It’s not a company, it’s CEBI - CEBI Poland
In the modern world, manufacturing companies can build or strenghten their competitive position in three basic ways: through diversification of their activity, so that by using the company’s current technology and know – how, reach new Customers, representing a variety of industries, through narrowing specialization, to become an undisputed expert in a certain, clearly defined area, or, thirdly, leverage existing, extensive experience in the market and strengthen cooperation with Customers, while attracting new ones, basing on the recommendations from recognized Clients. But is it possible to plan the development of the company on the basis of all these strategies at once ? Of course it is. Impossible ? If You believe so, please read further. We are pleased to present CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. - a flexible and dynamically developing company.
The history of the company
CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. was established in mid – 2000, and as early as August 2002, the company’s production was moved to a new plant in Sosnowiec. Only this complex, 4,5 thousand square meters large, with a manufacturing hall 8 thousand metres large, was able to execute the company’s explosive growth and the ambitions of its Customers, whose number grew rapidly. But how was CEBI POLAND Sp. z o.o. able to dynamically grow its business in such a short time ? This was possible thanks to the support of CEBI International Group, which the Polish company is a part of. CEBI International Group means a huge production and technological capacity – 15 plants on 5 continents, over 30 years of experience, the most modern know – how, 3700 Employees worldwide, an extensive trade network with global reach, 360 million euro annual revenue: all these factors helped CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. to become a regional leader on the market of components for Recipients, representing automotive and household goods industries. At the moment CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. fulfills orders of many, globally recognized organizations from the automotive and household goods sectors, providing them with the highest quality fans, thermostats, actuators, tanks for windscreen washers and head – lights, and air – circulation fans. But even the greatest support of CEBI International Group would not help, if not the professionalism and skills of Polish Employees, and very strict quality policy, implemented by the company from Sosnowiec. Let us, therefore, analyze the most important aspects of activity of the company that, within just few years, became a leader in its field of interest.
The pillars of success
The most important part of any organization, are its Employees, and they determine the success or failure of the company. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. employs over 200, perfectly prepared for their tasks, Employees. The company focuses on young, creative engineers, offering them wide opportunities of development and, thanks to a structured system of trainings and the chance to carry out projects for the most recognized Recipients, also the possibility to continually improve their skills. It is impossible to skip one of the most important factors for the dynamic development of the company – cooperation with CEBI International Group. This partnership develops perfectly and covers the whole range of aspects of the company’s business activity, from design issues, the technological and know – how support, to an extensive trading network, with headquarters in Germany. The decision to locate the Polish plant in Sosnowiec also plays a great role in the analysis of reasons, responsible for the success of the company. Attractive geographic location influences the optimization of logistic processes in the company, so in the context of the supply of finished products to Customers, CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. is a very attractive partner for companies in virtually every part of Europe, also because of the extensive infrastructure in the Upper Silesia region. It can be concluded that the strategic decisions at the beginning of existence of the company from Sosnowiec, proved great choices. The above – mentioned issues, however, are only a small number of the company’s advantages in the eyes fo CEBI’s business Customers. Vast experience and well – deserved reputation of CEBI International Group helped getting the first Recipients, but meeting the needs of each Customer is a result of work of of the staff of CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. and very high quality of products offered by the company. The commercial offer is very wide, and every product is designed on the basis of individual, specific requirements of the Customer and fully adapted to his needs. Conducting the policy of preserving the highest standards while attaching great importance to issues of Customer service and products’ maintenance, result with trust of major manufacturers of automobiles and household goods, including companies such as General Motors, Fiat, Toyota, Volkswagen, Electrolux, Indesit, Whirlpool, General Electric and many more. The company’s strong position in the context of commercial offer and highest quality of products, is proven by a fact that a hundred percent of cars made in the Fiat’s factory in Tychy has implemented CEBI’s tanks for windscreen washers and head – lights. Thanks to such credentials CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. did not lose financially during the period of global crisis and continually, year after year, increases its revenues. The good economic situation of the company allows the implementation of new investment. Already, CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. boasts the possession of modern production technologies, yet still develops. New, large – scale investment allowed the company to build a brand new machine park specifically for Volkswagen. The company also carrys on the process of full automation of production lines used to manufacture electrical components, which will optimize manufacturing processes and reduce production costs even more. The company supports the philosophy of multiplying the capital by the maximizing the reduction of costs, which not only results with increasing revenues, but also provides invaluable benefits in the context of environmental protection. