Most of the foreign companies involved in this line of business have already placed their investment in Poland. Among the most positive Polish traits that they name are: package of investment incentives, strong support given by local authorities, lands ready for investments and a well educated workforce. Moreover, Poland’s geographical location in the centre of Europe is considered by most firms to be a very worthwhile place for developing export production.
Some of the key players of the world’s leading domestic appliances manufacturers have located their factories in Poland:
- BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH,
- Indesit Company,
- Whirlpool,
- Electrolux,
- The Fagor Electrodomesticos Group.
Thanks to the foreign investments Łódź became the largest white goods production centre in Europe. Foreign investors from the white goods sector, who have located their business in the Łódź Special Economic Zone, as the main advantages of the zone underline the possibility to lower both production and logistic costs. Such incentives encouraged the German concern Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete (BSH) to build three plants in Łódź. In June 2005 a new factory was opened by BSH for the production of clothes dryers. The firm has so far invested EUR 150 million in Poland. BSH’s investments have also flourished in terms of attracting foreign subcontractors to Poland such as:
- Coko Werk GmbH & Co. KG (Germany),
- Wirthwein AG (Germany),
- HIRSH Porozell GmbH (Austria),
- HSV (Holland),
- Cablex doo (Slovenia),
- Prettl (Germany),
- Mecalit GmbH (Germany),
- Drahtzug Stein GmbH & Co. KG (Germany),
- E.G.O. (Germany).
From amongst more than 440 companies engaged in the white goods sector in Poland many are successfully competing abroad. Amica - the largest Polish producer of domestic appliances sells around 40% of its production to 40 foreign markets. Another Polish producer, Zelmer is the largest domestic manufacturer of home appliances and a significant international player on the vacuum cleaners market. The company sells half of its production on the foreign markets.
Source: PAIiIZ S.A., March 2006
