Interview with Grzegorz Wróbel, Bole Sales Manager Poland
You have to admit that Bole made a lot of noise at this year's Plastpol trade fair. It was difficult to find a free table at your impressive stand and large crowds passed by throughout the fair.
I don't want to sound immodest, but we feel that this year's fair in Kielce was a fantastic success. What can I say, perhaps the greatest measure of this success is the fact that we sold several of our machines during Plastpol.
Which is almost unheard of, isn't it?
Yes, investing in plastics processing machines is a time-consuming process that requires time on the part of both the investor and our technical advisor. That's why machines are rarely sold at a trade fair. Rather, these are closed deals that have a marketing dimension. It is therefore all the more pleasing that our machines are so popular that we were able to sell them practically "on the spot".
What actions are behind this?
We are consistently developing our machines further. Back in 2018, we introduced linear guides as standard on our servo injection molding machines in the EKS series. I would like to add that one of our competitors offered such a solution as an additional option at the K trade fair in 2022.
We also use a direct servo drive in our machines for the plasticizing system. This has been part of the standard equipment of the injection molding machines in the EKS series since 2023. This year, we have also retrofitted our injection molding machines with infrared heaters as standard, which significantly reduce energy consumption.
Please tell us more about Bole's presence in Poland.
With the establishment of Bole Europe Technology Co. Ltd. in Poland in 2019, the Bole Group has set out to conquer the European market. And since this year, our country has been the seat of Bole's European headquarters, and from Myslowice our machines go to customers all over Europe.
As far as the domestic market is concerned, we are gradually expanding our sales team in Poland. Machine sales are increasing year on year and we are also consistently expanding our brand awareness. We have a portfolio of customers returning to us and interesting projects are on the horizon.
You are responsible for the Polish market. But may I ask you about the company's development on the European market?
Yes, my area of activity is the Polish market. Our CEO, Vladimir Dunayevsky, is responsible for the development of the company in Europe. However, I think I can report on the official facts in the life of our company. And a lot has happened this year, it has to be said.
In February, the UK-based company Bole Machinery UK was incorporated directly into Bole Europe Technology. This expansion of Bole's presence on the UK market is a milestone in the company's history. At the same time, we are expanding direct sales in the Baltic States, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
An important milestone for Bole's development on the European market is the founding of Bole Intelligent GmbH, based in Germany. It is no secret that the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) is the largest but also extremely demanding and specific in Europe, so the German company will provide significant support for Bole Europe's activities in these markets.
One of the main focuses of Bole Intelligent GmbH in Germany will be research and development in cooperation with German research facilities and institutes in the field of mechanical machine and process engineering for plastic and metal. The focus here is on the future of plastics and metal processing, including the processing of recyclates and biopolymers, light weight metall, as well as on new process technologies in the packaging, automotive and medical sectors. An R&D department in Europe also enables optimal support for our customers in the implementation of their ideas for your parts in the future.
So you are not relocating the capital?
(Laughing) I must honestly admit that this is the first I've heard of it. Have you really heard such rumors? Well, although it is very unlikely, sometimes the most amazing rumors can appear on the market.
Therefore, it is difficult for me to deny such rumors. So let me repeat it once again: Bole Europe Technology, has its headquarters in Poland, covers the whole of Europe. However, in order to improve the sales process and customer support, we are opening branches in individual European countries. Bole Intelligent Machinery China is not relocating capital within Europe, Bole Intelligent Machinery is investing significantly more capital in the expansion of its European operations over the next few years. We will also have to invest in our European headquarters in Poland in the near future, as we are already reaching our limits there. This is a natural process for a dynamically growing company. Finally, I would like to reveal that the branch in Germany will be another, but certainly not the last Bole branch in Europe.
Interviewed by Oliwia Kołodziejska
