Sparking global markets - SECO/WARWICK
Analyzing the stories of companies that, regardless of the industry and times, in which they acted, achieved spectacular success, we can pacely conclude that the organizations, which have succeeded on the demanding, global market, have a lot in common. After such a conclusion, we can easily propose a thesis that, in principle, it is enough to meet several conditions, thanks to which this success could be duplicated. First of all, one should have an innovative business idea, correctly locate a niche in the market, develop an effective strategy for development of the company and its products, and invest a sufficiently high capital. It seems fair to say that the responsibilities associated with the planned development of the organization, need to be delegated to carefully selected Employees. The company’s owners should also take care of the development of optimal procedures for all aspects of the organization’s activity, and then, in more or less dynamic way, concentrate on building the company’s strong reputation, probably through the formation of a partnership with reputable customers. Lets add a pinch of luck, few flashes of a creative genius and the priceless ability to draw correct conclusions, as well as the ability to prompt and effective response to emergencies and we have a ready recipe for a fast – growing, recognizable brand, marking highest quality products, well recognized and respected by millions of loyal Customers. Business practice, however, has usually little in common with the theory, and it very often turns out that the term „success”, simply refers to many years of hard work and skillful rising from the failures, of which no organization in the world is free. However, if we combine all these elements and add that they are just the result of titanic work, constantly oriented around better recognition of the changing needs of the Customer, then we will be able to understand the path to success not from a fairy tale for young managers, but from pure life. Ladies and Gentlemen, before You SECO/WARWICK S.A.
The history of the company
In 1989 a certain era in Poland has ended. An era of one – party government and state enterprizes. What has began, was the period of great political and economical change, which was expressed by, inter alia, a wave of privatization, which took organizations acting in all industries an regions of Poland. With the opening of our country to the influx of foreign capital also benefited owners of Trans – Vac, who in 1991 decided to start a joint – venture company with respected and recognizable for over one hundred years, American corporation SECO/WARWICK. That is how SECO/WARWICK S.A. was founded – an organization, which through a combination of invaluable know – how and the highest Western standards of quality, with many years of Polish experience in working in heavy industry, is moving towards a very dynamic development, and does not appear that, after nearly twenty years of its activity, the company was to lose its path. Such a conclusion is strongly supported by several key moments in the history of the company. This story is full of multi – million dollar investment, covering both the acquisition of a number of globally operating companies, in order to broaden the intellectual potential of the company and the continuous modernization of its existing technology, machine park, the purchase of patents and expansions into new markets. On the 5th December 2007, the organization has its Warsaw Stock Exchange debut. Its new, wisely used capital, became a tool for further development. Thanks to another acquisition – this time by the Indian company Allied – Seco/Warwick expanded into dynamically growing Indian market. SECO/WARWICK Group today consists of nine company on three continents, managed by SECO/WARWICK S.A. in Świebodzin. Nowadays the Group is a world leader in the production of heat treatment furnaces for metals, and one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry on a global scale.
The potential
“The highest quality products and services offered to achieve the full satisfaction of the Customer.” It can only be a slogan. But it may also be a reflection of the facts. In the case of SECO/WARWICK we are definitely dealing with the latter situation. This is illustrated by several solutions used in the company. The company attaches grat importance to the case of a competitive advantage in the area of latest technologies. The intelectual potential of the company’s R&D Department consists of not only the skills of Employees directly employed in it, but also cooperation with scientists, including engineers from Politechnika in Łódź. In addition, the company owns a treatment research facility, together with a metallography laboratory. Advanced laboratories in conjunction with, carried on constantly, research and development activity, gauarntee the possibility to implement modern, very often world – scale innovative, solutions. Another pillar of success of SECO/WARWICK S.A. is its, constantly broadened, assortment. The Group’s activities are oriented around the production of up to five different product groups: vacuum furnaces, aluminum heat exchanger brazing systems, aluminum heat treatment systems, atmospheric furnaces, heat vacuum metallurgy furnaces, and many other specialist devices. Sold in forty five countries, they are trusted and respected by the Customers, also because of comprehensive service and help, which They can expect from the company, starting from the stage of placing an order, which is fully tailored to individual needs and requirements of the Recipient, ending with the full package of after – sales service, which includes technical support, customer service, warranties etc. SECO/WARWICK’s equipment is used in various industries, including automotive industry, aviation, and the machine, equipment and aluminum metallurgy sectors. The Group carries out a business cooperation with organization, which do not need to be furtherly presented. Among the Customers of the company, we can find such brands as Bosch, Siemens, Valeo, General Electric, Honeywell, Ford, Volkswagen, or Rolls Royce. Iti is also worth adding that the series of Certificates guard the best standards of the company’s quality management system. The company has implemented in 1999 a Quality Management System based on a PN ISO 9001:1996 standard, and in 2005, this document has been expanded on the principles of the Internal Control System. At present, this system is responsible for maintaining highest quality standards in the area of design, production, installation and sale of industrial furnaces. Successfully recertified every year, extremely harsh system, ensures that every Customer can be confident when it comes to the quality of all the most important processes occurring in the production company, which manufactures equipment for the most demanding. The equipment, which can not fail.
Summary
Globalization favors the development and expansion of the best. Further barriers slowing the development of multinational corporations fall, increasing the list of potential suppliers, discovering new markets, offering new opportunities for investment. If only the organization will maintain the highest standards of production and customer service, will gradually expand its product range and gain more confidence of other powerful institutional Customers, SECO/WARWICK S.A. probably will find its story in the textbooks. But not for young managers. These textbooks will deal with the real business practice.
Written by Jacek Głowacki
Rapid development, new profiles of production and investments – this is the current situation of Gdańsk Shipyard, the company known not only in the marine industry as a manufacturer of ships, but also as a symbol of struggle for free and independent Poland. During 60 years of its history, Gdańsk Shipyard has built over 1000 ships and hulls for companies around the world. Now, the company conquers the market of steel constructions and the renewable energy sector.According to the restructuring plan, Gdańsk Shipyard is to focus its activity on three types of production: specialized vessels, wind towers and various types of large steel constructions. Those three types of products are to strengthen even further the company’s marketing position and on the other hand, to expand the production profile of the yard. Experience gained with years of shipbuilding has resulted with highly specialized staff and technologically advanced products. The yard means primarily - huge production potential and excellent machinery, currently supported by, automated, new generation devices and tools, such as modern designing software. With technologically advanced products that meet the highest quality standards and strict requirements of Customers around the world, Gdańsk Shipyard has gained recognition and trust of all the company’s Recipients.At first, there was a shipThe shipyard has built more than 1000 ocean – going units of various types. The company has recently been very active in the highly specialist units, mainly for offshore, sector. Since the privatization of the yard (2008), ten such units have been built, including PSV, SRV, DSV and more, all meeting the highest standards The company produces other kinds of vessels as well ( gas carriers, passenger/car ferries) mainly based on the company’s own projects, but not only. Moreover the shipyard produces also steel constructions , such as crane jibs and booms, tanks, chimneys and pipelines, and structural elements of large steel constructions, e.g. bridges, roads and stadiums. During last two years, Gdańsk Shipyard manufactured 12 thousand tons of such constructions, Gdańsk Shipyard. ambition is to become the market leader in on and offshore wind towers production. The most modern production line in Poland was opened in Gdansk Shipyard in November, especially to meet the requirements of the wind towers production sector.It is worth mentioning that thanks to the Yard’s extensive research facilities such as. Bureau of Product Development & Production Support and own Laboratory the company offers a wide range of services in the scope of ship and other steel constructions design ,. The prestigious certificates, such as the Quality Management System, complying with the requirements of PN – EN ISO 9001:2001 norm, certificates of approval of the Technical Inspection, Polish Register of Shipping and international Classification Societies: GL, DNV, RINA and Lloyd Register confirm the high standards of safety and quality of work. The above mentioned certificates cover all areas of the company’s business activity. Definitely the most important factor that determines the development of the Yard are its Employees. The company attaches great importance to measures aimed at continuous improvement of skills and competencies of personnel in all positions, which is possible due to extensive training systems. The great advantage of the yard is its technological infrastructure: two outfitting berths, modern cleaning and painting line, specialized cranes and finally seven – acre production hall with yaerly production capacity of 150 thousand tons, the largest hall in Central Europe. All these features combined with the location of Gdańsk Shipyard give the company significant advantage over The competition.Shipyard focuses on towersAlthough the core of the company’s business activity was until recently shipbuilding, the current Shipyard’s offer is much wider. . Wind towers for renewable energy production set a new direction of the company’s development. and so , on the 18th of November 2010 Stocznia Gdańsk opened the largest in Poland production line of wind towers . It is another step in the realisation of the Business Plan of Gdansk Shipyard and the agenda envisages further expansion of production. The construction of a new factory begins next year.This new profile of production will increase the shipyards’ competitiveness. A new entity - GSG Towers – was established to realise this new business target. Thomas Gaardbo, a renowned executive, who gained his experience at one of the biggest producers of the wind energy industry, is responsible for the commercialization of GSG Towers;- Through the plans implemented at Gdansk Shipyard and by the strategic logistical position I see enormous development potential for a world class full range supplier for the Wind Energy Industry and I’m absolutely convinced that we are about to create one of the most outstanding European factories in the areas of steel construction for the Wind Energy Industry, capable of delivering to all potential customers in this Industry. Nowadays the new production line produces towers for the purpose of the contract signed with a renowned German company Nordex. This company is, already for 25 years, a world leader in the production of turbines and complete wind power stations. The contract with the Shipyard includes production of fully equipped wind towers for Nordex. - Wind power has great potential not only in terms of clean energy production , but also in terms of increasing the employment rate in Poland – says Marek Thau, CEO of Nordex Polska. - We felt that the Shipyard has the suitable location (close to the harbour) and skilled Employees (known producer of ships and steel structures) to produce the towers not only for the needs of Polish market – he adds. Until now, Nordex has installed around the world over 4200 turbines with a production capacity exceeding 6000 MW. The share of export equals over 95 % of the company’s turnover. - Nordex plays big part in the international regional development – explains Director Thau. - Poland has very good prospects. We see it as one of the most attractive markets in the future. We put great emphasis on the use of local resources and cooperation with companies operating in the selected region – Mr. Thau adds. Nordex Group has its office in Warsaw and employs over 2400 Employees all around the world.– Introduction of the new production profile is very good news for the Yard – says Jarosław Łasiński, Chairman of the Board of Gdańsk Shipyard S.A. - - We have a reliable client and favourable development perspectives. It means financial strengthening and work for well-qualified workers.- Recently opened production line can ”release” 100 towers per year, both on and offshore type. The construction of the wind power station sections requires very precise workmanship and perfect coating protection, as the wind tower has to support overloads depending on the weather condition. Inside it has to fit all the installations and a staircase or lift system allowing service access to the turbine. In two years another phase of the investment is foreseen - the most modern wind tower factory in a separate hall with capacity of 200 towers annually. - The factory is another step in the implementation of the Gdańsk Shipyard’s Business Plan. - says Andrzej Stokłosa, President of Gdansk Shipyard. - It is also a proof of how seriously the investor treats his commitment twards the Shipyard. Written by Ms. Aldona Dybuk
Since the company began its production activity under Donato Iribecampos leadership, Grupo Condesa has grown from a small, family business to a corporation that spreads its manufacturing facilities in six countries. Its market share in Spain stands at 37% and has a 20% share of the European market. In total, Grupo Condesa has 2000 workers and its current turnover is 1000 million euros per year. Without further ado, here is Grupo Condesa’s recipe for success.The Father of SuccessDonato Iribecampos began his activity as a small manufacturer in his hometown- Mondragón (Spain), where in 1954 the present Grupo Condesa (Conducciones y Derivados S.A.) was founded. As the company’s growth continued with new acquisitions and the expansion of existing facilities, he was focusing its activity on manufacturing steel tubes. What is more he was providing its Clients with an ever- broadening menu of complementary services combined with the highest level of Customer support. From 1992 until 2004 Condesa was associated with Arcelor. In 2004 Condesa bought Arcelor’s tube manufacturing plants in Europe, Arcelor Tubes and Aceralia Tubos: Perfil en Frío (Spain), Zalain Transformados (Spain), Mieres Tubos (Spain), Alessio Tubi (Italy), Longtain (Belgium), Tubes de Fresnoy (France), Lorraine Tubes, ex- Tubeurop and ex- Exma Production, (France), SRW (Germany), Industube (Morocco). The group has now become leader of the European Market for carbon welded steel. Today, Grupo Condesa is made up of 12 manufacturing companies (in Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Morocco), 4 general service companies (in Spain), 21 sales offices (in Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom), 3 sales agents (Gran Canaria, Ireland and Switzerland). Today, this is a solid and expanding Group, the result of a combination of several initiatives based on a number of clear objectives: To become a leading international company through excellence, quality, experience and know how, to resolve the problems of their Customers and in this way, move forward and develop together. Collaboration and coordination between the different members of the Group generate synergies that allow them to tackle large markets with guarantees and with an excellent capacity to respond to Customers’ needs. Thanks to their large international network, they are always very close to their Customers, attending to their needs and providing solutions at each moment in time.Its product line strategyGrupo Condesa is one of the largest European manufacturers of carbon steel tubes, profiles and stainless steel tubes. They are offering high value added solutions and products for many of the leading brand names in the most important sectors: automotive, construction, furniture, public works, providers of executive charter services. The company provides their Clients with almost six decades of experience and quality standards with an unmatched safety record. Their success during the last several years was enormous. The major aspects of Grupo Condesa’s international performance are their product development, their extensive marketing and the human approach to high technology. The Group produces 1.4 million tonnes per year and its current turnover is 1000 million euros. But what caused this giant strength? For sure a very special way of acting of the company is its product line strategy. While most major companies produce different products with sometimes negligible differences in their respective specifications, Grupo Condesa invests all its efforts into the development of a few really good products, thus making the best of one single device and giving the Customer the possibility of choosing rapidly without the need of a thorough documentation. It is often said that the best business portfolio is one that fits the company’s strengths and helps exploit the most attractive opportunities. Develop growth strategies for adding new products and businesses to the portfolio, whilst at the same time deciding when products and businesses should no longer be retained. In their opinion: “The evolution means there is no going back. Progress and a will to succeed urge us to move forward just a little bit more every day- they said- For that reason, Grupo Condesa wishes to share its international growth and convey a new and unified image as the leading company in this sector, with an increasing range of products with better features at the service of their Customers”. They see investment and development opportunities based on their global focus and business concept. From their central base in Vitoria (Alava), and with their vast experience within Central Europe they are in a perfect position to obtain strong growth rates in fragmented market segments and significant progress in transformation to market based systems. The company’s products which are most directly related to their core competencies are: - Structural Hollow Section - offers a wide range of tubes of different shapes (round, square, rectangular and elliptical), manufactured according to different processes according to the application. The use of steel tubular sections provides for strong, light and profitable structures and as a result offer a host of possibilities in terms of application (expressive capacity). The use of these products also facilitates designs with a greater aesthetic appeal.- Precision Tubes - provided by Condesa are supplied with BKM finish (welded and sized), GBK (annealed) and NBK (normalised). With regard to the geometric forms, tubes may be round, square, rectangular, oval, semi-oval, elliptical and special, among others. The most common applications are in the furniture and camping industries, the auxiliary automobile industry, carpentry, lock-making, structural elements, the construction of machinery and equipment or greenhouses.- Stainless Steel Tube - produced by Condesa Inox, manufactures stainless steel austhenitic and ferritic grades, supplying tubes for decorative construction, general uses and automotive markets.- Cold Drawn Tube - is obtained from welded hollows from which the internal weld is removed and one or several of special cycles are applied.- Gas and General Use Tube - this product supplied by Condesa has high mechanical strength and for this reason perform better under tensile stress, pressure, compression, etc., and greater resistance to external impact and attacks. In terms of health, tubes made with galvanised material are considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be the most suitable type of tube for drinking water.- Profile Tube - In order to manufacture these special welded sections, Grupo Condesa not only uses the most modern processes and technologies, but also a qualified and experienced team of specialists equipped with the latest generation of computer technology. This allows them to do more than just supply tubes or sections. They said that they can offer tailor-made solutions for each requirement and if necessary, work together with their Customers on the definition of the product to satisfy their needs. With regard to materials and qualities, this company works both with carbon, black, semi bright, cold or galvanised steels, and stainless steel, atmospheric corrosion resistance steels, etc. It is also possible to work with several grades of steel, including materials with high yield strength, etc.- Carpentry Tube - tubular steel sections are of great interest for the construction industry due to shorter installation times, strength, duration and rigidity, as well as ease of use, leading to high overall economy. Moreover, their attractive appearance gives them great aesthetic appeal. There are different kinds of carpentry sections: Series A, B and C for carpentry and lock-making and D Series for carpentry with seals.- Tubes and Profiles for Greenhouses - Grupo Condesa has two kinds of tubes and sections designed for the framework of greenhouses for the banana, horticultural and flower sectors: on the one hand, hot rolled tubes and hot dipped galvanised tubes, and on the other, Sendzimir galvanised tubes.- Open profiles - with regard to the state of the steel used in the sections, they can supply their Clients with black steel, pickled, cold formed, sendzimir galvanised, hot dip galvanised, stainless steel and pre-lacquered.- Equipment and Crash Barriers - the metal crash barrier manufactured by Grupo Condesa is a semi-rigid type and its use has a direct effect on increasing safety on roads, dual carriageways and motorways. This company aims to provide an overall solution for the supply and installation of metal crash barriers.They build their reputation with...In business today, maintaining a close relationship is the corner stone of exemplary Customer service. Grupo Condesa strives toward that aim and offers services that complement each other. In doing so, this Spanish company has provided a great solutions for its Customers and give them an opportunity to build an enduring relationship with them. This is the very best way to understand Customer’s needs and to serve Clients even better in the future. Sensitivity to Customers is something that has driven Grupo Condesa’s success from the outset. Although the company has experienced significant growth in the past and will continue to expand its capabilities in the future, Customers can rest assure that maintaining these important relationships is something that will never change. 