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. is aware of the importance of “green” policy in the context of strategic decisions, influencing the company’s direction of development. Prestigious certificates obtained by the company guard the highest standards of quality of products and environmental protection. Comprehensive Quality Management System based on ISO 9001 norm, integral with the Environmental Management System, implemented by the company five years ago, based on the ISO 14001 certificate, as well as ISO TS 16949 certificate, obtained by CEBI in 2003 prove a high level of business acumen of a company that wishes to be a reliable and transparent partner for its Customers. Naturally, the dynamic expansion of the company did not pass unnoticed. CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. was appreciated by both business partners as well as by independent organizations, professionally monitoring activities of Polish companies. CEBI was appreciated by Fiat Auto Poland, as well as it is a member of an elite club of “Business Gazelles” - the prize awarded by the “Puls Biznesu” magazine for the most dynamically developing companies in Poland. CEBI’s strategic aims are clearly defined. The company wills to maximize the reduction of industrial waste, generated in the production process, increase its product range, establish cooperation with new Customers, implement new investment. Taking under consideration the pace of the company’s development and strenghtening cooperation with CEBI International Group, and the continous optimization of Customer service procfedures, one can say that the future of CEBI Poland Sp. z o.o. appears very optimistic.
Having created cutting-edge technological complex, Biazet S.A. became one of the largest Polish producers of small domestic appliances, such as vacuum cleaners and coffee makers, marketed under by Philips under their brand name. Apart from specializing in engineering and manufacturing, Biazet’s corporate activity also revolves around leasing of commercial, office, production and storage facilities. Biazet has proved to be a reliable business partner as well as highly efficient company which is focused on improvement and long-term growth. Written by Anna ChudzikTransformed into a giantThe beginnings of the company date back to 1970 when it was established as a manufacturer of wire-wound TV components in Białystok. Among the breakthrough moments in the company’s development one can enumerate the introduction of the first ignition coil in 1985 and the first TV set in 1988. The period between 1990 and 1997 was fraught with difficulties because the political transformation put numerous enterprises at a disadvantage. The situation decreased Biazet’s competitiveness in the market, made it reduce the number of employees and also sell off a substantial portion of its assets. In 1994 Biazet finally transformed from a state-owned enterprise into a private joint-stock company with majority of private shareholders, but the date that particularly came down in the history of the company was 1997, when it started its cooperation with Philips, which has yielded best results to date. Thanks to experience, know-how, willingness to improve and usage of the latest organizational and business methods, Biazet became a successful modern enterprise and one of the biggest employers in the region.Popular products for international corporationsBiazet specializes in engineering and producing electrical equipment, mainly small household appliances and electrical components for Philips Consumer Lifestyles, Philips Consumer Luminaires and Eaton Electric. Thanks to over ten-year cooperation with Philips, which is an international concern, Biazet learnt how to improve, raise quality standards and optimize the costs. What actually makes the company’s products popular among its customers is the ability to combine high quality as well as world-class level of service, typical for the “old” EU and relatively low costs of production, typical for the “new” EU or the “Low Costs” countries, which are characterized by the production flexibility (quick adjustments to changes and very short planning horizon). Biazet is renowned as a reliable partner and a flexible enterprise anticipating customers’ needs. Currently, the products assembled by Biazet for Philips are for example vacuum cleaners (Specialist, Universe and Mobilo), drip-filter coffee makers (Essence, Gaia, Basic), and Senseo II coffee maker. As Adam Morawski, President and CEO at Biazet S.A. claims, one of the company’s main priorities nowadays is staying with the always developing Senseo and Living Color (a lamp series) product lines, as these two Philips flagship products identify Biazet as a key supplier. The other priority is to develop the customer portfolio and free from overdependence on one customer, thereby expanding the range of customers while developing the Philips business. Since all Biazet’s products are earmarked for international corporations, the company strives to win new customers also among ones.Courageous decisions as a source of successUntil recently Biazet has still been burdened with the complexes of the 90’s. Management focus was on cutting costs and avoiding commitments and even minimal risk at all cost. Apart from