Poland is a medium-sized European country with a significant surface area, population and economic potential. Its importance and share in the world economy is increasing due to the increase in GDP in recent years. As a result of privatization practices, the country is the country subject to the most direct foreign capital investments among the Central and Eastern European countries.

Poland achieved exports of 355 billion dollars in 2023. The main countries it exports to are Germany, Czechia, France, England and Italy. Türkiye ranks 18th in the country's exports with a share of 1.3%.

The main products exported by the country in 2023 are parts and parts for road vehicles; electric accumulators (including their separators); automobiles, motor vehicles for transporting goods; automatic data processing machines and their units; Magnetic or optical readers are machines that convert and process data into code.

In 2023, its imports were 341 billion dollars. The main countries that the country imports from are Germany, China, Italy, the USA and the Netherlands. Türkiye ranks 13th in the country's imports with a share of 2.1%.

The main products imported in 2023 are crude oil (petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals); automobiles; parts and components for road vehicles; petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals and dosed drugs prepared for use in treatment or prevention.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Poland has a rapidly developing manufacturing power as the fastest growing economy in Europe. Accordingly, the demand for innovative production technologies is also increasing. The Government of Poland encourages investments in value-added manufacturing that will advance the Polish economy and provides grants and comprehensive support instruments to support innovative R&D.

Poland is the sixth-largest manufacturing industry country within the EU, with the manufacturing industry contributing 30% to the country's GDP. The leading manufacturing sectors are: Food and beverage, automotive, metal products, coke and refined petroleum products, rubber and plastics, chemicals and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products, basic metal products, various machinery and equipment, furniture and electrical equipment.

Production in manufacturing industry companies with more than ten employees in 2023 decreased by 3.9% compared to the previous year. With the global pandemic that emerged at the beginning of 2020, there were interruptions in production processes, and the recovery process started in the sector with the control of the effect of the pandemic. In April 2021, the highest growth of the last 15 years was recorded, and manufacturing industry production increased by 44%. The Polish Government's economic development agenda is mainly focused on supporting innovation in the economy. In 2019, the Industry 4.0 Platform was launched, nearly $9 billion has been invested in innovation projects, and more than 300 R&D centers have been established in the past few years to develop innovations.

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

The automotive sector is second only to food and beverages in total production in the manufacturing industry in Poland. The sector also has an important place in the socio-economic structure by providing employment to approximately 210 thousand people. The sector is the driving force of growth with 10 production facilities across Poland, with a 30% share in total exports and a 13% contribution to GDP.

A total of 613 thousand vehicles were produced in 2023. Volkswagen, FCA Group, Opel in vehicle production; There are investments of many companies, especially Solaris, Man, Scania, Volvo, in the production of buses. These automotive giants are followed by Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers such as Lear, Delphi, Federal Mogul and Tenneco and continue their activities in the country. The industry generally produces engines (Daimler, PSA, Volkswagen Motor), tires (Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone), parts and components (Valeo, Hutchinson, BorgWarner, Faurecia, Johnson Controls, Delphi). In addition, there are many R&D centers in the country, such as Delphi, Wabco, Faurecia, Nexteer, Tenneco, and Eaton.

Poland, which has an important position in the market in the production and export of automotive spare parts, ranks 7th in the world in automotive parts exports. 90 domestic and foreign companies operate in the sector, which has a fragmented structure. In automotive parts and accessories, exports amounted to approximately 18.8 billion euros and imports amounted to 11.5 billion euros in 2023. The automotive sector regularly attracts investment, 10% of the total foreign direct capital coming to the country is directed to the automotive sector. Before the pandemic, the sector attracted €681 million of foreign direct investment in 2019. Mercedes, which recently decided to produce engines in Poland, employs 1000 people with an investment of over 650 million dollars with its facility, which became operational in 2020 and represents an example of Industry 4.0 production.

A significant acceleration has been achieved in the production of electric buses, and in 2022, Poland has become the leader in the EU, leaving Belgium behind. Electric buses worth 213.4 million Euros were exported. Production and investment activities in this area are expected to increase.

The automotive sector is included as a priority sector in government policy. It is aimed to reach 1 million electric vehicles by 2025, which is currently about 45 thousand.

AVIATION INDUSTRY

Poland is one of the best countries for aviation manufacturing, with strong links between science and industry, 100 years of aviation history and 80 years of aircraft production. The aviation sector is at the forefront of the dynamic and growing sectors of the Polish economy. Global demand for Polish-made products and increasing air passenger travel and the development of related infrastructure are positively influencing this growth.