Cadolto is counted among the global leaders of the modular construction industry. Present in Germany for more than a century and in Poland for a decade, it specialises in erecting hospitals, laboratories, including the largest projects of that type worldwide. The two projects in question, namely Centre Hospitalier d’Argenteuil in Paris and Federal Centre for Cardiology in Penza, Russia, when put together, take up an unprecedented overall space of 80,000 sqm. Mr Remigiusz Cichocki, Cadolto Poland’s Representative General speaks to Manufacturing Journal about the local peculiarities of this global player.History in BriefCadolto Poland’s success story began exactly 10 years ago. Newly admitted to NATO at the time, Poland was also earmarked to join the EU within three subsequent years. Stability, safety and rapid development were expected to follow soon afterwards, thus bringing in international capital to Poland. Among the investors was Cadolto Fertiggebaud, the worldwide leader of the modular construction industry. The company acted the way the savvy do, carefully that is. Over the first few years the business learned the specifics of the market, tendered for contracts and established rapport with the Clients. Sustainable policy worked wonders: since its inception Cadolto Poland has managed to complete 9 huge independent modular investment projects. Set up in Wrocław in 2006, the company’s sales office has been thriving, too, providing customer service and winning prospective business partners. The company’s headquarters and factory floors are located in Germany; they secure jobs for more than 400 people and have been constantly in operation since 1890.Focus on Healthcare“We specialise in healthcare facilities,” says Mr Remigiusz Cichocki, Cadolto Poland’s Representative General. The business has completed the following projects so far, each of which vital for Polish healthcare services: the Euromedic diagnostic imaging unit, Olsztyn, Regional Centre for Blood Donation and Transfusions, Wrocław, intensive care and operating wings at the Jurasz Hospital, Bydgoszcz, operating block at Kołobrzeg Regional Hospital, operating block, diagnostic imaging and central sterilisation units at the Opole Voivodeship Hospital (completed in two stages) and, last but not least, Ursynów Day Treatment Centre, Warsaw. Such prominent investments can hardly pass unnoticed by the industry, which in turn garners new Clientele. “Each Cadolto’s investment turns out to be an event in Poland. We have to bear in mind that modular technology is less popular here than in Germany,” reminds Mr Cichocki. A pioneer as it is, Cadolto has more reasons to take pride, however. “It is not without significance that we render our services to healthcare. Any businessman would find it rewarding. We contribute to the process of developing modern hospital facilities and provide nearly ideal recovery and working conditions for hospital patients and staff respectively,” adds Cadolto’s Representative General.Daring and Flexible“Every Client is important for us,” assures Mr Cichocki. With the number of its Polish Clientele growing steadily every year, Cadolto’s impeccable customer service has already managed to bear proper fruit. Being a global player requires flexibility, though. You need to be familiar with local peculiarities, rules and standards if you want to make your presence felt on various foreign markets, all at the same time. Such presence requires that you act quickly and efficiently and that the services you render are simply flawless. This in turn calls for prompt customer care, precise expenditure calculation, competent work staging; all these performed in order to mitigate any construction-related nuisances. “We never shrink from the task. We do our best to serve our Clients in the most professional and responsible manner,” declares Cadolto’s Representative General.Key Factors CombinedFor nearly 40 years Cadolto has been specialising in modular technology, now its sole field of activity and a key to further expansion and lasting success. “How these two, conventional and modular construction technologies, differ? In all honesty, they differ in almost every way,” stresses Mr Cichocki. Modular solutions allow for unrestricted architectural freedom. This enables Cadolto to erect a modular construction using any kind of design, including traditional ones, too. This also means timely completion, value for money, quality and flexibility, a winning combination indeed, especially in the construction of hospitals and laboratories, where technical innovation progresses rapidly, with ever decreasing breathing space in between technological generations.Abreast of TechnologyHow to complete such projects? Traditional technology requires a construction site together with its building materials, works that affect every one in their vicinity, nuisances to be put up with by the hospital, protracted arrangements, unreliable subcontractors and general contractors buying time and asking for more labour. “Hence we’ve come up with the idea to move the site to our factories,” emphasises Cadolto’s Representative General. Cadolto’s modular construction technology guarantees the highest possible degree of industrialisation to be maintained in the building process. Precise manufacturing workflows are based on tried-and-tested, standardised processes, thereby providing solid foundations for quality, sustainability and the long life of the building. Timely and effective, ninety per cent of the works are carried out in modern facilities, independently of the weather and subject to constant quality controls. Responsible for materials logistics and ordering, the two refined and strictly monitored systems ensure absolute transparency, be they wall construction elements or the tiniest screw.Setting the PaceOnce the modules have been shipped and assembled, the building is almost ready to use. “We guarantee that all deadlines are duly met. Cadolto needs no more than 6 months to complete turn-key investments up to 5,000 sqm. And projects such as the one we have recently launched in Paris, which takes up a space of 60,000 sqm and requires around 1000 modules to be erected, this one will be executed in only 3 years!” stresses Mr Cichocki. On leaving the factory, the building modules already contain all the equipment, including the entire medical, laboratory and building systems, together with tiles, curtains and façades. Thanks to this unifying of services, transportation is also economical and environmentally friendly, even over longer distances. On site, it is simply a matter of erecting the modules and connecting them to form a building which is immediately accessible to the Customer. “Modular technology is a pleasure to deal in. Key decisions are taken fast, no time is wasted on unnecessary arrangements, there are no serious problems to be faced on completion, either, adds Cadolto’s Representative General.At the Client’s ConvenienceApart from hospitals Cadolto also supplies highly technologised cleanroom and laboratory buildings. Since 1996, the business has proven construction experience in all research sectors, from medicine, pharmaceuticals and electronics to micromechanics, food technology and biotechnology. „Modular construction technology has no negative impact on cleanroom standards. The latter are specified in detail by the rules and regulations of a given country and are reflected by a relevant plan or design,” elaborates Mr Cichocki. Thus, Cadolto’s specialist designers transform the Client’s individual architectural sketch into a modular schedule of works that integrates necessary equipment and facilities. The building is then assembled on site in a record time. From then on the building is finished and may either serve as a permanent solution or be moved or dismantled at the Client’s convenience. Larger than Life“We have every right to be satisfied. Hospitals in France, Germany, Russia and Poland (e.g. Warsaw, Wrocław, Opole) are but a few examples of our comprehensive investments,” says Cadolto’s Representative General. The first on the list is Centre Hospitalier d’Argenteuil in Paris. With a total area of 60,000 m2, this is the largest modular building complex in the world to date. Its construction will be carried out in three stages and is due for completion by the end of 2013. Conventional building methods will be used for the basement and ground floor only, the first, second and third floors will be erected using modules. Approximately 1,000 room modules will be installed.Cadolto in RussiaInvestment projects Cadolto completed in Russia comprise 14 high-tech medical centres erected to date. The largest of these is Federal Centre for Cardiology in Penza, handed over in December 2007. With 14 hospitals 20,000 sqm each, the contract to complete these has become the largest in the history of modular construction technology. Cadolto has risen to the challenge, though. Thanks to its state-of-the-art medical equipment the centre provides high-quality cardiology care for the population of the south-western region of Russia. Each building belonging to the complex is made up of 300 individual modules that were prefabricated at the Cadolto facilities in Cadolzburg and Krölpa, Germany, and by a joint venture partner in Ankara, Turkey. So far, 8 buildings out of 14, have been completed and in only 3 years.Cadolto in PolandAs for Cadolto’s activity in Poland, it is the following projects that best reflect the company’s huge potential. First on the list comes Regional Centre for Blood Donation and Transfusions, Wrocław, which was erected in only 4 days. It was also the company’s task to integrate the existing structure of the centre into a new, visually harmonious whole. This turn-key investment included 48 modules whose manufacturing, installation together with some finishing touches took only 4 months. In 2008, Cadolto completed a 4-storey children’s intensive care unit at the Jurasz Hospital, Bydgoszcz. The premises that took up an overall floorspace of 2,100 sqm proved no easy task at all. The building was hardly on a level with the adjacent premises and the construction works were not to interfere with everyday activity of the hospital. Kołobrzeg Regional Hospital was in turn composed of 6 different modules, which made 4 operation theatres. With a crane working in unfavourable conditions, the modules were hoisted and carried over the hospital premises to create a brand new block with the state-of-the-art equipment (columns, operation lamps and others). The Opole Voivodeship Hospital became yet another feather in Cadolto Poland’s cap. Completed in several stages, the hospital now boasts a 600-sqm nuclear medicine block developed in 2006, and 4-theatre operation block, central sterilisation, diagnostics and endoscope units handed over in 2009. In 2010, Cadolto made its mark revamping One Day Treatment Centre in Ursynów, Warsaw, in a span of only 5 months. The centre was thus extended by 15 beds, endoscopy unit and 2 operation theatres. It should be remarked that all the projects mentionaed above were designed as turn-key investments and were carried out in a timely, cost-avoiding and quality-oriented manner. 
Some of the industry sections achieve their success thanks to the revolutionary ideas while the others – like the steel section – require good planning, hard work of reliable people and constant evolution of proven technologies. These are the elements that underlie the quality of the Martifer Polska brand. The company’s beliefs, devotion to their work and its perfectly planned structure are reflected in the steel constructions they produce. The company is on its way to follow the success of Martifer Group, the company that has been a leader on the Iberian market for several years.No revolution – constant evolutionMartfier Polska Sp. z o.o. was founded eight years ago as a part of Martifer Group. That was the beginning of a gradual development of the enterprise. The first milestone in the history of Martifer Polska was the completion of their first project, Simoldes warehose. That project was so significant to the company because it was finished even before the opening of their factory in Gliwice. The Simoldes warehouse undertaking was coordinated by a few specialist members of Martifer staff. The next important step in development of the enterprise was the moment when the Gliwice factory was finished and they could start producing structures and steel products, having in mind that their success depends on increasing resources and courage to execute the most ambitious projects.‘We look into future with hope’The Polish industry market has not always been kind to the company though. Martifer Polska had to face radical changes of Polish and international economy. The years 2005-2006, when the company entered the Polish market, brought the relatively steady increase, despite the typical difficulties that a new player in a steel industry would meet. The demand of their clients and their supply were well adjusted to the extend that allowed them to establish their presence on the market. The next two years, 2007-2008, were the period of the rapid development and growth of the economy and steel industry. Although it was a time of company’s flourishment, from the present perspective the increase of the sector was the cause of the frantic rate of project completion and limited the long-term goals of the company. The outcome of this hectic period on the international market was the crisis in the years 2008-2009 which impacted Martifer Polska as well. Mr. Miguel Borges, the General Director of Martifer Polska, shows optimistic outlook though: ‘We have to be aware of the relatively mild form of the crisis in Poland in comparison to other European countries and considering their unpleasant experiences we should draw proper conclusions and try and take good decisions. The projects we have planned and slight activity of investors allow us to look into the nearest future with hope.’ Dealing with the results of the financial crisis, which impacted not only Martfier Polska but also the whole construction industry and most of its clients, the company takes an advantage of every chance that enables using its assets to the maximum. Among the projects Martifer is currently executing are various complex civil engineering and industrial structures. Company’s priority projects are those concerning infrastructure projects for EURO 2012 and industrial power sector.International activity:Martifer Polska is a part of the Martifer Group, who has a twin production plant in the south of Romania. These two plants focus on projects executed in Central and eastern Europe: in Germany, Czech Republic, Moldavia, Slovakia, Latvia, Ukraine. Martifer Polska occasionally supports the production plants in Portugal that attend to western Europe and Northern Africa, it also delivered structures to: Angola, Cameroun, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland. Future plans of the company concern strengthening its position on the markets where it is already present and seeking ambitious projects in respective geographical regions.Clients’ trust in Martifer Polska brandGaining clients trust is not an easy thing, and people of Martifer Polska know it. That is why they constantly improve their qualifications and raise the standards of production and of the relations with the customers. They managed to do that during completion of respective projects. ‘When it comes to potential clients, our assets are our licenses and certificates, as well the references we receive after completion of various contracts’ says Miguel Borges. ‘Preliminary audits are conducted for individual branches, where before placing an order the client examines all aspects connected with the future project. It is our pleasure to inform you that 100% of audits conducted in our plant were successful.’ The steel industry requires the highest competence and Martifer Polska can prove it with several certificates:- TÜV Rheinland certificate, ISO 9001:2008 no. 0198 100 00901/01- TÜV Rheinland certificate, OHSAS 18001:1999 no. 2 03 07020/2- TÜV Rheinland certificate, DIN 18800-7:2002 no. 01 203 973- TÜV Rheinland certificate, DIN EN ISO 3834-2 no. 01 3834-2 973-09 0648 – Qualification certificate of the Polish Welding Centre of Excellence no. 326/894/IV/10 - Qualification certificate of the Ministry of Infrastructure no. 02/09 – Certificate Ukraine, ISO 9001:2001 no. UA 2.011.03500-09 – Certificate Ukraine of conformity with GOST standard, no. UA1.022.0017948-09We protect and take care of the environment we work inOne of the values of Martifer Group is their respect for the natural environment and its protection. They are fully aware of the impact the company’s operations have on the environment. They execute their projects with consideration of the possibilities of environmentally friendly solutions and try to minimise this impact by:- observing the applicable statutes of the environmental protection law and other requirements concerning the company’s operations- reduction of pollution released into the atmosphere- proper waste management- optimising the use of production materials and natural resources- preventing environmental disasters by monitoring instruments and installations- improving environmental awareness of our employees on an ongoing basis.People who build the successLike the constructions consists of fitting elements, the structure of the company is built of the individual strengths of its employees. At present the company employs 230 people, 2/3 of which are the production workers. The members of administration staff also work for other companies of Martifer Group operating on the local market. Martifer Polska puts emphasis on human resources, searching for people who present such distinctive features as determination, dynamism, dedication, persistence and motivation. The best professionals can be chosen thanks to the multi-level selection process. Each candidate is interviewed by several company’s representatives which gives them an opportunity to learn about the personality and technical skills of a future employee. A person that successfully completes the application process can enjoy being a part of a team of an international company employing ca. 4000 people. Well defined goals and clear distribution of responsibilities help create great everyday atmosphere in the company’s work environment. What is more, the members of young team (the average age of an employee is ca. 30 years) have several opportunities to take part in bonding events outside the company’s premises, both organised by the company as well as initiated by the employees themselves. The company gives also opportunities of supporting the human potential and introduces various career path programs developing skills which can be used later on in everyday work. Mr. Miguel Borges comments on the professional training system: ‘We regularly organise both, internal and external trainings, funded by our own financial means, as well as with the help from the EU. Moreover, we stand by introducing innovative technologies and the necessity to maintain the quality of our products at a high level – indirectly it also helps improve the awareness of human resources’. Martifer Polska is also one of the very few institutions that invest in young future candidates, presenting special offer to the students – the Summer Internship Program. The company feels also an obligation to increase their employees’ awareness of social problems. Every year during the Christmas period they organise fundraising among our employees to support the institutions we consider to be in need during the time. Up till now they supported orphanages, animal shelters, and other institutions. 