that, Biazet was a subcontractor to Philips for many years, supplying the workforce, the operators or the customer’s production lines and process. Today it is recognized as an OEM and Contract Manufacturer, depending on the specific product line. The source of Biazet’s success can be discerned primarily in courageous decisions and willingness to develop, which is explained by Mr Morawski in the following way: “In 2007, when I had joined the company, we took a hard look at our 2005/06 strategy and decided that bold actions had to be made in order to meet the objectives we had set forth for the years 2007-2010. The most key decision was to start investing into new competences before a return was ensured, rather than focus on cutting costs down to the bare bone and avoiding all risks at all cost. We have also significantly changed our corporate culture (…), thus started believing that by working together as a dedicated team we can make it happen, even if calculated risks must be taken. From a hierarchically organized company, authoritatively micro-managed by its former top executive, we became a project-based organization, fostering teamwork and seeing our leaders’ role more as coaches than rulers. This has helped to free up vast amounts of motivation and responsibility among rank and file, consequently enabling our successes.” Within just two years, Biazet has developed a number of key competences, especially in the engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and project management areas. Today, Biazet can offer world-class service, extreme flexibility, very short lead times, and creative, sound customer-focused solutions at very competitive prices. It has grown from a subcontractor, to an OEM company, more than doubling its blue collar workforce and increasing sales more than sevenfold. Biazet, assisted by one of the world’s top Lean consultant, is currently going through a comprehensive Lean Manufacturing deployment, in order to further optimize our flexibility, quality and costs.Team spirit and can-do cultureThe success of the company would not have been possible without the well-coordinated group of people working for the common goal. As admitted by Mr Morawski, the staff, which fills him with pride, constitutes Biazet’s strategic potential. Over the last two years of the rapid growth journey, Biazet has seasoned competent and creative staff as well as can-do corporate culture. The vision of the company focuses mainly on the point: “From concept to market – we make it happen.” Currently Biazet employs approximately 1100 production workers and 115 white-collar and administrative ones (December 2009). What favors the good atmosphere at work are modernized production lines as well as flexible working hours. As for the first factor, in 2009 Biazet launched the first line which complies with Lean Manufacturing system, thus occupying less space and being effective and comfortable to operate for employees. The company is willing to improve the line and also modernize the remaining ones. When it comes to the other factor, the President explains that “flex time is but one method for growing employee loyalty, as it permits a more stable crew, paid at a flat level throughout the year, while our orders during the same time vary dramatically.” People-focus is a critically important element in the company’s strategy – “We focus on developing good relationships with our employees, on growing their competence, helping them mature and grow into ever more challenging and demanding positions,” adds Mr Morawski and continuous, “I also want us to be recognized as a responsible, people-oriented employer, with whom one can have a stable future as well as intense development and growth. Over the past two years, we have been on a pretty wild ride and I would like the labor market to recognize that with Biazet one can grow better and work in a more exciting environment than with any other company in our region.”Oriented towards investmentsThe company strives to invest into future, which means developing specific competences, recognized by Biazet as critical growth factors in the industry. It is also willing to offer its customers ever more mature and comprehensive solutions and even wider service. In some ways the company is going against the fashionable trend of outsourcing by acquiring what others want to outsource, as well as integrating functions that have been purchased from third parties before. Apart from widening the offer range, Biazet plans the investment into its own plastic injection molding equipment, which would reduce the costs of production and make the company independent of some subcontractors. The next major step is the expansion of the commercial service centre. Biazet is already an owner of the commercial, service and office facilities, which are to be revitalized and widened to include a new multidimensional complex.More things to be proud ofThe company’s mission is to provide word-class engineering, production, and property management services. Always focusing on a stable and high level of quality, the company received the ISO 9001:2000 certificate in 2001 and is at the time of implementing ISO 14001 norm, which is to prove that the company’s activities minimize the risk of negative impact on the environment. Biazet means quality, which is proven by the popularity it enjoys among its customers. However, the company has been rewarded with numerous awards and distinctions, which additionally asserts its rank. Among the most recent distinctions there is the Business Gazelle award (the 10th place in Poland and the 1st in the Podlasie province), which Biazet has been receiving every single year since 2005. Over the last few years, it has also been recognized several times with the Philips Supplier Award. This year it has been awarded by the Forbes magazine with Diamonds (Diamenty) distinction. 
