In Brief: Merloni Indesit; Gallaher; Techmex's gigantic leap in profits

The company, which plans to create some 700 new jobs, declined to reveal the exact value of its request. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) ... Since entering the domestic market in July 2003, Gallaher, a London stock-listed manufacturer of tobacco products, has already invested zł.120 million in modernizing its Gostków plant and has so far introduced 10 new cigarette brands onto the market. In 2004, it expects employment at the site to rise from 500 to 600. (Puls Biznesu, p. 8) ... Techmex, a Bielsko Biała-based IT company, recorded a net profit of over zł.7.2 million in 2003, which is an increase of 600% on the previous year's figure. These impressive results came about largely as a result of introducing a new business model, cutting costs and paying off debts. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) A.K.