Polish white goods manufacturer Amica has signed a preliminary agreement to sell its laundry and refrigeration plants in Wronki to Samsung Electronics Manufacturing Poland. Simultaneously, both companies agreed that the South Korean group will sell washing machines and refrigeration products to Amica. It will allow Amica to maintain the supply of the washing and cooling products popular with the UK’s independent retailers and concentrate on the research and development of cooking appliances.
Amica President Jacek Rutkowski, who is also the largest share holder of Amica Wronki, commented: “Thanks to our modern plants, our staff, advanced technologies, and of course, our location in Europe Samsung will significantly increase sales of home appliances across the European Union.”
Simon Freer, Amica’s country manager in the UK, explained exclusively to IER the rationale of his company’s decision: “The Amica factories are both modern facilities and by selling both plants, we have raised almost 50 million euros that will be invested in the Amica Wronki SA business as a whole. In what is effectively a manufacturing partnership now, we secure both the continued production of existing and successful lines but also the opportunity to research and develop more products for the range.
“Amica’s operations and different market strategies will not change. However, they do stand to benefit from an increased catalogue of products – produced in Poland where quality and investment is guaranteed. The current catalogue of washing machines and refrigeration so favoured by our independent partners will continue unchanged. Also there are no changes planned to the management teams in Poland or here in the UK.”
