More Polmos distilleries being privatized

In the privatization tender for three state-owned Polmos plants in Jozefow, Bielsko-Biala and Szczecin, two new potential investors have announced their interest. One of them is Bartimpex, owned by millionaire Aleksander Gudzowaty, the second is Mokate, a leading producer of Capuccino coffee. The Jozefow-based plant is famous for production of the Smirnoff brand vodka, but has recorded a loss of zl. 15 million over the past three years. The Polmos plant in Szczecin has also seen no profits for the same period and was even closed down for six months in 2001 due to lack of operational funds. The Bielsko-Biala Polmos, with an estimated 4% market share, recorded sales of zl. 170 million, but showed minimal profits. All plants are currently going through significant restructuring. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) A.K.