Australian investments in Poland
Macquarie Group (Global Infrastructure Fund II) is the major shareholder in DCT Gdansk, the largest deepwatercontainer terminal in Poland allowing deep sea container vessels from Asia to directly enter the Baltic without the need for transhipment at other European Ports. Present annual handling capacity is 1 000 000 TEU (expansion is expected to meet growing demand). Maersk Shipping is major customer for the Port.
In December 2010, Goodman Group, with extensive interests in logistic centres and warehousing facilities in Poland was awarded the tender for investment and development of a 500,000 sqm “Pomeranian Logistics Centre” adjacent to the Macquarie invested Deep Water Container Terminal (DCT Gdansk) facilities. It will be the largest logistics project undertaken in northern Poland. Value of the project has potential to exceed $A 350 million and with this investment means Australian contribution to Baltic logistics sector is considerable. Goodman currently holds land or option rights in Poland for a combined area of 1.1 million sqm, of which 156,000 sqm is already developed or under construction. The sites are located in key cities such as Gdansk, Krakow, Lodz, Poznan, Torun, Warsaw and Wroclaw. The Group’s largest project in Poland is the Krakow Airport Logistics Centre, which is currently under construction and has a lease area of 160,000 sqm. The first phase of the development consists of a 14,000 sqm warehouse.
Bovis Lend Lease has been established in Poland since 1991 offering project management and construction services. Over 80 construction projects have been completed for a range of local and international investors and developers. Important projects have included the iconic “Manufaktura” commercial and retail complex in Lodz and the Warsaw Trade Tower.
In 2008 Amcor, (packaging manufacturerto tobacco and food industries) announced the opening of its third production facility in Poland. Located in the Lodz Special Economic Zone the additional plant will supply PepsiCo’s chip factory in Grodzisk Mazowiecki which is a supplier to the Central and Eastern Europe region including Russia and Ukraine. Amcor’s two other Polish factories are located also in Lodz. Amcor Europe recently acquired Alcan Packaging, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan, and has packaging operations also in the Czech Republic including a new facility.
IFM (Industry Funds Management) concluded last year an additional large funds investment through the acquisition of a 40% stake in DalkiaPolska (heat and energy supplier). The transaction values the company at approximately A$ 1.3 billion. IFM International Infrastructure, previously held a 40.6% stake in Dalkia Lodz S.A., a subsidiary of DalkiaPolska.
The Meydan Group (property development and other diversified interests) through its investment in the Opal Property Group has a range of property investments in Poland centred around the municipality of Lodz. Focus on high quality loft apartment developments and redevelopment of pre-war industrial properties into luxury apartments. Substantial Australian expertise and know how is used in the design and construction of the properties.
Coffey International Development has established a representative office in Poland targeting international development (governance and capacity building projects) in the Balkans region as well as potential consulting work on Public-Private Partnership projects in the health and transport sectors.
Through a wholly owned subsidiary Unimil Sp. z o.o (manufacturer of condoms) Ansell Limited has a strong presence in Poland with distributors also for its medical and industrial protective glove products.
CHEP (pallet logistics and container pooling) a division of Brambles Limited has operations in Poland as part of their broader European operations. According to local representative, growth and expansion prospects for Polish operations are good given Poland’s strategic location in logistics and distribution and continuing high levels of foreign direct investment.
Bravura Solutions (developer of financial services software and support to asset managers, insurance companies and pension providers) has established its Central European operations in Warsaw. Bravura acquired Forum Financial Group Polska in 2008 and finalised an outsourcing agreement to provide technology services to Citibanks’ Securities and Fund Services business in Europe.
Cochlear is active throughout the region with a strong network of distributors and implant centres. Polish partner is Medicus Aim Sp. z o.o. and reported to be one of the best and most active of Cochlear partnerships in Europe with stable growth, and professional governance.
Ingeus (provider of employment provision services) well established in UK, Sweden, France, Germany and other European countries has last year established operations in Poland.
Squiz, supplying open source web solutions (websites, intranets, extranets and portals) to primary customers within the corporate, government, educational, not for profit and cultural sectors has established operations in Szczecin.
Datadot DNA (anti-theft and security for automotive industry) has been established in Poland since 2003 providing technology to logistics (trucks) companies and passenger vehicles.
Franchising concepts from Australia have also been active in the Polish market due to favourable growth prospects and large population of approximately 38 million. Notable franchise concepts active in Poland include, MamuskaTheCheescake Shop, Cartridge World and No Wet.
Mincom (asset management and planning software) had a major project with Belchatow (Europe’s largest open-cut lignite mine). Other firms active in the Polish mining market include Aran International, Bradken, Coal Services Australia.
Linc Energy (underground coal gasification and gas to liquids technology) has established a representative office in Poland in 2011 and employed local geologist to identify coal assets for the establishment of an underground gasification project. In November 2011 the company has recently secured a significant coal exploration concession 'Polanka-Wielkie Drogi' (PWD) in the south eastern part of the Upper Silesia Coal Basin.
Through acquisition of Composite Energy (a UK based resources firm), Dart Energy, an Australian developer of coal bed methane (CBM) projects has rights to three concessions in Poland) - Chelm (760sqkm), Milejow (372sqkm) in the Lublin Basin and a concession in Upper Silesia (USCB – 323sqkm). The Milejow site was awarded in November 2010. The USCB licence is focused on CBM in the centre of the Upper Silesian coal basin which has a long history of coal bed methane exploration.
VixTechnologies (solutions to public transport ticketing and micro payments) is targeting Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary coordinated from the regional office in Stockholm. Regional municipalities are currently implementing major planning to improve and restructure traffic management and public transport services.
Redflex (speed enforcement and safety camera technologies) have implemented one project in Poland and are currently positioning for a major tender coordinated by the Polish Roads Directorate to centralise speed enforcement network and upgrade facilities throughout Poland.
Steriline Racing (supplier of strating gate technology for the horse racing industry) is currently in negotiations with the Warsaw hippodrome for sale of new starting gate. The company has previously supplied equipment which is now more than 10 years old.
Australia’s premier research organisation, CSIRO is developing joint research projects with University of Science and Technology (mining Department) in Krakow following a visit in October 2011.
Australian Scientific Instruments (ASI) have submitted tender to supply advanced geological analysing equipment (SHRIMP) to the Polish Geological Institute. The purchase would significantly upgrade the Institutes capability to assess geological structures particularly in relation to mining and gas industries.
DIVA, Australian based supplier and retailer of jewellery and accessories has recently commenced a significant expansion in Poland after developing the Russian market with the opening of 20 outlets in Poland.
Ozparts has established a distribution centre and in-line ordering facility representing six Australian suppliers. Local company MTM Profi represents exclusively five Australian suppliers and is actively sourcing more products from Australia.
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