Atlas to transform and invest zl.120 million in its plants

Lodz-based construction materials company WKiZB Atlas is transforming itself into a private limited company and intends to spend zl.120 million of its profits on investments during 2001. Roughly zl.102 million is earmarked for plants in Zgierz, Gacki and Krzywa. The company has withdrawn plans to debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and has decided against linking with a foreign investor. While admitting that Atlas is sector leader, its competitors stress that the Polish market will soon become too small and the company will then have to begin cooperating with some foreign firm. “Our latest experiences have convinced us that we will operate best on our own,” said spokeswoman Aleksandra Paprocka. According to her, export to Russia, the firm’s largest recipient, has increased by 81% to 27.7 tons in 2000 over 1999. Exports in 2000 totaled 52,000 tons, rising by 42% compared with 1999. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 3) M.M.