Lodzkie Region the Region Friendly for Investors

LOdzkie Region The Region Friendly for Investors

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe TE KH LodZ I REGION

kutnowski

łęczycki łowicki

zgierski Skierniewice poddębicki skierniewicki brzeziński Łódź rawski zduńskowolski pabianicki łódzki-wschodni tomaszowski sieradzki łaski

Piotrków Trybunalski opoczyński bełchatowski wieruszowski piotrkowski

wieluński pajęczański

radomszczański

Marshal’s Office Investor & Exporter of the Lodzkie Region Service Center A l. Pilsudskiego 8, 90-051 Lodz, Poland ul. Moniuszki 7/9, 90-101 Lodz, Poland Phone: /+48 42/ 663 30 26 Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 40 Fax: /+48 42/ 663 30 02 Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.lodzkie.pl www.investin.lodzkie.pl 001

L adies and Gentlemen,

I would like to present to you one of the most dynamically entrepreneurs in their regular struggles. Hence we have developing regions in the country – the Lodzkie Region. It generated the best results in the country in terms of sub- is right here that we spend EU subsidies the fastest, right sidizing grants as part of the Jeremie fund offering EU here have we recorded one of the most considerable subsidies as loans and guarantees for small companies. growths in GNP in the last few years, and it is right here The region has been consistently investing in the Science that transport has been developing the most dynami- and Technology Park, the Bio-Nano Park and a novelty cally. Lodzkie Region is not only the region you can reach – the Art Incubator, which help future entrepreneurs, art- the fastest from every corner of the country, but it is also ists, third-sector organizations and innovators to enter the a region, from which you can export your stocks the fast- market. opoczyński est. We have excellent road communication – two major Polish east-west and north-south highways cross here. We However, we also cater for large companies. For them, have a well-developed railway network with country’s we decided to develop the Lodz Special Economic Zone, biggest logistics centers, which allowed us to launch the considered to be this country’s best. first EU cargo railway connection with China. However, the Middle Kingdom is not the only economic power Our region knows where it is heading. We have a Regional which wishes to access Europe through our region. Development Strategy, we have developed an Innovation This year, we held the firstP oland-Africa congress, aiming Strategy until 2030, and we have created a Brand Promo- at opening a platform for cooperation of African states tion Strategy. Lodzkie Region is a platform for creative, with Europe. bold, and go-ahead people. It is a region which empha- sizes design thinking – we test in practice all that is inno- Where does this dynamism and innovative approach to vative in any sphere of life. the economy come from? Our region supports young people full of ideas. Over 110 thousand students are currently studying at various schools of higher education Witold Stępień in the region. Over 98 percent of all companies here are micro- and small businesses. While small business strives to persist elsewhere, in the Lodzkie Region, we support Marshal of the Lodzkie Region

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 002 inr t oduction

Thek lodz ie region Profile in 2013

Łódź

Marshal of the Lodzkie Region: Witold Stępień Major towns and cities: Belchatow, Kutno, Pabiani- Area: 18,219 sq km ce, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Radomsko, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Population: 2.5 million people Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Wielun, Zdunska Wola oraz Zgierz. Population density: 140 people per sq km Economically active: 1.6 million people Special Economic Zone: Lodz Special Economic Capital of the Region: Lodz Zone (1,277 ha) and its subzones in the municipa- Number of districts: 24 lities of Aleksandrow Lodzki, Brojce, Kleszczow, Number of cities with districts status: Koluszki, Ksawerow, Opoczno, Paradyz, Slawno 3 (Lodz, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Skierniewice) Strykow, Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Ujazd, Widawa, Number of communes: 177 Wielun, Wola Krzysztoporska, Wolborz, Wroblew, Gross Regional Product (2012): ca. 22 billion EUR Zychlin and in cities Belchatow, Konstantynow Number of companies (2013): 237,000 Lodzki, Kutno, Leczyca, Lowicz, Lodz, Ozorkow, Average monthly gross wage (2013): ca. 815 EUR Piotrkow Trybunalski, Radomsko, Rawa Mazowiec- Regional budget, projected (2013) ka, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Revenues: 854,8 million PLN Zdunska Wola, Zgierz. Expenditures: 895,9 million PLN Average monthly wage (2013): ca. 830 EUR Industrial and Technological Parks: Unemployment rate (2013): 13.9% • The Belchatow and Kleszczow Park of Industry Exports (2012): ca. 3,8 billion EUR and Technology, Imports (2012): ca. 6 billion EUR • The Kutno Park of Agriculture and Industry, Natural resources: brown coal, kaolin clays, gypsum, • The Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology, limestone, marl, gravel, clay, thermal waters, quartz • The Boruta-Zgierz Park of Industry. and foundry sands, travertine International Airport: the Wladysław Reymont Air- Number of students: 110,000 port in Lodz Number of higher education institutions: 27, including 21 private Selected international investors: ABB, AIG Lin- Selected higher education institutions: coln, Amcor, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte, • the Lodz University, BSN Gervais Danone, Coco Kunststoffwerk, Corning • the Technical University of Lodz, Cable System, DELL, Business Support Solutions, • the Medical University, Citi Handlowy, ECE Projektmanagement, Euroglas, • National Higher School of Film, Tv and Theatre Fuji Seal Group, Fujitsu, Foxconn, GE Power Con- in Lodz trols, Gillette Poland International Ltd., Hutchinson, • Academy of Fine Arts IKEA, Icopal, Indesit, LG Group, Mercedes, Merloni • Academy of Music Elektrodomestic, Metro AG, Nibco, Nordea, Saint- • the School of Arts and Design in Lodz Gobain, Philips, Procter & Gamble, SouthWestern inr t oduction 003

BPO, Steijn Design, Süd Wolle, Tate & Lyle, Toyota With 42 towns and cities inhabited by 65% of Boshoku, Veka. the region’s population, the Lodzkie Region is also proud of its high urbanisation rate. Investors by country: Austria, China, Denmark, The voivodship’s major economic area is the Lodz Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Metropolitan Area, which comprises counties of Ukraine, UK, USA. Brzeziny, Lask, Lodz Wschodnia, Pabianice, Zdunska Wola, Zgierz and Lodz. Regional partnerships (by country): Austria (Sty- ria), Belarus (Vitebsk Oblast), The Czech Repub- Region’s prime assets: lic (South Moravia), France (Le Nord), Spain (Mur- • the region’s location is convenient for transport: cia), Russia (Leningrad Oblast), Sweden (Orebro), placed right at the junction of two motorways Ukraine (Chernivtsi, Odessa, Vinnytsia and Volhynia A1 & A2 – corridors, North-South, and East-West, Oblasts), Hungary (Csongrad), UK (West Midlands), which facilitates access to both EU markets and Italy (Piedmont). those of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. • with numerous institutions of higher and pro- Established in 1919, the Lodzkie Region (Lodzkie fessional education turning out highly trained Voivodship) is located in the centre of Poland and Eu- prospective employees, the region offers quali- rope alike, and boasts a long tradition of textile and fied and committed workforce. clothing industry. Currently, the voivodship’s capital • the region’s major city, Lodz, boasts well-devel- and the third largest Poland’s city, Lodz, is rapidly oped industrial infrastructure. expanding its other branches of industry, inclu • with its rich deposits of lignite, the region is Po- ding household appliances production and bio- land’s second (after Silesia) largest energy produ- technology. cer, and boasts a surplus of affordable energy. • universities and research centres in Lodz are It should be added, too, that it was thanks to among Poland’s major players in terms of re- foreign investment that Europe’s largest industrial search and development. cluster producing household appliances was devel- • geothermal resources provide the great oppor- oped in the region. Production of ceramic tiles and tunity to produce renewable energy and devel- packaging have the leading position in Poland in op spas (the Thermal Spa UNIEJOW is a kind of terms of quality and quantity. good practice of inter regional cooperation with Austrian partners). Agriculture has been growing in significance, too, • the voivodship government’s proactive eco- including organic farming, and agricultural and food nomic policy aims to develop administration processing which was included in the long-term in- which is friendly for small and medium busi- novation strategy for the region. nesses, and encourages to create attractive employment conditions. In April 2013, the Regional Innovation Strategy for • lucrative investment offers for investors in 44 the Lodzkie Region LORIS 2030 has identified lead- subzones of the Lodz Special Economic Zone, ing branches that have the greatest potential for which has already attracted more than 230 com- further long-term economic development of the panies, including Dell, Procter & Gamble, Fujitsu region. These are: Services, Gillette, Bosch-Siemens, Indesit. • modern textiles and fashion (including design); • effective and resourceful business partners. • advanced building materials; Apart from big businesses, the area boasts • medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics; numerous small and medium businesses that • energy, including renewable energy sources; specialise in industrial processing, and various • innovative agriculture and food processing; crafts and services. Hence each investor is spoilt • information technology and telecommunications. for choice when it comes to the region’s innovative suppliers and business partners.

