Opoczno strategy riding high on projected 2003 bumper profit

Leading ceramic tile producer Opoczno announced plans to execute a new strategy starting next year, which will be based on opening its own network of shops in the main cities. The stores will be founded on a franchising system. The company, which faces competition from Cersanit, Paradyż and Tubądzin, believes that increased investment in road infrastructure and environment friendly projects will lead to higher demand for their products. In order to make use of the market opening, Opoczno is preparing to increase production capacity from the current annual 22 million square meters to 30 million by 2006. The company, whose majority shareholder is Credit Suisse First Boston Ceramic Partners, forecasts its 2003 net profit will reach zł. 45 million, as compared to zł. 11.71 million in 2002. (Puls Biznesu, p. 8) A.K.