News Article

Poland at the heart of GKN plc's global manufacturing strategy

October 2005
Global engineering company GKN plc today predicted a bright future for its automotive component plant in Olesnica, Poland.

GKN first moved into Poland in 1996, has continuously invested in expansion and today formally opened and consecrated a new plant on its Olesnica site which employs the latest in precision forging technology.

The new forging plant is the latest result of a Euro 75 million investment programme by GKN in Poland.

To mark the formal opening Olesnica was visited by the Board of GKN who toured the facility, met employees and talked to representatives of local government.

GKN Chief Executive Kevin Smith said: “We have a young and highly motivated team in Poland and they have achieved remarkable success. They have transformed our business in Olesnica from a purely domestic supplier to a truly European operation supplying components to eleven customers in nine countries.

“Today our plant in Olesnica is at the very heart of our global manufacturing strategy.

“Our investment here is not just in jobs but also in new state of the art manufacturing technology which includes one of Europe’s most advanced precision forges.

“We intend to use this new technology to develop Olesnica which is rapidly becoming one of our most important plants in Continental Europe.

“Our experience in Poland has been a happy one and confirms the competitive advantages which are claimed for this country such as a central position within the European mainland and skilled, dedicated people.”