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 004 TER H Egion Hs i tory, location and administrative structure

Established by the decision of the Sejm (legisla- and Or, which represent the tinctures from the coat tive parliament) on 2nd August 1919, the Lodzkie of arms and banner of the voivodship’s capital, Lodz. Region merged the provinces of Kalisz and Piotrkow The Lodzkie Region lies on the Lodz Upland and of the Polish Kingdom into one administrative unit. in the valleys of the Warta and Pilica Rivers, and The first voivodship in history with Lodz as its capital borders on the Voivodships of Greater Poland, covered the area of 19,034 sq km. Kuyavia and Pomerania, Mazovia, Kielce, Silesia and Following several consecutive administrative chang- Opole. The voivodship also boasts the geometrical es in 1938, 1950 and 1975, the region’s final territory to centre of Poland, located in Piatek, in the district date was decided on in 1999, with a view to strength- of Leczyca. ening the historic administrative and cultural ties between Lodz and the towns in its vicinity. The largest administrative division in Poland is the Established in 2002, the region’s coat of arms is region, voivodship – wojewodztwo – essentially the complex in structure, similarly to the voivodship’s Polish version of a province. There are 16 regions territory which comprises a variety of historic lands, in total, ranging in size from 9,412 sq km (Opolskie) such as Leczyca, Sieradz, Rawa, Sandomierz (Opoczno to 35,558 sq km (Mazowieckie). These are further district) lands. The voivodship’s coat of arms is thus subdivided into 314 powiats (powiaty), or “districts, composed of the coats of arms of some of these counties”, including 65 cities with powiat status. lands, including the hybrids of Leczyca and Sieradz The smallest administrative division is the gmina, or respectively, and the eagle of Rawa. Due to the fact “community, municipality”, of which there are 2,479. that Lodz was a primary driving force in the establishing of the region, the above-mentioned coats The list with all districts of the Lodzkie Region, of arms are placed on the escutcheon of Or, Gules, their area, population and website is below.

Dtrictsnis i the Lodzkie Region Districts Area (sq km) Population (in thousands) Website www

Belchatow 971 113 powiat-belchatowski.pl Brzeziny 358 32 powiat-brzeziny.eu Kutno 886 101 kutno.pl Lask 618 50 lask.com.pl Leczyca 774 52 leczycki.pl Lowicz 987 81 powiat.lowicz.pl Lodz Wschodni 858 67 lodzkiwschodni.pl Opoczno 1.039 78 opocznopowiat.pl Pabianice 489 119 powiat.pabianice.pl Pajeczno 804 53 powiatpajeczno.pl Piotrkow 1.429 90 powiat-piotrkowski.pl Poddebice 881 41 poddebicki.pl Radomsko 1.443 116 radomszczanski.pl Rawa 647 48 powiatrawski.pl Sieradz 1.491 119 powiat-sieradz.pl Skierniewice 756 37 powiat-skierniewice.pl Tomaszow 1.026 119 powiat-tomaszowski.pl Wielun 926 77 powiat.wielun.pl Wieruszow 577 42 powiat-wieruszowski.pl Zdunska Wola 369 70 powiatzdunskowolski.pl Zgierz 855 166 powiat.zgierz.pl

C ities with District status:

Lodz 294 737 lodz.pl Piotrkow Trybunalski 68 77 piotrkow.pl Skierniewice 33 49 skierniewice.net.pl

Based on: M. Kudła, own work according to the data provided by the GUS (Central Statistical Office) and individual counties. TER H Egion 005 The Region’s Capital

The history of Lodz, which is now the region’s Catering to different industries and covering capital, dates back to the 15th century, when it was a variety of topics, approximately 40 trade fairs and granted a city charter in 1423. For centuries Lodz exhibitions are held in Lodz every year,. The fairs had been a minor country town. are organised by six specialist companies, including It was not until 200 years ago that industrialists Miedzynarodowe Targi Lodzkie Sp. z o. o. [Lodz Inter- from all over Europe were attracted to Lodz, and national Fair] (www.ckw-mtl.pl). While these com- subsequently created a major centre of textile panies have the joint capacity of around 11 thousand industry. Within two generations an insignificant square metres of indoor exhibition space, the city’s country town of 800 residents (according to data hotels can provide more than 3 thousand accommo- from 1820) had become Poland’s second largest dation places for visitors. conurbation with the population on 477 thou- One of the most important agricultural and exhibi- sand residents (according to data prior to the First tion fair in Poland takes place every year in May in Bra- World War) toszewice (Targi Rolne Agrotechnika w Bratoszewicach).

The Centre od Lodz

After many detrimental structural transforma- Property prices in Lodz and in the region are relations that took place in the 1980s and 1990s, today’s tively lower when compared with other Polish conur- Lodz is becoming a leading academic hub as well bations, such as Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, as a thriving economic centre. The region’s capital or Gdansk, and the city also has lower labour costs of culture and arts, Lodz is now also a place where by 20%. The latter has been duly noticed by interna- new technologies are being developed, and finan- tional corporations, including ABB, Bosch, Dell, GE, cial institutions are based. Gillette, IKEA, Philips, Siemens, Toyota Boshoku and The city boasts a number of convenient commu- other companies that decided to set up their manu- nications, including several train stations and one facturing and distribution branches and logistic cen- of the largest container train station in Central Eu- tres in Lodz and its vicinity. Logistic is concentrated rope, Lodz Olechow having direct connection with near Strykow (20 km from Lodz) where there is the Chengdu in west China in the Sichuan Province. main junction of trans European motorway West-East The Wladyslaw Reymont Airport is merely six -North-South – corridors known as A1 and A2 (Berlin kilometres away from the city centre, caters for me- -Warsaw-Moscow and Scandinavia-Gdansk-Warsaw- dium-sized planes, and offers both passenger and Vienna-the Adriatic See). freight air connections with destinations both in Poland and abroad (www.lotnisko.lodz.pl). in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 006 TER H Egion

University of Lodz Department of Law and Administration

There are other big logistic centres in Toma- to the city’s unique and unmistakeable atmosphere. szow Mazowiecki, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Kutno and It should also be added that the heyday of Lodz coin- Zgierz. Majority of those centres belong to well cided with that of Art Nouveau architecture. known multinationals such as Kaufland, Raben, IKEA, KERAKOLL, Graveleau, Casino, LEK. A large number of Art Nouveau buildings and their accomplished style sealed the decision to In May 2013 the total cumulated value of foreign accept Lodz as a member of Reseau Art Nouveau investment in the area exceeded the level of 3 bil- Network in 2006. It should be mentioned, too, that lion EUR owning to such new, additional invest- Lodz owes its distinctive character to the local Art ment such as ABB, Clariant (Colex), Gillette, Indesit, Nouveau industrial facilities and factory floors, Nordea bank, Toyota Boshoku, Ericpol, Super-Drob which may also be considered the city’s greatest S.A. (Convenience Food), Sponcel, Thermica. tourist attractions.

Lodz abounds in green and leafy areas where you can relax, go for a stroll, and do sports and leisure activities. While the city’s parks, around 30 of the them in total, cover the area of more than 650 hectares, the 1,250-hectare Las Lagiewnicki (Lagiew- nicki Forest) proves to be one of the largest urban forest complex in Poland.