PAS Polska Sp. z o.o. is part of the PAS Group – a leading developer and manufacturer of cable and panel systems for household appliances. The company is a modern technology provider which stands out as a reliable business partner, who effectively cooperates with its customers. With the extensive know-how, competence, innovative products of high quality and focus on tailored solutions, PAS is ready to meet every challenge of the market. Written by Anna ChudzikPAS in Poland and worldwideThe PAS Group companies are active worldwide, providing technologically advanced system solutions for household appliance manufacturers. PAS, with its corporate headquarters in Neuruppin, Germany, has at its disposal 7 production plants in 5 countries – Germany, Poland, Turkey, the US and Mexico. The history of PAS goes back to 1992, when a mid-sized private company was formed out of a former state enterprise. At the beginning its profile revolved only around cable manufacturing, but thanks to the firm’s customer-oriented approach and high quality of products, its activities expanded to include plastic injection moulding and engineering. By the year 1999 the company’s workforce already amounted to 200 staff members. The first Polish plant was opened in 1998 in Opalenica, which currently specializes in the production of wire harnesses using IDC and Crimp technology as well as complete system panels for household appliances. The other Polish location of PAS is Łódź, which consists of two plants. In the first one, the company manufactures approximately one million system panels annually for the home appliance industry and supplies customers located in the area, which is based on a modern ‘shop-in-shop’ concept. In the other plant of Łódź PAS possesses plastic injection molding equipment, where the company employs screen processes, padprinting, thermo processes, IMD (in-mold decoration) and IML (in-mold labeling) technologies to precisely decorate system panels. In 2008 the PAS Group became a market leader for panel systems, producing 2.5 million systems and 5 million wire harness system per year. Currently the PAS Group provides employment for some 1900 people, out of which more than a half consists of the employees working in Poland.How to be better?The company endeavors to act in accordance with one of its mottos, which states: “When you stop improving you stop being good.” According to Wojciech Jankiewicz, Financial Director at PAS Polska, strategic potential of the company mainly consists in the ability to adjust to the changing macroeconomic conditions and the capability to constantly optimize processes in the company. In Jankiewcz’s opinion, the key to success is to establish internal communication between individual employees as well as individual departments of the company. Undoubtedly, PAS is the company with the potential to improve. According to Dariusz Szymański, Quality Director at PAS Polska, the strategic potential of the company can be divided into material elements, comprising technologies, machines and the firm’s infrastructure and non-material ones, such as the employees’ level of education, the managements of the company, the number of ideas, inventions, patents, etc. Piotr Krygowski, Production Director in Opalenica at PAS Polska, broadens the list to include the extensive know-how in the field of production of wire harness systems and panels for washing machines by the greatest household appliance manufacturers in Europe. In Mr Krygowski’s opinion, it is wire harness systems that are the most essential products in the wide offer range, which is connected with the development of the company’s machines. There are numerous goals PAS would like to achieve, but one of the main aspirations is to be ahead of the field all the time, which poses a challenge. Europe, with its dynamic market of home appliances, plays a central role for the PAS Group. On the other hand, Europe is demanding in terms of innovativeness, quickness and reliability. Today new generations of appliances are created faster than before, while new versions of appliances are introduced to the market at shorter intervals of time. In order to keep the dominance on the market, PAS carefully monitors all the market trends. One of the latest tendencies is to introduce environmentally-friendly technologies. Moreover, a changing global market requires developing a new type of partnership between customers and suppliers. PAS is willing and ready to meet all those challenges. Building customer