<<

Business Services in Table of Contents

1 WHY SZCZECIN? 4

Report prepared for the City of Szczecin by the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) 2 BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS IN SZCZECIN 8 in cooperation with JLL, Randstad and Randstad Sourceright 3 INVESTORS ABOUT THEMSELVES: SUCCESS STORIES 20

Project coordinator: 4 THE LABOR MARKET 24 Janusz Górecki, Head of Sector Research & Analytics, ABSL

Interested in cooperation with ABSL? Please contact: 5 THE OFFICE MARKET 30 Paweł Panczyj, Chief Development Officer, ABSL [email protected] www.absl.pl 6 QUALITY OF LIFE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT 36 Investor support in Szczecin: The Department of Project Management Agencja Rozwoju Metropolii at Szczecin City Hall Szczecińskiej 7 INVESTOR SUPPORT 40 Plac Armii Krajowej 1 ul. Niemierzyńska 17A 70-456 Szczecin 71-441 Szczecin +48 91 43 51 164 +48 91 333 97 71 [email protected] [email protected] www.invest.szczecin.eu www.arms-szczecin.eu www.invest.szczecin.eu

Layout and printing: www.ponad.pl

Praga, Czechy

Business Services in Szczecin 5 Why Szczecin?

Gdańsk 349 km

FIGURE 1 LOCATION OF SZCZECIN

A1 S7 Szczecin 1 Białystok 257 km

S3

S8 150 km A2 Poznań 270 km WHY 573 km A2

Łódź 480 km Szczecin? S5 S7 S8 A4 Szczecin is the largest city in and capital of A1 Dresden Wrocław 370 km Western province, and one of the largest economic centers in the north of . It is a cultural and academic hub that 580 km offers a high quality of life. An increasingly Prague 498 km important role is being played by the business Kraków 658 km A4 services sector (BPO, SSC, IT and R&D Ostrava Rzeszów centers) in the local economy of the area. The city’s attractiveness as an investment location is enhanced by its proximity to Brno Berlin and Berlin-Tegel and Berlin-Schönefeld Source: ABSL own study airports. Koszyce TABLE 1 DISTANCES AND ANTICIPATED TRAVEL TIME TO SELECTED CITIES Wiedeń Bratysława Czas podróży According to a Distance in km By car By train By plane TomTom Traffic Index Berlin 127 1h 30min 1h 50min 4h 00min* ranking, Szczecin Poznań 200 2h 30min 2h 30min 2h 45min* has a low street Copenhagen 280 6h 30min 9h 30min* 1h 00min congestion index Warsaw 450 5h 45min 6h 30min 1h 05min in comparison with am Main 550 8h 00min 6h 40min** 4h 05min* cities of similar size Amsterdam 660 9h 00min 9h 00min* 4h 00min* elsewhere in Poland 990 13h 45min 11h 00min*** 4h 10min* and Europe.

One asterisk means one transfer required.

Source: City of Szczecin Sources: Deutsche Bahn, Google Flights, Google Maps, PKP PLK. Source: https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/ trafficindex/

6 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 7 Why Szczecin? Police Why Szczecin?

Port Lotniczy Szczecin-Goleniów

Goleniów FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 ROADMAP OF SZCZECIN AND SURROUNDINGS AIR TRANSPORT

Bergen 1h 45min 3 Oslo Gardermoen 1h 30min 3 Oslo Sandefjord-Torp 1h 25min 5

Koszalin / Trójmiasto Stavanger 1h 35min 3 Stockholm 1h 35min 3 S3

Dublin 2h 25min 3 Copenhagen* 1h 00min 5 Ogród Różany Liverpool 2h 10min 3

Filharmonia Wały Chrobrego Szczecin 10 London 1h 55min 10 Berlin Schönefeld Zamek Książąt Pomorskich Berlin Tegel Warsaw 1h 05min 29

Port

Kraków** 1h 05min x Szczecin-Goleniów Airport (sZZ)

Distance and travel time from city center 13 A6 30 km (45 min) Destination Flight time Number of flights per week 10 Piła / Bydgoszcz Number of countries served * from 1 April 2019 ** from 2 April 2019 Kołbaskowo Berlin A6 Szczecin is located near the northwest border of Poland, 6 Source: http://www.airport.com.pl/, Google Flights where important European roads (E28 and E65) and rail- Number of flight destinations ways (E59) intersect. Very good access by road is provided by the A6 highway, the S3 express way, national roads 10, 13 Within approximately two hours you can fly from Szczecin to either of the two Gorzów Wklp. / A2 / A4 and 31 in Poland, and by the A11 highway in Germany. From 11 Berlin airports: Schönefeld (SXF) and Tegel (TXL). From these airports, which Szczecin there are also direct rail connections: No. 273 (to Total number of passengers served more than 33 million passengers in 2017, there are connections to 56 cities Wrocław), No. 351 (to Poznań), No. 401 (to Świnoujście), around the world. 31 No. 408 (to Lübeck and ) and No. 409 (to Berlin). 578,700 (2017) Directly adjoining Berlin-Schönefeld, Berlin- Airport (BER) is under 30 km from the city center is Solidarity Szczecin-Goleniów construction; and it will replace the two airports currently in operation. Berlin- Airport (SSZ), with connections to Dublin, London, Oslo and 650,000 (2018) Brandenburg will be very well connected to the road and rail networks. It is S3 Stockholm and other destinations, including to Copenhagen scheduled for opening in 2020, and by 2030 should be serving 55 million passen- as of April 2019. Szczecin-Świnoujście Port, a maritime port Airlines providing scheduled gers annually, making it Europe’s 5th-largest airport. that, together with Świnoujście, forms one of the largest connections: universal port complexes in the region. LOT Polish Airlines, Norwegian, Ryanair, SAS, and Wizz Air. Source: https://www.berlin-airport.de

Kostrzyń nad Odrą G r y fi n o Business Services in Szczecin 9 Business services centers in Szczecin

FIGURE 4 BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR IN SZCZECIN – KEY INFORMATION

The number of employees working in Szczecin business 2 services centers providing services in foreign languages 5,600 (as of Q1 2019).