We know this story all to well. First came credit crunch; banks soon experienced cash flow problems; this in turn rebounded on the building industry. And yet there are construction businesses in Poland that have survived the crisis intact. Among these Format is to be found, the Warsaw-based company with more than 500 investment projects under its belt, completed all around Europe. This business never grows tired of success. They are now developing a nuclear power plant in Finland. Soon after that they are setting out to conquer Sweden.Success StoryFormat’s track record is like Polish reality in a nutshell. It has enough room for economic transformation and upheaval; it has room for ownership restructuring, international recognition and multimillion business deals, too. Let’s begin at the beginning, however. The turn of the 80s and 90s sparked off a dramatic change in Poland. The state liberalised economic laws, thus setting up free-market economy and creating multiple opportunities to do business overseas. Among those who jumped at the chance was Mr Wojciech Mikulecki, the founder of the company and its President. Format Urządzenia i Montaże Przemysłowe Sp. z o.o. (LLC) came into being in February 1990. “We launched our Technical Office in Wiesbaden the same year. The office was responsible for suitable site control and marketing in Germany, where the majority of our Clients came from,” adds Format’s Managing Director, Mr Filip Górski. The contracts performed at the time included thermal insulation (cold and heat protection), soundproofing and fire protection. Format also specialised in interior building construction (drywall and suspended ceiling systems), building facade assembly and rust and corrosion protection. Last but not least, the business completed deals in the reinforcement and concrete formwork sector. Dedication and hard work gave rise to further expansion. In three years’ time Format set up Format-Lambda corporate group, which embraced Polish and German capital, including Format Baustahl- und Konstruktionsverarbeitungs- GmbH and Lambda S.A. The real breakthrough came along when Poland acceded to the EU.Hallmark Investment“We have achieved lasting recognition in Germany and France. We have also made our mark in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and Benelux; and are now setting about to complete our first deals in Sweden. What we pride most, however, is the contract we won in Finland. This flagship project of ours comprises reinforcement and concrete formwork carried out for the nuclear power plant in Olkiluoto 3 (Ol3), the first plant worldwide to make use of a 3rd generation nuclear reactor. At their busiest, more than 300 of our staff worked on the site,” emphasises Format’s Managing Director. There are at least two factors that give a cutting edge to this project. Top of the list comes its multinational character. Whereas the plant in Olkiluoto is being built by businesses and staff from 61 countries, its site documentation, materials and information signs are prepared in 6 different languages. Equally important are rigorous safety standards, however. Each and every contractor has to take proper care of the staff, environment and the plant itself. And each and every contractor has some achievements to his credit in this matter. The facts speak for themselves. The average occupational accident rate in Finland is 73.1 accidents per million working hours. The contractors in Olkiluoto have managed to slash it by four. Anxious not to affect the environment, these contractors are obliged to implement sustainable policy, including innovative guidelines for safe waste disposal. Arguably, it is in the field of plant safety that Format has a chance to strut its stuff. Responsible for this are two coats of protective concrete, 2 metres thick each, which were designed to alleviate the negative impact of uncontrolled chain reaction and reduce external hazards, e.g. the plant being crashed by a large plane.They Carried it OffTop priority? „We focus on Customer trust. We know how to win over the Customer and how to keep him satisfied. Our chief assets include timely and professional completion and proactive attitude. We are well sought after in the industry: where other contractors fail, we are able to carry it off. We acted as a troubleshooter, too,” replies Mr Górski. “Take this for example. The main contractor of Boberg power plant, Germany, asked us to rescue its project. With 26 different subcontractors on the site, they experienced difficulties completing the investment. Over 70 per cent of the scheduled time only 20 per cent of insulation works were executed. The situation being critical, we came up with a new schedule of works and carried it out on our own. Despite the fact that we were running against the clock, 300 of our staff made up for the lost time and finished the project within the original time frame.” No wonder, then, that Format has so far catered for such industry tycoons as: Ruhl GmbH, BAG, Wendt, Bouygues TP, Vinci Construction, Farrans, Gilbert Ash, Elliot, Lang O’Rourke. Seasoned and ProfessionalSecond top priority and Format’s biggest asset is its staff. Depending on the season the company employs between 500 and 1000 people. “We are keen to select workers properly. Every candidate is subject to theoretical and practical examination. As a result, our employees are hand picked and matched to meet the requirements of each local market and construction project. They also undergo regular performance appraisals,” elaborates Format’s Managing Director. Hence, a team of diverse and versatile professionals has come into being, the one that gathers experienced workers home and overseas, and young people, too. The key to manage such a huge team is motivation. The business combines competitive rates of pay with professional training and prospective career opportunities. It also maintains rigorous health and safety standards (Format’s workers in Finland attend between ten and twenty H&S sessions every year); secures suitable accommodation and transportation services; makes it possible for the workers to fly home over Christmas and Easter holidays; and provides them with additional personal accident insurance and necessary language assistance when abroad.Quality under ControlFormat offers a wide variety of construction services, including both detailed orders and comprehensive construction projects: concrete formwork with geodetic staff, reinforced steel assembly (steel fixing) and concreting. “Thanks to our versatility and many years of experience we have been able to offer prompt and top quality services and functional logistic system in all European countries. We have been awarded ISO 9001 and AFCAB (recognised in France) quality certificates in reinforcement assembly,” remarks Mr Górski. The company’s sites are subject to both internal and external quality control. This includes identification of construction plans and delivery of steel reinforcement, where all attests on steel type, malleability (workability), diameter and length of the steel bars are carefully checked. Steel itself is then assembled in utmost precision according to construction plans. “Every construction phase undergoes a two point quality control prior to concreting. Yet, we are able to launch a new project within several days, with all the necessary equipment, health and safety and social facilities,” adds Format’s Managing Director.Focus on Steel AssemblyProspective goals? “We stay focused on reinforced steel assembly (concrete formwork and concreting are available on demand). Thanks to recent investments we can also supply prefabricated steel structures,” replies Mr Górski. Reinforced steel assembly is executed in several stages. The process begins with steel fixing performed either on site or in a prefabrication area. Next welding is carried out, by certified welders that hold all the necessary certificates. Finally, the prefabricated reinforcement can be placed in the shuttering, which is followed by prepared steel elements being assembled on completed formwork.In Pole Position“The fact that we focus on reinforced steel assembly does not mean that we gave up on insulation and drywall systems constructions. We are waiting for these markets to improve, however. Once we notice that things are looking up, we will be there ready to generate income,” summarises Format’s Managing Director. “Our competitors waste no opportunity to catch up with us at the moment. The construction industry has already got to grips with the credit crunch. There are new promising players from the newly admitted EU members. Multinational employment agencies of European range can stir up some trouble, too. We do not look to our rivals, though. Over the last few years we have managed to gain a considerable advantage over our competitors and we are not going to squander it now.” 
OJSC UGMK was founded only 13 years ago. In such a short period of time on the market it made its presence noticeable. The company’s successful growth can be attributed to its drive for achieving better results in the fields of quality and customer service.Current achievementsOJSC Ukrayinska girnycho-metalurgiyna kompaniya (UGMK) was established in 1998. The company’s objective was to deliver steel products in any quantity to the wide range of consumers. Moreover, the company offered related services. In 2002 the UGMK company opened its First Metal Supermarket. The concept was so successful that in a short period of time a whole chain of metal supermarkets grew all over the country. In 2006 the company entered several foreign markets establishing The International Metal Trading Network that includes such enterprises as UGMK (Ukraine), RGMK, Ltd (Russia), UGMK (Belarus), GCB Centrostal Bydgoszcz SA (Poland), UGMK-Georgia (Georgia), UGMK Central Europe (Czech Republic).The company has established its own metal trading network in Poland with the help of JSC GS Centrostal-Bydgoszcz, which is the biggest metal trader in Poland with 25 retail centers and offices all over the country. In 2009, OJSC UGMK launched The First Online metal supermarket (www.ugmk.ua) in Ukraine. It became the first virtual marketplace that consolidated an inter-regional metal trading network into a single trading system. In a short period of time the UGMK company managed to establish partnerships with major companies-consumers of steel. In Ukraine and CIS UGMK cooperates with producers of railway cars and machinery as well as with shipbuilding and repair companies. In August 2002 the company implemented a quality management system in conformity with international standard ISO 9001:2000. The company has successfully passed an independent international certification audit, conducted by SGS (Geneva, Switzerland). In 2009, UGMK has received a certificate in quality management in accordance with international standard ISO 9001:2008. The company has been on the market for 13 years and it continues to develop.Competitive advantageThe company’s competitive advantage is the opportunity to cooperate with major manufacturers of steel products. Thanks to that OJSC UGMK has the ability to deliver a wide range of high quality steel products and to satisfy the emerging demand. The company has the largest trading network in Ukraine. One of the strategic advantages of the company is qualified personnel. The employees are able to adapt to changing market conditions and ensure the company’s ability to react to market requests. The company employs more than 1000 people. The availability of a wide range of steel products, good infrastructure and prompt deliveries of products allow OJSC UGMK to provide the customers with solutions for any of their needs. The company’s experience in the field of steel industry and timely delivery makes it possible to win international tender projects. So far the company supplied steel for construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines: NAK Naftogaz Ukraine, Ukrnafta, PAO Ukrtatnafta. OJSC UGMK provides steels for construction and renovation of stadiums for Euro 2012, for subways and bridges from mills such as Arcelor Mittal Krivoy Rog, Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works, Dneprovsky Iron&Steel Works named after F. Dzershinsky, and many others. The company delivers materials for several shipbuilding plants among others to Kherson Shipyard, Illichevsk Shipyard; to a railway car building plant Kryukov Railway Car Building Works; and to several machine building plants such as Novokramatorsky Machine Works, Sumy Machine Building Scientific Production Association named after M.V. Frunze, Umanfermmash, Chernivtsi Machine-Building Plant. OJSC UGMK is a strategic partner and an official representative of the ISD Corporation, which is one of the leading steel companies in Central and Eastern Europe Region. OJSC UGMK represents the largest Ukrainian manufacturers of steel products on the market: OJSC Alchevsk Iron & Steel Works; OJSC Dneprovsky Iron&Steel Works named after F. Dzershinsky; OJSC Kramatorsk Iron Works aft.Kuybyshev; OJSC Dniepropetrovsk Tube Works. Additionally, OJSC UGMK is a partner of several companies in the European Union which are members of the ISD Corporation: Huta Stali Czestochowa Sp. z o.o. (Poland) and ISD Dunaferr Zrt (Hungary). The product range of OJSC UGMK includes more than 2000 different steel products, particularly, rebar, i-beam, rod, hot-rolled plates, squares, circles, flats, angles, water and gas tubing, hot-rolled seamless tubing, channels, L-bars, cold rolled strips, rails, etc. In addition to steel supply, the company is also experienced in manufacturing metal constructions. The metal construction network includes such plants as Zaporozhia Production Complex (Ukraine) and Container Production Plant (Poland), Steel Coils Processing Center (Lodz, Poland) and Siding Production Plant (Bydgoszcz, Poland). The share of export is about 5 per cent of all steel deliveries made by the company. The deliveries mostly include flats and structural shapes. OJSC UGMK export steels to several countries in Eastern Europe and the CIS: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Moldova, and Belarus.Future plansThe company’s mission is to supply steel manufactured by foreign and domestic steel producers on the Ukrainian market. The company’s customer oriented approach, variety of its sales offer and high quality of services guarantee consumer satisfaction. Despite its many achievements, OJSC UGMK does not stop developing and looking for new solutions and opportunities. The company’s development strategy covers a number of areas. The enterprise aims to increase its operating efficiency, to optimize processes through the use of modern information technology and systematic market research of major products and services. The company strives to expand its network of regional offices, to diversify its products and services and to increase sales. Continuous improvement of the quality of services is another area targeted by the OJSC UGMK. The management is striving to form a team of highly qualified specialists creating the conditions for promoting the creative potential of employees by providing professional development opportunities and career growth within the company. Another major goal of the company is the improvement of management system in accordance with international standard ISO 9001. From a simple trading company OJSC UGMK has grown into the largest chain of metal supermarkets in Ukraine and worked out customer service standards that apply to all its retail centers. OJSC UGMK has adopted a more customer-oriented approach, paying special attention to each customer. The company continuously improves customer service processes by introducing new services and expanding the range of available products. Today OJSC UGMK is a leading metal supplier on the Ukrainian market. It is a company with the largest network of its own stores. Nevertheless, the company does not plan to stop growing. UGMK is planning to open new regional offices and strengthen the company’s position on the domestic market. Also one of the main priorities of the company is to expand the geographical reach of sales to new foreign markets, particularly the markets of Moldova, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. OJSC UGMK strive to become the leading distributor in the steel sector. OJSC UGMK has both retail and wholesale customers. The company is customer-oriented and cares about the needs of each client. A working relationship with a client is considered as partnership, which provides the possibility to interact and address relevant issues. To increase customer satisfaction and to facilitate the ordering process, OJSC UGMK has introduced a system of standards for convenient steel purchasing, which is valid for all customers in all the supermarkets that belong to the UGMK chain. OJSC UGMK provides the steel consumers in different regions of the country with standardized services and assured quality of steel products. In 2002, OJSC UGMK has become a winner of the national “Gold brand” competition. In 2009 OJSC UGMK was added to the list of TOP 500 richest companies in Ukraine, according to the rating of the “Gvardia” journal. 
Everyone was talking about the biggest (since “Wall Street Crash”) financial crisis, which badly hit the global economy a few years ago. Media reported of billions of dollars pumped in collapsing industries, governments were creating pacely huge packages of investments to stimulate the economy, millions of people lost their jobs, countries bankrupted. Inflated without restraint speculative bubble in the U.S. real estates market, the irresponsible actions of the Federal Reserve, poorly designed financial management procedures in banks, and finally, to quote professor Adamus of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, “greed and fear”, led to the most serious collapse of the global economy since 1929. For the errors of the selfish, the innocent must now pay. One of the industries most affected by the crisis, is the construction industry. Many organizations representing this branch of economy have decided, in the face of sharply falling economic indicators, to implement the policy of radical savings, targeted especially in their own Employees. Some, however, despite difficult market conditions, were able to secure their competitive position, maintain the highest standards of manufactured goods, while ensuring investments aimed at developing human resources. One of the model companies to follow in the construction industry torn by crisis, is ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o. - an organization rich with experience.The History of the CompanyERGON was founded in 1963, in the Flemish town of Lier, between Antwerp and Brussels. Since its inception the organization continues to strengthen its position, widen the area of products and services, implement new projects throughout Europe. The result of the company’s dynamic development was the decision to start building a new manufacturing plant in Mszczonów near Warsaw, in 2000. After only few years of very good performance of the factory, ERGON was able to successfully continue the policy of expansion, which resulted in the opening of a new production plant in Romanian town of Ploiesti in 2006. Two years earlier ERGON Group in Europe was bought by the world’s leading manufacturer of building materials – the Irish company CRH, thanks to which, already amazing technological facilities and extensive “know – how” of the company have been greatly enriched. At the moment, ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o. is a leading European manufacturer of prefabricated building components of the ecological, compressed concrete, used in applications as both structural and architectural interest, such as double T–floors, beams for bridges, ceilings, wall panels and hollow core floor slabs, platforms etc. The company is not limited to production activities, but also conducts extensive service activities, containing design, transport and assembly. By constantly widened product range and a fully individual approach to each order, ERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o., even in the post – crisis circumstances, can pursue further projects, requiring even the highest standards of performance.When the industry slows down / dismisses...Construction industry, as well as automotive industry and banking sector were, without doubt, the biggest victims of loss of demand, investment withdrawal and general economic collapse. At a time when many companies were forced to cease operations, ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o.has continued to grow and further implements solutions to achieve the company’s most important goal: complete customer satisfaction. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Maciej Marciniak, explains the reasons for this state of affairs. He emphasises the particular importance of the proper approach to the touchy topic of savings in the industry, which faces serious financial problems. While most companies make budget cuts mainly by reducing employment, ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o. adopted a different perspective: in the classification of the priorities of the company, the first place is occupied by the development of the most valuable potential of the organization, which undoubtedly are Employees. “The ERGON crew is very young, not only because of rather short activity of the company in Poland, but also because of age. Consequently, the staff is zeal for work and willing to fight.”, says Director Marciniak, stressing at the same time that the high level of work efficiency would not be possible to maintain, without properly implemented human resources management policy in the organization. The company employs about 150 people, including nearly 20 engineers, responsible, inter alia, for the design and logistics. Therefore, a matter of great importance is to provide the Employees with full safety of the working conditions, as well as satisfaction, also in the non – financial dimension. With the adoption of appropriate corporate governance philosophy, ERGON’s Employees can focus on carrying out their responsibilities and develop their skills. Director Marciniak reveals, in force in the organization, the concept of approach to Employees: “The key is honesty: openness in the discussions even on difficult subjects, keeping the word – it can be determined by respect to a human being in general. We have to economize, cut costs, but human recources are the last area, in which this happens.” This brings us to the heart of the matter. ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o. is a company that can flourish in even the most critical circumstances, because it is characterized by an extremely high degree of business acumen, which in practice means other than the classical concept of the company’s value, going far beyond the balance of gains and losses. ERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o., as a modern and aware company, perfectly understands the issue of constructing an appropriate image, just as a substantial part of building the value of the company, as it is understood today. In the twentieth century, the construction of the image was understood primarily as the relevant to the company’s competitive position marketing and advertising activities. Today, far more important is the activity undertaken to protect the environment and the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility. ERGON POLAND Sp. z.o.o. is something to be proud in these areas: the company boasts an extremely restrictive, internal quality policy, consistent with the theory of Lean Management, implements and continously improves solutions to reduce waste and strictly approaches the issue of the environmental regulations. Moreover, the mere use of compressed concrete is an evidence of the company’s serious treatment of the matter of the ecological aspect of activity of the organization – proper research demonstrated that products made of compressed concrete can be used by more than 100 years. As for the CSR, the company cooperates with Mszczonów, “to promote sports and charity activity”, says Diretor Marciniak. Of course, an important element, allowing to achieve success of the company representing the construction industry are accurate investment in technological facilities and “know – how”. The support of experienced designers from Belgium and Irish managers makes that ERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o. boasts on of the most modern production lines in Europe, greatly increasing the company’s manufacturing potential. Annual production capacity is 120 000 cubic meters of concrete, the factory in Mszczonów is able to produce girders up to 60 meters long and the heaviest element produced so far had a mass of 160 tons ! These few examples perfectly illustrate the great potential of the company, which is able to fulfill every order. The main goal of every organization is to ensure full Customer satisfaction. ERGON is no exception. Maintaining the highest international quality standards, wide assortment, which has a broad selection of modification options, special options for designing and implementing activities, aimed at, for example, a significant increase in the pace of work, professional Customer service procedures and post – sale activities: all these factors combined with an extensive network of dealerships represented by, perfectly prepared to perform their duties, traders, ensure that each contract executed by the company will satisfy even the most stringent requirements of every Customer. The best recommendation of ERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o., are already completed projects. Among the company’s Customers are renowned companies, such as Whirlpool, Michelin, Gilette and IKEA. ERGON’s activity has been adequately appreciated by industry experts, as exemplified by numerous awards granted to the company. The company’s Employees are particularly proud of the “Reliable Employer in Mazovia 2008” title, for the excellent rates of the reliability of employment, including, inter alia, working conditions and timely payment. Director Marciniak boasts also “The Building of the Year 2008” award, in the “Industrial buildings and warehouse facilities” category and the award of the Ministry of Infrastructure in 2009, for prestressed beams for bridges. With such credentials, ERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o. certainly does not have to be worried about its survival, even in the circumstances of the industry’s painful collapse.SummaryERGON POLAND Sp. z o.o. proves by its business activity that, despite the unfavorable economic climate, a company can be successful. If only the organization will consistently pursue its development plan and will remain faithful to the philosophy of HR management, we can certainly expect it to strenghten its competitive position in the demanding European market. Written by Jacek Głowacki
