A professional from Tychy - Flexider

In the industries producing the most technologically complex systems on the market, the devil lies in details. If the globally recognizable brands want to boast the highest quality of offered products, they must ensure a reliable in every way supply of components. A trustful supplier, with whom cooperation over the years really works out, is invaluable in these industries. Every car parts manufacturer in the world knows that, including Magnetti Marelli Exhaust Systems in Poland and in Europe, which works with one of the best suppliers in Europe – Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. The company has already built a strong market position, and the analysis of the firm’s activity indicates that, with time, this position should be stronger.

The presentation of the company
Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. was founded in 1999, with first headquarters belonging to Fiat Auto Poland in Tychy. The beginnings were modest: less then twenty Employees and full dependence on the Italian owner – a reputable company Flexider SpA based in Turin. Vast experience of the “mother” from the Appennine Peninsula in all aspects of functioning as a modern organisation, wisely implemented in Poland, quickly resulted in better performance dealing with major car manufacturers located in our country. A milestone in the development of the company was the year 2006, when the “mother” became the “sister” - Flexider Srl, which, in the next year, stopped its production activity, transferring it to Tychy and the new plant in South Africa, and focused primarily on conceptual work, R&D, and obligations related to the strategic management of the Group. Larger then before scale of production became an excellent springboard to accelerate the growth of the Polish partnership, an opportunity, which, thanks to great managerial competencies, has not been missed. Currently Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. is a respected and recognizable manufacturer of high quality flexible elements for automotive exhaust systems. Among the company’s customers are such renowned brands as Magnetti Marelli, Faurecia, Volkswagen, Audi and others. It is enough to mention that around 90 % of Fiat’s cars from Tychy are equipped with Flexider’s converters in their exhaust systems, as well as around 20 % of Volkswagen Group cars.

The pillars of success
For the success of every organization is responsible its staff. Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. employs 93, well – trained for their tasks and carefully selected Employees. The majority of them is part of with the organization since the beginning of its activity. In addition to ensuring the financial security of its Employees, also in the form of attractive bonuses, the company pursues a policy of social responsibility, inter alia, through the organization of various events and financial support for the Employees’ own initiatives, like an amatuer football team etc. Competent staff must have adequate technological support and know - how to be able to effectively perform their duties. The basis of the production chain is a good project. Those made by Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. are prepared by Italian engineers in Turin and meet the most specific Customer’s requirements. Highest quality of the company’s products is guaranteed, therefore, already at a conceptual stage, and of course the product has to pass the most stringent tests for reliability using the most modern test equipment, including a Multiaxial Test Bench for testing flexible elements in six free axles including simulation of the actual loads. Flexider Poland Sp. z.o.o. attaches great importance to the selection of raw materials, from which the company manufactures its products. Therefore, the firm establishes relationship only with trustworthy suppliers of nickel steel, pipes and stainless steel wire, such as Arinox, Outokumpu, Theis and KOS. All these activities result in the company’s extremely effective, efficient production. The plant in Tychy manufactures 6,500 units of flexible elements per day. The main goal of every company is to achieve full Customer satisfaction. In such a demanding industry, as automotive, one can not afford the slightest mistake. That is why Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. has obtained prestigious certificates guarding the highest quality of the firm’s products, including the Quality Management System compliant with ISO / TS 16949:2002 for the design, manufacture, installation and servicing in the automotive industry. Moreover, Flexider pays great attention to every Customer’s individual requirements concerning the final product. An important aspect influencing the excellent results of the company, is also, implemented since the very beginning of Flexider’s activity in Poland, the firm’s inventory management strategy, “Just – in – time”. Rich experience in its implementation allows Flexider to eliminate the risk factors associated with this strategy and to draw extensively on its merits. A correct calculation of the minimum inventory ensures no disruption to the smoothnes of supplies and ensures their timeliness and flexibility in relation to the needs of each Customer. Modern manufacturing company can not plan their activities without taking into account requirements for environmental protection. FLEXIDER Poland Sp. z.o.o. is an organization characterized by a high degree of green awareness, as evidenced by currently certified by the company Environmental Management System compliant with ISO 14000, for, inter alia, proper management of the organization’s activities on the environment. All of the company’s operations mentioned above are therefore proofs that Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. develops in the appropriate manner and guarantees the highest quality of its products, as well as of the solutions, implemented by the company in all aspects of its activity.

Awards
The eleven years of business activity of the company from Tychy has been properly noticed and appreciated. Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. was awarded this year’s “Gazele Biznesu”, granted by the prestigious magazine “Puls Biznesu” to the most dynamically developing companies in our country. Flexider is also a part of an elite “Diamenty Forbesa 2009” club, a title awarded by the leading provider of business information in Poland – Dun&Bradstreet to the companies that in the years 2006 – 2008 have mostly increased their value, while maintaining full financial transparency of its activities. Such prestigious awards actually build an excellent reputation of every organization, and from this year, also Flexider’s.

Summary
Reliability, flexibility, professionalism: three features, which best characterize the philosophy of Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o., are also the keys to success of the company in a difficult automotive industry. The consistency in the implementation of comprehensive policy of the firm’s action ensures the further development of the organization based on the highest standards of quality of its products, relationships with Employees and Customers, and respect for the environment. We should pay particular attention to a very high degree of the company’s business awareness in relation to the actions associated with CSR and those oriented around activity connected with the firm’s green policy. Let us hope that Flexider Poland Sp. z o.o. is indeed a swallow, which will bring a taste of spring to the Polish market, which is still held tightly by the claws of business winter. 

Written by Jacek Głowacki