Warsaw(1) / Poland
The Warsaw Office
Poland boasts the largest area (313km2) and population (approximately 38,640,000 people) of any country in Central Europe. It is an important location in the interchange between Central and Eastern Europe as it borders seven countries including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. With the collapse of the communist regime in 1989, the country shifted to a market economy and immediately implemented drastic economic reforms called "Shock Therapy." Since 1992, the gross domestic product has continued to show positive growth. The current biggest goal of the country is the earliest possible entry into the EU.
The Warsaw Office opened in 1970 and came under the umbrella of Marubeni Europe plc in 1998 with the corporate decision to implement the strategy of administrative integration in Europe. The Office had been involved in all industrial aspects, so that it could contribute to the economic development of Poland. However, it has now transferred the automobile, construction machinery, and power areas to specialized firms and currently handles other areas. Simultaneously, they are considering the attracting of Japanese companies and business investment.
Leszek Zurowski has worked for the Warsaw Office for over twenty years and has a strong network in the Polish textile industry. The fabric, polyester and other textile materials, imported from makers in Asia via the Hamburg Branch is a major pillar of the office and Marubeni boasts the top position, in this area, among general trading companies in Poland.
There has been an increased consumption of non-woven fabrics produced from these materials in recent years, which include sanitary products, construction materials, decorative materials, furniture and car seat cushions. The office iscurrently focused on non-woven fabrics, which have been positioned as a critical market in the fabric materials area.
Poland is a large country with customers scattered throughout the countryside and servicing customers requires driving more than 5,000 kilometers a month on unpaved country roads. However, Leszek Zurowski's efforts that are motivated by his belief that this growing area must be expanded now, has resulted in his attaining a high degree of trust from customers and overseas suppliers. In addition, for quite some time Poland has been known as one of the European countries that most favors Japan. The resulting good relations with customers has been a strong benefit for business, making it possible to obtain information on related fabric plants and chemical raw materials.
Established:1970
Main Businesses and Products:
Plants, facilities and machinery, medical equipment, etc. Copper, zinc and other metals, Chemical products, Marine products, food products, Apparel, industrial and interior materials, fabrics
Trading region: Poland (also, the Czech Republic and Hungary as needed)
Employees: 8 (as of October 2001)
Marubeni quarterly magazine "shosha" VOL.70 (January,2002)