Aliplast Sp. z o. o (LLC) from Lublin has recently become a success story in the Polish aluminium systems industry. They’ve risen to the top thanks to timely investment, made just after Poland’s accession to the EU, right on the brink of the building boom in Poland. International capital has also played a part: Aliplast belongs to Corialis Group, an international holding present on three continents. Mr Jan Kidaj, Aliplast President, speaks to “Manufacturing Journal” about the company’s achievements and its ambitious investment plan.Initial GroundworkThe success story started 8 years ago. In 2002, 2 years before Poland’s accession to the EU, Aliplast NV, a Belgian provider of aluminium systems, arrives in Poland. Trusted since 1984, the business put out feelers first, made contact with the local industry and then proceeded to set up their new branch in Lublin. Belgian capital soon gained support of Polish entrepreneurs, Mr Jan Kidaj and Mr Mieczysław Daniel. Hence Aliplast Sp. z o. o. (LLC) came into being, the sixth company in the holding. The holding itself reserved the right to take 68 % of its shares, the rest being transferred to the Polish partners. The resources thus collected allowed for the first investment: a powder paint shop. The Belgian partners also decided to adjust some of its aluminium systems to parameters recognised in Poland; a condition necessary for every provider willing to cooperate with the local construction industry.Giant StepsThe beginnings – this should be emphasised – were far from impressive. The business hired 15 people, the whole activity was squeezed into an office and factory floor of less than 100 sqm. Such a state of affairs changed soon, however. A trial version of the business – this is how the initial stages of the business should be called – required patience. The owners biding their time, the watershed came as they expected, soon after Poland’s entry into the EU. “Right at the outset of our activity we had only 2 window & door systems, without necessary certificates. Nowadays we boast 25 such systems, diverse and certified; all of them acknowledged by distinguished architects and design studios. Our R & D department constantly improves existing solutions and comes up with new ideas,” summarises Mr Jan Kidaj, once a co-founder of Aliplast’s Polish branch and now its president. “We’ve achieved growth thanks to a wide assortment of goods on offer and a well-developed distribution network. The boom in construction played a part in it, too. We jump at every opportunity to increase profits,” he adds. Not only the Lublin branch of Aliplast has changed over these 8 years. The holding itself has undergone massive restructuring too, thus turning into Corialis Group, which apart from Aliplast Sp. z o. o. includes Aliplast NV (Belgium), Profils Systems (France), Aliplast China and Smart System (United Kingdom).Rock-Solid FoundationsAliplast profiles are primarily used in commercial construction (auto sales outlets, supermarkets, office buildings) and by developers of housing estates. However, it is not only a wide range of solutions that testifies to the company’s position on the market. Equally important are its facilities. Substantial in size, they comprise a modern office building (1,650 sqm) together with warehouse and factory floors (13k sqm), the latter also housing a fully-automated powder-painting line, which turns out as much as 360 sqm of painted profiles per hour. Constructed in the Europark Mielec economic zone, subzone Lublin, the project ate up vast resources: 55 mln PLN in total. The facilities being completed only last year, their production capacity will hardly meet the growing demand of the market. Nevertheless, Aliplast makes hay while the sun shines and a new project is already under way.Invest for the FutureThis year in May the company and the municipal council in Lublin have officially announced the extension of the already existing facilities. “At first we will enlarge our factory floors by 22k sqm. The production area will thus take up a space of 35k sqm in total. Its annual production capacity of 10k tonnes of ready-made profiles, a brand new press will be installed next. Its cost estimated at 35 mln PLN, the line should be operating in June next year. Half a year later we plan to launch a new vertical powder-paint shop, thus spending another 30 mln PLN for the most advanced machinery of this kind in Poland. At the turn of 2012 and 2013 our business is gong to launch yet another press worth 40mln PLN. Hence the final tally tops 100 mln PLN. We have no qualms about spending such a huge amount of money, though, as we know that we do it for the future of our business. There is hardly a better way to meet the fluctuating taste of contemporary clientele – says Mr Kidaj. Aliplast turns out 4,000 of ready-made profiles every year. Only the first press being installed in the newly extended facilities will make the company’s output rise by 2.5 times. The management estimates that the revenue at Aliplast should make approximately 105 mln PLN this year. Upon the completion of the investment in 2014, the business should in turn generate profit of around 400 PLN.Human CapitalAt present the company hires 105 employees. The investment project should create another 140 jobs. “We will need at least 40 people to operate the first press. The new paint shop requires just as many. We will also hire another 60 workers to operate the second press. The number of jobs will rise not only because of the investment in question. We estimate that by 2013 there should be at least 300 people at the company,” says Mr Kidaj. The business needs both engineers and designers, and regular workers, too. First jobseekers have already submitted their application forms. Those admitted will join a well-coordinated team. It is thanks to this team that Aliplast is able to service a host of trusted clients in a professional, prompt and timely manner. It is also thanks to them – the R & D department in particular – that custom-made solutions are being prepared for new customers. The individual approach wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the exchange of ideas within Corialis Group, thanks to which Aliplast can draw upon inspirations that come from as far as Belgium, France and United Kingdom.Stylish SolutionsAlthough Aliplast’s offer is based on window & door systems of various thermal insulation properties, the façade systems should be seen as equally important. “Nonetheless, it is a range of roofing profiles for winter gardens that compares most favourably with those of our competitors,” adds Mr Kidaj. As for specific brands, the attention should be paid to Imperial, Superial and McWall systems. Imperial and Superial solutions have been designed for exterior windows and doors as well as shop windows. Available for every type of windows (rotating, casements, folding and sliding) and doors (opening to the inside and outside, having one or two wings), they come with the following: quality fittings, painting in full RAL colour palette, wood-like veneer and varnish, frames and wings of various shape and size. The Superial system is additionally featured by good thermal insulating properties. Finally, a few words on McWall solutions, the façade systems used in the construction of glass building elevations. McWall technology makes it possible to create transparent constructions and glass roofing, which brighten up the interior of a building and make it friendly for its users. It should the company’s catalogue abounds many more novelties of this kind, all of them in compliance with ISO 9001:2008. The business chiefly caters for the Polish building industry (70 % of output). The remaining 30 % is exported to Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Sloakia and the Czech Republic. Next distribution channels are to be launched soon in Romania, Bosnia and Scandinavian countries.Avant-GardePresent on the market for 8 years, Aliplast has never faced a slump in profits. “We monitor our competitors, but we tend to focus more on the client. Sustainable growth makes another top priority on our agenda,” emphasises Mr Kidaj. At Aliplast actions certainly speak louder than words. Hence a series of awards granted by the Polish Press and authorities:- Honours in the Wehikuły Czasu (Time Machines) ranking organised by “Gazeta Prawna” together with Dun & Bradstreet rating agency. The list features companies which not only grow rapidly but also make reliable business partners. - Laureate of Business Leader prize in 2006 organised by the Lublin Chamber of Commerce. Open for every market sector and industry, the contest honours businesses which combine success with respect for their workers, clients and trading partners. - Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) granted by “Puls Biznesu” daily (Aliplast came 1st in Lublin area in 2006). Every year the newspaper awards the most dynamic small and medium enterprise. The reason being that they create more gross national product than their large counterparts. Prestigious and trusted (impartial judges, participation free of charge), the ranking aims to promote transparent entrepreneurship. - Laureate of the Diamonds of Forbes 2010 rankingWritten by Bartosz Sowiński
The LLENTAB Group designs, manufactures and markets multifunctional steel buildings for a wide range of industries and purposes. The parent company, LLENTAB AB, is headquartered in Sweden. Its story goes back to 1972 and the Lindblad family. Over the years the company has undergone rapid development, growing economically and geographically. At the current moment, the LLENTAB Group has subsidiaries throughout Europe and Scandinavia and a new organization focused on international business. It managed to grow from a small construction company to an international group with branches in Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Poland. First step to the East The first venture outside of Swedish borders took place in 1987 when LLENTAB opened its first subsidiary in Bergen, Norway. As the undertaking turned out to be a success and the LLENTAB concept developed and attracted an increasing demand, LLENTAB decided to turn to the then transforming region of eastern Europe. The pick happened to be Poland. Decision to locate a subsidiary on the Polish territory was influenced first and foremost by communication factors. – Slovakia, Hungary or the Czech Republic are less accessible for a company from Sweden than Poland. At the beginning of 1990ies, Poland had two regular ferry connections with Sweden. Polish market was simply the nearest one – says Mr. Jacek Liszewski, Polish division’s deputy President of the board. He adds simultaneously that what played a crucial role were similar size of the market as well as climatic parallels. The Polish subsidiary started its business activity at the end of May 1992 in Gdańsk in the northern part of Poland and since then has been functioning by the name of LLENTABHALLEN. At the beginning of its business operations, the Polish division functioned as a sales unit solely. It changed in 1994. – At the time Swedish owners decided to involve LLENTABHALLEN into the design process. At the current moment, 27 Polish engineers work at our design department – informs Mr. Liszewski. The main factory of the LLENTAB Group, manufacturing steel constructions and roofing sheets, is then located in Sweden, whereas LLENTABHALLEN in Gdańsk is responsible for design commissions coming from Poland as well as other countries. What is more, it is in possession of the newest steel profile production line within the whole LLENTAB Group. Large scale investments A milestone in the development of LLENTABHALLEN was the 1998 investment into ground. It accelerated construction of an own office and allowed to relocate to the new premises in 1999. Before the time, the company had experienced some location problems, which blocked its development and did not allow to take advantage of the potential in a full way. The deputy President claims that the relocation took place in a perfect moment – a few years before the accession of Poland to the European Union, which removed all customs procedures and allowed free trade with other member states. He adds that a very important event in the corporate history took place in 2007. – At the time we made another investment decision. It was settled that the Polish division will extend its profile by production. For us it was a proof that we are good enough not only to design but also to manufacture. Currently, we are conducting some production tests of the new line – says Mr. Liszewski. The scale of the ventures is tremendous – its worth exceeds 20 million Polish zloty. It is important to note that it is one of the largest and most complex production lines of its type in Europe. Four basics The LLENTABHALLEN concept for business is today widely acclaimed for its efficient construction, high quality and adaptability to different needs and demands. The LLENTABHALLEN trademark represents important values that the company wants to be identified with. These are: quality, flexibility, high efficiency and care for people. The focus on the values is so large that they permeate everything the enterprise does on a daily basis. Quality has been coined into the most important feature of the enterprise’s products. At the launch of the Polish division, it was decided that high quality will not only distinguish the company from many competitors, but also promote it on the market. At LLENTABHALLEN quality is a core value in terms of production, process and product. The manufacturer always works with products and services from top-ranked suppliers – conviction that each link in the production chain is important for the end-result is very strong. All that to ensure that the manufactures the company supplies stand for best quality traits. Another focus of the company is to fully fulfill customers’ needs, requirements and demands. The concept leaves place for customized solutions with maintained cost-efficiency. LLENTABHALLEN believes that dialogue is key to successful partnership with both customers as well as suppliers. Two-way communication and confidence enable long-term relationships and satisfaction of the customers. For the company it is a matter of professionalism and competence to act with the highest possible responsiveness to the clients’ needs. – Results of this attitude are visible in the structure of our sales. More than 20% of the products are purchased by customers that we have already cooperated with. The fact that they come back is a proof of their satisfaction and trust – claims the deputy President. An alluring factor is undoubtedly that the delivery is in accordance with settled agreements and the customer can always count on quick and professional advice no matter what the problem or question is. Another focus of the company is high efficiency. Owing to that, the production process is highly automated which reduces mistake possibility to the minimum. The high efficiency concept is always set for improvement and innovation. It guides LLENTABHALLEN to continuously develop its work process and improve its effectiveness. Last but not least, the company is driven by solid commitment to its employees. It cares not only for its business but also for a good reputation among its people.Family business, family atmosphereAt the current moment, the Lindblad family owns 85% of the LLENTAB Group’s shares and people at leading positions within the company control the other 15%. This peculiar owner structure guarantees strong commitment and true responsibility to how the company develops and cares for its employees. It refers also to the Polish division. At LLENTABHALLEN the turnover rate is very low and the average time in employment oscillates around 8-9 years. The Human Resources strategy is based on the Swedish model, where human capital plays a significant role in the development of the company. The first rule is compromise pursuit. The company believes that making concessions is easier than simply dismissing someone. Compromise with employees is sought even if it may generate some additional costs or extra obligations. Another important trait is mutual respect and trust. The company does what has been agreed and expects the same from its people. – We do not impose anything on people, they simply do what belongs to them. Due to that our relations are clear and effective, based on partnership. We give what we have promised or even more and we await the same – says Mr. Liszewski. The enterprise offers its people a familiar atmosphere where colleagues care for each other and always try to offer a helping hand. LLENTABHALLEN’s view on work life is long-term – for its employees is means employment stability. The informal, flat-hierarchy atmosphere causes that LLENTABHALLEN is a desired workplace. The positive word of mouth does its job – a number of recruitment processes have been based on internal recommendations. Due to that, the company gets a number of very good applications and can select employees from the best ones available on the market. Lots of attention is paid to the development of employees’ qualifications and competence. – Our people have a chance to participate in a number of internal and external trainings, workshops, courses, etc. It is a very important part of their job. They have to be up to date with the novelties of the industry. It is because of our products, first and foremost their technologically advanced character – states the deputy President. Product offerAs far as the product offer of LLENTABHALLEN is concerned, the high priority area is design of steel buildings. The engineers are responsible for designing customer tailored solutions in detail. In order to do that, they use advanced software for visualization and blueprints. Assembly process is also a crucial part of the business activity. Experienced assembly teams guarantee that the cooperation is complex and does not stop until the building is finished. All customers’ claims may be reported to the company – the staff will solve them directly. What is more, continuous improvement of the assembly process is guaranteed thanks to feedback from the assembly teams. With the new production line, the company extends its offer by automated manufacturing of the modules. SMEs are the future The complexity of the offer causes that main customers of LLENTABHALLEN are small and medium sized companies. – A large part of the 1100 buildings that we have delivered so far was commissioned by companies of small or medium size. Enterprises of SME sector value manufactures of high quality. If they purchase a product, they purchase it for themselves. They prefer to pay more, yet be sure that it meets their quality requirements. For general contractors price is the most important factor and some of them look for cheaper solutions – explains Mr. Liszewski. He believes as well that the SME sector is where the future opportunities of the company lie. – We think that the expansion of Polish highway network will result in industry dispersion. Once a highway is constructed, there are new firms and business ventures. Small towns and villages will attract a growing number of various investments. It may result in new cooperation possibilities for us – he says. If it happens, the number of executed projects may grow quickly. Written by Aleksandra Strojek