It should also be mentioned that the Henryk Dobrzanski Lodz Horse Riding Trail (Lodzki Szlak Konny im. majora Henryka Dobrzanskiego „Hu- More then 230 firms have set up their branches in bala”) stretches for 2,100 km, and is composed of Lodz Special Economic Zone and its several subzones, two trails winding around the conurbation and which act as a magnet for investment. Complying across the entire voivodship. The longest horse with the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate, the zone offers riding trail in Europe, it connects 7 landscape substantial corporate tax (CIT) exemptions account- parks and 200 horse riding centres, 21 pasture are- ed, since middle 2014, 35% for large companies, 45 as, and numerous leisure centres and sights, the % medium firms and 55 % for small firms. The zone latter including the Nieborow Museum, the Cis- offers also support in the process of winning state tercian Abbey in Sulejow, and Walewice Palace. subsidies for particular types of investment (www. The main tourist information point is to be found sse.lodz.pl). in Lodz on Wycieczkowa Street. The Lodz Horse Riding Trail is also accessible to bikers and disab- Despite its industrial character, Lodz can offer well- led persons (www.wsiodle.lodzkie.pl). preserved Art Nouveau urban complexes which add chac ra teristic 007 E conomy, High opportunity sectors and their assets

The economy of the region is industrial and ag- While nearly one-thirds of all the companies ricultural in character. The most important areas of in the region specialise in trade, around 16% industry are energy, food processing and beverages of the companies produce industry goods, and as well as medical equipment, clothing and textiles, yet another 10% deal in real-estate. These three pharmaceuticals and manufacturing of household groups make up more than 63% of all the registered appliances. Nearly 70 per cent of the domestic pro- companies in the region. A number of other indus- duction of ceramic tiles and terracotta is manufac- tries are to be found in the region, too. These in turn tured in the voivodship. specialise in (in order of importance): construction

Belchatow Brown Coal Mine

The Belchatow power plant has the biggest in Eu- and transport, foodstuffs, furniture, metal, tanning, rope fuel and energy complex, producing electricity pharmaceutics (generic and herbal medicines), and from brown coal. Other multibillion investments shall sanitary ware, bricks and tiles. further increase the output of this power complex. The Lodzkie Region is home to approximately The region’s further economic development will 230 thousand firms, mainly small and medium- rely on the following sectors, known as “high oppor- sized companies, which are potential contractors tunity sectors”. Those sectors are as follows: energy and business partners, e. g. as subcontractors, for (including renewable energy) modern textiles and foreign enterprise interested in investment and fashion (including design), medicine, pharmacy, cos- trading cooperation. metics, innovative agriculture and food processing, More than 97% of these businesses are private- advanced building materials, information technology owned. The number of trading companies with for- and telecommunications. eign capital tops ca. 1,800. The state-owned sector in In these sectors domestic and foreign investors turn has 3% of the share in the voivodship’s economy. may be guaranteed high return on investment, Structurally speaking, small enterprise prevails including both own capital and the state-budget in all of the 24 of the voivodship’s districts (po- support, such as subsidies, corporate income tax wiats). Many such firms act as subcontractors exemptions for companies, and other applicable producing spare parts and modules for large ope- tax exemptions e.g. real estate tax. rators, including the producers of household appliances. in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 008 chac ra teristic

P ower industry Power industry in the region provides ca 20% of • significant opportunities for the agricul- Poland’s energy annually, and is commonly associ- tural production and use of biogas for energy ated with the Piotrkow-Belchatow Industrial Dis- purposes and the production of biogas from trict, which is home to the Belchatow Lignite Mine wastewater treatment plants and landfills and Belchatow Power Plant. (biogas power plant by City Wastewater Treat- The environmentally friendly policies are aim- ment in Tymienice near Zdunska Wola is one ing to extend the share of the renewable sources of best examples in this matter). of energy in Poland’s and the voivodship’s energy balance. The following assets of the region may Textile and clothing industry have an impact on the decisions concerning larger Geared towards the production of high quality investment and the future utilisation of “clean ener- and unique clothing, overcoats and outer garments, gy resources”: cotton, wool and synthetic fabrics, hosiery, towels, • excellent location right in the centre of Poland, velvet, and underwear, this traditional industry has providing easy connection to any region in the recently seized yet another opportunity to develop country; and match the international competition. This has • unique natural conditions, especially beneficial happened largely due to its existing potential, in- for the development of renewable sources of cluding: energy; • high-tech textile sector (Pro Humano Tex) • location providing favourable conditions • highly qualified staff with ample experience for wind energy development; and professional expertise • agricultural character of the region, which • strong scientific and academic base, including guarantees the availability of land for the con- the following universities, institutes struction of wind farms; and research centres • geothermal resources, estimated to be equiva- The Technical University of Lodz lent of 10,837 million tonnes of coal (1/3 of – The Faculty of Textile Engineering and Mar- Poland’s resources); keting, well known in Europe for its achieve- • high capacity for plant biomass production ments in the field of academic research (straw, energy crops); University of Lodz • undeveloped agricultural land that can be used The Academy of Fine Art for the potential cultivation of energy crops; The Textile Research Institute chac ra teristic 009

The Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Medicine, pharmacy Fibres and cosmetics The MORATEX Institute of Security Technolo- These sectors are increasingly using new technologies gies such as biotechnology. Thanks to living organ- The Centre for Textile Machine Research isms are involved to develop new products or proc- and Development at the Institute of Machine esses. Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing Design and Operation disciplines of engineering in the region successfully The Central Institute for Labour Protection used in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetics. These in Lodz sectors are also increasingly using nanotechnology The Institute of Dyes and Organic Products which enables the miniaturization of e. g. some medi- in Zgierz cal devices. The Leather Industry Institute The Cluster for the Advanced Technologies in Lodz hosts the International Fair for Biotechnology the Textile and Clothing Industry, which houses and Biobusiness, also known as the Bio-Forum, which is the Polish Technological Platform for Textile the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Industry. Europe.

Major textile and clothing producers The largest in the Lodzkie Region company Pelion in the region: S.A. is working in the medical and pharmaceutical CORIN, Kris Line, HEXELINE, PAWO, KASTOR, industries. Other pharmaceutical companies such as REDAN, MODESTA, KAN – TATUUM, TELIMENA S.A., Polfa Kutno, Polfa Pabianice Polfa Lodz are highly ADRIAN, GRUPA FERAX: such brands as Gatta, appreciated both at home and abroad. The Medana Zenit, Wola (Zdunska Wola), ALLES Alicja Wojcie- Pharma S.A. of Sieradz is a recognized manufacturer chowska, Roza, MONNARI, Fabryka Wyrobow Fro- of both pharmaceutical and cosmetic treatment of towych i Kocowych ZWOLTEX WLOKNINA [Towels the highest quality. and Blankets Production Plant], ZTK Teofilow, POL- CONFEX, MAGAM Sp. z o. o., LENORA, WELTOM, The region has great potential for scientific re- OPTEX S.A., COATS POLSKA Sp. z o. o., WI-MA S.A., search, especially in the field of biological, medical ARELAN Sp. z o. o., DYWILAN S.A., FARBOLOUX and chemical sciences, and an extensive medical Bilinski Zaklad Wlokienniczy [Textile Plant], DRAGO and academic base, including the Medical Univer- Sp. z o. o., Fako S.A., WEBERTEX Sp. z o. o., OLIMPIA sity, the Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital-Research S.A., Z.P.J. ORTAL S.A., MISTRAL-ELAST, ELMATEX, Institute, and the Institute of Occupational Medicine Z.P.P. Lenora Sp. z o. o., P.P.U. LENTA Pasmanteria or the Lodz Science and Technology Park known as Sp. z o. o., Alexia (d. VERA Sp. z o. o.), P.U.H Chemi- BioNanoPark. kolor S.A. These centres carry out research and development Modern building materials projects, which make a very good foundation for the This sector is particularly well developed in the development of biotechnology industry and nanote- Lodzkie Region. More than half of the national pro- chnology sectors in the region. duction of ceramics and building materials (ceramic tiles, floor tiles, cement and construction adhesives, The voivodship boasts an impressive number of glass) comes from related and recognized in Poland students and graduates in Biotechnology, Molecular and Europe manufacturers such as: Atlas, Group Biology, Microbiology and Chemistry educated at the Paradyz Opoczno Ltd., Tubadzin, Euroglas, CER-ART, city’s three largest universities, the Technical Univer- CER-ROL and Nova-Ceramica. sity of Lodz, the Medical University of Lodz, and Lodz In Dzialoszyn, in southern part of the Lodzkie University. Region, near Cement Warta Plant Plc, mined travertine, which is one of the renowned construction materials. in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 010 chac ra teristic