confidenceThe success of each and every company depends on various factors, but what seems indispensable here is gaining the customers trust. Joachim Schrader, the Director of Sales and Marketing at PAS Group and Ulrich Worbs, the member of the Sales and Marketing Department at PAS Group encapsulate the idea of gaining customer confidence in the following way: “We know from experience that reliability, proper price to quality ratio, open communication and the attitude towards solving problems, combined with a wide scope of competence, have an important influence on building the trust.” Mr Schrader and Mr Worbs admit that the PAS Group lays particular emphasis on the partnership with its customers. As a systems partner and also the supplier of components, PAS can offer a wide range of services, starting with the designing and construction, ending with the serial delivery, which works in accordance with one of the company’s mottos: “Your ideas – our solutions.” What is more, the success of PAS is intertwined with the success of the customers, which is why the company actively supports them in many fields. PAS has always focused on fulfilling the wishes of its clients to keep them satisfied. As already pointed out, the popularity of the PAS products is determined by their high quality and reliability. Apart from the complex service package, the PAS Group offers its clients the professional consultancy, innovativeness and on-time delivery. All of that made it possible to build and solidify the customer confidence, which is the cornerstone of the business.Human potentialThe success would not have been possible without the highly-qualified employees, who actively contribute to the development of the company and constitute one of its strongest pillars. In 2009 the average number of staff members in Pas Polandamounted to 800 permanent employees and 250 temporary ones. PAS makes an effort to be perceived as a reliable and stable employer: “Reliability manifests itself in complying with the rules and regulations stated in the Polish labour legislation, clarity of the internal personnel procedures (e.g. recruitment procedures) and the concern for the employees’ development (e.g. subsidizing their education). As for the stability of jobs, we try to ensure it using the available tools such as temporary job or flexible working hours,” says Jarosław Szaga, Director of Human Resources at PAS Polska. Elaborating on the personnel policy, Mr Szaga enumerates some of the company’s actions, aimed at motivating as well as supporting the employees. Apart from ensuring safe working conditions or organizing and paying for the group transport of the employees to work, PAS fosters showing one’s initiative and creativity through the implementation of employee suggestion program. The financial help takes the form of giving the presents for the employees’ children, Christmas vouchers, loans, etc. The good atmosphere at work is strengthened during the social events, such as trips and family picnics, but also the regular staff meetings with the Board. PAS does not forget about the development of young people, thus, together with other companies, organizing apprenticeship for mechatronic engineers or internships for the school students so as to help them choose their future career path. Moreover, as part of the non-business activity, PAS sponsors local cultural events and cooperates with a chosen school and children’s home. Since people are of paramount importance to creating the success story of PAS, one of the company’s goals is to create new jobs, as pointed out by Mr Krygowski.Resisting the crisisOwing to the crisis, the sales of home appliances dropped all over the world. However, according to Jakub Bok, Sales Manager at PAS Polska, Poland is the sole country in Europe which did not feel the crisis in the home appliances sector. Within the last year, the sales grew by 2% in Poland, which is a good result, when compared to other European markets, which suffered a drop by 25%. As Mr Bok continues, Poles tend to buy more and more, and the Polish market has a great potential to develop. Although the dynamics of growth has lessened because of the crisis, PAS was able to make the most of its opportunity and strengthen the market position: “This year we have bought a new production hall, which enabled us to perfect processes occurring in the company. The clients appreciate the constant development of the enterprise and they unanimously agree that PAS is a stable and innovative company.”