Grupa Skalski, Kraków, has been present on the Polish construction market for nearly 30 years now. Over this time it has managed to complete numerous investment projects and collect a bulk of prizes. However, as Mr Dominik Wróbel, Grupa Skalski’s Managing Director, reveals, it is not so much prizes or honours but customers’ trust that the company finds most rewarding. The business has won recognition on the strength of its innovative ownership structure and the support of the Luxembourg-based Astron Company.They Took the RiskIn 1982, when Mr Piotr Skalski decided to set up his own business in Kraków, he began modestly, turning out hollow bricks. The company did not become a roaring success all at once. You need to bear in mind, however, that its beginnings date back to the economic hard times. Poland was under martial law back then and the communist government still disapproved of private enterprise. These difficulties did not deter the founder of the company, though, which nowadays offers a wide range of general building, design and development services. Undoubtedly, Mr Skalski meant business from the very start. The fact that it was not only his money but also his name that he put at risk bears it out perfectly. “Few Polish entrepreneurs have decided to lend their names to their business so far. Mr Skalski took the risk, however. This deserves all the more attention as his adventure with the construction industry began in the turbulent year 1982,” highlights Mr Wróbel. Even though the market conditions throughout the 80s were not favourable for striking huge deals, the business nonetheless managed to raise considerable capital. This capital allowed the company to make a flying start into the 90s. In the first half of the decade, the company concentrated chiefly on the restoration of historic sites, including landmarks such as The Centre for Jewish Culture in the Kazimierz area in Kraków. Those achievements drew the attention of the leading players in the industry. As a result, in 1996, Grupa Skalski went into partnership with a foreign investor. “For us, this proved a real watershed. The cooperation with the Luxembourg-based Astron Company, now a part of Swedish Lindab Group, enabled us to reach for the state-of-the-art steel construction solutions,” says Mr Wróbel. Top-notch technology being at their disposal, the management of Grupa Skalski decided to expand its offer with development services. The first notable success in that field came in 2001, when the company, all by itself, designed and completed the project of TC Dębica, which took up the space of 46, 000 sqm. You have to remember, however, that Grupa Skalski achieved recognition primarily as a general contractor of industrial facilities. Nowadays the overall space of their completed investments equals, mind you, 800,000 sqm. “Thanks to the know-how of our employees and the specialist equipment we have, we are able to take on any challenge in the building industry. Nearly 30 years of our proven track record show that it is possible to turn your name into a trademark, but only if you build on the trust of your clientele. It is this capital of trust that I consider our crowning achievement,” summarises Mr Wróbel.All Aboard“What made us build such trust? Quality services delivered in a prompt, honest and reliable manner,” answers the company’s managing director. Pivotal in winning customers’ confidence, these values enabled Grupa Skalski to pool vast resources and achieve a comfortable position on the market. The former is presented in detail below. Grupa Skalski is a consortium combining many general building companies, including: Skalski Budownictwo LLC, Skalski – Logistic Park LLC, Skalski Export LLC., MS LLC and many others. The ownership thus structured proves a real asset as it makes possible to maintain equilibrium between unity and variety. What is this all about? Simple as that: a variety of companies secures an advanced level of specialisation while the group itself coordinates their activity. However important the structure, at the end of the day, it is Skalski’s people who turn out to be his most strategic asset. The company’s staff is made up of 10 fully qualified engineers, 90 general builders, 50 of which trained in the Astron system, and 30 people working in administration, design and technical support. Modern specialist equipment is yet another asset, which allowed the business to complete challenging development investments such as the already mentioned Logistics Centre T.C. Dębica in Tarnów, Logistics Centre S-Logistic Park near Wrocław (rental space of 34,000 sqm, extension to 200 000 sqm possible) and Logistics Centre in Podgrodzie near Dębica (30 000 sqm for rent). Comprehensive ServicesAs a general contractor, the group offers comprehensive services in terms of design and execution, in all the branches of construction. This includes turn-key projects of industrial and public facilities, and other works in construction engineering, too, be they logistics centres, warehouses, sports and leisure centres, manufacturing plants, supermarkets, hangars or multifunctional buildings. However, the group focuses mainly on industrial buildings, put up in technologies such as steel and concrete. The company’s offer also comprises property for sale, the already mentioned development services and a wide range of design services, including preliminary architectural planning as well as versatile construction and specialist engineering projects complying with the requirements of the Astron system.Astron SystemGrupa Skalski has been building facilities in modular technology since it went into partnership with the Luxembourg-based Astron Company in 1996. It has to be noted that, for more than 35 years now, Astron has been the leading producer of steel constructions designed specifically for industry or services. Its very capacity of 70 ha of ready buildings put up every week should already take your breath away. So should the fact that up till now it has built facilities of overall space amounting to 22 mln sqm. The Astron system allows for tailor-made solutions, which, used together with modular technology, make it possible to adjust the shape and size of the building to individual requirements of a given client. This system combines traditional approach to technology (brick, wood, concrete) with modern solutions. Brought together, they improve both aesthetic and utilitarian qualities of the facility. Custom-made and reproducible at the same time, Astron solutions prove as affordable as any other serial product. In addition, the system is supported by Allplan tools, by means of which the visualisation of the site can be created. There are also other advantages of the system, including:- interactive, tailor-made solutions meeting every requirement, flexible structural layout (span of up to 100 m without any additional support), optimum height of the construction;- finishing construction components: attics on chosen roof edges, mezzanines, canopies, cornices and many others required of a building to be complete and functional;- wall and roof spandrel beams made from cold-bent galvanised components;- reinforced steel, bolted joints, anti-corrosion protection; - the lightest construction on the market; easy and fast to build, adapt or transport; environmentally friendly solutions;- construction protected by shot-blasting; already painted on the processing line.Thus, the Astron system is a warranty of ultimate quality and a reasonable price, too. Firstly, the use of reinforced steel allows you to cut down on investment expenditure. Higher quality means less material, this in turn reduces the weight of the construction and the overall volume and cost of transport. Secondly, the reproducible quality of this system is certified by ISO 9001. Thirdly, the manufacturing process of ready-made modules is seen to by companies such as Lehr – und Veruchsanstal Duisburg u.v.m (responsible for balancing of structural components), TÜV Germany and SOCOTEC France (assembly control). It should be also added that the system complies with the requirements of the following European permits and certificates: CSTB (F), EMI (H), TZUS (CZ), BOVERKET (S).Shower of AwardsThe fact that Grupa Skalski guarantees professionalism and top quality services is well reflected in numerous recommendations made by customers and independent institutions. In an opinion poll conducted by “Murator Plus” magazine, Grupa Skalski was named among 100 biggest construction enterprises in Poland. The company was granted many honours by Polski Związek Inżynierów i Techników Budownictwa (Polish Association of Construction Engineers and Technicians). These included awards in “In the Construction Site of the Year” category, received for the following projects: the Suder&Suder office and storage premises, the Skalski office building, The Logistic City Logistics Centre, The TC Dębica Logistics Centre, Polifarb Cieszyn Wrocław warehouses, as well as the BIK, the Hart, the Ekoland and the PKS Multispedytor buildings. This list should be extended further with the prizes awarded by independent institutions cooperating closely with the construction industry. These include:- Fair Play Golden Certificate and Statuette 2001, Solidna Firma 2007, Solidny Przedsiębiorca 2007, Przejrzysta Firma Certificate 2009;- Man of the Year 2009, Krakowski Dukat, Złoty Dukat 2007 – for the company’s owner;- Mecenas Kultury Krakowa 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Srebrny Laur Małopolski 2005;- Złoty Orzeł Polskiego Budownictwa 2006, 2007, 2008, Lider Rynku 2007, 2008, Euro Lider 2007, 2008;- Przyjaciel Sportu 2006, Gazela Biznesu 2006, Polski Sukces honours in 2005;- Hermes Prize 2000, Drabinka Sukcesu prize for dynamic increase in sales in 2000; Logistyk Roku 2002 in the “Warehouse” category;- 3rd prize awarded at the Expo-Bud trade show; European Medal for construction services including industrial and public facilities. This impressive collection comprises also awards granted by the Astron Company such as: Astron Millionaire for sales topping the figure of 1 mln EUR in 2008; lots of prizes won every year in the following categories: The Largest Site, The Largest Increase in Sales, The Largest Sales Figure in North-Eastern Europe; Life Record 2007, the 250,000 sqm Club 2004 and the 500,000 sqm Club statuettes. Written by Bartosz Sowiński
SONAROL from Jedwabne (Voivodeship of Podlassia) is a brand duly recognised for top quality window and door joinery as well as Styrofoam production. The business has operated for only 13 years now and already managed to join the leaders of middle-size enterprise in Poland. Decisive factors? Thoughtful investment and entrepreneurial savvy. Evidence? Recently awarded prizes, Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) and Diament “Forbesa” (“Forbes” Diamond). SONAROL’s short and yet thrilling track record is to be found below.From Seed…SONAROL came into being in 1997. However modest its beginnings (it was a warehouse at first), the business got off to a flying start almost immediately. As is well known, the economy in Podlassia is based on agriculture. No wonder, then, that SONAROL decided to cater for farmers. Hence the idea to manufacture live-stock tanks and spare parts for farming machinery. The decision proved a success story as it coincided with the dynamic growth of the dairy industry. Before long the company operated at full steam. However, its competitors also jumped at the opportunity, which resulted in the market being quickly saturated. Thus, SONAROL took a decision to diversify its offer in 2000. The business purchased 10 acres of built-up land in Jedwabne and embarked upon manufacturing PVC and aluminium window joinery there. Windows made in Jedwabne became all the rage in the area. Dealing in the construction industry was no joke at the time, however. In order to face stiff competition, the business desperately needed a modern machine park. Its competitors being on the ball, SONAROL avoided any rash decisions, though. Step by step, the business first extended its premises and then purchased modern machinery. More investment soon followed……To FruitIn 2003, the company took over a Styrofoam factory in Jeziorko, near Łomża. Purchased on the brink of decline, the plant underwent a thorough revamping process. Soon back in business, it was equipped with modern and highly efficient machines, which foam, form, slice, mill and pack Styrofoam. It should be added that this project was executed by SONAROl’s department of steel construction. The investment soon yielded positive results as SONAROL get a strong position in the industry in north-eastern Poland. Cutting-edge technology was not the only decisive factor. Equally important was careful decision making, ongoing quality control together with spotless and prompt customer service. In 2008, the window factory became fully automatised. Nowadays the production process is under comprehensive electronic control. The custom-made software allows the company to reduce “human factor” errors at all the stages of the manufacturing process. These include placing an order, production optimisation, machine operation, transport and issuing invoices. It is mainly on the strength of its modern production lines that SONAROL has achieved an established position on the market. However, the company would never grow that rapidly if it was not for its employees, either. The transport fleet in turn guarantees that SONAROL’s clients are supplied in a timely and reliable manner. Reap the Rewards, Look to Your LaurelsFinally, the year of 2010, which – as everything seems to suggest it – will go down in Sonarol’s history as one of best ever. Already in March, the business has launched the construction of the brand new facilities for storage and production (overall space of ca. 6,000 sqm). Soon after that the extension of the machine park will follow, which is to comprise up to 10 production lines and 2 modern centres fitted with profile slicing machines. Thus, the company expects to be in a position to turn out 2,500 windows a day! The resources allocated to this investment make, mind you, 11 million PLN. Such a venture would not be possible if it was not for the EU funding grants. SONAROL has the know-how necessary to obtain these: the project the company submitted came first in the competition organised by the Podlassia branch of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme.Business CapacityAt present the business boasts the production facilities of 7,000 sqm and employs nearly 200 people. Every month the company turns out ca. 25,000 sqm of Styrofoam boards, over 10,000 PVC windows and hundreds of PVC and aluminium doors. They also manufacture facades, winter gardens, steel constructions for industrial facilities, Styrofoam production machines and lightweight trailers. The sales in turn are seen to by the company’s business partners who are properly trained in terms of the product itself, its assembly and maintenance as well as customer service. It is thanks to their contribution that many customers in Poland put their trust in the SONAROL window and door joinery. Top quality SONAROL solutions has attracted foreign customers, too, including business partners in Belgium, Denmark, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Scandinavia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Currently SONAROL’s export figures top 10 % of its annual production. The business is planning to continue dynamic growth in the coming years. Immediate goals? Sales figures are to be doubled, largely due to the company’s foreign expansion.Human FactorFinally, a few words on human resources. A winning combination of initiative and experience, SONAROL’s personnel is a source of pride for the management. The owners of the company are well aware of the fact that it is people who operate cutting-edge technology and not the other way round. For this reason, they go out of their way to properly address the issue of human resources. And they reap the rewards. The high staff retention rate may serve as a case in point, which is obviously reinforced by good rates of pay and friendly atmosphere at the company. SONAROL never hires at random: the recruitment process is carefully divided into 2 stages and HR officers tend to select those candidates which not only have relevant experience or qualifications but are also willing to learn new skills.Diverse SolutionsThe power of SONAROL’s offer is based on top quality PVC and aluminium joinery solutions. PVC joinery comprises a wide variety of windows, different types of doors including balcony, parallel, hinged, sliding, interior and exterior doors, as well as partitions. Aluminium joinery includes windows, exterior and interior doors, shop-windows, facades, partitions and winter gardens. In addition, the company offers technical counselling at the stages such as project preparation and project completion. This allows the business to avoid unnecessary mistakes, thus saving the time and money of its customers.Customer CareCustomer satisfaction– this should come as no surprise – proves the prime target for the company. Clients are becoming more and more demanding every year. Oddly enough, this is where SONAROL spots a niche in the market. On the face of it, this sounds like a paradox – it is no doodle to serve choosy clientele, after all – but this paradox should be easily resolved if you take the company’s assets into account, be they human resources or technology. Those who choose SONAROL’s joinery can count on professional service and top-notch quality. This entails windows customised to individual needs of the buyer. Even the fanciest models are designed to be functional and long-lasting. Both technology and production department play a vital role in the process. People working in the latter boast the skill to make miracles with SONAROL’s equipment. Hence many projects are completed with truly surgical precision, reaching an accuracy of one-tenth of a millimetre.Innovative DesignSONAROL’s windows are produced by means of the “6 plus” cellular system, which stands out as the company’s speciality and first original idea. Its advantages? The “6 plus” system is marked by perfect thermal and acoustic isolation parametres. Its additional sixth chamber and horizontal reinforcement guarantee that the windows, even the largest models, achieve a desired level of static equilibrium. After a small surcharge the anti-burglary components such as interlocking hooks or the Secustic handle are also available. Thanks to its unique design, the latter is virtually impossible to drill through while its mechanism guards against the window bolt being moved from outside. Last but not least, SONAROL’s windows are pleasing to the eye; the effect achieved largely due to a wide variety of colours used.Business GazelleIn 2005, SONAROL received a Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) award. The business came fourth in the category of the most dynamic contenders in the Podlassia region. The competition is run by “Puls Biznesu” magazine, which grants Gazelas to middle-sized businesses, which prove to have a recipe for dynamic growth in three subsequent years. Their place in the ranking depends on the increase in turn-over, calculated in percents. Gazela winners have to possess one more virtue, an excellent reputation, that is, which should be confirmed by their business partners, employees and the Polish treasury.“Forbes” DiamondSONAROL’s collection of prizes includes also a “Forbes” Diamond, which has made the most prominent item on the list so far. This year the business has come fourth in the prestigious ranking list, which is prepared by “Forbes” monthly in collaboration with the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. The place in the ranking is determined by the unique Swiss method which calculates the company’s worth on the basis of its assets and financial results. Thus, the method enables to rate business capacity in a comprehensive manner, in terms of sales figures, net profit, fixed asset, resources available, accounts receivable and investment. Specialists that use these advanced tools cannot be wrong. Hence the conclusion: it is for a good reason that businesses receive a “Forbes Diamond”. The crème de la crème of Polish middle-sized enterprise, SONAROL could hardly dream of better recommendation. The company was rated third in 2009 (category: sales between 5 and 50 mln PLN) and has come fourth this year (sales between 50 and 250 mln PLN) in Podlassia. Written by Bartosz Sowiński
The most important goal for them? Build and improve our quality of life.How do they do it? With creativity and technical skill they plan, design and operate the facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges through sport´s, and urban´ s infrastructure They are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of urban redevelopment and community planning. Who are they? They are people who create the Mostostal Puławy corporation.Mostostal Puławy S.A – or „know- how”As the technological revolution expands, as the population increases, civil engineering skills will be needed. Whatever area you choose, be it design, construction, research, planning, teaching or management, civil engineering offers you a wide range of career choices. And there’s no limit to the personal satisfaction Mostostal Puławy S.A feel from helping to make your own space better place to live. As a president for many years watching the development of our company and comparing its to other construction companies in Poland and abroad I am convinced that our consistency and commitment to the investment let us make a new contracts in the future. This is our formula how to succeed- told Mr. Tadeusz Rybak, president of Mostostal Puławy S.A. We build for the future - it’s their mission. They try to do their best to represent a good level of Polish construction industry. It’s professionalism. It’s experience. It’s human and technological potential. It’s Mostostal Puławy S.A.Polish companyMostostal Puławy SA, established in 1964, is a branch of the Warsaw Steel Construction and Industrial Equipment, company whose projects include a significant proportion of polish bridges, installations, and other complex structures. Its history, project experience, safety leadership, reputation for integrity and competence, commitment to in-house development of human talent, equipment fleet, and above all, its advanced engineering technology, make the company unique in Poland. The company has a highly focused business model. The most attractive project prospects are those where the application of advanced construction engineering and methodology development. This dual value proposition has enabled the company to prosper in a highly competitive environment. In 1991, at the time of great transformation in Poland, Mostostal has been privatized, which consequently led to the transformation of Mostostal Puławy in a private company. In 1994 Mostostal Puławy was transformed into a limited company, while remaining in the holding Mostostal Warszawa. In 2007 Mostostal Puławy took over two companies: Department of Building and Equipment Maintenance Specialist “Mezap” Sp. z.o.o. Energy and Maintenance Company “Energezap” Sp. Ltd., was established as a result, Capital Group Mostostal Puławy SA, says Tadeusz Rybak.From chemical industry to … the power industry implementationMostostal Puławy acts as a general contractor, thereby realizing their projects in the following areas:- Industrial construction, including: chemical, petrochemical, energy (boilers, electrostatic precipitators), food (sugar refineries, meat processing plants, fruit and vegetables, breweries) and cement.- Volume building, including sports and urban infrastructure (buildings, retails, offices, multiplex cinemas, multi-level car parks, etc.).- Communication infrastructure including bridges, terminals, petrol stations, border crossings.