Bytom's great expectations

After its successful takeover of the Dolwis silk-processing plant in 2006, clothes producer Bytom now hopes to close another big deal by the end of the year. The acquisition of state-owned Warmia, a leading producer of outerwear, is Bytom's next big move.

"We are constantly looking for new brands for our portfolio and Warmia is our top priority. However we are aware that there might be a better candidate than us," says Tomasz Sarapata, the president of Bytom's management board. The final price of Warmia is expected to be announced by the Treasury Ministry in early fall.

Bytom has a two-year development strategy which includes the further expansion of its chain of stores to 50 - 15 of which are to operate in Warsaw. The company also has one flagship store in Berlin, but for the time being further expansion abroad is not being considered. "Our goal is to offer high-quality products at a reasonable price and this is where Bytom's strength is. That is why we are not that affected by cheap imports from Asia's Far East," says Sarapata.

Bytom will keep focusing on its bespoke-tailoring service, which has turned out to be very profitable. Besides this, the company plans to concentrate all its production facilities at its Tarnowskie Góry factory, which is to be modernized at a cost of zł.25 million. Following this investment the company expects a 25-percent increase in production and sales of zł.180 million in 2009.