Strategic U-turn sees Neoplan considering share buy-back from Gottlob

Neoplan Polska is hoping to buy back the 30% of its own shares currently held by German company Gottlob Auwarter, owner of German Neoplan. The move represents a strategic turnaround for Poland's leading urban bus manufacturer, since not long ago it was considering selling more shares to Gottlob. The change of heart is believed to be linked to the expected merger of Gottlob with German truck maker MAN, a plan that has brought about a delay in the zl.60 million expansion of Neoplan's plant in Bolechowo. "Since MAN already has factories near Poznan and in Starachowice, construction of another one wouldn't make sense," admitted president of Neoplan Polska, Krzysztof Olszewski. As one sector analyst has said, under the circumstances it's not surprising that Olszewski is trying to make his company fully independent. (Puls Biznesu, pp.6,44) M.K.