Bitron Group is a privately owned, multinational company and a global leader in the field of research, development and production of mechatronic components for the appliance and automotive markets.The company was established by Giovanni Bianco in 1955 in Turin, in the North of Italy. Since the time the enterprise has expanded geographically and at the current moment it is present in a number of countries all around the world. The presence is either through an own managed manufacturing plant, a joint venture or simply a marketing and sales office. One of Bitron’s manufacturing works is located in Sosnowiec, in the industrialized Silesia region in the southern part of Poland.Following the customersThe history of the Polish division dates back to 1998. The enterprise followed the steps of its customers, which would recognize Poland as a dynamically developing and promising market and moved there their production processes. In order to continue the long-term cooperation Bitron arrived to Poland and started to serve its customers from this country. As the company was not sure if the new location will turn to a success, at the beginning it would rent some production facilities. “The leasing” had lasted for around three years, when Bitron decided to acquire some land and start construction of its own manufacturing plant. The first product manufactured in the newly opened factory left its premises nine years ago. In 2004 the company received a license to enter the Special Economic Zone of Katowice. The administratively separate part of the Polish territory, designed first and foremost for foreign investors, offered Bitron more favourable business environment and a number of tax privileges. It accelerated the development of the company, which resulted in opening up of a new production field in 2008. Its area reaches 56 thousand square meters out of which 50 per cent serve the production purposes. Sergio Damilano, the President of the Polish unit, claims that after more than ten years of business activity in Poland the most significant point in the corporate history seems to be the very decision to arrive to Poland. – It was a plucky step, yet it allowed us to maintain our business relations with a number of the most important market players. Due to that, the start was easier for us, we did not have to search for new cooperation possibilities, we simply continued the ones that existed previously – he says.Two markets to serveThe company is active in two different markets. The first one is appliance, the second one – automotive. The dual orientation is visible in production volume. Around 75 per cent of the products is delivered to appliance manufacturers. The remaining 25 per cent is purchased by representatives of the automotive industry. The President of Bitron Poland emphasizes that nowadays the production proportion is changing. – It is more or less 60% to 40% for the appliance market – he says. When asked about the reason of the diversification, Mr. Damilano points to extended and long-term cooperation with the customers. The Italian headquarters have been functioning according to this proportion since the establishment, so its transfer to Poland was a natural step. – We have always cooperated with a large number of producers representing the white market. We simply reacted to their requirements. It was the necessity of the market – he recalls. The list of Bitron’s main customers is impressive. In the sector of appliance it includes such giants as: Bosch, Indesit, Eudora, Whirlpool, Miele or Electrolux. In turn, cooperation with the automotive industry proceeds with such companies as: Valeo, Delphi or Denso. At this point it is worth to mention the world-wide clientele of the Bitron Group. The company has been cooperating namely with other world famous manufacturers, e.g.: Candy, Daewoo, Faber, General Electric, L.G. Electronics, Samsung, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Iveco, Lamborghini or Volvo.Product offer – some detailsThe product portfolio of Bitron Poland is extended. Undoubtedly, the offer is dominated by manufactures for the appliance industry. The company delivers dishwasher components, elements for washing machines and components for heating systems. The offer of dishwasher components includes among others such products as: - water softeners, removing calcium and magnesium hardness in the water used by the dishwasher, - electronic timers, for both fully integrated as well as free standing machines,- door switches, controlling the opening and closing of dishwasher door, available with a child safety feature, - detergent and rinse dispenser. The components for washing machines delivered by Bitron are among others.:- electronic timers, controlling program flow, drum movement, temperature, water level, - door interlocks, designed for front and top loading versions, - electromechanical timers, construction of which allows for assembly in a washing machine as well as in a dryer or a dishwasher, - rotary switches. At the current moment, the heating system components which can be purchased at Bitron Poland are motors for 3 way valves. Automotive industry can stock up with such products as: - temperature as well as humidity and temperature sensors, detecting temperature of passenger compartment for ATC systems, operating with large accuracy and low current consumption, - HVAC motorized actuators, - various types of HVAC control panels, - blower switches, - de-ice switch module, - rear mirror control switches. The President of Bitron Poland says that none of the product category is of particular importance to the enterprise. – We do not focus and we do not plan to focus on any of the product groups or a particular component. Our goal is to respond to the