A bright horizon
To offer a quality product, you have to investÔÇöand top of the list should be ensuring you have a workforce with the right skills, as Andrew Pelis finds out from Magdalena Jakubowska.
While most of the business world has endured arduous times during the recent economic slump, Poland has remained relatively buoyant. One of the bright beacons in PolandÔÇÖs growing economy has been Biaglass, a name that has stamped Polish quality on glass lighting around the world.
The company, which is situated in the city of Bialystok in north-east Poland, has built up an outstanding reputation for high quality glass production, using hard to acquire blowing techniques in this niche market. ÔÇ£We produce mouth blown glass lighting,ÔÇØ affirms Magdalena Jakubowska, general sales manager, who has been with Biaglass for almost four years. ÔÇ£Most of the glass is opal (triplex) and its production is highly specialised.ÔÇØ
Indeed, the level of craft required at Biaglass has led to an international head-hunting exercise in order to acquire workers with the experience needed to meet the companyÔÇÖs high standards of quality.
Close to the seven hectare factory site (built in 1964) is a hotel where the companyÔÇÖs workers from Poland, Belarus, Latvia and Italy are accommodatedÔÇöand Jakubowska says that the extra expense is worth every zloty. ÔÇ£It is very hard to be a blowerÔÇöit takes five to six years of learning and even then there is no guarantee that the worker reaches our standards. We therefore look for blowers from around the world and for the first year they will simply help and watch the experienced staff blow. After this time period, they will then progress to blowing something small and easy and hopefully in time they can work on our larger products.ÔÇØ
In total, Biaglass employs around 250 staff, although that number reduces in the summer months, with the core of blowers kept on as laying these skilled professionals off would be to the detriment of the company. ÔÇ£It is hard to keep them because their work is very challengingÔÇöthey work in temperatures of over 40 degrees,ÔÇØ Jakubowska admits. ÔÇ£They therefore receive special payments and we have also put measures in place to protect their health, such as a special drink for when they blow and protective clothing.ÔÇØ
Biaglass started out in 1929 but only began producing lighting glass in the 1960s, although it had previously made table glasses. The focus on lighting really began in the 1980s, since when the company has made its name internationally. ÔÇ£Around 13 per cent of our produce is for the domestic market,ÔÇØ states Jakubowska, ÔÇ£and roughly half of our exports are to Italy, where there is an exacting demand for quality. We also sell to the German market, across the rest of Europe and as far afield as the United States.
ÔÇ£Almost all of our business comes from returning customers, although we do not mass produceÔÇöindeed, most of our work is made as a one-off, where the customer comes to us with drawings and we customise the glass accordingly.ÔÇØ
Quality plays an important role in BiaglassÔÇÖs success and has been especially significant in helping the company win lucrative Italian business, as Jakubowska explains. ÔÇ£In Italy they look for the best quality glassÔÇöthis market is key to us as there is huge demand. We have learnt that the Italians donÔÇÖt currently buy from China as the glass there is perceived to be of lower quality and the skills are not as specialist.ÔÇØ
The company carries out quality checks at every stage of productionÔÇöafter the blowing has taken place, the glass is checked for defects of the glasmass, like cords or air bubbles. It is checked again following cutting and drilling to ensure the height and dimensions are correct before it is finally packaged and shipped.
While creating opal glass is not the most environmentally friendly activity, Biaglass has not shirked its responsibilities. It uses special equipment to reduce gas from the process and also utilises a filter system that cleans waste water. Additionally Jakubowska says that around 20 per cent of glass is reused if it has failed to reach the required quality in production.
The labour-intensive nature of production means that automation and efficiency are not key drivers for Biaglass. Jakubowska accepts that production costs are very high, but at the same time suggests that customers are happy to pay for the best quality.
The company has built strong relationships with its customers over the years and it is not uncommon for architects designing hotels or museums to visit the factory with drawings and ideas. The internet has been an important tool not only in finding new customers, but in keeping up to date with what is happening in the industry.
Jakubowska says that PolandÔÇÖs membership of the European Union has also brought many benefits to Biaglass. ÔÇ£It is much easier for us now, particularly for shipments, which require less paperwork [than before]. It is easier now for prospective customers to come to Poland and visit our factory without the need for visas,ÔÇØ she explains.
She adds that while Poland retains the zloty as its currency, it remains a little cheaper, which is good for export. Which brings us to the global economic downturnÔÇöan issue Jakubowska says has had some impact on Biaglass. ÔÇ£Certainly last summer we did see a drop in business and people are watching prices all the time, but since November we have seen orders pick up again.
ÔÇ£Internationally, there have been fewer new houses and buildings which meant less need for glass lighting; however, in Poland we have not really experienced the crisis because our economy is still growing and there was less borrowing from the outset.ÔÇØ
Looking to the future, Jakubowska is clear on what challenges lie ahead. ÔÇ£Competition from China will intensify due to their cheap prices and increasing experience, which will improve their quality. Over the last few years we have seen three large glass companies closeÔÇöit is difficult to sell glass, particularly when we donÔÇÖt have a ready product (because we are bespoke).
ÔÇ£But glass will remain in fashion and our focus will continue to be on high quality glass productsÔÇöthe price may remain high but so too will the quality.ÔÇØ