- Environmental systems including air purification (desulphurisation and dedusting gas, minimizing the amount of nitrogen) and water (sewage treatment plants, sludge incineration) and thermal waste treatment.According to the services which are offered by Mostostal Puławy, they are vast, in both terms of range as well as reach. If Mostostal Puławy wants to be competitive and provide their clients a good quality work at a global level, its has to follow the latest technological trends. They are involved in a meaningful portion of projects from the energy sector, currently operating in Poland. Each year they pursue contracts which consist on constructing of boiler’s pressure parts with the whole instrumentation (mainly in England, Finland, Norway, France, Holland, Sweden, Germany). President Rybak ensures that the company is fully prepared to accept orders, which are the result of the expected investment boom in the energy sector. The company also offers construction-assembly operations, and producing various types of structures. That production takes place in expanded, modern hall equipped with an automatic cleaning and painting series, that gives an invaluable opportunity of a comprehensive manufacture cutting-edge design. Mostostal Puławy has realized dozens of projects, but the most important to them is indoor cycling track in Pruszków - BGŻ ARENA, which was finished in September 2008. The building was honored by the Polish Chamber of Steel Construction with Steel Construction Title - Implementation of the Year 2008. The indoor cycling track BGŻ Arena, is one of the most technically advanced, proved to be the most beautiful architectural object in the world. The year 2009 has been marked with another success which is of course the development of the complex TDI in Zakłady Chemiczne Zachem S.A. and which was the most important in its history contract of Mostostal Puławy S.A. proceeded in GRI system (Genereal Investment Executor) in industrial construction branch. Activities in the foreign areaIntensification of action and the consequence has led to the expansion of Mostostal Puławy to foreign markets. Over the years, the company which is the well- known performer in the foreign markets was gaining the trust of its customers. Now the export to foreign markets represents nearly 50% of the company’s revenues. The company is very well versed in the realities of construction industry, at the same time competing with Western and Central European companies. After Polish accession to the EU, many rules and regulations have changed, what favorably affected their investment plans. In fact the company does not need to apply for special permits. Moreover the western markets had time to accept Mostostal Puławy, treating it as an equivalent business partner. In short period of time, export took a key position in the structure of the operations of Mostostal Puławy. There are two technical offices which are registered in Germany (1997), in their main sale market and in Sweden.Mostostalowiec is green Environmental investments represent a significant portion of the proceeds of Mostostal Puławy S.A. The most significant, environmentally-friendly activities of the company were realized on the occasion of the execution of contracts for power and municipal waste incineration plants in Poland and abroad. The main projects in this field include the installation of air purification (desulphurization, dedusting exhaust and minimizing the amount of nitrogen) and the installation of water and thermal waste treatment. Undoubtedly, the main ecological investments of Mostostal Puławy are the installation of exhaust aftertreatment FGT (electrostatic precipitator and bag filter channels) in the AZN Moerdjik Netherlands biomass incineration plant and the set up of an assembly line of purification of dust and gas in the waste incineration plant in Billingham, near Cleveland, England. Mostostal Puławy have been cooperating also with “Zakłady Azotowe Puławy” plant including rebuilding a steam boiler for the adaptation of hiswork to the emission standards. In mid-August 2009 Mostostal started work on replacing five steam boilers, in a newly built and one of the biggest complex of waste incinerators in Belvedere near London. It will be will be one of the largest and most modern waste incineration plants in Europe.Cultural MostostalowiecFor the unrelenting development, their special attention is addressed to the staff’s skill upgrading. Worthy of attention, but very interesting is an idea to advanced training for welders and organization of special courses. The co-operation with vocational schools, offers many opportunities for their students and graduates. Mostostal Puławy is not only a leading construction company, modern managed, and achieving good financial results. Mostostal is also a company that cares for the development of the region, being sensitive to social needs and caring about the environment around us. Mostostal Puławy is a well- known patron of culture, art, science and sport. The company have financed many cultural events in the Lublin but is also involved in nationwide projects. Sport is one of the most important element of the company’s relationship. Since 1997, Mostostal Puławy S.A. supports cycling group “Pogoń Mostostal Puławy,” which is very successful. Certificates: ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, AQAP 2110:2006, Certificate: Manufacturer of Steel Construction, SLV powers, certificates of TUV Rheinland Group. Currently we are waiting to obtain the OSH PN-N 18001 certify in order to introduce the Integrated Management System ISO.Awards:2010European Medal for Services for the installation of equipment and installation of energy granted by the European Integration Committee, the BCC and the European Economic and Social Committee EESC (Medal Europejski dla Usług za montaż urządzeń i instalacji energetycznych).The title “Firma na medal’ in the category: General Contractor of sports and recreational complexes in the competition: Polish Sport’s Builder. The Pearl of Polish Economy 2009 in the category of “Large Pearls”. Winner in the Exporter category - The first edition of the “Ambassador of Polish Economy” competition organized by the BCC. 2008 “Steel Construction - Implementation of the Year 2008”- the PIKS award- General contractor of an indoor cycling track in Pruszków BGŻ Arena. The title of Outstanding Exporter of the Year 2008 and the Cup of the Association of Polish Exporters, the title of the Pearl of Polish Economy in 2008 in the category of Large Pearls (Polish Market). The Pearl of Polish Economy 2009 in the category of “Large Pearls”.2007 The title “Patron of Sport - Lublin 2007” (“Mecenas Sportu - Lubelszczyzna 2007”)Written by Katarzyna Olszowska
POLDIM S.A. is a company known in Poland and abroad owing to maintaining the highest standards of road and bridge construction works, which are always finished on schedule. POLDIM is also noted for its road maintenance services and production of materials for the road building industry.Written by Aleksandra StrojekProtoplast and first structural changes POLDIM carries on more than fifty-years of operations among Polish road and bridge building enterprises. What is more, it considers itself to be the heir to the rich tradition of road and bridge building in the Lesser Poland region as well as in former Galicia. The beginnings of the company date back to 1952. At the time, as a result of an Act passed by the Presidium of the Government, the Regional Office for the Maintenance of Public Roads (REDP – Rejon Eksploatacji Dróg Publicznych) was established in Tarnów, in the southern part of Poland. 1968 witnessed a structural change of the company – the first Polish Asphalt Emulsions Plant was built within REDP. Yet, the company did not function for a long time. In 1975, due to a new administrative division of the country, REDP is closed down and replaced by The Regional Office for Public Roads in Tarnów (RDP – Rejon Dróg Publicznych). In 1992 RDP was divided into two separate entities: The Road Administration of the General Directorate of Public Roads in Kraków (Zarząd Dróg Generalnej Dyrekcji Dróg Publicznych), and the Road and Bridge Building Company in Tarnów (PBDiM - Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Dróg i Mostów). The Tarnów divison of the company became very active on both local as well as domestic market. Between 1994 – 1998, PBDiM built a beltway south of Tarnów and just two years later, in 1996, it began a series of road works all around Poland. Private capital and establishment of POLDIMFurther structural and legal changes took place in 1999. In accordance with the directive issued by the Voivode of Lesser Poland, PBDiM was privatized and took on the name of the Road and Bridge Building Company, Joint-Stock Company (PBDiM S.A.). In 2005, PBDiM S.A. changed its name to Polish Roads and Bridges, Joint-Stock Company in Tarnów (Polskie Drogi i Mosty Spółka Akcyjna). Last but not least, in February 2006, during an Extraordinary Board of Stockholders Meeting, the name of the company was changed to the current one, i.e. POLDIM, Joint-Stock Company (POLDIM S.A.). The three most crucial moments in the history of our company were the privatization process, changing the enterprise’s name to POLDIM S.A .and sales of majority block of shares to a Lithuanian company Tiltra – says Mr. Wacław Makarski, the President of POLDIM. The third of the events finalized in December 2009. At the time the road and bridge construction holding Tiltra Group headquartered in Vilnius acquired 71,1% of the Tarnów company’s shares. Becoming a part of Tiltra Group, POLDIM still operates within its hitherto organizational structure, i.e. a holding of subsidiaries and associate companies. The daughter companies are located in Dębica, Jakubowice, Mielec, Mikołajowice, Kraków and Katowice. Associate enterprises are located in Łódź and Jakubowice. Due to high demand for POLDIM’s products as well as their well-known quality, new Container Asphalt Emulsions Plants (Wytwórnia Emulsji Asfaltowych) have been opened in a few regions of Poland (Bialystok, Kunice, Pabianice and Gdansk). Moreover, POLDIM won a prestigious contract for works on Zakopianka, a busy road connecting Kraków and Zakopane. The event led to the opening of the Kraków Road Works Branch (Oddział Robót Kraków) in Głogaczów, a town located between Kraków and Myślenice.Honesty in the vision The vision of the company is best described by the triad: done well – on time – with a warranty. – At our company, ethics based on the Decalogue has always been of great importance. We do our best to make business relations transparent. It refers not only to the customers, but also to the subcontractors and employees. We try to make our activity honest and reliable – emphasizes the President. The triad rules were in fact confirmed officially at the beginning of the 21st century. In 2002 POLDIM was issued an ISO 9001:2000 certificate referring to construction and repair works of roads and bridges, development, production and sale of asphalts, modified asphalts, asphalt emulsions as well as hot and cold mix asphalts. Furthermore, lots of effort is put into developing positive employer-employee relations. At the current moment, POLDIM’s personnel figure oscillates around 600, whereas the whole holding is a workplace for more than 1300 people. – We give our employees a chance to develop. We support them in gaining the required construction licenses and qualifications, finance postgraduate programs or diversified trainings. We have also a number of social funds – says Mr. Makarski. The company is aware that it functions among the local community, its people and their affairs. Due to that, it sponsors a lot of cultural, artistic and sports ventures. – We support and initiate local projects of various kind. The objective of one of such ventures, ran in 2008 and 2009, was to save roadside shrines in Lesser Poland. The idea was to keep our landscape filled not only with road machinery and rushing cars, but also with some signs of our past and identity – asserts the President. Other important projects and institutions recently sponsored by POLDIM include among others: Tarnów Jazz Contest Festival, Theatre Season Talia, 2nd Investment Forum, Unia Tarnów Speedway Team as well as Special Education and Childcare Center in Tarnów. Products and services The offer of POLDIM is broad and attractive. The company offers not only construction works, but also lab services as well as products for the construction industry, mainly for the road and bridge building sector. The basis of POLDIM’s operations have always been various services connected to road and bridge building as well as winter and summer road maintenance. The company is usually the customers’ main contractor but it can also conduct its works as a subcontractor or a consortium member. The services offered among winter maintenance include: clearing roads and pavements of snow; removing slippery layers of ice and snow from roads, pavements and underpasses; snow disposal as well as setting up snow-fences. The summer maintenance includes in turn: partial road repairs with the use of cold mix asphalt, hot mix asphalt, asphalt emulsions and grit; repairs of pavement edges, surface and kerbs; traffic safety equipment repairs (acoustic screens, road signs); repairs of road shoulders, ditches, drainage systems; grass cutting as well as cutting down trees, bushes and self-seeders. Next to that, the geo-technical, field and road labs of POLDIM are capable of conducting a number of lab tests as well as delivering material and technological consultancy to the clients. – Without doubt, the focus is on road and bridge building as well as the production of materials. Our asphalt emulsions, modified asphalts or cold mix asphalts belong to the best manufactures of this kind in Poland – informs Mr. Makarski. It is worth mentioning here that next to excellent references from the company’s customers, products manufactured by POLDIM possess all required quality certificates. Certificates and other reasons for pride During more than fifty years of business activity, the enterprise has managed to gain the opinion of a reliable company. The professionalism is a result of experience gained from multiple construction works and the excellence is reflected in a number of prestigious awards received from diverse institutions and organizations. The work of POLDIM was for example perceived by the editorial team of the Polish Roads Monthly (Miesięcznik Polskie Drogi) along with the Road and Bridge Research Institute (Instytut Badawczy Dróg i Mostów). The institutions honoured POLDIM with Polish Roads of 21st century award for implementing modern technologies and advancement to the manufacturing of modified asphalts. What is more, the company received the title and certificate of Reliable Company 2003 (Solidna Firma 2003) in a project run under the European Commission Agency auspices. Besides, POLDIM belongs to an elite club of Business Gazelles (Gazele Biznesu), which gathers the most rapidly developing companies. The distinction came from a Polish economic daily Puls Biznesu. In addition, in 2008 POLDIM received the Transparent Company Certificate (Przejrzysta Firma) from Dun and Bradstreet Poland, a Polish branch of one of the best-known rating agencies in the world. The enterprise was also nominated in a prestigious competition Modernisation of Year 2008 for the reconstruction of a bridge in one of its projects. One of the patrons of the competition was the Ministry of Infrastructure. In turn, the construction of Lubień bypass on Zakopianka aspires to the title of The construction of the year 2009. However, at POLDIM it is believed that the main reasons for pride are not the awards and distinctions, but the unremitting satisfaction of the customers. Furthermore, the Tarnów roadmen respect the Polish origin of the company, yet it does not block foreign cooperation. POLDIM sells its products to Slovakia, Germany and Hungary and stays in touch with a number of scientists and specialists form abroad. 
ZBUD Sp z o.o. (Lifting Devices Construction Plant Ltd.) since its founding in Dąbrowa Tarnowska in 1985 has an everlasting story of success. In 1990 the company has introduced hoists and hand winches, which, thanks to high quality and fair price, allowed the company to dynamically develop. The main consequence of obtaining an excellent reputation was broadening the company’s assortment by introducing jib cranes, overhead cranes and electric winches. In 2005 the company reached even higher level of offered services: ZBUD Ltd. accepted first orders to produce lifting devices for partners acting in the offshore sector. Nowadays ZBUD Ltd. is a renowned, recognizable expert producer of lifting devices. Offshore sector wares and wire rope hoists are a pearl in the crown of constantly extending company’s assortment. Dynamically developing ZBUD Ltd. has high hopes about its latest product: wire rope host Series THETA. Among the recipients of company’s products we can find companies representing different sectors, ranging from mining, the energy, to the shipbuilding industry.Business valuesZBUD Ltd. is bestowed with an enormous trust by its customers thanks to the consequent compliance with rules, by which the company is guided, both in the sphere of production, and cooperation with customers. Except the obvious standard that consists of high quality of manufactured products, punctuality of contract delivery, honest price, full commitment, openness and flexibility to customer needs, the company gives much more of itself: ZBUD Ltd. approaches to each client individually to precisely match the provided equipment to his individual requirements. ZBUD Ltd. builds its success on clearly defined pillars. The company employs three hundred carefully selected employees, ensures their development through extra trainings in Poland and abroad, and carries out a specialist school inside the company, thanks to which the energy and creativity of younger employees is supported by deep knowledge of employees with greater and wider working experience. In addition, the company guarantees the access to the newest technologies, which fulfills the image of highly skilled, professional staff of employees, perfectly prepared to carry out their duties, concentrated on self – development and developing key abilities, necessary to work effectively. There is a great atmosphere in the company: ZBUD Ltd. puts the emphasis on cooperation between the employees and help from more experienced workers. In addition, modern machinery, excellent managerial capabilities, financial independence and the ability to flexibly and efficiently adapt to changing market requirements: all these factors make it possible to progressively broaden product and service offerings and expansion of the company, which guarantees the maintenance of a dominant market position and gain competitive advantage.New perspectivesThanks to the Polish accession to the EU, ZBUD Ltd. opened up new prospects for development, but, at the same time, the requirements of Polish customer about the quality of offered products have greatly increased. However, the company has adapted well to new conditions by using new innovative technologies, implementing modern technologically products and broadening the scope of services. Thanks to these treatments and appropriate investment in order to acquire specialized equipment and references (ZBUD Ltd. is an owner of many certificates, among them is the Quality Management System certificate PN-EN ISO 9001:2009, the Quality Management System in Welding certificate PN-EN ISO 3834-2:2007, certificates of such important Classification Societies as WUG, PRS, LLOYD REGISTER, DNV, ABV, BV, RS, and last but not least, certificate confirming an entry in the “Region of Tarnów Book of Prizes and Distinctions”, that has been granted to the company for the first time in 2003 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tarnów), the company is fully competitive against Western competitors, around 50 % of income is generated by orders from foreign customers, and company’s strategic plans of business development include further expansion on the European, Eastern and Scandinavian markets, as well as constant development of distributors’ network abroad.Strong brandProducts manufactured by ZBUD Ltd. are, both in Poland and abroad, invariably associated with high quality, perfect delivery timing, and above all reliability. “A satisfied customer is by far the best advertisement of the company” – says Ryszard Jędraszek, CEO of ZBUD Ltd.High standardsIt would be impossible not to mention about two, extremely important in these days, aspects of the company’s activity: promotion of “green manufacturing” and Corporate Social Responsibility. Both those aspects are fully realized in the company, which puts great emphasis on reducing the pollution, selective recycling of wastes, using materials and technologies safe to the natural environment, but also promoting sound policies through the introduction of green products on the market, completely adapted to the very strict European standards on environmental protection. One of the company’s mottos is “Clear water for our children”. ZBUD Ltd. wishes to become nature’s spokesman and supporter – the company produces equipment, which have direct connection with clean water: waste – water treatment plant devices. In addition, the company for many years supports charity organizations and local initiatives, connected as well with supporting local government. Company’s representatives, and CEO Jędraszek in person, support financially and organizationally many events important for the local community. ZBUD Ltd. promotes not only development of business instinct among young people, but also Christian values, vital for transparent and responsible business activities. The main proof of such company’s interest is deep and personal commitment of CEO Jędraszek into 2nd Regional Contest dedicated to the teachings of John Paul the II under the motto “Be Great”, organized in 2009 for the pupils of elementary school, junior high school, high school and adults in Dąbrowa Tarnowska and other cities of the region. The idea of the 2nd edition of the contest, which proceeded under the slogan “Homeland in the teachings of John Paul the II” was to aware about the role of Homeland and patriotism in man’s life and approximation of John Paul the II himself. It is worth to mention, that ZBUD Ltd. has actively supported also the 1st edition of the contest in 2008. Except supporting vital to the local community of Dąbrowa Tarnowska events and contests, ZBUD Ltd. deeply commits into promotion of the healthy lifestyle, by co – financing events and sports organizations by renting sports halls, organizing football tournaments, picnics for employees and local media, such as “Nowy Kurier Dąbrowski”, “Głos Lisiej Góry” etc.AwardsThe company’s successes have been appropriately appreciated: ZBUD Ltd. is annually awarded with prestigious and valuable prizes and awards, such as Business Gazelle in 2008 (the company has not recorded loss in the years 2005 – 2007, recorded only sales growth during the same period of time and enjoys excellent reputation), “Transparent Company Certificate” (for transparent and honest financial statements published every year in Monitor Polski B), and “Diamonds of the Forbes Magazine” (ranking of Polish companies quickest increasing their values during the last three years, prepared in cooperation with the leading provider of global business information, Dan&Bradstreet), but the most important and pleasant prize for the company will always be a satisfied customer.SummaryThe activity of ZBUD Ltd. is an excellent example that Polish products and services do not stand out Western quality standards, but even leave them behind. The company is a strong advocate of the idea of consolidating the European market and international cooperation of the European companies (among the strategic partners of ZBUD Ltd. we can find such powerful organizations, as POLIMEX MOSTOSTAL SA, STALPRODUKT SA, RAFAKO SA, K.G.H.M. Polska Miedź, Trade Trans Sp. z o.o., Aker Solutions AS, TTS ), , Nationall Oilowell Varco, Aker Solutions AS, TTS), because only in the highest quality of offered products and professional customer service, the company sees a chance to effectively compete with the goods flowing from the Far East. Written by Jacek Głowacki 
