Rising to the challenge

Rockwool Polska, a subsidiary of the Rockwool Group, a leading manufacturer of insulation and building materials, has been granted a permit to work in the Suwałki Special Economic Zone (SSSE) and has begun construction of a new line in Małkinia. The production line, worth some zł.250 million, is expected to be operational from July 2008 and will be the firm's third production line in the factory and its seventh in Poland.

According to Rockwool the construction of the new production line is the company's response to increasing demand for building materials, which has been particularly notable since Poland joined the EU. The company also believes that demand may increase further, especially given the preparations for the Euro 2012 soccer championships.

"We are taking on a challenge arising from strong interest in our products in the construction market. We hope that the new production line in Małkinia will meet the demand for mineral wool insulation materials," said Andrzej Kielar, president of the board at Rockwool Polska.

The enlargement of the Małkinia factory will create over 70 new workplaces at Rockwool Polska and about 100 at companies servicing the plant. It may also set a trend for the SSSE and encourage more companies to invest in the region. "The enlargement of the factory is not only a chance for new workplaces in the region. It is primarily a clear signal to Western firms, saying that it's worth locating their business here," said Grzegorz Mackiewicz, SSSE president.  

The construction of the new line will follow the company's policy of employing the most recent technological solutions used in Rockwool's factories around the world. It will see the involvement of experienced engineers from Poland, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Denmark.

"Constructing a new production line in less than a year requires unusual skill and cooperation from all people involved," said Jacek Romaniuk, director at the Małkinia factory.

Anna Kapica-Harward