Bicycle maker Kross to increase production, profits and exports

Kross, the biggest domestic bicycle producer, controlling 40% of the market, plans to produce 650,000 units in 2003 and increase revenues by 45% to zl. 160 million with half of this sum to be generated from exports. "We recorded income amounting to zl. 110 million in 2002," said Kross marketing director Michal Rogatko. By 2005 the company aims to become one of the biggest producers in Europe, turning out around one million units a year. "These objectives rely heavily on export growth, which is likely to increase due to new contracts from France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Great Britain," said Rogatko. Kross sells its products under private label brands abroad, for instance in Decathlon stores in France. According to experts, the domestic market is set to double in value to zl. 700 million in the near future. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) M.M.