company’s own

Top quality products

Part of the luxury that Wittchen tries to provide to its customers lies in the top quality of all the manufactures. The attention to the quality standards is so great that all Wittchen products are „hand made”. In the production process, the company always uses the most luxurious Italian leather, tanned by means of the vegetal or chromic methods. It has an elegant sheen and scent, bearing natural yoke-bone marks and crumples. Before any Wittchen product leaves the factory, it has to undergo detailed quality tests. The manufactures which have passed the tests are marked as “Q. C. Passed” and offered to the customers. What is more, in order to protect

retail network. It must be mentioned that in 2008 Wittchen opened its 40th own-brand store in Białystok, in the north-eastern part of Poland. Next to that, the company is proud to have numerous own-brand stores in the markets of eastern Europe, particularly Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The dynamic growth and incessant development contributed to the creation of a professional logistics centre in Bronisze, in the neighbourhood of Warsaw. It houses the warehouse of Wittchen, a bonded warehouse and the Quality Department.

Luxurious and foreign image

The reasons behind the success of the company can be judged from its very mission – “Building the Wittchen brand with creativity and elegance, by people and for people”. Mr. Wittchen empha-

the customers against the purchase of counterfeited products, the company has implemented a range of elements, which help them distinguish the Wittchen brand from numerous fake items.

All Wittchen patterns have a special Certificate of Authenticity with a hologram and a unique identification number. The Certificate is a guarantee of the authenticity of the manufactures, the proof of their originality, as well as their unique character and top quality. Due to the painstaking quality and originality control, the brand of Wittchen stands for exclusivity, elegant style, supreme materials and perfect finishing. As a matter of fact, the image that the company managed to create, is where its owner

Consumer Goods Industry >Wittchen Księga1.indb 85

sizes that what propelled the company and helped it to reach the position of nowadays have been his involvement and passion. – I always do everything with full commitment and maximally engage in all my undertakings – he says.

Furthermore, the President of the enterprise claims that the focus on luxury and elegance turned out to be a correct decision. – At the time of economic transition in Poland, finest, top quality products were a rarity. Yet, people craved to have them as they represented a piece of luxury and best standards – he states.

Undoubtedly, what played an important role in the first years of the market presence, was the confusion created by the untypical brand name. Up to today, it is frequently taken as non-Polish, which still acts positively in case of shopping behaviour of the Polish customers.

perceives potential for the future. – The number of customers searching for luxurious products will increase. We will be able to provide them with classical design combined with modern, innovative solutions – explains Mr. Wittchen.

At the current moment the collection offer of Wittchen includes: • • • • •

regular collections of leather accessories (e.g. wallets, purses, cases, briefcases, sachets, bags), seasonal handbags available in two lines: Elegance and Young, shoes, belts, gloves,

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• • • •

ordered products. Last but not least, the products of Wittchen can be purchased via the Internet. – In case of our company, the possibility of Internet sales is used first and foremost by young people and the purchase concerns trinkets usually – says the owner of the enterprise.

umbrellas, neckerchiefs and scarves, luggage, leatherwear (overcoats, jackets and sheepskin).

Special attention must be given to the handbag lines as they aim at two diverse customer groups. The first one – Elegance – is associated with topquality leather, sophisticated style and the most recent fashion trends. Young, in turn, is designed for active women who are fond of unconventional accessories combination. The line stands for dynamic forms, various styles, designs and materials as well as strong, unique colours. New Wittchen handbags of both lines appear at the salons twice a year – for the spring/summer and fall/ winter seasons. As far as the product development is concerned, the current focus of the company is on shoes. – It is the youngest of all our products, available on the market for three years. We put lots of effort to transfer the positive image of our brand on our footwear. In contrast to other products, it involves lots of resources – informs Mr. Wittchen. All the shoes of Wittchen are handmade in Italian workshops, renowned for their high culture of shoemaking craft. The women collection represents classical style and subtleness. On the other hand, shoes for men are marked by a sophisticated chic and elegance.

Eastern orientation

Export is one of the most dynamically growing areas of Wittchen’s activity.

The enterprise has been very active in foreign markets for years and the current share of export in the total sales amounts to 20%. The manufactures of the company become more and more popular on the foreign markets and each subsequent year brings a dynamic growth of sales. The chain of foreign units is constantly developed. At the end of 2008, the company could boast four stores in Belarus, six stores in Ukraine and twelve in Russia. Moreover, the Wittchen logo represents there an international, top quality and exclusive look.

Distinctions for social activity

The company has received many prestigious awards and distinctions, confirming the brand’s position on the market of luxury products. However, producing best manufactures is not the sole goal of Wittchen. The company is namely very active in the social area. It is one of the largest supported employment enterprises in Poland – out of the total number of more than 450 employees, around 200 of them are disabled. What is more, the enterprise has taken great care of the Blind Institute in Laski for many years. The assistance is allocated, among others, to funding scholarships for the centre’s talented pupils, purchasing computers and software for the blind, hearing aids and dictionaries for the visually impaired and many others. The social commitment and solidarity of the company as well as popularization of CSR ideas were perceived by Business Centre Club. At the beginning of 2009, Mr. Jędrzej Wittchen was awarded the Social Solidarity Medal for his long-standing assistance to the Laski Instiute. – I consider the help to the Institute as a perfectly natural thing – says the Laureate. Undoubtedly, what the prize confirms, is passion and full involvement present in every venture of the company and its owner.

Distribution channels

The sales activity of Wittchen is concentrated around three main channels: own retail network, B2B and the Internet. – Obviously, we focus on the salon sales.

In case of top quality, exclusive products, the place of purchase, its appearance and surrounding are a significant part of the buying process. It will not change in the nearest future – points Mr. Wittchen. At the current moment the company possesses numerous salons, brand stands and outlets all over Poland. Some of Wittchen products are available in diverse stores located in different Polish cities. Next to that, another important sales channel is B2B. In order to manage it, a specialised Advertising Products Department was established. Its aim is to handle sales for institutions, corporate customers as well advertising agencies.

The business customers can expect professional assistance in making marketing choices. In the designing process Wittchen embosses the customer’s logo or special-occasion inscriptions on the

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