Currently, the aviation sector in Poland produces and services light sporting, passenger, agricultural and training aircraft, helicopters, gliders, parts and components.

Production and service activities for the aviation sector are largely carried out in the Aviation Valley. The aviation sector operates in a specialized industry cluster in Southeast Poland with over 160 companies and more than 30,000 employees, as well as scientific research centers and education and training facilities. International companies such as Sikorsky, Augusta Westland, Pratt & Whitney and Airbus have investments in the region. Most of the production is focused on helicopters, airplanes, engines, and engine components. On the other hand, GE Aircraft Engines has also established an R&D facility in Poland, and Lufthansa Technik and GE Aviation have started an engine maintenance and repair operation for GE9X engines.

The Central Airport Project, which is among the priority investment projects of Poland, is planned to start in the coming period, and within this framework, there is a significant potential for cooperation in the aviation sector in software and hardware, ground handling services and aviation equipment.

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Poland has the sixth largest construction sector in Europe. The Polish construction industry is highly regarded for its technical profficiency, talented specialists, great value for money and innovative solutions. The construction sector is a crucial component of Poland’s GDP, the size of the construction market is about 10% of GDP in 2022. Taking into account related industries such as mining, machinery, and construction financing instruments, its share in GDP is about 13 - 14%. The growth in the sector is driven by infrastructure investments, especially road and railway projects carried out with EU funds and public-private sector cooperation. The construction sector in the country proceeds through three segments: residential construction, non-residential construction (hotels, retail, service and office construction), infrastructure and industrial construction.

Overall, the construction sector grew by 6.7% in 2022. In 2023, with the double-digit inflation experienced across the country in 2022 and the Central Bank's increase in interest rates, the demand for housing decreased rapidly, which negatively affected the construction sector. With the normalization calendar across Europe, the sector is expected to start to recover again from the second half of 2024.

The largest construction companies operating in the country in the projects currently underway are Budimex, Porr, Strabag, Mirbud, Polimex-Mostostal, Mostostal Warszawa, Intercor, Gulermak and Astaldi. These companies are involved in high value-added projects, especially road, railway, tunnel and energy projects. The leading Polish companies in the sector are Strabag, Skanska, Warbud, Budimex, Torpol, Polimex-Mostostal, Porr, Erbud, Trakcja and Unibep.

POLAND’S FASTENER MARKET

Poland's fastener market is an integral part of its industrial sector, with significant demand driven by the automotive, construction, machinery, and electronics industries. The market has seen consistent growth in recent years, bolstered by Poland's robust manufacturing sector and increasing integration into European and global supply chains.

Poland is a major hub for automotive production in Europe, which drives substantial demand for fasteners. These components are essential for vehicle assembly and are critical to the structural integrity and safety of vehicles.

The booming construction industry in Poland, fueled by infrastructure projects and residential development, also demands a large volume of fasteners, particularly for steel structures, concrete anchoring, and general building applications.

Poland's strong industrial base includes significant machinery and equipment manufacturing. These sectors require a variety of fasteners for the production of machines, tools, and other equipment.

The growth of the electronics industry in Poland has also contributed to increased demand for specialized fasteners, particularly in the assembly of electronic devices and appliances.

It is possible to say that the fastener industry is also of great importance in Poland, which has an important role in all these sectors.

FASTENER POLAND®

The Fastener Poland® Fair is a major event in the fastener industry, held annually in Kraków, Poland. It serves as a key platform for professionals from various sectors, including automotive, construction, electronics, and machinery, to showcase the latest innovations, network, and explore business opportunities.

The fair attracts a wide range of exhibitors, including manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of fasteners, fastening systems, and related technologies. It provides a unique opportunity to see the latest products and innovations in the market.

The event is a significant networking platform for industry professionals. It brings together stakeholders from various sectors, including buyers, suppliers, engineers, and technical experts, facilitating partnerships and collaborations.

The Fastener Poland® Fair often includes seminars and workshops focusing on industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices. These sessions provide valuable insights into the future direction of the fastener industry.

The Fastener Poland Fair® is not just a regional event but has gained international significance, attracting participants from across Europe and beyond. It reflects the dynamism of Poland's fastener market and its role in the broader industrial landscape of Europe.

This fair is an essential event for anyone involved in the fastener industry, offering a comprehensive overview of the market, the latest technological advancements, and opportunities for business development.

The Fastener Poland Fair® will take place at Expo Krakow on 25-26th September.