By analysing the value of expenditures on investments it can be stated that a large share of them (85%) were amounts up to 5 million PLN. Within that range there was a fairly uniform distribution of expenditures in ranges up to 0.5 million, 0.5 - 1 million and 1 - 5 million.
In case of expenditures on innovations the situation was different. Most expenditures did not exceed 0.5 million (53%). Expenditures on innovations in the 0.5 - 1 million range were incurred by 21% of surveyed companies, and 1 million by 15% or respondents.
About 30% of the entities declared to possess its own research and development facilities. The fact of having such facilities corresponds with the data on registered patents and trademarks. Depending on the analysed category, about 20 - 30% of the entities possess registered utility models or patents (national, international, industrial designs, utility models).
The analysis of introduced innovations indicates mostly process and product innovations, followed by organisational and marketing innovations.
Summary
The conducted research allows us to draw conclusions regarding the tool industry. It is mostly represented by companies with Polish capital, most of them being small or medium companies, active on the market for many years which shows that it has strong ties to the Polish economy. In regional division the largest tool industry hub is Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeship, followed by Masovian, Silesian and Greater Poland. The dominant specialisation manufacturing of injection moulds as one of the typical tools for polymer processing.
Among the recipients of the products are various sectors of the economy - the most popular are packaging, automotive, home appliances, E&E, construction and furniture industries.
Another important information is the fact that in spite of the pandemic which proved to be a difficult time for businesses, companies are still investing in innovations and implementing them. It is worth pointing out that despite a decrease in revenues, the employment in 2020 was increased in over a half of them. The dominant position of small and medium companies is both an advantage and a flaw of the sector. On one hand, smaller companies can dynamically adjust to the events on the market and its needs which could partially explain why the sector is handling the pandemic fairly well. A disadvantage cold lie in the smaller potential and capacity to implement innovations, carry out research and development activities, conduct educational projects or introducing Industry 4.0 solutions.
Perhaps one of solutions popularly used in Europe would be involve joint operation in form of various organisations within that business sector (e.g. clusters) in order to overcome limitations together and implement projects from above mentioned areas or carry out joint orders.
Piotr Wojciechowski
Managing Director
Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley
