Polpharma and Olvit consider joint power arrangement

Jerzy Starak, owner of edible oil producer Olvit and Polpharma, the country's largest pharmaceuticals manufacturer, is considering a joint enterprise of the two companies. Olvit has been preparing for the construction of a new oil extraction press worth over zł. 100 million and is currently seeking a site. The new press may be built near Polpharma in order to use the latter's power plant, which would result in substantial savings for both companies. "Our power plant is too big for our needs and thus generates extra costs of zł. 7 million annually, some of which we could recoup if the plant were simultaneously used by another company," said Polpharma's president Pavel Mirovski. "It is an undeniable advantage to have a power plant nearby. It is not enough, though. We have to consider the infrastructure and logistical background as well," added Olvit's president Roman Górny. Olvit is considering two alternative sites before taking a final decision, expected by the end of 2003. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) K.Ż.