Thoni Alutec is a producer of light alloy castings in sand and gravity die. Experience gathered over decades combined with continuous expansion of the product range as well as highly skilled staff have made the company one of the most competent jobbing foundries worldwide.Diversification of the activity range gives the customers of the enterprise a complete supply chain related to light alloy castings. The customers are individually supplied with castings according to various international standards and thus receiving a complete solution tailored to their requirements. The integration of all processes in-house, provides shortest delivery times and a very high level of quality. Family business, innovative approachThoni Alutec is a family-run business. The ins and outs of founding are maintained and improved generation after generation. The scale of the company’s growth is visible when one refers to its personnel figures. In the first year of business activity the enterprise employed no more than 25 people. Owing to hard work, commitment and teamwork, Thoni Alutec managed to become a key market player with more than 500 employees. At the current moment, the company is one of the largest jobbing foundries for aluminium castings worldwide. The success of the company is connected with its innovative attitude towards doing business. The company believes that investing into new technologies as well as continuous development of the product offer allow to keep up with market transitions and meet the requirements of the customers. Thoni Alutec is then a company combining a multi-generational tradition with state-of-the-art technology solutions. Customer orientationIncessant development of technological solutions as well as upgrading of the already possessed ones are a significant characteristic of the producer. The company is aware that in order to face the challenges of the ever more competitive market it has to be one step ahead of other market players. In order to compete on the international market, the enterprise decided to establish its own department of CNC machining and to purchase one of the most modern and technologically advanced CNC machine tools. This facility has constantly been growing and up to now the company can rely on 10 CNC machining centers and 4 CNC lathes to machine the aluminium castings. The most important advantage of this step has been the possibility to deliver the clients the final product. Thanks to this solution, the customer cooperates with one supplier solely, what shortens the delivery time and minimizes its costs. Furthermore, what distinguishes Thoni Alutec from other foundries is unique attention paid to customer relations. They are based on partnership rules and belief that top quality is in the centre of client’s interest. The producer does castings according to individual requirements, yet keeps them in line with international standards. Another virtue of the enterprise is short delivery time. European customers are served either with producer’s own trucks or local transport companies which have been serving Thoni Alutec as loyal and reliable partners for years. Customers out of Europe are receiving their goods by ship.ProductsStarting from casting design, pattern shop, foundry, machine shop to assembly, Thoni Alutec supplies light alloy castings up to 10 tonnes in weight and more than 30 feet in length. Nevertheless, the heart of Thoni Alutec has always been aluminium foundry. It was the foundation of the business and looks back over decades of experience and tradition. Combined with the latest equipment in foundry technology and determined employees the company challenges any requirements the customers demand. Looking at the company’s range of products an expert can easily judge its achievements on the aluminium foundry market. Customers from different industries worldwide perceive Thoni Alutec as a reliable and high performing partner. Faraway customers in the United States, China or India are the best evidence for the high standard of the producer’s work and confidence in its manufactures. Currently there are nearly 1000 sets of tooling in the company’s stores. Having the large variety, Thoni Alutec can meet each customer’s demands individually. The enterprise supplies mainly to the following industries: medical, robotic, energy, railway, mechanical engineering, combustion engines. However, the producer is constantly engaged in creating new applications for light alloy castings. It opens up new, interesting business possibilities for the nearest future. At the current moment, Thoni Alutec offers two casting methods. They are based on sand casting and gravity die casting process. The former offers highest flexibility and low tooling cost. It is used to produce casting weighing up to 10 tonnes and covering a length of over 30 feet. The gravity die casting process is used to produce high quantities and gives also higher strength. Nevertheless, this method has its limits and currently Thoni Alutec can produce maximum casting weights of 90 kg. Heavier parts also can be produced but this is very much depending on their shape. Quality focusAluminium castings of high requirements have to go through stringent tests. Thoni Alutec offers its customers a vast variety of state-of-the-art test equipment to monitor all processes and to evaluate the soundness of the castings. It starts with the incoming inspection of raw materials and can end with testing machined castings for integrity. The foundry is equipped with a complete metallurgical laboratory to determine the chemical and mechanical characteristics of each melt and to analyze the metallurgic condition of the molten metal before pouring. The light alloy castings of Thoni Alutec can be also x-rayed in 2 CNC controlled chambers, which dimensions make it one of largest x-ray facilities of its kind in Europe. In order to define whether a casting is sound and tight the company can also perform a pressure and tightness test in 2 vacuum chambers. These machines give an indication on the leak rate of each individual casting. All the procedures are conducted by skilled and certified staff, which is authorized to issue certificates according to international standards. To be able to perform all these procedures Thoni Alutec has had its processes, equipment and staff certified in various fields. The process of incessant quality development also is connected with audits conducted by both the customers as well as a number of independent organizations. The quality focus has been confirmed by a number of certificates: IRIS, ISO 9001:2008 DB, EN 19001 as well as many others specific to the industry the company represents. Shortly the producer is to receive certifications in line with AS/EN 9100, NADCAP, which are prerequisites to start cooperation with the most demanding sectors of the market, e.g. the airline industry. In fact, the quality concern is so important that the company wants to be associated with this virtue. Thoni Alutec shall also stand for perfect organization and quick delivery of ordered manufactures. Success through the peopleThe company believes that the employees contribute to the success of Thoni Alutec. They are then perceived as the enterprise’s driving force, which enables accomplishment of appointed goals. The company identifies its future potential with its employees, thanks to whom it is possible to achieve the priorities. In order to guarantee high competency of the staff, the enterprise invests into their qualifications. The employees are encouraged to take up to new trainings and develop their skills. It is namely their knowledge and creativity that will decide about the future of the company and its market position. Despite the scale of employment, the company does its best to individualize relations with each of the employee. Their expectations and ideas are very important and are always taken into consideration. The company is characterized by teamwork, which gives every employee the feeling of affinity. What is more, the enterprise guarantees its personnel employment stability, which has become of crucial value especially during the recent market turbulences.Environment and local communityThoni Alutec undertakes numerous actions to prevent or limit any emissions to the environment. They concern among others ground water protection. In this respect the undertakings come down to industrial and sanitary wastewater or any surface rain water from the whole site collected in a drainage system and fed to the local sewage plant for treatment. Thoni Alutec also has installed a vast number of air filtration systems to retain any impurities from extracted air and can boast of efficiency of up to 99,9%. Lots of effort was put into research and trials to find the right way to reduce noise levels in different areas inside and outside the plant. In the end, acoustic panels and cabins were used to stop the noise from spreading and accumulating. Last but not least, recycling is a philosophy at Thoni Alutec. The company practices it wherever possible around the plant. The current level of recycling moulding sand is as high as 98,9%. Another aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility that Thoni Alutec is quite active at is involvement in the life of the local community. As majority of the company’s employees are fans of football, the enterprise supports financially local junior football teams: Stalówka 98 and KS Strażak Przyszów. For around a year, Thoni Alutec has had also its own amateur football team. The company provides it with technical back-up and cheers it in the course of the games. During trainings of the team, production workers have an opportunity to meet with representatives of the management. So far no one has been hurt in these clashes, what confirms the friendly atmosphere of the company. Written by Aleksandra Strojek 
Just as life provides each of us with different challenges, the business environment creates unique challenges and opportunities for companies. TMK is the perfect example of a company that capitalizes and thrives on challenges. In just a few short years, its ability to capture opportunities and rapid global growth have allowed it to become one of the world’s top three market leaders in its industry.Looking back on a short past and long futureTMK’s history doesn’t really go too far back. Following TMK’s creation in 2001, several important events refined its strategic course and shaped its future. At first, the Company was Russia-based and included the Volzhsky, Seversky, Sinarsky, and Tagmet pipe mills. Later on, two mills were purchased in Europe, the TMK-Artrom and TMK-Resita operations in Romania. To support TMK’s strategy to further expand on the global pipe market, a series of representative offices were opened including TMK-Kazakhstan, TMK Europe, TMK North America and TMK Middle East and trade offices were later setup in China and Azerbaijan. The 2007-2009 period saw many changes as TMK created its TMK Oilfield Services and R&D divisions with the acquisition of Truboplast, Central Pipe Yard, Pipe Maintenance Department, Orsky Machine Building Plant, and RosNITI, Russia’s sole pipe industry research institute. Another highlight of this period was the successful listing of TMK shares in late 2006. Investors received access to TMK shares through the Company’s initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange and Russian Trading System (RTS) stock exchange. To focus on the development of specialized pipe segments, TMK-Premium Service was created to develop, produce, and sell premium threaded connections to oil and gas companies, as well as to provide them with specialized pipe running assistance and related well services. In 2008, the company crossed the Atlantic and acquired ten assets spread out across seven U.S. states. These assets became the foundation of the TMK IPSCO division and provided TMK with a solid footing on the North American steel pipe market, the world’s largest oil and gas pipe market. In 2010, TMK created TMK-INOX, a specialized subsidiary overseeing the production and distribution of corrosion-resistant pipes. TMK’s short past clearly highlights the rapidity with which the Company redefined itself, from local champion to global leader, in a matter of a few years. According to production volumes, TMK ranked first in the world in 2009 with close to 2.8 million tonnes of pipe produced in the year. This accomplishment is not surprising when considering that TMK now possesses some of the world’s largest capacities for both seamless and welded pipes coupled with leading production technologies. TMK continues to further enhance its oil and gas industry focus, through the implementation of additional production and technical upgrades and the broadening of its products and services portfolio. TMK thanks to its leading-edge steelmaking and pipe rolling facilities, ability to supply customers and end-users with high-performance pipe products, range of services, and the support of its skilled workforce.Successful strategic initiativesOne of the main goals of TMK’s strategy has been to increase its market share across key segments and markets. Today, the Company’s main markets are Russia and the CIS, the Middle East, North Africa, South-East Asia and the United States. Although TMK products are already supplied and used in 65 countries, the Company continues its efforts to increase its presence in new regions and expand its geographical footprint. Over the last few years, TMK has been implementing its Strategic Investment Programme, which is probably one of the industry’s most ambitious given the scale and scope of modernizing. Drawn up in collaboration with the industry’s leading institutions and customers, the programme is designed to increase production volumes and improve product quality, while expanding and optimizing TMK’s product mix. The steelmaking equipment was upgraded to produce steels of new quality and grades for the manufacturing of billets, used as feedstock for seamless pipe rolling operations, which have also undergone extensive upgrading. Some of the key strategic projects were the commissioning of a Premium Quality Finishing (PQF) mill at Tagmet and the launch of a longitudinal welded large-diameter facility, including outer and inner anti-corrosion coating capabilities at the Volzhsky mill. The successful combination of the modernization work carried out organically and a series of strategic acquisitions have enabled TMK to become a truly global company, undisputed leader in the Russian pipe market and one of the top three pipe producers in the world. Customer service has also been a vital part of the Company’s success. TMK’s customers are moving their operations to more demanding locations and facing increasingly complex challenges. TMK has been following them in this direction and developing new products allowing them to answer these new environmental and operational challenges. Another important aspect of the Company’s development has been the expansion of the range of services offered. TMK now offers an extensive range of services, from finishing operations such as heat treatment, coating and threading to field support and assistance in downhole operations. TMK works shoulder to shoulder with its customers to develop new types of products and provide effective solutions to their operational challenges. The modernization of production processes carried out within the scope of the Company’s Strategic Investment Programme brought TMK to a new level of product quality and competitiveness and allowed it to secure its place as a global player. TMK is the only manufacturer of pipes with premium threads in Russia and a leading player in the US premium connections market. The production capacity for premium products was considerably enhanced; TMK premium products are able to meet the oil and gas sector’s most demanding operational requirements. ULTRA premium threads at ТМК IPSCO became the connection of choice for gas shale developments in the United States, the world’s largest oil and gas pipe market. Leading-edge production facilities and a wide range of services are not the only contributors to the Company’s success. None of the recent achievements would have been possible without the workers, which management views as a strategic asset. TMK is highly appreciative of the professional contribution of its employees to the Company’s development and recognizes that the successful implementation of its plans and projects directly depend on the workers’ skills, reliability, and willingness to work efficiently.Environmental commitmentTMK recognizes its social duty to protect the environment in the regions of its presence and implements a balanced, transparent environmental policy. Environmental safety is an integral part of the Company’s activity and remains a top priority at TMK as it constantly seeks to minimize the environmental impact of operations when implementing investment projects. The commissioning of the arc furnace at Seversky was recognized as “The Best Environmental Project of 2008” in Russia. TMK was also recognized in the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ecological Efficiency of the Economy programme, confirming the Company’s commitment to the environment. The goal of the environmental policy is to conduct stable, responsible, competitive business, while ensuring environmental protection under conditions of dynamically expanding production. Environmental Management System conforming to ISO 14001-2004 has been introduced and is functioning successfully at all TMK plants. The Environmental Management System ensures the constant improvement of environmental protection management activity. TMK is ready for new challenges thanks to its leading-edge steelmaking and pipe rolling facilities, ability to supply customers and end-users with high-performance pipe products, range of services, and the support of its skilled workforce. Written by Kateryna Ferdyn 
10 years were enough for Vincenzo Munzio to transform a simple Service for tank trucks into a successful business. His brilliant idea was turned into O.ME.P.S, an Italian company headquartered in Battipaglia (in the South of Italy) which became an important producer of all types of self supporting and tipping silotrailers and rigid silo tanks and for the transport of powders. Its large range of products is present in most of European countries and since 1999 the number of its clients has reached 2 thousands.From a small business to a worldwide trademarkO.ME.P.S. was founded by Vincenzo Munzio, its sole managing director, and initially functioned as a small Service for tank trucks. When in 1999 he decided to start the construction of silo-trailers and tanks in light alloy suitable for the road haulage of bulk and powdered products the company underwent a real revolution. From a small local firm O.ME.P.S. became the leading company in this sector of production in Italy and a well-known worldwide trademark. Today the company has its distributors in most European countries and its main clients are Rumania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. 2009 and Australian conquestIn 2009 O.ME.P.S. has entered Australian market thanks to the partnership with Tieman Industries, who actually has the sole distribution rights in Australia and New Zealand. The new partnership has posted a big challenge in the form of specific regional regulations and needs. In consequence special semi-trailers were produced and latterly supplied on the Australian market. With this pass and thanks to ability to satisfy needs of clients operating in different parts of the world the company entered the scene of world’s silo-trailers and tanks producers.Success made with a mother’s careEvery year the company produces about 350 silo vehicles. The company’s founder, Mr Munzio, describes production of every single vehicle as a process comparable to childbirth. Planning and construction of silo vehicle are controlled and studied with attention to minimal details and according to client’s needs - he says. O.ME.P.S. uses only raw materials of the highest quality and carries out careful controls at the end of respective stages of production. Mr Munzio underlines that in every case the quality of all raw materials is verified by technicians through mechanical and destructive tests. All staff members work in way to ensure reliability and safety of every silo vehicle produced. Thanks to their experience and dedication to the work all the products become unique pieces made with special care, what is a guarantee of clients’ satisfaction. According to the opinion of O.ME.P.S.’ general director this mix of factors is the key to his company’s success: it permits to gain confidence of customers who find themselves in front of the company they can count on and a partner they can trust.The quality-price relation balanceThe strategy of O.ME.P.S. is focused on so-called quality-price balance. Its aim is to achieve the best relation between the two components, quality and price, by supplying the best quality product at the best possible price – Mr Munzio illustrates the concept. The company’s founder also considers active involvement of personnel to be essential to ensure high quality products to the clients. According to this belief the company makes a point of involving personnel in the uninterrupted and structured process of quality improvement, which provides updating courses, informative seminars, and everything what can contribute to improvement and comprehension of quality concept. O.ME.P.S. pays close attention to use production methods always in conformity with the current safety regulations and to offer its clients products only with UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 certification. Technology - a bridge to the futureO.ME.P.S. is the first Italian company in posses of its own technical department able to apply revolutionary and innovative system of design managed entirely by itself. The department is equipped with the software for 3D model-making and the structural calculation. New programs have reduced significantly the time of planning and design and have permitted to decrease the number of possible design errors. The implementation of new systems was an excellent choice also from an economic point of view. Thanks to new programs it is possible to evaluate almost in real time the volume of the tank and using a sophisticated software for structural calculations permits members of the department staff to simulate the loading conditions on pressure vessels provided by the European directive and vehicles’ behaviour in curve and braking. The result is a safer and more reliable vehicle able to satisfy every particular need of the customer.Individual approachSince the beginning of its activity the policy adopted by the company is concentrated on satisfying individual client’s needs. O.ME.P.S. attempts to respond even to the most particular customers expectations. The company’s factory in Battipaglia produces a wide range of vehicles for bulk material transportation in way to satisfy the demand of all the customers even those who work in such a special field as the transport of dangerous materials (ADR)., Moreover the company is specialized in the equipment of the vehicles with air compressed systems for the pneumatic discharge of the product. There is also a series of prototypes designed and constructed as a response to the international market needs. Every silo vehicle is build according to the customer’s previous specifications and in conformity with the norms valid in different countries. This aspect is considered by Vincenzo Munzio a principal reason which has guaranteed the company’s success. High standard production