The number of business services centers in Szczecin (Q1 2019). Foreign entities own more than half (56%) BUSINESS 41 of Szczecin’s centers.

The number of countries where the of SERVICES companies with business services centers in Szczecin are located. 80% of those centers are entities from Poland, the CENTERS 11 Nordic countries and Germany.

The growth in employment in business centers in Szczecin IN SZCZECIN since the beginning of 2016. This means an absolute increase % in the number of jobs by almost 2,000. The Compound Annual 47 Growth Rate (CAGR) in the period under analysis was 14%.

Szczecin is one of the ten largest business The number of new business services centers established services locations in Poland. Forty-one since the beginning of 2015. Those companies have created centers operate here, and employ 5,600 7 more than 700 new jobs. people. The city is a dynamic center of competences across a broad spectrum of Employees in Szczecin business services centers forecast business processes and new technologies, 10,000 for the year 2025. and is building up its position as a provider of business services – which are becoming one of the distinguishing features of the city’s Business services in Szczecin: selected specializations economic landscape.

SOFTWARE FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY In terms of the number of companies that are developing software for the automotive industry, Szczecin is a significant center in Poland and Europe. There are six large companies of this kind and more than a dozen microbusinesses in the city.

CUSTOMER SERVICES AND BACK-OFFICE SERVICES FOR GERMAN-SPEAKING CUSTOMERS Among the largest employers in the sector in Szczecin, there are several companies in which an important role is played by German-language customer services and back-office process services for Germany entities.

Source: City of Szczecin Source: ABSL own study 10 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 11 Business services centers in Szczecin Business services centers in Szczecin

FIGURE 5 SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF SZCZECIN AS A LOCATION FOR BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS

ABSL chapter in Szczecin Strong position Services center The Szczecin chapter of ABSL is the youngest in Poland, and comprises SSC/BPO/IT/R&D centers located in Szczecin. Its main task is to promote local companies belonging to the chapter, the city of Szczecin and the BSS industry. ABSL’s of IT sector success stories activities here include regular meetings devoted to key sector issues, such as talent management, the development of technology – including automation, robotics and artificial intelligence – and the problems of management and building IT centers employ a total of 2,500 people In recent years, a large majority a strong brand. The chapter runs joint campaigns with the authorities of Szczecin on training and informing elementary in Szczecin, which accounts for a 45% of business service centers have and high school students about the job opportunities awaiting them in the sector in Szczecin, and about the potential share in the employment structure of expanded both the scope and sophis- of the city itself. the business services sector in the city tication of their activities. These two (12 percent more than in the country as aspects have also been accompanied Kamil Pilarski Chapter Leader, ABSL a whole). In Szczecin, there are many by an increase in employment. Engineering Director, GlobalLogic active IT centers whose profiles are connected with the development of a wide range of new technologies.

Embeddedness Attractiveness of REPORT CONCEPT AND METHODOLOGY the city for Nordic of business services

This report adopts a broad definition of the business services sector to include the activities of business processes country companies centers outsourcing centers (BPO), shared services centers (SSC), IT centers, and research and development centers (R&D). The results of the studies concern the activities of business services centers whose parent companies have their headquarters Szczecin features Poland’s highest The majority (83%) of new jobs created since in Poland (Polish centers) and abroad (foreign centers). Each entity was assigned to one of the primary types (BPO, SSC, IT, the beginning of 2016 were generated by R&D), taking into account the dominant profile of its operations. share of companies from the Nordic countries in the employment struc- centers that already existed in the city and Contact centers providing services to external customers were classified as BPOs. Entities providing IT solution outsourcing ture of business services increased their activity. This attests services (incl. maintaining systems, applications, infrastructure, and technical support) and/or creating and selling (imple- centers (32%). to the degree to which they are embedded menting) software for external customers were classified as IT centers. Please note that in the analysis, no account was in Szczecin, and indirectly, to how satisfied taken of companies that only provide services domestically in Polish for customers located in Poland. This restriction does not apply to IT and R&D centers that offer software development, which, as a rule, requires the “product” to be developed in they are with their choice of location for their English. It is worth clarifying that the analyses do not take into account shared services delivery at company headquarters, business services center. when the activities are not isolated in the form of separate units, or dedicated services centers.

Source: ABSL own study 12 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 13 Business services centers in Szczecin Business services centers in Szczecin

TABLE 2 Parent Type Year activities in company Employment Name Activity profile EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS IN SZCZECIN of center Szczecin began headquarters range location

Macrobond Financial IT 2008 <100 Services within the scope of: data analysis, software development, IT helpdesk, data conversion and Parent Type Year activities in company Employment product support. Name Activity profile of center Szczecin began headquarters range location Majorel BPO 2004 250-500 Multilingual customer services by telephone, e-mail, chat and technical support. 3Shape SSC / R&D 2009 100-250 SSC: services within the scope of IT, HR, F&A for the group 3Shape. R&D: research and development connected with the production of medical equipment. Meelogic IT 2011 100-250 Creation of mobile applications and information systems related to the Internet of Things for the following industries: automotive, medical, digital Asseco Data Systems IT 2016 (2005) 250-500 Products, services and IT solutions for third parties media, transport, energy, telecommunications and based on own software. e-commerce.

Avid Technology IT 2008 <100 Creation and development of software and equipment Metro Services SSC 2012 250-500 Accounting services for METRO companies. for non-linear video and audio editing.

Coloplast SSC 2009 250-500 Support within the scope of finance, accounting, IT, Mobica IT 2013 100-250 IT services within the scope of software development. (Coloplast Business Centre) HR, order processing, patents and marketing.

Nordic Consulting and IT 2002 <100 Implementation, development and automation of Concentrix BPO 2005 250-500 Multilingual, technical Customer support center. Development Company software systems for the insurance industry in Europe and South America.

Back-office processes services. CSP Customer Services BPO 2006 100-250 Salling Group Shared SSC 2013 250-500 Management of financial and other business proces- Service Center ses of the Salling Group in Europe (e.g. control, IT, HR and Master Data). DGS Business Services SSC 2015 250-500 Services in IT, HR, software development, quality assurance and legal requirements, financial and logistics. Sapiens International IT 2015 <100 Creation and development of software for the insuran- Corporation ce industry and financial services sector.

Diebold Nixdorf BPO 2016 100-250 Customer Services Center providing business services for German-speaking customers. Tieto IT 2006 250-500 IT services within the scope of Cloud technology and software for the auto, telecommunications and medical industries. Genpact BPO 2013 100-250 Services for customers from German-speaking countries within the scope of financial and accoun- ting, supply and order chain, customer services, and UniCredit Services SSC 2009 250-500 Banking support processes related to bank accounts back-office bank processes. and loans.

Global Logic IT 2014 100-250 Services within the scope of the whole product Wilhelmsen Business SSC 2012 100-250 Administrative support and financial and accounting development cycle. Szczecin branch specializing in services. designing solutions for the automotive industry in Service Center Embedded: C/C++, Linux and Java technologies

Other companies (IT): Aply, Asseco, Bonair, Consileon, Gamelion, Gryftec Embedded Systems, Heuthes, Huuuge InfinIT Codelab IT 2013 100-250 Creation and development of software for the automotive industry and in-built systems. Games, Raynet, Sagra Technology, SB Betting Software, SoftwareHut, SoftVig Systemy Informatyczne, think project!, TEONITE, Uniquesoft Complex IT.

intive IT 2016 (1999) 250-500 Creation and development of software, for the automotive, telecommunications, financial, media and e-commerce industries. Source: ABSL own study

Kongsberg Maritime Poland IT 2005 <100 Services and sales of solutions for the electronics and maritime automation markets, as well as IT. 14 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 15 Business services centers in Szczecin Business services centers in Szczecin

FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 FIGURE 9 EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF BUSINESS SERVICES EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF BUSINESS SERVICES AVERAGE EMPLOYMENT BY TYPE OF CENTER CENTERS IN SZCZECIN BY TYPE OF CENTER CENTERS IN SZCZECIN BY PARENT COMPANY HEADQUARTER LOCATION Mean Median

290 300 300 275

9% 250 250 21% 200 200 187 200 14% 32%

150 Arithmetic mean for all centers = 137 150 Total: 45% Total: 5,600 people 5,600 people Median* for all centers = 90 100 88 100 20% 50 34% 50 50 25% 0 0 SSC BPO IT

Arithmetic mean Median

Nordic countries (, Finland, Norway, ) * The median value for the total number of centers in Szczecin indicates that half of those centers have more than 90 employees, while the other half have Poland fewer than 90 employees.

IT Germany Source: ABSL own study

SSC USA

BPO Other countries FIGURE 10 SERVICES CENTERS IN SZCZECIN BY THE YEAR ACTIVITIES BEGAN Source: ABSL own study Source: ABSL own study

Total number of centers Number of new centers

50 15 FIGURE 8 41 EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS IN SZCZECIN BY PARENT COMPANY INDUSTRY 40 34 12

Proportion in employment structure 30 9 21 44% 24% 16% 16% 20 6 0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 7 10 3

IT Commercial Consumer goods Other sectors 11 14 13 7 0 and professional services and services before 2005 2005-2009 2010-2014 2015-2019 0

Source: ABSL own study Total number of centers Number of new centers

Source: ABSL own study 16 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 17 Business services centers in Szczecin Business services centers in Szczecin

FIGURE 11 FIGURE 12 COOPERATION OF CENTERS WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITY MOST POPULAR PROCESS CATEGORIES SUPPORTED MAIN COUNTRIES SUPPORTED BY SERVICES CENTERS BY BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS IN SZCZECIN IN SZCZECIN

TABLE 3 EXAMPLES OF COOPERATION BETWEEN BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS AND SZCZECIN UNIVERSITIES IT services (mainly software development) 1 Germany Company Sample activities as part of cooperation with universities

GlobalLogic »» GlobalLogic periodically organizes a conference in Szczecin entitled “IT in Finance and accounting Nordic countries Automotive” on software engineering, in which industry companies, their 2 customers and university students take part. An automotive laboratory has been created at the IT faculty of West Pomeranian University of Technology.

»» The company received an ABSL Diamonds Award in the category of Talent Customer services Poland Development & Education for its educational program implemented in coop- 3 eration with Polish universities. Along with West Pomeranian University of Technology, it created the GlobalLogic Automotive Lab. For three years, it has been running post-graduate studies at WSTE in Szczecin, and training within Source: ABSL own study Source: ABSL own study the Automotive Academy and the AUTOSAR Academy.

infinIT Codelab »» The company cooperates and exchanges knowledge with the academic staff of FIGURE 13 FIGURE 14 Szczecin higher educational institutions. It has a permanent training program in LANGUAGES USED IN SZCZECIN BUSINESS MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF FOREIGNERS place for university and high school students. Future engineers have the oppor- SERVICES CENTERS EMPLOYED AT BUSINESS SERVICES CENTERS tunity to become familiar with the technology and methodology of developing IN SZCZECINIE innovative solutions in the company’s laboratories.

GlobalLogic, infinIT »» Along with the Faculty of IT at West Pomeranian University of Technology, a Codelab, Mobica, Tieto post-graduate study program, “Programming with elements of in-built systems”, 15 Ukraine was created. The number of languages in which services 1 are provided by Szczecin centers. Asseco Data Systems, »» Cooperation within the Job Fair r@bbIT, organized at the IT faculty of West Avid Technology, infinIT Pomeranian University of Technology. Codelab, Consileon Germany Polska, DGS Business 2 Services, GlobalLogic, Gryftec, Heuthes, Intive, 10 Kongsberg Maritime, Meelogic, Mobica, The proportion of business services centers Nordic Consulting & providing services in at least 3 languages. India Development Company, 3 SoftwareHut, Tieto

Languages most used for providing services Source: ABSL own study Source: ABSL own study based on the websites of companies and schools at centers in Szczecin:

Source: ABSL own study 18 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 19 Business services centers in Szczecin Business services centers in Szczecin

West Pomeranian ICT Cluster

West Pomeranian ICT Cluster is an association of West Pomeranian businesses operating on the market for services and solutions relating to IT and telecommuni- cations technologies. Its goals are to strengthen and consolidate the regional potential of the IT business, to create a network of professional, design and cooperation connections, and to develop its member companies and increase their competitiveness on the market. Taking an active part in stimulating innovation and economic growth in the region and making it attractive for invest- ments, the association works alongside units of , public administration, institutions from the business and research and development communities. ICT Cluster was established in 2007, and has been functioning as an association of companies since 2011. Today, Cluster has almost 100 members employing almost 1,800 people. The initiator and supporting member of ICT Cluster is Technopark Pomerania, where the association has its headquarters.

Source: http://www.klaster.it/pl

Source: Shutterstock Business Services in Szczecin 21 3 Investors about themselves: success stories Majorel designs, delivers and differentiates customer Majorel Polska (previously the branch of Arvato CRM experience on behalf of some of the world’s most Solutions) has been operating in Szczecin since 2004, respected companies. It provides classic customer for 15 years. Every day, the company is created by a team communication as well as digital solutions such as social of experienced specialists who provides personalized media and online communications, automated interac- solutions in the field of a multi-channel and multilingual tion and AI, analytics, self-service and other customer contact center for one of the best companies in the world INVESTORS lifecycle solutions. in the information technology industry. The service is conducted in 14 languages. Currently, over 300 people Majorel brings together Bertelsmann and Saham group’s are employed in the Szczecin branch, and taking into worldwide customer experience businesses, including account the company's development plans, an upward ABOUT Arvato CRM Solutions, Phone Group, ECCO Outsourcing trend in this area will certainly be maintained. and Pioneers Outsourcing. The group has combined annual revenues of €1.2bn and over 500 clients globally across many industry sectors. It has more than 48,000 THEMSELVES: For more information about Majorel visit: people in 28 countries worldwide, with market-leading www.majorel.com positions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, while also www.workinszczecin.pl SUCCESS a strong presence in Asia and the Americas. STORIES

The systematic development of the Szczecin business services sector is possible in part One of the two biggest international competitors from This multicultural environment has become the first due to the positive experiences of existing the BPO sector entered the local market. workplace of professional choice for around 300 employees and it is still growing. investors. In this chapter, we present selected 275 sites operating in 6 continents hiring 225,000 investment success stories (Majorel, employees with 70 languages supporting 650 Clients. The variety of opportunities has become the strength Concentrix, GlobalLogic, Metro Services, In 2019 celebrating the 14th anniversary of its first of Concentrix attracting people from all over the world opening in Szczecin starting from Germany, France, Spain, Italy through UniCredit Services), discuss the activities of Scandinavia, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Concentrix Szczecin is one uncontested partner of the particular companies in Szczecin, and present Rwanda, French Guinea to Ivory Coast. The highest most well-known leader in IT technology responsible value of Concentrix is its employees who Concentrix their plans for the future. for producing multi-functional devices focusing on invest in every day by developing their potential, tech- computers and printers and supporting its customers in nical knowledge, language skills and offering internal technical problem solving. Technical support in Szczecin growth job opportunities. All these factors attract new has began in German and due to its constant growth and Clients and new employees to the company. customers’ satisfaction has been expanded to others including Polish, Italian, French, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch.

Source: City of Szczecin 22 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 23 Investors about themselves: success stories Investors about themselves: success stories

GlobalLogic is a leader in digital product engineering signs, and developing competences in the field of V2X UniCredit Services is a part of UniCredit Group and services, specializing in innovative solutions from and 5G communication platforms, Cyber Security, provides services in the areas of Information and the area of new technologies. ADAS systems and AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform. Communication Technology (ICT), Back Office and Middle Office Operations, Real Estate, Security and Worldwide, for 17 years, and in Poland, since 2015, In 2018, GlobalLogic Poland was awarded ABSL Procurement. The company employs approximately GlobalLogic has been present in Wrocław, Kraków, Diamonds in the category of Talent Development & 9,000 professionals in 11 countries. Szczecin, and Zielona Góra. Its headquarters Education. Together with West Pomeranian University is in the USA. of Science, the company launched a special laboratory UniCredit Services has been present in Poland since of technology - Automotive Lab. What’s more, it has 2006. The first office was opened in Lodz and a second GlobalLogic in Szczecin specializes mainly in design- been conducting post-graduate studies at WSTE in Warsaw in 2008. Those Polish offices focus on ing solutions for global clients from the Automotive Szczecin and introduced two training schemes - IT support for the companies within the Group. The industry and embedded technologies: C/C++, Linux, Automotive and AUTOSAR Academies. For many years, branch in Szczecin was opened in 2009, located in the Java. Within two years, its engineering team increased it has also been the organizer of the "IT in Automotive" modern offices of BBPark. It currently employs around from 40 to 220 developers, focusing on software conference. 500 people focused on servicing three banks within solutions for Full Digital Clusters, enabling communi- the UniCredit Group – UniCredit Bank AG (Germany), cation between means of transport and infrastructure. As a member of ABSL and klaster.it organizations, Bank Austria (Austria) and UniCredit S.p.A (Italy). The They also work on many innovative projects, such as GlobalLogic actively shapes the business environment Szczecin office manages the back office operations a mind-controlled car or a system for identifying road of Szczecin. related to current accounts and customer credit. UniCredit is a simple successful pan-European Commercial Bank, with a fully plugged in CIB, delivering a unique Western, Central and Eastern European network to its extensive client franchise: 26 million clients. UniCredit offers both local and international expertise to its clients, providing them with unparalleled access to leading banks in its 14 core markets through its European banking network.

The capabilities of a large, international company and Thanks to the trust we have gained in the companies the atmosphere of the family business? At METRO we serve, we are constantly expanding our business. SERVICES Center of Excellence, an organization that This year, we will increase employment in Szczecin employs nearly 100,000 people in 25 countries, we still by over 100 additional posts. In addition, thanks to know each other's names! specialized knowledge, we play a key role in the project which is related to the implementation of the SAP We are part of the METRO group, the owner of Makro/ 4HANA financial system for the entire corporation. Metro Cash & Carry chain stores and Real megastores, for which we provide specialized financial and account- All this contributes to creating enormous development ing services. opportunities for all our colleagues who, with our support, can follow various career paths. Additionally We started our activity in Szczecin in 2012 processing we will create many new positions, which will give accounting services for three countries at first. With the people the opportunity not only to start a career but increase of the range of companies we supported, we also for people with a great deal of experience to started to become the center of specialized accounting complete the next significant step in a career. knowledge for the entire group. Currently, having the opportunity to compare financial and accounting processes from 19 countries, we not only advise, but also implement innovative solutions for our clients. Source: City of Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 25 The labor market

FIGURE 15 BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ABOUT SZCZECIN

4 SZCZECIN ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE PROVINCE

Population (total) THE LABOR 403,274 1,703,009 MARKET Working age population 240,037 1,042,160 Working and mobile age population* 151,865 652,112 In West Pomerania Province, there are 39,000 students with various competences needed * age range contained within the working age bracket and comprising persons (aged 18-44) who are able to move to a different position or place of work, to work in the business services sector. or can re-train

Szczecin is a city that is constantly growing Source: Central Statistical Office (as on June 30, 2018) and expanding the educational opportunities it offers, which is boosting the city’s standing as a business services location. FIGURE 16 SZCZECIN’S EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL The Szczecin labor market is notable for its lower operating costs compared with the largest business services locations in Poland. SZCZECIN ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE For example, in the area of F&A: GL and F&A: PROVINCE AP/AR remuneration ranges from PLN 4,000 to 6,000 per month (specialist positions, 2-3 Number of students years’ experience). 32,810 39,648

Number of graduates 7,659 9,525

Chapter content development: Randstad Polska and Randstad Sourceright Number of universities Randstad Polska is the largest personnel consulting and temporary 15 23 staffing agency on the Polish market. By combining our passion for people with the power of today’s technologies, we support people and organizations in realizing their true potential. Randstad Sourceright is a global talent solutions leader, driving the Source: Information Processing Center – State Research Institute: data from the POL-on information system on higher education; talent acquisition and human capital management strategies for the 2018-2019 academic year world’s most successful employers. We continuously build and evolve solutions across recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), managed services programs (MSP), and integrated talent. Source: City of Szczecin 26 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 27 The labor market The labor market

FIGURE 17 FIGURE 18 NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE LARGEST UNIVERSITIES IN SZCZECIN AND THE ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE STUDENTS BY MAJOR PROVINCE

Number of students

Business and SZCZECIN administration subgroup 5,795

Technical and 3,508 11,569 7,730 4,348 3,029 engineering subgroup

UNIVERSITY OF SZCZECIN* WEST POMERANIAN UNIVERSITY POMERANIAN MEDICAL MARITIME UNIVERSITY ICT technology subgroup together OF TECHNOLOGY IN SZCZECIN* UNIVERSITY IN SZCZECIN* OF SZCZECIN* with a subgroup of interdisciplinary programs and qualifications covering 2,280 information and communications technologies

2,482 1,153 993 717 Language subgroup 1,851 WSB UNIVERSITY IN POZNAŃ; WEST POMERANIAN BUSINESS COLLEGIUM BALTICUM ART ACADEMY OF SZCZECIN* FACULTY OF ECONOMICS SCHOOL UNIVERSITY IN SZCZECIN 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000 IN SZCZECIN

Source: Information Processing Center – S tate Research Institute: data from the POL- on system on higher education; 2018 -2019 academic year 655 231 226 208

TWP UNIVERSITY OF COLLEGE OF PUBLIC COLLEGE OF EDUCATION COLLEGE OF EUROPEAN HUMANITIES IN SZCZECIN ADMINISTRATION IN SZCZECIN AND THERAPY IN POZNAŃ; INTEGRATION IN SZCZECIN SZCZECIN CAMPUS FIGURE 19 FIGURE 20 NUMBER OF FOREIGNERS: STUDENTS AND MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF FOREIGN GRADUATES IN SZCZECIN STUDENTS

ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE PROVINCE Number of students 1,403 1 Ukraine 552 4,243 678 407 272

KOSZALIN UNIVERSITY STATE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SOCIAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF TECHNOLOGY* SCIENCES IN KOSZALIN* SCIENCES IN WAŁCZ* IN ŁÓDŹ; KOŁOBRZEG CAMPUS Number of graduates 127 2 Germany 333

177 166 Source: Information Processing Center – State Research Institute: data from the POL-on system on higher education; 2018-2019 GDAŃSK HIGHER SCHOOL KOSZALIN UNIVERSITY Norway OF HUMANITIES; FACULTY OF HUMANITIES academic year 3 159 OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE KOSZALIN CAMPUS OF THE GDAŃSK HIGHER SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Source: Information Processing Center – State Research Institute: data from the POL-on system on higher education; 2018-2019 * public school academic year

Source: Information Processing Center – S tate Research Institute: data from the POL- on system on higher education; 2018 -2019 academic year 28 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 29 The labor market The labor market

TABELE 4 Shared services centers in Szczecin are developing Business leaders expect a pool of highly skilled GROSS MONTHLY SALARY (IN EUR) AT BPO/SSC/IT/R&D CENTERS FOR EMPLOYEES IN SZCZECIN WHO SPEAK ENGLISH not only because of the employment level, but also candidates and specialists with proficient spoken The pay tables are based on an analysis of the remuneration offered in the recruitment processes in the business services sector due to the fact that the number and quality of the and written German. New investments (supporting in Szczecin supported processes increasing every year – there more complex services) in the region are certainly has been a shift from transactional processes to a good incentive for employees to expand their more complex ones. At the same time, the BPO competencies or explore new career opportunities. F&A: GL sector in Szczecin is thriving. It opens new career Min Opt Max possibilities for University graduates and specialists Junior Accountant (1-2 years’ experience) 744 814 884 to remain and advance their careers right there – in Accountant (2-3 years’ experience) 1,047 1,163 1,395 the capital of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. TABLE 5 Senior Accountant (over 3 years’ experience) 1,395 1,628 1,860 ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF POTENTIAL Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) 1,860 2,326 2,791 Szczecin also experiences an influx of foreign EMPLOYEES IN SELECT SPECIALTIES IN SZCZECIN

Manager (team of up to 50 people) 2,791 3,256 4,186 students, mainly from Germany and Norway - 1,400 foreigners study in the city every year. This information Availability of F&A: AP / AR potential employees Min Opt Max is particularly important for entrepreneurs seeking employees who are proficient in speaking and writing (in a three-month Junior Accountant (1-2 years’ experience) 744 814 884 period) in more than two foreign languages. Employers Accountant (2-3 years’ experience) 930 1,047 1,116 often consider fluency in additional languages Senior Accountant (over 3 years’ experience) 1,163 1,512 1,744 F&A: GL an asset and appropriately reward candidates for 5 10 15 Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) 1,860 2,326 2,791 their language skills. Therefore, such individuals Junior Accountant (1-2 years’ experience) Manager (team of up to 50 people) 2,791 3,488 3,953 may expect a higher compensation in the form Accountant (2-3 years’ experience) of additional benefits amounting to 700–1,200 Customer Service Senior Accountant (over 3 years’ experience) Min Opt Max PLN per month (for specialist positions). Team Leader (team of 5-15 people)

Junior Specialist (no experience) 930 1,047 1,163 Manager (team of up to 50 people) Specialist (over 1 year’s experience) 1,047 1,279 1,512 A key charactiristic of the market, and still a challenge, is the need for organizations to create a clear business F&A: AP / AR Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) 1,628 2,093 2,326 5 10 15 strategy and build a strong employer brand. Developing Manager (team of up to 50 people) 2,326 2,791 3,488 Junior Accountant (1-2 years’ experience) an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is crucial, Accountant (2-3 years’ experience) IT as it can enhance the employee’s involvement and Min Opt Max authentic engagement with the employer and job. Senior Accountant (over 3 years’ experience) 1st Line Support (2 years’ experience) 1,047 1,279 1,395 Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) 2nd Line Support (2 years’ experience) 1,279 1,628 1,860 It is worth mentioning that the type of non-salary benefits Manager (team of up to 50 people) 3rd Line Support (2 years’ experience) 1,860 2,326 2,791 that are offered most often has also evolved significantly Customer Service IT Administration (3 years’ experience) 1,860 2,093 2,326 over the last few years. Entrepreneurs place a greater 5 10 15

Network / Security (3 years’ experience) 1,860 2,326 2,791 emphasis on employee well-being and create a work Junior Specialist (no experience)

Business / System Analyst (3 years’ experience) 2,093 2,558 2,791 environment that allows and promotes work-life balance. Specialist (over 1 year’s experience)

Developer (3 years’ experience) 1,977 2,791 3,488 Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) This has been corroborated by the results of Randstad Tester (3 years’ experience) 1,628 2,093 2,558 Manager (team of up to 50 people) Employer Brand Research. Over the past five years, Team Leader (team of 5-15 people) 2,326 2,791 3,488 the importance of work-life balance in Poland has Project Manager (team of up to 50 people) 2,791 3,256 4,186 been increasing. It is one of the five key values sought Talent recruited easily out by employees while making decisions about their Moderately difficult Source: Randstad Polska i Randstad Sourceright employment. To meet these expectations, employers Difficult implement flexible working hours (for example, by offering the possibility to start a working day between 8 and 10 a.m.) or enable employees to work from home. Source: Randstad Polska i Randstad Sourceright 30 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 31 The office market The office market

FIGURE 21 5 SZCZECIN OFFICE MARKET IN NUMBERS 159,400 sq m Total office stock.

THE OFFICE 44,000 sq m Under construction.

MARKET Vacancy rate (lowest in Poland). 5.1%

The office market in Szczecin is the smallest in terms of total stock across major sq m Gross demand 2017-2018. agglomerations in Poland; however, it is 26,000 notable for having considerable room for

growth. Demand for offices resulted in the New supply in 2018. lowest vacancy rate in existing offices in 2,400 sq m Poland and good lease-up status of under

construction developments. Furthermore, Share of companies from the modern business prime headline rents in Szczecin are among % services sector in occupied stock. the lowest across major business hubs 31 in Poland. 8,000 sq m Vacant space.

34 Number of existing office buildings.

Prime headline rents 11.5-14.0 € / sq m/ month

Chapter content preparation: JLL Source: JLL, H1 2018 JLL is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. A Fortune 500 company, JLL helps real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. At the end of 2017, JLL had nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 82,000. More at: www.jll.pl Source: City of Szczecin 32 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 33 The office market The office market

Up to the end of 2010, developer activity in Szczecin and a conference centre. Thanks to Posejdon, Szczecin Demand for offices in Szczecin comes from both Polish Constant demand for modern office space in the was quite limited; however, the success of the Oxygen follows the national trend of creating spaces that and international companies. The need for modern city combined with moderate new supply levels in building has demonstrated that the demand for cater to the needs of various user groups: business offices in the city is confirmed by the sound lease-up Szczecin resulted in the gradual decrease of the modern office space in the city exceeds the supply. people, residents of the city as well as tourists visiting status of Posejdon building, long before its scheduled vacancy rate across the city. It currently amounts to This encouraged investors to expand their presence Szczecin. Posejdon along with other under construction completion. In 2017, the largest lease transactions 5.1%, which is the lowest result in Poland (among major in the city. Currently, the total office stock in Szczecin developments (such as Hanza Tower, Cukrowa Office included a 3,600 sq m for BrightOne in said building, agglomerations). nears 160,000 sq m, with the largest developments and Stettiner Business Center) will greatly enhance 3,000 sq m for Tieto in Piastów Office Centre and 2,900 comprising Baltic Business (buildings A and C), the business attractiveness of the city, especially for sq m for 3Shape Poland, internationally recognized Prime headline rents in Szczecin range from 11.5 to 14 Piastów Office Center (buildings A, B and C), Pazim, companies representing modern business services software solutions provider for dental practises and € / sq m / month. Such prices are comparable to those Oxygen, Brama Portowa (buildings Grzybek and sector (as these entities look for good quality office labs. In 2018, some of the most notable deals comprised quoted in Łódź and slightly higher than Lublin, a larger Poczta) and Lastadia Office. As a result of substantial space for their new operations). transactions by IAI SA and Arvato Polska in Piastów market than that of Szczecin. under construction volume (44,000 sq m, which is Office Center A and a new deal by Macrobond Financial 28% of current existing office stock), in 2020 Szczecin Szczecin is a relatively small business location, so the in Oxygen building. Companies representing modern may cross the 200,000 sq m of modern office stock new supply is sensitive to large-scale developments business services sector are some of the major players threshold. The largest on-going development in the entering the market. As a result, completion volumes responsible for the market growth in Szczecin. city is Posejdon, a unique project in the market. It are characterised by large volatility year on year. 2019 combines the rich history of former UFA Palast building is forecasted to deliver similar amount of new offices with modern architecture. Moreover, it is a mixed-use as the record-breaking 2013. FIGURE 23 development including office, retail and hotel functions VACANT SPACE AND VACANCY RATE IN SZCZECIN 2011-2018

Vacant space (sq m) Vacancy rate (%) FIGURE 22 25 NEW AND FUTURE SUPPLY IN SZCZECIN (2010-2019F) 35,000

sq m 30,000 28,570 30,000 28,398 20

25,000

25,000 15 20,000 18,800 20,000 17,699

15,000 10 15,000 11,840 10,000

10,000 7,400 5 6,400 5,000

5,000 2,920 2,350 1,500 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 IV kw. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 0 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2019F Available space (sq m) Vacancy rate (%) New supply (sq m) Future supply (sq m)

Source: JLL, Q4 2018 Source: JLL, Q4 2018; F-forecast Nowe Warpno

34 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 35 The office market Police The office market

Goleniów

FIGURE 24 SZCZECIN OFFICE SPACE MAP

Koszalin / Trójmiasto

S3 1 Atrium Katedra

2 Baltic Business Park A&C 5 18 3 Brama Portowa Grzybek& Poczta 21 2 19 4 Centrum Biurowe Maris 8 14 10 5 Dawna Fabryka Mechanizmów Samochodowych Rostock 15 9 4 12 6 Kurier Szczeciński HQ 10 11 6 3 1 7 Lastadia Office 20 7 13 8 Oxygen

9 Pasaż Bogusława 1-2

16 10 PAZIM 17 11 Pekao SA Bogurodzicy

12 Pekao SA Wojska Polskiego

13 Piastów Office Center A-C

14 Pomeranus

13 15 Storrady Park Offices A&B A6 16 Szczecin Business Plaza 10 Piła / Bydgoszcz 17 Cukrowa Office Kołbaskowo 18 Fabryka II Berlin A6 19 Hanza Tower

Schwedt 20 Posejdon phase I

Gorzów Wklp. / A2 / A4 21 Stettiner Business Center

31 Key:

Existing S3 Under construction

Source: JLL, H1 2018

Kostrzyń nad Odrą G r y fi n o Business Services in Szczecin 37 Quality of life and business support

FIGURE 25 6 SELECTED INFORMATION ON CULTURAL FACILITIES AND HOTEL AND CONFERENCE FACILITIES IN SZCZECIN

QUALITY OF LIFE 5 23 8 5 Cinemas Cinema Theaters AND BUSINESS screening rooms (incl. branches) SUPPORT

Szczecin is the seventh-largest city in * Poland. The quality of life of its inhabitants is 8 1,063 22 24 continually improving. This is confirmed by the results of various rankings and statistics. Art galleries Cultural Facilities with Hotels Szczecin also has a rationally implemented and dealers events conference support by category policy for financing the city and a high level of safety. It is one of only a few large Polish cities where the quality of the air is very * In 2019 new hotel facilities will be commissioned for use: the Marriott Courtyard, the Marriott Moxy and the Ibis Style good. This is the result of a large percentage Source: ABSL own study based on: GUS (2017), Booking.com (2018) of the city being taken up by green areas, its well-developed network of bicycle paths, and a wide selection of public transportation, featuring new or modernized buses and streetcars. A broad range of cultural events also contribute to a high standard of living. A green city Clean air Good access Szczecin also has a well-developed network According to the Central Statistical According to data collected by to preschools of hotels and conference centers. Office, 18.5% of the city is covered Polish Smog Alarm, Szczecin is by green areas – woods, , among the top 10 large Polish According to the Central Statistical green belts and green estates. cities in terms of good air quality. Office, there are 169 preschools in Szczecin with 12,600 places, as well as 30 creches with Source: https://polskialarmsmogowy.pl/ 1,453 places.