needs of the customers. If they show interest in one of our manufactures, we will deliver it to them – says Mr. Damilano. The readiness to react to customers’ needs is in fact so large that the company wants to be associated with this feature.Development of people is development of BitronAt the current moment, Bitron employs around one thousand people globally. Nearly 80 per cent of this figure constitute the employees of the Polish plant. The division in Sosnowiec is namely an employer to 770 people. At Bitron, the development of the company is perceived as a key to success in the future. Owing to that, all employees are encouraged to build up their professional skills. – We are more than sure that growth of our people will result in the growth of the whole enterprise. We pay much attention to the competences of the employee. It is their skills that decide how dynamically we will develop – contends the President. In fact the company is keen on helping the employees to recognize their strengths and develop them in a way which would be beneficial to both parties. Each of the employees is offered an individually designed development scheme. Its modules depend on the employee’s current position at the company, expectations for the future as well as ingrained qualifications and already possessed competences. However, the basis of the programs are: specialist trainings, benchmarking visits, conferences and exchange projects. Bitron believes as well that its human capital is its main source of innovation. Due to that, all suggestions coming from the employees are welcomed – it is them who can most easily recognize the bottlenecks of every day work and present plausible solutions. A fundamental rule at Bitron globally is internal recruitment. – In our opinion it is the best way to show the employees our appreciation and acknowledgment. We have observed also that it is a very effective motivation method – explains Mr. Damilano. So far, the human resources strategy has turned out to be an adequate one. The turnover ratio of the whole organization is at a very low level. Next to extensive development programs, another reason behind that is most probably fair compensation.Current and future marketsAt the current moment the geographical expansion plans of Bitron circulate around entering the Russian market. – It is not a plan for the nearest future though. We are aware of the market possibilities that emerge there, but what deters us is the omnipresent red tape, which lengthens all administrative and legal procedures – says Mr. Damilano. Next to that, the company does not exclude that one day it will turn its steps to the flourishing markets of China and India. Nevertheless, further growth possibilities lie in Poland. What poses a great opportunity for Bitron is one of the most recent market acquisitions. The Korean giant Samsung took over a Polish company Amica. The product offer of the latter includes among others dishwashers. Bitron hopes for cooperation, the more so that the plans of doubling Amica’s production capacity may result in a large number of orders. What may somehow influence the plans of Bitron for the nearest future is the economic crisis of 2008-2009. One of its main victims has been the automotive industry, which sales and production figures have significantly shrunk. It has found its reflection in the financial results of Bitron. Mr. Damilano claims though that the worst may still be to come. – Despite the crisis, orders form automotive companies have been arriving due to a number of institutional ventures undertaken by some governments. Once this support finishes, the suppliers may go through some harsh time. We predict that it will be no sooner that 2012 that we will come back to financial results noted in 2008 – he says. However, what will help Bitron overcome the difficulties is great experience that the enterprise gained at the beginning of its business operations in Italy. According to the President, the market of Poland is similar to the Italian one of the time – on a dynamic road to growth. Written by Aleksandra Strojek 
Though based in the small Polish village of Biskupice Podgórne near Wrocław for a short time, the Korean giant LG Electronics easily found its feet to business environment of the Wrocław region. Following the signing of the investment agreement in January 2006, it didn’t take long for the producer to launch the assembly line in yet another LG manufacturing plant located in Poland. LG Electronics Wrocław currently takes the lead in manufacturing ultrathin LED monitors and high quality refrigerators, thus contributing to the promotion of the LG brand worldwide. Written by Marcin ZimnyInnovation through human potentialThe orientation towards being a innovative producer of computer equipment and household appliances is, in broad terms, a widely recognized policy of LG Electronics. Based on the principles centred around people, the general business approach accounts for such values as good and efficient information flow between different layers of the company, e.g. directors, managers, staff. As Mr Jun Myeon Seong, President of LG Electronics Wrocław, emphasizes, this kind of policy is geared towards the problem recognition. “If we know nothing about the problem, it’s hard to speak of any improvement. Smugness is the biggest enemy of efficient management, but focusing on the goal helps to move mountains.” This adage, together with the story about a Chinese warrior who stayed so focused on shooting an arrow that it easily went through a rock, can be found in both the President’s office and corridor. The company’s management appears to be setting an excellent example to follow by all employees. When asked about the ramifications of the economic