The region’s major biotechnology companies: 2. KAD-ROL Marek Stepien 1. Bio-Tech Consulting LLC Lodz 3. Transarr Sp. z o. o. Lodz 2. Mabion INC. Kutno 4. ALMAR – Zakład Przetworstwa Owocow i Warzyw 3. Proteon Pharmaceuticals LLC Lodz [ALMAR Fruit and Vegetable Production Plant] 4. Celther Poland LLC Lodz 5. FH Ceres Sp. z o. o. 5. BTL Sp. z o. o. Lodz 6. Firma Braci Urbanek J.A.W. Urbanek sp. J. [Urbanek 6. IFOTAM Co. LLC Lodz Brothers Company] Lowicz 7. Pharmena INC. Lodz 7. Fructos – Klimczak i Kijanka Sp. j. [Fructos – Klimczak and Kijanka, General Partnership] Dzialoszyn A griculture and food processing 8. Fruitpol Gospodarstwo Rolno-Ogrodnicze [Fruit- Even though agricultural land accounts for more than pol Agri- and Horticultural Farm] 48% of the region’s area, agriculture hardly plays a signifi- 9. Lodzki Rynek Hurtowy Zjazdowa S. A. [Zjazdowa cant role in its economy, with the share in the gross regio- Lodz Wholesale Market, Joint-Stock Company] nal product creation hovering just above 5%. The voivod- 10. Fructodor Sp. z o. o. Bolimow ship’s main crops are: wheat, rye, sug ar beets and potatoes. 11. PPHU Rolfoods, Glowno Chernozem (black soil rich in humus) in the north- 12. Ptasinscy Glinik Susze Warzywne [Ptasinscy Glinik ern counties (powiats) of Kutno, Lowicz and Leczyca Dried Vegetables] allows horticulture and market gardening to thrive. 13. Spoldzielnia Ogrodniczo-Pszczelarska [Gardening This in turn constitutes the basis for food processing, and Apiculture Cooperative], Kutno vegetable and meat canneries, and the production 14. PPHU E. Kapusta, Bedlno of concentrates, juices and beverages. This type of 15. Spoldzielnia Ogrodniczo-Pszczelarska „Pszczolka” processing is also thriving in the county (powiat) of [Pszczolka Gardening and Apiculture Cooperative], Skierniewice, where it is effectively supported by the Lowicz famous Research Institute of Horticulture in Skiernie- 16. Ybbstaler Fruit Polska Sp. z o. o., Biała Rawska wice, founded by Professor Stefan A. Pieniazek (www. 17. ZPS Romir Mirosław Kwasniewski inhort.pl). 18. Mar-Pol s. c. Piotr Marczak i Tadeusz Marczak, [Mar-Pol Civil Law Partnership], Biala Rawska The real leader of horseradish cultivation in Poland 19. PPHU Marines, Cieladz are communities Kielczyglow, Siemkowice, Osjakow 20. PPHU Kazimierz Wasilewski, Cieladz and Rusiec providing about 70% of the national pro- 21. Pomiar s. c. Mim Kowalscy, [Pomiar Civil Law duction of this vegetable. Partnership], Marzecice 22. Medal Palatynski, Działoszyn A number of agriculture producers’ groups operate 23. Simpol Zaklad Przetworstwa Owocow i Warzyw in the voivodship, thus providing high-quality organic Zdunek, [Simpol Fruit and Vegetable Processing food, without artificial preservatives or food colouring. Plant], Siemkowice A case in point are Organizacja Producentow Owo- 24. ZPHU Moryn s. j. [Civil Law Partnership], Siemkowice cow RAJPOL (RAJPOL Fruit Producers Organization), 25. Victus Zaklad Przetworstwa Owocow i Warzyw Zrzeszenie Plantatorow Owocow i Warzyw w Lowiczu [Victus Fruit and Vegetable Processing Plant], (Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Lo- Dzialoszyn wicz), Malus Sp. z o.o. (Ltd), Kwiaty Polskie Grupa Pro- 26. WaldiBen Zaklad Przetworstwa Owocow ducentow Sp. z o. o (Kwiaty Polskie Producers Group i Warzyw [Waldiben Fruit and Vegetable Ltd), Zrzeszenie Plantatorow Owocow i Warzyw w Lo- Processing Plant], Dzialoszyn wiczu (Association of Fruit and Vegetable Growers in 27. Klimex Firma Produkcyjno Handlowa [Klimex Lowicz), Elit, Sadex, Aplet, and Aura. Trading and Production Company], Siemkowice 28. RADOSZ sp. j. Nowak, Pawliccy, Siemkowice The region’s major agriculture and food 29. Frukta Napoje Sp. z o. o. [Ltd] processing companies: 30. Agros Nova, Lowicz (brands such as Fortuna 1 Zaklad Produkcji Spozywczej Krzetle [Krzetle Food and Lowicz) Production Plant], Osjakow chac ra teristic 011

31. Hortex Holding S.A. [Joint-Stock Company], Skierniewice 32. Raz na Wozie, Buczek 33. Wiatrowy Sad, Dmosin 34. Regional Dairy Cooperative in Lowicz 35. Regional Dairy Cooperative Wart-Milk in Sieradz 36. Regional Dairy Cooperative in Radomsko Mechatronics Well represented in the region, mechatronics is a combination of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, automation and robotics, and is used in of their media projects (film, TV, theatre, the Internet) designing and manufacturing modern equipment. and making full use of the potential of the local eco- With 10 vocational schools and colleges which of- nomy and the scientific power base provided by the fer education in mechatronics, the Lodzkie Region has Lodz Film School and other regional centres for edu- a large number of experienced professionals in this cation and research and development. The special field of engineering. It supports the development role in the process of supporting and developing new of some leading sectors in the region e. g. energy. media is to be played by the Leon Schiller National The Lodz Centre for Teacher Development and Practi- Higher School of Film, Television and Theatre in Lodz, cal Training is Poland’s first and one of the best centres one of the most popular film schools in the world that provide training in mechatronics. The Technical (www.filmschool.lodz.pl). University of Lodz has the Institute of Mechatronics and Providing comprehensive technical infrastructure Information Systems, operating within the Faculty of and modern facilities for artists, the Toya Sound Stu- Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineer- dios offer a modern film, sound and live performance ing. Students who major in this area of study are taught complex. Unique and innovative, the complex proves how to creatively use the elements of technical knowl- to be the only facility of its kind in Poland and one of edge, artificial intelligence and computer engineering, the few in the whole of Europe. which will be most useful to solve practical tasks in the design and implementation of mechatronic systems. The region’s major ICT companies: 1. Ericpol Telekom Sp. z o. o. Lodz The region’s major companies with mechatronic 2. ZETO S. A. Lodz divisions: 3. Herkules PC Components s. j. Lodz 1. ABB Sp. z o. o. Lodz 4. Poltronics Sp. z o. o. Lodz 2. Bosch and Siemens lodz 5. AMG.net S.A. Lodz 3. Indesit Lodz 6. Lucky Star Polska Sp. z o. o. Lodz 4. Gillette Lodz 7. Laser S. A. Lodz 5. Dell Lodz 8. Biurosystem Serwis Sp. z o. o. Lodz 6. Philips Lighting Poland Pabianice 9. SOCO s. j. Lodz 7. RR Donnelley Lodz 10. Cade Expert Sp. z o. o. Lodz 8. Flextronics Logistics Poland Sp. z o. o. Lodz 11. NT Group Sp. z o. o. Lodz 9. Alu Rehab Poland Sp. z o. o. Ozorkow 12. Toya Telekomunikacja Sp. z o. o. Lodz 10. Amcor Rentsch Sp. z o. o. Lodz 13. Arisco Sp. z o. o. Lodz 14. NT Group, Lodz I nformation and communications 15. Apexim-Lodz S. A. technology (ICT) sector 16. Inwar & Biuro System S. A. Aimed at creating favourable conditions for the de- 17. INVAR Consulting Sp. z o. o. velopment of the region’s media industry, a variety of 18. Telekomunikacja Zwiazku Gmin Ziemi Wielun- initiatives are undertaken in the voivodship, including skiej S.A. [Wielun Land Communes’ Telecommu- helping artists and entrepreneurs in the execution nications] in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 012 chac ra teristic A cademic teaching and research

