A great deal of interest is shown in the Polish industrial production, especially:
- foundry castings,
- steel constructions,
- products from synthetic materials,
- sanitary products,
- ceramic tiles.
Polish industrial design joins the tradition of high quality with present day functionality. Craftsmen and workers are valued for their skills and work ethic. Many Polish companies sell their products and services worldwide.
In 1990, foreign companies producing tiles, flooded Poland with their products cornering a 60% share of the market. Polish firms responded by raising quality and developing their range of designs which resulted in an almost total exclusion of the Italian and Spanish product from the market.
At present, local producers have an 86% share of the Polish ceramic tile market which is increasing at the rate of 20% per year. Export sales are steadily increasing and already account for 25% of national production. Polish manufacturers of tiles have for example a significant stake in the Czech market which amounts to 30% and is the result of the implementation of the latest technology and original designs.
An interesting case is the construction company Buma in Kraków which has achieved its success through a modular approach to house building from steel construction. It is a unique company in terms of the degree of processing products, as well as the short time needed to assemble a house and to dismantle and transport it. The firm achieved spectacular success in Great Britain. The company’s founder plans to continue the development of the company and expand into successive foreign markets.
Other Polish construction firms can also take pride in their export successes in the East. One of the biggest producers of roof windows is the Fakro company which assigns 70% of its production for export. Fakro’s competitive edge results from a commitment to high quality products and satisfied clients on all continents. It sells its products not only in all of the European countries, but also in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Japan, China and Republic of South Africa.
Source: PAIiIZ S.A., March 2006
