ZM Ropczyce making slow progress in finding investors and partners

The largest domestic producer of fireproof materials, ZM Ropczyce has not resigned from its plans of merging with sector competitors. "We should announce the first takeover later this quarter, as we are in advanced talks on the issue. We are looking for companies with which we might widen our product portfolio," said Józef Siwiec, president of Ropczyce. He refused to comment on the value of the planned transaction, as "Facts and not plans are important." In recent weeks the National Investment Funds (NFI) sold Ropczyce's shares. "Our former owner was looking for a sector investor, but they did not succeed. At present other financial institutions own our company," explained Ropczyce's president. So far, no new investors holding more than a 5% stake in the company have revealed their identity. "I hope that we manage to convince the new owners that it is better to achieve profits from the growing value of the company, rather than paying out dividends," explained Siwiec. (Puls Biznesu, p. 9) M.M.