Lodz is one of Poland’s major academic hubs and Lodz is both Poland’s leading and internationally centres of research and development. Between ten renowned research centre in the field of chemistry, and twenty higher education institutions, academic physics and polymer technology, the knowledge of units and research centres provide young people with which is used in the manufacturing of plastics and the great opportunity to acquire professional qualifica- synthetic fibres. tions, and also create perfect conditions for academic teachers and researchers to follow their careers. Lodz is also home to a number of cultural institutions, such as the Alliance Francaise, British Coun- The city is home to 27 higher education institutions cil, Centre for Eastern Studies, Centre for German which have approximately 110 thousand students. Studies, Centre for European Studies, and a wealth of foreign language schools where you can obtain Lodz is home to 6 state-owned higher education internationally recognised certificates. institutions (The Strzeminski Academy of Art, Grazyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music, Leon Schiller In mid-2013, the British International School re- National Higher School of Film, Television and Theatre, ceived a new location in Lodz, ul. Pomorska 161. The Technical University, Medical University, and the largest School is under the auspices of the University of Lodz of all, Lodz University) and 21 private-owned higher ed- and the Lodz Special Economic Zone. It educates chil- ucation institutions, which also have branches in some dren of foreign entrepreneurs and investors staying of the region’s other towns and cities, including Toma- on business in our region (www.interschool.uni. szow Mazowiecki, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Skierniewice, lodz.pl). Radomsko, Belchatow, Sieradz, Kutno, and Wielun. The city’s academic potential proves to be a signi- The centres of research and development also ficant factor conducive to establishing academic co- add to the academic and scientific potential of the operation and exchange between the Lodzkie Re- region. The most prominent centres include: the gion and other regions in Poland and elsewhere. Centre of Molecular Research of the Polish Acade- my of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Occupa- tional Medicine, the Moratex Institute of Textile En- gineering and the European Institute of Lodz.

University of Lodz Department of Management chac ra teristic 013 Art s and culture

The Lodzkie Region is an important point on the binstein was born and grew up in Lodz) has recently cultural map of Poland and Europe. The city’s Mu- relocated to a new building in the city centre, and now seum of Art boasts an internationally recognised mo- offers two modern concert halls with excellent acous- dern art collection, which includes works of European tics (www.filharmonia.lodz.pl). avant-garde artists of the late 20th century, and a collection of works presenting trends in art after World The following artistic schools have also con- War II. The latter can be matched by only few such tributed to the rich cultural life of the region: the collections in Europe, and includes works by Marc Strzeminski Academy of Art, Grazyna and Kiej- Chagall, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Fernand Leger, Jankel stut Bacewicz Academy of Music, and Leon Schil- Adler, Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Beuys, Stanisław Ignacy ler National Higher School of Film, Television and Witkiewicz, Jerzy Nowosielski, Tadeusz Brzozowski, Theatre. The latter is well known worldwide, and Katarzyna Kobro, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Wladys- has educated such prominent artists as Andrzej law Strzeminski, and Henryk Starzewski. The museum Wajda, Wojciech Jerzy Has, Jerzy Skolimowski, Krzysz- is housed in a historic, Neo-Renaissance palace built to tof Zanussi, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Roman Polanski, resemble the Library of St. Mark’s in Venice. In the past Witold Sobocinski, and many others. the palace belonged to the family of Izrael Poznanski, the most prominent factory owner in Lodz at the turn Since 1994, the Leon Schiller National Higher School of the 19th and 20th centuries (http://msl.org.pl). of Film, Television and Theatre has organised the annual International Film and TV Schools’ Festival Me- Housed in a historic 19th-century factory, the Cen- diaschool, which confronts artistic achievements of tral Museum of Textiles offers a unique collection of young filmmakers from 30 different countrieswww. ( textile art, the largest such both in Poland and world- filmschool.lodz.pl). wide. For many years the museum has organised the International Triennial of Tapestry, an event highly re- Culture is a vital element of the local identity, garded by the artists and specialists in the field. www.( too. The Lodzkie Region brings together a number muzeumwlokiennictwa.pl/triennale) of long and diverse traditions of the sub-regions of Sieradz, Leczyca, Lowicz, or Opoczno. The traditions The opera and ballet ensembles of the Grand Thea- of folk are carried on in Leczyca, Sieradz and Rawa, tre in Lodz are well known for high levels of their artis- where a number of folk groups and bands, or sing- tic performance. The theatre’s established position in ing and ritual associations exist and present authen- Europe also secures guest performances by the world- tic folklore on many occasions. Particularly active famous opera soloists (www.operalodz.com). in this respect is the Lowicz area with its numerous and diverse array of folk groups and ensembles (www.lowickie.eu).

Around 200 folk artists interested in sculpture, embroidery, flower arranging, cuttings, straw orna- ments and painting remain active in the region. Some of the handicraft products have been made available in Cepelia shops both in Poland and abroad (www.cepelia.pl). The city’s theatres offer a varied repertoire, including plays by eminent, contemporary authors and all The local cultural centres offer education activities time theatrical classics. The most prominent of these devoted to folk art, which allows young people to theatres is the award-winning Stefan Jaracz Theatre continue the regional traditions of their parents and (www.teatr-jaracza.lodz.pl). grandparents. To conclude, it can be said that the Lodzkie Region Representing nearly a century of tradition, the Arthur remains a unique and valuable area, a point not to be Rubinstein Lodz Philharmonic Orchestra (Arthur Ru- missed on the cultural map of Poland. in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 014 t he future of the region D nevelopme t strategy for 2007–2020

In order to meet the current challenges in the man- will ensure balanced and sustainable development, agement of the region, the voivodship’s authorities based on modern, competitive economy. Making have developed “The Strategy for the Development the most of its central location at the crossroads of of the Lodzkie Region in 2007–2020”. The main objec- European transport corridors, the region will inte- tives of this strategy are to improve the competitive- grate with the rest of Europe socially and economi- ness of the region and the living conditions of its cally, and become the Central European leader inhabitants, and ensure that the region is becoming of development. more attractive for investment, and that new jobs are being created. In order to meet these ambitious The mission formulated creates opportunities objectives, a long-term, systematic and coordinated for further development of the region in the next action has been implemented across the region. By programming period, cohesion policy 2014-2020 obtaining a strong position in the regional structure, and the new funding rules (www.lodzkie.pl / Lodz its residents will acquire better living conditions, and Region Development Strategy 2020). In the new EU will enjoy better quality of their lives. budget period for the years 2014-2020 the Lodzkie The investors will in turn find attractive areas and Region is expected to receive about 2,2 billion eu- favourable conditions for investment and day-to- ros for the implementation of the Regional Opera- day running of their businesses. tional Programme as part of the above-mentioned The region’s general level of civilisation will also strategy. EU funds will be used, among others, in improve, and the standard of living will reach the terms of energy, environmental protection, sustain- level similar to that of the rest of Europe. This in turn able transport and a comprehensive revitalization.