processManufacturing process begins from the customer’s specifications and the creation of the CAD 3D-model of the vehicle. Then the technical department proceeds with the FEM analysis of the model in way to reveal the more stressed zones of the structure beforehand and to strengthen them with the purpose of avoiding eventual deformations of the vessel. Tankers in particular have to be tested under pressure and the company uses a special software programme (the same used to test aircraft cabin pressure) to ensure that its tankers meet the relevant standards. The 3D-model analysis allows O.ME.P.S. to reduce the problems of assembly and elaborate the sheet component in way to proceed with CNC machine cutting. Every part of the sheet and chassis is cut with a plasma system. Well-thought use of the new generation welding rods for gross welding works and skilled welders for finish elements lessens the risk of cracks. Each step of production work ends with a follow-up inspection. The result is an efficient, solid and durable vehicle that boasts extremely low maintenance costs over its lifetime. Clients’ satisfaction in the first placeOne of the most important aspects of the company’s strategy is its policy focused on clients. O.ME.P.S’ founder describes it in this way: to satisfy every minimal need of the buyer, to advise and assist the client with dedication and experience also after come-out of the finished product. To render this continuous assistance to its customers Munzio’s company has opened nine services always ready to assist in case of any problem. The company also took care of customers future expenses and has guaranteed low costs of exploration. Using a special light alloys reduce the tare and increase the payload and design of the self-supporting elements helps to improve aerodynamic performance. The result is significantly reduced fuel consumption. Another vitally important factor in the cost-conscious transport sector is the use of the drilled discharging cone and special aeration canvases which guarantees a better fluidification and reduction of unloading time.Towards the world of science and innovationTechnological progress is one of the company’s most important fields of interest. Vincenzo Munzio explains that his company is characterised by the great engagement on innovation level, research and know-how in planning to be always ready for competing and meeting new markets requests. In fact, during the last years the company has made important investments in the sector of innovations what has permitted to benefit uninterrupted technological updating. One of the examples of the lately introduced innovations of the company is the employment of last generation sophisticated software for modelling, planning and testing, investments in automation device for computerized management of some production cycles like plasma cutting or numerical control. O.ME.P.S. is engaged in research and development activities. It collaborates closely with various universities and technical research organisations. The aim of this practise is the exploration of new fields of application of its products and creation of new software programs to achieve as a result improved process of computer-aided design.In search of a new perspectiveNowadays, at the beginning of 2010 O.ME.P.S. has decided to search for fresh perspectives. Mr Munzio explains the choice by the fact that European market is now too saturated. There are already 2 millions of silo trailers on the European roads. – he says. That is the reason why the company’s new strategy predicts a penetration of extra-European markets. O.ME.P.S. is interested in further expansion on the Asian, South American, and African markets with its innovative high technology products. One of the examples of its extra-European promotion was recent participation in International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show 2010 in Melbourne Australia. From the 18th to the 20th of March 2010 potential customers could visit an official O.ME.P.S.’ stand represented by ‘Tieman Industries’ and see the latest news of its products.Written by Kinga Nykiel 
For nearly 20 years of its existence, Karmar S.A. (Joint-Stock Company), Warsaw, has proven to have the know-how essential for the success in the building industry. In the right place and at the right time, the business gathered specialists experienced in construction, design, finance, legal matters and construction consulting. Initially, these people focused on construction works. Nowadays, they enjoy the status of a general contractor conducting many lucrative investments, including “turnkey” projects. Since 2007, the business has been operating in close alliance with their French shareholder, Bouyges Batiment International. Their achievements have been duly recognized by the influential “Forbes” and “Puls Biznesu” magazines.International PotentialIn 1991, when Karmar S.A. entered the Polish market, its founders set themselves one yet ambitious goal, namely to provide construction services in a professional and comprehensive manner. In doing so, they hit the spot immediately. Many leading market players had proved before them that quality and professionalism remained pivotal to lasting success. The transformation into a joint-stock company, which was completed in 1997, was its first clear manifestation. As the business soon started handling construction projects of a considerable size, it decided to stimulate further growth. Hence the company received a significant boost and, within a decade, drew the attention of global investors. What is more, it was the management of Bouyges Batiment International, the real worldwide construction leader, who turned their attention to Karmar and soon decided to take it over. The incorporation took place on 22nd June 2007, which went down in Karmar’s history and it did so for a reason. Thanks to this merger, the business gained access to cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the collaboration with their French partners enabled the business to embark upon the projects which, until then, had been beyond their financial capabilities. The fact that the support lent by Bouyges Batiment International had such a beneficial effect should not come as a surprise, however. The sheer volume of their main shareholder should suffice to illustrate this. Present on the markets in over 80 countries, Bouygues Construction is the world leader in construction industry, power industry and public works sector. The wide scope of Bouygues Construction’s activities includes preparing projects and their comprehensive performance as the general contractor. It provides jobs for over 53 thousand employees worldwide. Bouygues Construction forms part of the French Bouygues corporate group, operating also in telecommunications (Bouygues Telecom), media (TF1), roads (COLAS) and real estate (Bouygues Immobilier).Independent Market PlayerYou would be in the wrong, however, thinking that Karmar S.A. is thriving thanks to the foreign capital only. The company has made its mark with more than 48 completed investment projects, 6 deals completed as a subcontractor, and over a dozen construction contracts in the course of completion, the majority of which are the long-term ones. So far it has built premises with the total area of more than 1 mln square meters and the total capacity of over 3.8 million cubic metres. Nearly two third of its projects Karmar carries out for housing industry, another one third is made up of public buildings such as commercial premises and office centres. At the initial stages of its activity the business focused on Warsaw and its vicinity. Nowadays it completes projects all around Poland, including Gdańsk, Zgorzelec, Leszno and Środa Wielkopolska, and keeps developing the chain of regional branches, the first of which came into being in Wrocław, Lower Silesia, in 2007. In 2003, its annual revenue did not even reach the amount of 50 million PLN while nowadays it tops the figure of 330 million. The turnover the business boasts has been made possible by their employees’ dedication and professionalism. This would not be achieved either if it was not for the trust placed in the brand by the customers, who, once provided with reliable service, turn back to Karmar whenever they start subsequent investments. The proper back-up facilities has proven equally vital for this success. Due to the scope of the business and the consequent demand for reinforced prefabricated units, in 2007, the company launched the reinforcement plant equipped in modern technology devices for high quality fabrication of these components. The plant’s production capacity exceeds 2000 tons of finished products per month, mainly for Karmar and other companies. The experienced employees working there guarantee the high standard of reinforced units and efficient cooperation with customers. Public Procurement ContractsThe successful market player as it is, Karmar allows itself no room for complacency. As its management keeps looking to their laurels, in 2008, they decided to expand its previous activities in the field of building industry by infrastructure investment projects such as construction of roads, bridges and railway viaducts. The company has already proven to carry out such tasks properly and on time, largely due to its experienced personnel, reliable business partners and specialist market knowledge. Since the beginning of 2009, the company has closely collaborated with DTP Terrassement, which belongs, just like Karmar, to the Bouygues corporate group. As regards the earthworks, this business is second to none in the French market. Moreover, Terrassement boasts an impressive experience indeed in the construction of highways, airport runways, high-speed rail lines. Additionally, it successfully completes such projects as the construction of ski slopes, artificial sea islands, quarry exploration, building of dams and flood banks. DTP Terrassement has references and resources which allow it to successfully tender for the public procurement contracts. Thus, their close ally, Karmar, has been given a green light to take part in the investments commissioned by Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways). A subcontractor to DTP Terrassement, Karmar provides experience, back-up facilities and professional personnel. The reliability of theirs together with a huge capacity of their French partners proves a winning combination so indispensable for efficient completion of all the construction projects, those for public sector investors in particular.Cutting Edge TechnologyAt Karmar, the utmost importance is attached to quality. A key to being successful and competitive, the top notch service standards are consequently strived after by the management. It is done so for a reason as the business has to fulfil the growing expectations of the customers and shareholders as well as to comply with increasingly restrictive legal standards. These are met more than satisfactorily because Karmar has the know-how necessary to recognise the changes in market demand. To be on top of construction technology and building materials, the company carries out all the relevant surveys. It also applies modern technology solutions, which in turn ensure high standard workmanship and the timely completion of the projects. In order to avoid unnecessary problems with unreliable business partners, the company has worked out an internal procedure for classification of suppliers and subcontractors. The standards of quality implemented there comply with the requirements of the Quality Management System, further confirmed by the ISO 9001: 2000 certificate. Karmar is planning to obtain new quality certificates this year, such as ISO 14001 for environmental awareness and OHSAS for health and safety issues. Karmar’s policy is largely inspired by the Total Quality Management philosophy. Thus, the company can complete the projects in a more flexible and effective manner, as well as to undertake enterprises which it has not been able to embark upon before. The policy that Karmar strives to implement is all about being sustainable, which means building win-win relations with their partners and thus safeguarding the company’s strategic interests as well as those of their clients and subcontractors. This also means taking steps beneficial for local communities and the environment, too. No wonder, therefore, that its portfolio includes investments carried out for: Dom Development, Pirelli Pekao Real Estate, MRE Metro Real Estate, Ronson Development, BPH Real Estate, TK Development, ECO Classic, Catalina, Kredyt Bank, MPRO, Sjaelso Poland and many others.Collected TrophiesKarmar has gained due recognition of the industry and the influential press as well. Since 2005, the “Puls Biznesu” daily has awarded them a title of Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) every year. To be short-listed for the award, a given business has to be reliable and dynamic. It also has to generate an increase in turnover in three succeeding years. The very presence on this list proves already that the company is thriving; that is to say, enjoys an excellent reputation among its clients and does not keep the Treasury in the dark about its financial matters. However, it is a prestigious Forbes Diamond Award by “Forbes” monthly in 2008 and 2010 that make the icing on the cake for Karmar. This ranking takes into account financial results and assets, as well as an ability to expand sales and profits. This year, KARMAR has been rated at the 17th position in Mazovia in the category of companies with revenue of over PLN 250 million. The business has overtaken many prominent companies in the region, including: Budimex Dromex, Dom Development, TVN and J.W. Construction.. As regards other titles awarded to Karmar, the following should be mentioned: honours granted by the “Gazeta Prawna” and BRE Bank and a Przejrzysta Firma 2009 (Transparent Business 2009) award.Core ValuesLast but not least, a few words on the values which Karmar has stuck to for nearly 20 years of its existence. First and foremost, the customers. Their requirements must be always satisfied. Secondly, innovation and technology. These are crucial to achieve affordably priced quality. Thirdly, the employees. In order to realise their full potential, the business expands their knowledge, develops their professional skills and enables them to climb up the career ladder. Fourtlhy, trustworthiness and respect for the environment. Finally, new blood and fresh ideas. Young people are the future of the company. Karmar would certainly make no headway without their contribution. Written by Bartosz Sowiński 
Established in 1950, Giletta S.p.A has learnt, during many years of its existence, to increase its productivity in an exponential manner. Building on professionalism and experience gathered over the years, the company has achieved success. It has always maintained a direct relationship with its customers in order to be able to better understand and to satisfy their requirements in that it would offer industrialized but at the same time personalized products of high quality. In fact, characteristically for the company, it has always offered a wide range of products, diversified by high technology content and made in order to meet every requirement. These products include: salt spreaders, snow ploughs, airport equipments, vehicle installations, brine spreaders, snow blowers, dissolution station and electronic equipments, supported by the GPS system and the web.In the course of many years of practice, the company has managed to develop strategies which have turned out to be most beneficial for its development. Among them acting actively, anticipating novelties, rather than having to follow solutions introduced by Giletta’s competitors, plays an important role. Pursuing this way of thinking, the company decided to confront the upcoming year of the world’s economic crisis in the same manner as it did in 2009, that is, by continuing the development of its products and enhancing their quality. Accordingly, it adopted two equivalent ways: (1) implementing the system of quality according to the recent ISO 9001:2008 norm and the environmental management system (EMS) (Environmental Certificate ISO 14001:2004); (2) producing new models of spreaders applicable both in winter highway maintenance and airport winter maintenance. This enabled the company to hold its position on the market which grows more and more competitive.Production and organizationGiletta S.p.A. has been present on international markets for 60 years. It has always invested its efforts in technological innovation and paid attention to the development of the market. In 2006, at the international AIPCR congress in Turin, it presented a spreader, called UniQua, which, as the first spreader in the world, can get supply by means of three interchangeable feeding systems. Moreover, the company presented a system which is called Route Replay. UniQua is a high quality spreader destined for medium weight vehicles and therefore for the branch of the market addressed to large highway maintenance. The name of the spreader expresses the idea of the product: UniQua, that is the only equipment of that sort, highly industrialized, with diverse combinations of feeding systems, salt supply, and facilities. This, all in all, proves that it is constructed exactly for the demands of every single customer. Thanks to this, in a single hopper one can insert different cartridges for different systems of feeding (such as the Auger, a rubber belt or a chain). The system of salt transportation, which is most productive and recommendable, remains however a chain system. The latter is aimed at reconciling innovative technical choices capable of ensuring high performance and eliminating the main problems of salt spreaders, such as for instance the „bridge effect”, with great reliability in all working conditions. It should also be emphasized that the idea of equipment which is industrialized but also at the same time personalized has been employed when designing the latest spreader of middle dimensions: One, which was introduced in the second half of the last year. Route Replay represents a solution which is ideal for all those who want to integrate the traditional functionality of navigation with the complete automatization of the spreader. Thus, even a completely inexperienced driver can carry out ordinary works in winter road maintenance, without the risk of making mistakes, by simply choosing an appropriate route and following the indications of driving. All of the parameters are self-regulated on the basis of settings adjusted in the phase of programming. The driver is therefore concentrated exclusively on driving the vehicle, without getting distracted, which usually happens in difficult road conditions. Route Replay allows to memorize proceedings of the spreader by means of complicated self-learning algorithms, or a special desktop software. In this way, it modifies circuits in which it is possible to choose the beginning, the end and the intermediary phases, in the way that allows of variations in the functioning of the machine, in accordance with the road conditions at any given moment. In order to develop new products, the technical department of the company uses the most sophisticated 3-D projection software. It also benefits from the advice of the specialists from the Technical University in Turin (Politecnico di Torino the University of Engineering), as regards the development of brand new electronic software. Creating assembly lines makes it possible to consider the company’s products as ones of industry, rather than craftsmanship. This in turn allows to reduce the time of deliveries and to standardize the quality of the product. Apart from that, maximum production efficiency can be achieved once the CANBAN delivery system has been applied in order to ascertain on-time and accurate deliveries, to avoid inertias and the increased costs entailed by the application of the traditional, less flexible storage system. Quite recently, the Research and Development department has focused on developing a new sort of control boxes which are supposed to integrate the standard functioning of a tachometric control box (the choice of shedding parameters, such as dosage, direction/asymmetry, breadth, the percentage of humidification etc.) with the control box of a snow blade, the GPS cartography aimed at the possibility of directly gaining access to the company’s services through the Internet, and the monitor of a rear view camera attached to a vehicle, and that without the help of any supplementary equipment. This new sort of control boxes, EcoSat10, was presented in preview to the World Road Association’s (PIARC’s) meeting, held in February 2010, in Quebec (Canada). Every year the company invests a considerable part of its own resources in financing both the research and development of its own products and in supplying factories with new machines. This year, for example, a new production line for spreaders and a new robot station for automated welding will be introduced. These investments are indispensable in order to face the challenges raised by the market which is continually expanding. MarketsThe principal markets of Giletta S.p.A. are to be found within the area of the European Union (mainly Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria), Eastern Europe (mainly Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, the Baltic States, and, most significantly, the Russian Federation), the Middle East (Syria and Iran), the Far East, and the Americas. Currently, the most important customers originate, as it has always been the case, from Italy, France, Spain, and in general from Western Europe. Recently we have been witnesses to a powerful tendency towards expansion on the east-European markets and those of the Russian Federation – suffice it to think about the company’s equipment being delivered for MKAD in Moscow and for the highway leading from Moscow to Minsk. It is also these days that the customers tend to expect that products should be competitive from the economical point of view but at the same time they should be marked by high quality and tight delivery times. For the moment, the products offered by the company and its competitors have really achieved the maximum performance. It is thus the task for the forthcoming years to ensure reliability at an increasingly higher level, and to reduce the costs of maintenance and related costs to minimum. Undoubtedly, the company aims at developing its products not only in the “mechanical” aspect, but it also attaches ever greater importance to the products’ electronic management, supported by GPS and the web.In the futureIt is expected that the development of the company’s market will be related with the increasingly greater influence of east-European markets in the post-Soviet states (the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States). Finally, what is expected to contribute to the overall and also future success of the company are its following advantages: the ability to work in team, direct relations with the customer, „customer care”, the high quality and reliability of products at competitive prices, short delivery times, and last but not least direct relations between all who work for the company, regardless of their position in the hierarchy. Timeliness and flexibility are also very important as they enable, in every difficult situation, promptly and effectively to solve current problems. Giletta S.p.A. is a modern company, looking into the future, but at the same time with well-rooted knowledge acquired from past experiences. Written by Anna Tomaszewska 
