Q: What is your main profile?
A: We specialize in fittings for small and medium-sized buses like the MB Sprinter and VW Crafter (up to 20 seats), which account for 30% of our production. Another 30% are bus seats, the rest are metal and plastic vehicle parts.
Q: What do you mean by “fittings”?
A: We receive vehicles in raw condition – as so-called “tin cans” – which we then convert into proper buses: we put in the windows, upholstery, seats, floors, air conditioning, etc. In all we’re responsible for 80% of the vehicles’ fittings
Q: You also make Apollo buses, for which you won a Product of the Future Award in Polish Market’s Cent For Future 2008 competition.
A: We’ve been making the Apollo for the past three years. It’s an inhouse construction based on a Mercedes Atego chassis, the body and fittings are ours.
The Apollo comes in two versions – as a tourist coach and a short distance model. The 30-seat buses are made to order. Buyers can choose the fittings they want from a catalogue. Most popular are the fully equipped models with air-conditioning, a sound system, DVD, a fridge and a coffee machine.
Our first clients were Polish firms, then Ukrainian, now we sell Apollos mainly to the west. In Poland the buses are chiefly bought by private forwarders. In foreign countries they’re sold through dealers who also service them. The Apollo accounts for 30-35% of our sales.
Q: Your future plans?
A: Right now we’re Poland’s leader in bus fittings, and our bus sales this year promise to be higher than in 2007. Our company is growing all the time as the demand for our products is higher than our output (we sell about 15 buses a year). I hope we’ll be able to raise our production in about 2 years’ time.