GDAŃSK

OLSZTYN

SZCZECIN

POZNAŃ WARSZAWA

ŁÓDZKIE

WROCŁAW LUBLIN

KATOWICE

KRAKÓW RZESZÓW t he future of the region 015 L oans and guarantees for companies: subsidies from the JEREMIE Programme

Present in the Lodzkie Region since March 2011, Loans (financial product known as an overall loan): the JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Mi- • Lodzka Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego [Lodz Re- cro to Medium Enterprises Programme) provides gional Development Agency] (www.larr.lodz.pl); small and medium-sized businesses with portfolio • Stowarzyszenie Ostrowskie Centrum Wspie- guarantees and low interest loans. The support thus rania Przedsiebiorczosci [Ostrow Enterprise provided is coordinated and supervised by the En- Support Centre] (www.ocwp.org.pl); trepreneur Service Centre. This unit is accountable • Fundacja Rozwoju Gminy Zelow [Zelów Deve- to the Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region, and lopment Foundation] (www.frgz.pl); distributes money from the European Regional De- • PA-CO-BANK (www.pacobank.pl); velopment Fund allocated for the years 2007-2013. • Koneckie Stowarzyszenie Wspierania Przedsie- The resources are meant to stimulate economic biorczosci [Konskie Enterprise Support Centre] development and innovation, and are distributed (www.kswp.org.pl); repeatedly. This means that, having accounted for • Polska Fundacja Przedsiebiorczosci [Polish one loan, entrepreneurs may apply for another. The Entrepreneurs Foundation] (www.pfp.com.pl). JEREMIE programme is earmarked to operate in the future, according to the principles stipulated by Guarantees (financial product known the EU budget for the period 2014-2020. as a portfolio guarantee): As far as the EU funds for 2007-2013 are con- • ESBANK Bank Spoldzielczy (www.esbank.pl); cerned, the Lodzkie Region has allocated circa 189 • FM Bank (www.fmbank.pl). million PLN from these resources for preferential loans and guarantees. Most commonly, these loans are used by trading companies (both retail and wholesale) and those dealing in industrial processing. Loans and guarantees may help secure investment capital and make it available to small and medium-sized businesses which have limited access to bank loans, usually start-ups with no credit history or assets of suitable value. These resources may be used to purchase machinery and equipment, or computer hardware and software, and also for construction or investment in real estate.

Contact: Entrepreneur Service Centre ul. Moniuszki 7/9, 90-101 Lodz Landline: (42) 230 15 50 www.cop.lodzkie.pl

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 016 r egion

Road connections

Since time immemorial, Lodz and its vicinity has • A2 Motorway / National Road No. 2 (E30) been a place where European travel and transport East-West (Berlin-Poznan-Warsaw-Moscow); routes intersected. • S8 Expressway / National Road No.14 (E67) Currently, the biggest motorway junction of A1 South West-North East (Wroclaw-Warsaw); and A2 at the very heart of the region (near Strykow, • S14 Expressway (western section of the ring 20 km from Lodz), which makes it a highly favour- road of Lodz, which is in turn composed of able location for investment, since it lies within the intersecting A1, A2, S8 and S14 motorways easy reach of both domestic and foreign markets. and expressways, and lies within the radius of The junction belongs to the trans European cor- approximately 20-30 km from the city centre). ridor West-East and North-South connecting e. g. Berlin-Warsaw-Moscow and Scandinavia-Gdansk- Distance to selected cities in Europe: Warsaw-Vienna and the Adriatic See. • Lodz-Berlin – 473 km Part of the European concept of space integra- • Lodz-Prague – 485 km tion, two major Trans European Networks (TEN) • Lodz-Dresden – 476 km transport corridors run through the region, namely • Lodz-Munich – 680 km Corridor 2 (Berlin-Warsaw-Moscow) and Corridor 6 • Lodz-Vienna – 626 km (Scandinavia-Balkans). • Lodz-Lviv – 470 km • Lodz-Moscow – 1.200 km The region also boasts a dense network of local, re- • Lodz-Stockholm – 941 km gional, national and international roads, including • Lodz-Oslo – 1.640 km. • A1 Motorway / National Road No. 1 (E75) North -South (Gdansk-Katowice);

OOSLO NI A VILVILNIUSRIGARIG TALLINN GDANSK Bezledy Ogrodniki

SZCZECIN Lubieszyn E67 Kolbaskowo S61 S3 A1

BERLIN POZNAN WARSAW A2 Swiecko MOSMOSKOVK BERLINLIN A2 Terespol Gubin S14 Olszyna ŁODZ WROCLAW S8 Jedrzychowice E67 Zgorzelec LUBLIN Lubawka OPOLE KIELCE N A1 SDE A4 DRESDEN KATOWICE Kudowa A4 LVIV

PRAGUE Medyka Chalupki CRACOW KIEV

OSTRAVA r egion 017

A ir connections

The Wladyslaw Reymont Airport in Lodz The Wladyslaw Reymont Airport (IATA: LCJ) is an and Edinburgh. Scandinavian Airlines fly from Lodz international airport located only 6 km away from to Copenhagen Airport, the main European and in- the city centre and has been working since 1925. By tercontinental hub which gives a number of trans- the end of 1950’s, it had been one of Poland’s most fer options to other destinations. All on one ticket. prominent transportation hubs. The airport also handles charter flights to Bulgaria, 2012 the airport handled over 400 000 passengers. Egypt, Greece, Tunisia and Turkey. It also supports The airport is able to handle up to 2 million pas- private charter flights, which are attracting more sengers per year thanks to new, modern terminal and more investors. Flights of this type are often building which has been opened in 2013. The air- used by the music industry, too. port offers regular flights to Copenhagen, Dublin, www.airport.lodz.pl/en East Midlands, London Stansted, Liverpool, Bristol

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 018 r egion r ail connections

Several major railway routes run across the region, The railway junction in Koluszki connects Lodz including: with Warsaw, Lublin, Katowice and Krakow. • E20 Warsaw-Kutno-Poznan The old railway lines, such as Warsaw-Vienna and • The Central Railway Main Line (CMK) connec- Kaliska, are now more of historical than practical ting Warsaw with Silesia and Krakow significance. • The Coal Trunk Line connecting Karsznice, Minor railway hubs in the region are Skierniewice, Zdunska Wola, Inowroclaw and Gdynia. Lowicz, Tomaszow Mazowiecki, and Chorzew-Siem- kowice. Lodz is an important railway junction providing It should also be noted that the rail lines run links to Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan and Lublin. through 70% of all the counties (powiat) towns in The outskirts of the city are home to one of Po- the voivodship. land’s largest container freight stations, Lodz-Ole- chow. The future of Lodz is also closely related to The strategic task for the local government is to intermodal railway transport, which will also utilize include Lodz in the network of lines with improved the Lodz-Olechow container terminal. 2013 the in- parameters of velocity, especially the line connec- ternational railway container line started to serve ting Warsaw-Lodz and Wroclaw. the route between Lodz (Poland) – Odessa (Ukraine) – Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Chengdu in West China, Sichuan Province. The trip of 40 containers will take ca. 2 weeks. r egion 019 H uman resources

The age structure of the population in the Lodz- kie Region proves advantageous in terms of hu- man resources available to employers (investors) who wish to take on new workers. With 2.5 million of the region’s inhabitants in 2012, nearly 17.3% of them belonged to the pre-working age population, 64% constituted the working-age population, and 18.7% were retired. These proportions are illustrat- ed in the chart below.

18,70 17,30 19 17

The age structure Pre-working of the population in the Lodzkie Region in 2011 [%] Based on: % Working M. Kudła, own work according to the data provided by the GUS branch in Warsaw (Central Statistical Office) Retired

64 64

The Lodzkie Region offers qualified academic staff, and is a large base for scientific research. Every year, the Technical University of Lodz turns out approximately 4,000 graduates in the Faculties of Mechanical Engineering; Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Control Engineering; Chemistry; Bio- technology and Food Sciences; Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering; Tech- nical Physics, Computer Science and Applied Math- ematics; Material Technologies and Textile Design. The University of Lodz in turn supplies the labour market with about 6,000 graduates every year in the Faculties of Biology and Environmental Protec- tion, Economics and Sociology, Philology, Philoso- phy and History, Physics and Chemistry, Mathemat- ics and Computer Science, Geographical Sciences, Educational Sciences, Law and Administration, and Management. in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 020 r egion cur r enT investors