crisis, Mr Seong pointed out that recession could be taken as a challenge, which for such flexible company as LG, was not very difficult to face. The remedy is not beyond reach: if you are be able to respond to the customers’ needs accurately, there is no need to lay off people. What’s more, LG Electronics Wrocław perceives its employees as the greatest value, therefore it doesn’t even think of employment or salary reduction even as a measure of last resort, not to mention social benefits, which are here-to-stay bonuses for hard work. As the F1 advertising slogan sponsored by LG goes, “technology without people means nothing”. It’s taken very seriously and put into practice in the company’s day-to-day business. For instance, a lot of emphasis is being placed on family atmosphere, though the task is not so easy given the number of about 2000 employees. Nonetheless, managing directors of LG Electronics Wrocław are enthusiastic about creating a close-knit community at work, explaining that a goal-orientation can turn a seemingly intractable problem into a confidence-building experience. To bring people together LG Electronics Wrocław organizes once a month birthday parties for employees celebrating their birthday in a given month and family meetings during which people can get to know each other better, chat and have a good time after work. In order to make these events more entertaining other attractions are scheduled too. For example, during the first company’s picnic participants could witness, among other things, a fake kidnapping of company’s President. “Employees had to ransom their sheriff. Luckily for everybody and for the company’s future in particular, the transaction was successful,” recounts Monika Trojak, member of PR department in LG Electronics. “Such events are supposed to bring people together because they set mutual goals. It’s also important that our employees, regardless of the position occupied, have the same attitude to work with LG Electronics, which is to the benefit of everybody.” On the other hand, working with LG Electronics Wrocław doesn’t consist in having fun only. It seems that the company’s management knows it best, for it holds a series of face-to-face meetings during the week at which managers meet their subordinates and HR members meet shop floor employees. The aim of the meetings is to improve direct communication between managers and subordinates, discuss problematic issues in past relation, build mutual understanding, improve team performance and management skills through feedback from the team, get to know personal goals of team members and increase their motivation level. In addition to this, each week is rounded off with a meeting of the President with all employees. As the company assures, this is a great opportunity to discuss difficult and troublesome matters related to the general performance of the company and find solutions to them. The importance of improvement made to each and every aspect of the business is essential because it’s not only a great and attractive product that comes into play, but the whole manufacturing process is vital, as it has a profound influence on the quality of the end product. And obviously, the job cannot be done without contribution from fully satisfied and appropriately rewarded people.Life’s goodIt’s not hard to notice that social responsibility is not far from the LG Electronics Wrocław policy as well. President Seong stresses the significance of sound relations and good co-operation with local authorities, assuring that they are to the benefit of both the local community and company. LG Electronics Wrocław willingly engages in supporting regional schools, charity organizations and other public institutions as well as it also subsidizes the construction of the Formula One race track in Poland. Wrocław, the winner of a poll conducted by LG which is F1 global technological partner, has a lot to offer. “It is a beautiful and exceptional city for which hosting Grand Prix F1 will be a chance to promote both the capital of the Lower Silesia region and many other attractions of the area,” pointed out the President of LG Electronics Wrocław. The LG policy may, however, beg the question of why so widely recognized and popular products are worth buying. The answer can partly be found in the company’s advertising slogan: “Life’s good”. LG products are designed to take the customers up to the peak of their expectations by offering intelligent and comfortable solutions. This is also emphasized by the design of company’s logo: the letters “L” and “G” depicted in a circle symbolize the world, future, youth and sensitivity to human needs. In other words, the trademark unveils the LG policy aimed to foster close relations with customers around the globe. The manufacturer ensures that everyone will quickly appreciate this message after purchase of one of LG Electronics recent ultrathin and power-saving LED monitors from the W86L series, which set new trends in the design of monitors for home and office use. Thanks to cutting-edge LED technology, the W86L series monitors are only 20.5 millimeters thin, which is a third less than most models using the CCFL method in the market. What’s more, the superior contrast of 2000:1 guarantees unparalleled image clarity and sharpness in films, games and graphic environment. When it comes to power-saving, it is also worth noting that LG LED monitors are miles better than traditional CCFL counterparts, as they save 42% on electrical energy. All things considered, including the company’s approach to employees and manufactured home appliances, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that LG is alive and kicking and doesn’t complain about the shortage of satisfied customers. 
