David and Goliath in Poland's match business? CZPZ eyeing Czechowice

Polish match producer Czestochowa-based Zaklady Przemyslu Zapalczanego (CZPZ) has expressed interest in taking over its main rival operating in the same sector, state-owned Czechowice Zaklady Przemyslu Zapalczanego, a company almost four times the size of the former in terms of revenues. The latter, which is due to be privatized, says however it is looking to create a state-owned company using the plant as an in-kind contribution, for which a potential future investor would pay cash to acquire at least 51% of its shares. The Czechowice-based plant currently controls 60% to 70% of the market share in Poland's match segment and would probably be interested in attracting an investor with access to new markets for its products. The Treasury Ministry has the final say on how the Czechowice match producer, whose revenues in 2000 equalled zl.26.3 million, is privatized. (Puls Biznesu, p.12) M.T.