A large number of renowned European and inter- • DSWI Sp. z o. o. national corporations have already invested their • E.G.O. Polska Sp. z o. o. capital in the region. So far foreign direct invest- • KAMPMANN Polska Sp. z o. o. ment has almost topped the figure of 3 billion EUR, • Mar-Mit s. c. thereby creating about 25 thousand jobs in newly • Ciat Sp. z o. o. established companies and service centres. • Mecalit Polska Sp. z o. o. • Mesgo Polska Sp. z o. o. The investment to date has been made • Asco Joucomatic Sp. z o. o. in the following sectors: • Sew Eurodrive Polska Sp. z o. o. • TV AB Sp. z o. o. Business process outsourcing • Teka Polska Sp. z o. o. (financial, accounting and research services) L ogistics • Centrum Finansowo-Ksiegowe Infosys [Infosys • AIG Lincoln Finance and Accounting Centre] • Rossmann • Call Center mBanku i MultiBanku [mBank’s and • Therab BV – Raben Holding MultiBank’s Call Centres] • Clement • GE Power controls – accounting centre • DHL Global Supply Chain • Bank Unicredito – programming centre • DHL EXEL • Centralwings – Head Office, Biuro • DHL EXPRESS • Accenture – IT centre • LOGIS • CitiFinancial – finance centre • IKEA • BSH – R&D centre • Masterlink • Transition Technologies – IT Centre • Oninen • SAP-IT Centre. • Cassino • Hewlett-Packard Global Service Centre Lodz • Unilever • Pelion S.A. (former Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna) H ousehold goods and appliances • Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna • Merloni (brands: Indesit & Ariston) • Diamond Business Park • BSH Sprzet Gospodarstwa Domowego • Ahold Sp. z. o. o. [BSH Household Goods • Poland Central – NOMI and Appliances Ltd] • Gillette • Coko-Werk – washing machine porthole • GEFCO glass doors • Schenker • Wirthwein – plastic components • Kaufand • Hirsh-Porozell – packaging • Diamond Business Park, Lodz • HSV – packaging • Diamond Business Park, Strykow • Cablex – cables and wires • Logistic City • Rettl – cables and control panels • Panattoni Park Lodz • Cebal Tuba Sp. z o. o. • Parkridge Distribution Centre • Industrial Systems Sp. z o. o. • Pro Logis Park (GE Power Controls) • Hatrans LOGISTICS Lodz r egion 021 S tuppor for investors and entrepreneurs

A number of specialized units supporting domestic and requirements (location, infrastructure, and foreign investors operate in the region, including logistics, workforce etc.) • The Regional Investor and Exporter Service • collecting data necessary to prepare a feasibil- Centre of the Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie ity study (statistics, potential buyers and sup- Region (RCOIE) pliers, legal framework, tax liabilities) • The Lodz Special Economic Zone • organising study visits for foreign investors to • The Lodz Regional Development Agency examine selected communes (gminas) or dis- • The Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology tricts (powiats), including transport, meetings • The Investors’ Service Office at the City Council and translation services of Lodz • assisting in negotiations concerning selected • The Belchatow and Kleszczow Park of Industry locations for investment, assistance in prepa- and Technology ring incentive packages • The Kutno Park of Agriculture and Industry. • identifying potential foreign buyers for the exporters operating in the voivodship. The Regional Investors’ and Exporters’ Service Centre All information provided by the COIE during the pre- at the Office of the Marshal paration of the investment project is confidential. At the of the Lodzkie Region request of the investor, the scope and content of this in- The Regional Investors’ and Exporters’ Service formation may be stipulated by a suitable agreement. Center, also knows as the COIE (after its Polish www.coie.gov.pl acronym), acts as an official partner of the Ministry of Economy (www.coie.gov.pl) and the Polish The Lodz Special Economic Zone Information and Foreign Investment Agency (Po- The assets of Lodz Special Economic Zone include lish acronym: PAIiIZ, www.paiz.gov.pl) is a part- the excellent location in the very centre of Poland, ner for investors and Polish exporters in the Lodz- considerable tax relief, rich industrial traditions, and kie Region. The centre supports businesses will- customised service for investment projects. ing to invest in the region and the companies from the voivodship that are interested in export- Businesses that wish to start operations in the ing their goods to foreign markets. The centre Lodz Special Economic Zone may take advantage supports entrepreneurs by providing relevant of attractive, fully serviced investment areas. The know-how to those who wish to set up a com- companies that set up their branches in the zone pany or extend the range of their operations enjoy significant tax relief, such as corporate income in the region. The centre maintains secrecy when tax exemptions or alternatively are provided with providing with useful knowledge or advice, e.g. two-year subsidies to cover salary costs of newly on the location of the future business, and acts as employed workers. Owing to these advantages a go-between to help establish contacts with local and the comprehensive services for investors, Lodz councils, business partners, and economic organisa- Special Economic Zone has attracted a number of tions and associations. The agency’s support and ad- important business partners, including such reco- vice is free of charge. gnised brands as Dell, Procter & Gamble, Fujitsu Services, Gillette, Bosch-Siemens, Indesit, Amcor, The COIE provides comprehensive support and Atlas, and Ceramika Paradyz. Lodz Special Econo- counselling, ranging from introductory presenta- mic Zone consists of ca. 40 sub-zones, located in the tions of investment offers of individual communes towns and municipalities (gminas) across the entire (gminas) and districts (powiats) to the implementa- Lodzkie Region, and also in the adjacent voivod- tion of fully-fledged investment projects. The cen- ships of Greater Poland and Mazovia. In total, these tre provides the following forms of support: sub-zones occupy the area of 1,277 hectares.

• securing the best location for investment In 2013 the Lodz Special Economic Zone took 3rd. according to the investor’s needs place in Europe and 18th. in the world ranking of in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 022 r egion

FDI Magazine (Financial Times) Global Free Zones The lease period must last at least 5 years; in the case of the Future 2012/2013. of small and medium-sized businesses it must be 3 years from the anticipated date of the investment com- Furthermore, the Lodz Special Economic Zone pletion. offers modern office spaces for outsourcing and IT businesses. Located in the city centre, these A Class Eligible costs for the creation of new jobs equal facilities have been completed to a high standard, two-year gross employment costs (labour costs and provide a worker-friendly environment neces- plus all mandatory employment-related benefits of sary for successful business operations. the employees).

Businesses operating in the Lodz Special Economic Basic requirements to be met by the businesses ope- Zone benefit from public support, which is meant to rating in the Lodz Special Economic Zone: • encourage new investment; and • minimum investment of 100 thousand EUR • create new jobs. • activity for a minimum period of 5 years (3 years for small and medium businesses) Public support is provided as full corporate income • maintaining a steady level of employment for 5 tax exemption enjoyed by the investor, until the entire years (3 years for small and medium businesses) amount of money allocated to this type of assistance is • conducting activities for which authorization used (by 2026 at the latest). The level of public support was granted; and depends on the size of the company and qualified in- • tax exemptions granted for investments in the vestment costs, and from 1st. July 2014 amounts to: special economic zone. • 35% for Large businesses www.sse.lodz.pl • 45% for Medium-sized businesses • 55% for Small businesses. The Lodz Regional Development Agency Plc Definition of SME (Small and Medium-sized The most important investments in the region are Enterprise) completed with considerable support on the part of Small enterprises are defined as enterprises which the Lodz Regional Development Agency (ŁARR S.A.). employ fewer than 50 persons and whose annual As an individual expert unit, the agency stimulates turnover or annual balance sheet total does not regional entrepreneurship by means of widely under- exceed 10 million euro. stood counselling. The agency operates as the Regio- Medium-sized enterprises are defined as enter- nal Financing Institution for the Lodzkie Region, works prises which are not Small and employ fewer than as a partner of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Deve- 250 persons and whose annual turnover does not lopment, and contributes in the implementation of exceed 50 million euro or annual balance sheet the Innovative Economy Operational Programme. does not exceed 43 million euro. The agency also helps entrepreneurs and inves- Large enterprises are those which are neither Small tors to adjust to the requirements of market econo- nor Medium-sized. my by offering the following forms of assistance: • preparing and implementing projects for fund- Eligible costs of investment are: ing from the European Union • expenditure on purchase of land; • obtaining authorization to operate in Lodz • spending on structures and buildings; Special Economic Zone • expenditure on fixed assets (equipment instal- • raising funds from the Regional Fund for Envi- lation); ronmental Protection and Water Management • expenditure on purchase of intangible and • organizing foreign economic missions for the legal assets; local companies • expenditure on the rental or leasing of land, • joint displays and participation of the compa- buildings and structures. nies during international fairs and exhibitions. www.larr.lodz.pl r egion 023

The Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology Ltd The Lodz Regional Park of Science and Techno- logy (known as the Technopark) is certainly the “right place” for both the start-ups specialising in advanced technologies and the already thriving businesses. While the latter’s established market position may serve as an example of market success for those who take their first steps as entrepreneurs, the park itself creates ideal conditions for the development of the local economy based on knowledge as a necessary link between science and business.

