Small business, big impact: Ten standout companies helping to drive Poland’s economic growth
We spotlight 10 ambitious firms that are playing vital parts in the thriving Polish economy.
Poland’s economic ascent hasn’t made many headlines but what slow-growing Western nation wouldn’t envy the country’s progress over 28 consecutive years? Perhaps it’s time for the world to look closer at what’s powering the Polish boom. First, the nation has maintained low costs despite its increasingly highly skilled and educated workforce. And it has kept alive manufacturing and a sense of entrepreneurialism, even as larger neighbours’ economies stumbled. But the story of Poland’s success can’t be captured by a line on a balance sheet – it also encompasses smaller, lesser-known brands that are making everything from drones and fire engines to bikes and clothing. Here is our pick of some of the best.
1.
Solaris
Urban transport
Solaris rises to the challenge of sharing a name with a novel by Poland’s best-known sci-fi writer, Stanislaw Lem. Launched in a small town near Poznan, the firm currently controls 11 per cent of the European electric-bus market. Its sturdy, in-demand hydrogen-powered vehicles and trolleybuses make it a one-stop shop for everything urban, public and green in transportation. Lem, a prophet of clean technologies, might scarcely have believed the tale.
solarisbus.com
Ding, ding: Residents in dozens of European cities might recognise the Urbino 12 electric model by Solaris. As well as a new longer range, the latest models can accommodate 41 seated passengers or 100 including standing.
2.
Kaisai
Air conditioning
Despite the deceptively Japanese-sounding name, Kaisai is a Polish brand addressing a global problem: heatwaves. Poland might not be known for its volatile weather but even its temperate climate hasn’t escaped the consequences of global warming. Kaisai is here to help, providing high-quality air conditioning and ventilation. A little over 20 per cent of Polish households have any air-con, so demand for Kaisai’s products is set to grow. It already provides much needed relief in more than 30 countries across Europe.
kaisai.com
3.
Wiss
Emergency vehicles
Growing up next to a big brand can bring benefits. One example is Wiss, an acronym of Wawrzaszek Inzynieria Samochodow Specjalnych. Founded by Piotr Wawrzaszek in Bielsko-Biala in 1988, it emerged as part of the automotive ecosystem in a city that was home to Poland’s largest Fiat factory at the time. Today, Wiss specialises in emergency vehicles, fire engines and special-purpose automotive projects. Though Fiat is no longer in Bielsko-Biala, Wiss is thriving – it exports its products to more than 50 countries in Europe, Asia and Central America.
wiss.com.pl
4.
The Lines
Clothing
The Lines’ Polish-designed activewear collection provides a fit and functionality that could conceivably be worn beyond the gym. Many brands claim to have dual use for sport and less informal activities – The Lines gets closer than most with its elegant designs and modest covered-up tops. Founded in 2024, it’s a new addition to the Polish retail scene but it’s a brand that seems set to flourish as Warsaw’s yoga and Pilates studios continue to grow in popularity.
thelines.pl
5.
Your Kaya, Hagi & Mokosh
Cosmetics
For years, shoppers in Poland’s beauty shops had limited choice, mostly of imported brands. Today, the scene is overflowing with new ideas, many of which are of Polish provenance. Your Kaya expanded from eco-friendly hygiene products into a full-grown cosmetics empire. Hagi, in turn, found its calling with a range of more than 150 skincare products – especially for children – and soy candles. And Mokosh, a fresh face on the market, is already competing with major brands.
yourkaya.pl; hagi.com.pl; mokosh.pl
6.
WB Group
Defence
As the largest nation on Nato’s eastern flank, Poland remains in Russia’s crosshairs and is wary of sabotage and hybrid threats. To strengthen its deterrence, it has received a total of €44bn in low-interest loans from the European Union’s Security Action for Europe programme. Of this, €2.75bn found its way to WB Group. Poland’s leading defence firm employs more than 2,500 people, half of whom are engineers working in R&D. The firm’s FlyEye reconnaissance drones and its Topaz integrated combat management system are world-class. In 2024, WB’s revenue grew more than 100 per cent year-on-year.
wbgroup.pl
7.
366 Concept
Furniture design
The years spent under the communist boot were rather bleak and grey but Polish furniture design went through something of a golden age during that time. A prime example of the era’s output is the 366 Armchair, designed in 1962 by Jozef Chierowski. It was simple by necessity – easy to assemble and cheap to produce due to the kinks of the communist system that had to be worked around. Design brand 366 Concept is now bringing it back to life, together with other adventurous pieces from this period. And with about 80 per cent of its sales being outside Poland (and a presence in some 30 countries), this firm is now sitting rather pretty.
366concept.com
The past never sits still: These Teresa Kruszewska-designed 1960s Klepsydra children’s chairs are all grown up and have been reissued from September by 366 Concept.
8.
Creotech Instruments
Space technology
At times, Poland’s ambitions are literally stratospheric. Creotech Instruments is the country’s largest satellite manufacturer and works with the European Space Agency. It’s currently building Camila, a €52m system of Earth-observation satellites that are operated exclusively by Poland. A defence-spending bonanza has helped too – its €130m MikroGlob military satellites programme. The firm is now aiming for a new satellite factory by 2029 and quadrupling production capacity within three years. After that, the sky is the limit.
creotech.pl
9.
InPost
Delivery
Logistics firm InPost’s new initiative seizes upon a service that’s already known in Asia yet sadly lacking in Europe – “hands-free” travel that whisks your suitcases to your final destination to avoid the need to lug them onto your flight. Currently, it ferries up to 25kg of baggage to any one of 64,680 lockers across Europe. To maximise the size-to-space ratio, InPost also sells custom-made luggage designed to fit into its most capacious cubbyholes, priced at €75 for a suitcase. The only wrinkle that needs ironing out is that delivery takes up to five working days.
inpost.pl
10.
Rondo
Bicycles
During nearly a decade in the business, Rondo has established its reputation as one of the world’s best bicycle makers. Launched in 2017 in Gdansk on the Polish coast, the brand makes the most of its surrounding geography. Co-founders Szymon Kobylinski and his wife, Anna, are rooted in the windsurfing community and wanted their designs to embrace the lightness of the wind, as well as the endurance necessary to cross the gravel roads of Poland’s north. The result is Ruut, the world’s premier gravel bike, plus some rather dashing road bikes.
rondo.cc
For more bright ideas and firms, pick up our dedicated business magazine, ‘The Entrepreneurs’, which is on newsstands from 1 October. Alternatively, listen to our weekly radio show of the same name here on monocle.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