Source: City of Szczecin 38 Business Services in Szczecin Business Services in Szczecin 39 Quality of life and business support Quality of life and business support

Quality of life High quality rolling A bike-friendly city A safe city In a ranking prepared by the stock in public At the end of 2017, Szczecin had Szczecin holds second place in a ranking of influential weekly Polityka on the 122 km of bicycle paths – which safety in the 17 largest Polish cities conducted quality of life in cities, Szczecin is transportation means 3 km per 10,000 inhabitants. by Home Broker. placed in the group of cities where For every km2 of the city’s area, Passengers in Szczecin are the quality of life is high. Residents there are 400 m of bicycle paths. In served by 358 buses, half of which Source: https://homebroker.pl/ of Szczecin most appreciate their the last six years, the network has meet the highest fuel emissions city in terms of: local government, been expanded by 50%. The city standards (EURO5 or higher). 205 environment and safety. The city’s also has the Bike_S urban bicycle streetcar wagons also make their local government counts among system. Residents have at their way through the city, half of which those in Poland with the highest disposal 742 bikes available at 87 were produced or modernized ratings. stations. within the last 15 years. The city also boasts hybrid-drive and Karłowicz Philharmonic Source: https://www.polityka.pl/niezbednik/ electric buses. Source: GUS, https://bikes-srm.pl/ rankingmiast/ Szczecin Source: http://www.mkm.szczecin.pl/ In 2014, an iceberg appeared in the center of Szczecin. It's the Szczecin Philharmonic Building. It was designed by architects from the Barozzi Veiga studio in Barcelona. The design won first prize in the prestigious Eurobuild »» numerous artistic events and festivals, such as Awards 2014 in the category of Architectural Szczecin Pyromagic, and the final of the , Design of the Year. In 2015, the Szczecin – a city of attractions which draws throngs of tourists to the city. Philharmonic won a prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award for that year from the European Other attractions in Szczecin and its vicinity include: Szczecin has many facilities that are unique on an inter- Union in the field of contemporary architecture. national scale and draw tourists to the city for cultural »» the stellar street layout, reminiscent of Paris, The building houses the fourth-largest sympho- events. These include: »» a marina for yachting fans, ny concert hall in Poland. »» The Pionier Cinema – the oldest surviving cinema »» The Nadodrzańskie – a promenade with in the world, a view of the Odra River and the city skyline, Source: https://filharmonia.szczecin.pl/ »» The “Breakthrough” Center for Dialog,recognized as »» golf courses, the best public space in Europe in the competition »» motocross and go-cart tracks, European Prize for Urban Public Space 2016, »» the wild backwaters of the Odra River and Dąbie Lake, »» The Różanka Rose Garden, »» The Urban Summer Zone with its urban beach, »» The King Chrobry Embankments – a 500-m long »» the Floating Arena Olympic pool, viewing terrace, »» proximity to National Park, two landscape parks »» The Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania, medieval and numerous nature reserves. churches and baroque fortifications,

Source: http://www.szczecin.eu/

Source: Shutterstock Business Services in Szczecin 41 Investor support

Our campaigns:

7 A project dedicated to entrepreneurs, institutions and other entities The Department of Project operating in Szczecin, and to their products or services with a Management at Szczecin City presence on the Szczecin market for at least 12 months. The “Made in Hall supports investors with: Szczecin” brand promotes original, high-quality products and services INVESTOR that create a positive image of Szczecin. »» finding real estate for development

»» cooperating with institutions from SUPPORT What the city offers the business environment

»» promoting contacts with investors Szczecin has hundreds of attractive properties for sale in various parts of the city – ideal investments for entities that are looking »» recruiting employees Szczecin is an investor-friendly city, offering to develop their businesses. By working together with the city, comprehensive support at every stage it is possible to acquire such real estate “first-hand”, which can save »» piloting documents connected with the implementation of investment of the investment process. That support a lot of time. procedures. is provided by the Department of Project

Management at Szczecin City Hall and Mayor of Szczecin Economic Award the Metropolitan Szczecin Development Agency. Investor services at the highest level, The purpose of the award is to promote outstanding Szczecin The Department of Project Management combined with the city’s attractive location companies, to inspire business development, to promote pro-investment attitudes and innovative achievements, and to at Szczecin City Hall and the availability of highly-qualified increase the competitiveness of Szczecin‘s businesses within personnel ensure that Szczecin is a very Poland and abroad. interesting place for activities in the business Plac Armii Krajowej 1 70-456 Szczecin services sector. Home for students +48 91 43 51 164

This joint program of the City of Szczecin and Szczecin TBS is addressed to students of Szczecin universities whose permanent [email protected] residence is outside the city. It is aimed at creating a friendly system for meeting students’ housing needs during their studies. www.invest.szczecin.eu

Szczecin Up!

A mentoring program that supports startups looking for opportunities to implement innovative business projects or to grow further, including by entering the international market.

Source: City of Szczecin 42 Business Services in Szczecin Investor support

Agencja Rozwoju Metropolii Szczecińskiej Sp. z o.o. POLAND – COUNTRY OVERVIEW

SELECTED ECONOMIC INDICATORS Investor support GDP Growth

Agencja Rozwoju Metropolii 4.6% (2017) Szczecińskiej Sp. z o.o. offers e.g.: 5.1% (2018)

»» cooperation with developers on the GDP per capita (2017) substantive financial commercialization of office premises »» assistance in obtaining all permits and formalities required by law 12,100 € »» assistance in negotiations with all participants in the investment process Unemployment rate ( 2019) campaigns sureties Poland has the ninth-largest economy in the European »» assistance with employee recruitment % Union in terms of nominal GDP (466 billion euros in 2017) »» support with the further growth of busi- 5.9 and has been a leader in economic growth in the EU in nesses already operating in the city the past ten years. One of the most important branches Inflation(March 2019) contributing to the growth of Poland’s economy is the »» informational and promotional activities business services sector. The industry’s impressive project credit »» organization of business events (fairs, % growth in recent years enabled Poland to strengthen its support sureties conferences, cooperative markets, 1.7 standing among the world’s most important locations promotional campaigns, business for investments in (BPO, SSC, IT and R&D) business programs). EUR/PLN (average) services centers. 4.26 (2018) Language: Polish consultancy Currency: złoty (PLN) loans Agencja Rozwoju Metropolii Szczecińskiej Sp. z o.o. Number of cities with over 100,000 residents: 39 and training USD/PLN (average) Number of direct foreign investments in 2017: ul. Niemierzyńska 17A 335 (1st place in EU) 71-441 Szczecin 3.61 (2018) employee real estate +48 91 333 97 71 POLAND IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS recruitment leasing EU (2004), NATO (1999), OECD (1996), WTO (1995), [email protected] UN (1945) and others

www.arms-szczecin.eu

Source: Central Statistical Office of Poland, National Bank of Poland www.absl.pl