Orlen tightens its links with Unipetrol

"The first stage envisages so-called segment management - taking supervision over these companies by PKN staff from Poland who supervise the same areas of operations. However, we might also merge similar assets, create new companies, and later sell them either on the Polish or Czech bourse," said Cezary Smorszczewski, deputy president of Orlen. This involves assets such as complementary production base and sales network. The final shape of this restructuring program will only be known after concluding the audit of Orlen's southern subsidiaries in Jedlicze and Trzebinia, which should be completed in a few weeks. The company will also aim at de-politization of the management staff of Orlen and Unipetrol. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 9) M.M.