French Lactalis, one of the world's largest dairy producers (its name
has recently been changed to to Besnier), is completing an enlargement
of its plant in Siemiatycze. The French group has been expanding the
plant's capacity since 1996 at a total cost of zl. 70 million. "The
Polish plant is Lactalis's only one in Central Eeurope. Three years ago
we were still importing goods, but at present 50% of our goods are being
produced in Siemiatycze," said Piotr Walczak, president of Lactalis
subsidiary Lactalis Polska. He announced that the company plans further
expansion on the Polish market,and in the next three years aims to
become the second largest domestic producer of cheese. Current market
leaders are the foreign companies Hochland and Bongrain. "I've been
watching the competition and so far we have no reason to be worried,"
said Jaroslaw Zawadzki from Toska, which produces for Bongrain.
Currently, Lactalis distributes mainly through large retail chains. The
company employs 325 workers in Poland and expects turnover of zl. 90
million this year. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) M.M.