Technopark occupies an area of 14 hectares of serviced land located in close proximity to the Wladyslaw Reymont Airport, right at the exit of the planned S8 expressway, only 6 km away from the city centre of Lodz. The site is divided into 22 investment plots for companies that can either buy or lease them in order to run their business operations.

Technopark is home to the Technology Incubator, which offers advice and guidance to new and innovative businesses. These companies may use the Incu- bator’s attractively priced assistance for 2 years, and take advantage of its modern offices, Internet access, free-of-charge legal, marketing and public relations assistance as well as the assistance in seeking exter- nal funding, completing grant applications, or writing business plans. The incubator also has a multimedia conference room for 120 people. The Investors’ Service Office 2013 the existing facilities at Technopark are al- at the City Council of Lodz ready extended, and new offices, laboratories, The Investors’ Service Office implements the strategy conference rooms and catering facilities are ready for the industrial cluster development in Lodz, which to serve companies and researchers. The project’s is based on the project “Lodz Cluster as the Region’s highlight is the BioNanoPark business research cen- Network for Innovative Cooperation”. The tasks of the tre and its two state-of-the-art laboratories (Labo- office include: ratory of Molecular and Nanostructured Biophy- • attracting investors from priority sectors sics and the Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory). (business processes outsourcing, household These laboratories are ready to house research and goods and appliances, logistics, biotechnology, development projects on new generic medicines, pharmaceutics, and research and development therapeutic measures, individual medical implants, centres); new biological and biotechnology products for the • organizational support for investors at each and chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, energy every stage of their projects, including both and environmental protection industries. preparing the project and follow-up during its www.technopark.lodz.pl implementation and after its completion;

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe 024 r egion

• design and preparation of the city’s investment This mission is accomplished by creating offers that offers, with particular emphasis on the priority live up to investors’ expectations, and create a busi- sectors mentioned above; ness-friendly atmosphere in the area. • preparing individual presentations concerning The park also offers areas for investment and office space the city and catering to the needs of selected for rent (the latter is possible thanks to the Technology Incu- investors; bator), and provides such services as sulphocarbonitriding • building and maintaining business relationships or applying protective coatings to medical implants. with investors and other public institutions in Lodz and in Poland, including the Polish Informa- The Park’s offer for entrepreneurs includes the pos- tion and Foreign Investment Agency, Lodz Special sibility to purchase or lease available areas or facilities. Economic Zone, the Marshal’s Office of the Lodz- It also allows for using infrastructure, professional sup- kie Region, the Office of the Voivode of Lodz, and port services and technology transfer, and provides adjacent municipalities (gminas); help in raising funds, such as the European Union • presenting the city’s investment offers at various structural funds. The shareholders of the Park are: trade fairs and exhibitions; • Belchatow Municipality; • recommending actions to create favourable con- • Kleszczow Development Foundation; ditions for investment in the city. • Gmina Kluki (the Kluki municipality); www.lodz.pl • PGE Lignite Mine S.A.; • PGE Belchatow Power Plant S.A.; • The Technical University of Lodz; • Gmina Rzasnia (the Rzasnia municipality); • Belchatow county (powiat) www.ppt.belchatow.pl The Kutno Park of Agriculture and Industry Established in 1998, the Kutno Park of Agriculture and Industry is located in the vicinity of the E-30 international road and the E-20 rail line. At a distance of about 1.5 km away from the park, there is the A-1 motorway. The Park is serviced by a power and heating plant, water treatment plant, and municipal wastewater treatment plant. In the park’s vicinity, there is the Container Terminal The Belchatow and Kleszczow Park at the E-20 main railway line. In addition to this, the of Industry and Technology Ltd area’s two landline telephone operators provide in- The Belchatow and Kleszczow Park of Industry stant access to a fibre network. A fully serviced 30-hec- and Technology plays a vital role in activating the tare area, the park belongs to Lodz Special Economic economy of the county (powiat) of Belchatow. Set Zone, Subzone Kutno. Investors who wish to set up in a specially allotted area, the park uses local infra- a business there will be able to take advantage structure and offers preferential terms to those who of many tax reliefs and exemptions. The most impor- wish to embark on business activity, especially if the tant of them are: company they are going to set up is either small and • Corporate income tax exemption of up to 70% medium-sized. of capital investment or alternatively labour costs; The park’s mission is to break the one-sided nature • the assistance of the Labour Office in recruiting of Belchatow’s industry, contribute to the region’s and training new employees; economic growth, reduce unemployment by creating • property tax relief granted by the local govern- and developing high tech industry, and stimulate in- ment. novation and widely understood enterprise. www.um.kutno.pl Ue s full Phones

Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology Al. Piłsudskiego 8, 90-051 Lodz, Poland ul. Dubois 114/116, 93-465 Lodz, Poland www.lodzkie.pl Phone: /+48 42/ 684 44 44 Marshal’s Front Office Fax: /+48 42/ 684 50 00 Phone: /+48 42/ 663 30 26, /+48 42/ 663 30 01 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: /+48 42/ 663 30 02 www.technopark.lodz.pl E-mail: [email protected] Lodz Chamber of Commerce and Industry Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region ul. Tuwima 30, 90-002 Lodz, Poland Department of Entrepreneurship Phone: /+48 42/ 250 54 50 Mr Janusz Baranowski, Head of the Department Phone: /+48 42/ 250 54 51 ul. Moniuszki 7/9, 90-101 Lodz, Poland Fax: /+48 42/ 630 39 79 Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 40 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 www.liph.com.pl/ger.php E-mail: [email protected] Russian speaker Regional Tourist Organisation www.lodzkie.pl of the Lodzkie Region ul. Sienkiewicza 67, 90-009 Lodz, Poland Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region Phone: /+48 42/ 638 59 57, 663 77 33 Department of Entrepreneurship Fax: /+48 42/ 662 09 72 Investors’ and Exporters’ Service Centre (COIE) E-mail: [email protected] ul. Moniuszki 7/9, 90-101 Lodz, Poland www.rotwl.pl Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 40 Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 Entrepreneur Service Centre E-mail: [email protected] ul. Moniuszki 7/9, 90-101 Lodz, Poland Phone: /+48 42/ 230 15 50 Ms Izabela Kozlowska, Chief Specialist www.cop.lodzkie.pl Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 49 Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 Regional Chamber of Commerce Lodz E-mail: [email protected] ul. Wieckowskiego 13, 90-721 Lodz, Poland English speaker Phone/Fax: /+48 42/ 203 66 82 E-mail: [email protected] Ms Joanna Niedzwiecka, Chief Specialist Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 51 Regional Office of the Lodz Region in Brussels Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 Referat ds. Współpracy Międzyregionalnej E-mail: [email protected] Square Marie-Louise 2 English speaker 1000 Brussels Phone: +32 2 230 90 77 dr Marek Kudla, Chief Specialist Fax: +32 2 231 15 87 Phone: /+48 42/ 291 98 50 Fax: /+48 42/ 291 98 41 British International School E-mail: [email protected] of the University of Lodz German, English, Italian and Bulgarian speaker ul. Pomorska 161 90-273 LODZ Lodz Special Economic Zone Mobile: +48 504 262 731 ul. Ks. Tymienieckiego 22/24, 90-349 Lodz, Poland E-mail: [email protected] Phone: /+48 42/ 676 27 53 www.interschool.uni.lodz.pl Fax: /+48 42/ 676 27 55 E-mail: [email protected] Conceived and written by: www.sse.lodz.pl/en dr Marek Kudla

Lodz Regional Development Agency Photography: ul. Tuwima 22/26, 90-002 Lodz, Poland Marcin Bryja [p. 17] Józef Horbik [p. 13] Phone: /+48 42/ 664 30 40 Mariusz Kucharczyk [p. 5, 9, 12] Fax: /+48 42/ 664 37 50 Grzegorz Nowak [p. 13] E-mail: [email protected] and the archives of the Marshall’s Office www.larr.lodz.pl of The Lodzkie Region

in the centre of poland in the centre of europe in the centre of poland in the centre of europe