45 years have passed... Ostrava Szymon Ziolkowski. World Championships in Daegu. Piotr Rysiukiewicz

Transcription

1 45 years have passed... conversation with Wieslaw Szczepanik, the founder of the company Ostrava 2011 Polanik the National Supplier of the European Athletics Championships U23 Szymon Ziolkowski about the innovative approach to the production of the hammers page World Championships in Daegu how Kamila Chudzik is preparing herself page 41 Piotr Rysiukiewicz about good athletics footwear page 46 Polanik the official partner and supplier of the Polish Athletics Federation

2 Javelin throw Discus throw Hammer throw Shot put Track events Long and triple jumps High jump Pole vault Accessories Polanik Athletics Collection - Was it difficult to start a private enterprise during the tough times in the 60's? - It wasn t a problem to start a business. It was much harder to run the company in the circumstances which were unfavorable for private enterprises. - What were the biggest problems you faced? - There were constant supply limitations of the raw materials which were absolutely necessary for the production. Also, the bureaucracy and travelling barriers were very difficult to overcome. - What was the first product you manufactured? - The first product was prosaic the suspenders clips. At that time, it was fashionable to wear suspenders. I produced those for a year and employed 2-3 people. - Was that better than state employment? - The most important thing was independence, I was the master of my time. My head was full of ideas and I could accomplish them only with my hard work. - What was the next product after the suspenders clips? - There were a few, a drawing board, licence plates, TV tables and flatware which were produced simultaneously with javelins. - When did you start to produce sports equipment? - The javelins went into production in the early 70 s. The first javelins had a simple construction and were made of steel sheets. Those javelins were designed for training. I still kept thinking about the implementation of the competition javelin which would be used during the championships. - Who was the first recipient of your javelins? - The recipients were national clubs and foreign companies. In those times I could not export the javelins on my own. The agent in selling abroad was the Foreign Trade Centre. That alone impeded the international market expansion. - The political situation changed in Yes, that was when the opportunity to invest in my business happened. I decided to take out a loan and I built the first production plant. A bit earlier, in 1985, I started to produce javelins made of duraluminium. That was a high quality product for professionals. I had spent three years on the product design. I designed and built it on my own. Nobody helped me or gave me any advice. I had to create it all by myself. The javelins had to be constructed in accordance to the IAAF requirements. There was no certification system but the federation sent me a document which allowed the javelins to be used during the championships. - Where does the name Polanik come from? - Generally, small family businesses get their names from I can t rest on laurels Conversation with Wieslaw Szczepanik, the founder of Polanik Wieslaw Szczepanik Polanik Founder Vice President the surname of the founder. However, my surname is hard to pronounce for foreigners, so I made a combination of two words "Poland" and "Szczepanik". - How did you take over the international markets? - Polish products were not known for their high quality. The best solution was to go abroad by car and attract new clients. At the end of the 80 s, I received an export permit. That gave me more freedom in traveling abroad. After visiting several companies, we finally received our first order. Then we also showcased our products at trade fairs. - You are the author of many patented technologies. - Yes, I applied modern technological solutions so our products are unique. I decided to protect that technology with patents. Nowadays, I have got several tens of patents. - What was the most difficult problem you faced? -The biggest problem was with production of duraluminium javelins. I even dreamed about that at night. I constructed the machines to make those duraluminum javelins and they are still used today. - At which World Championships was Polanik equipment first used? - The first Polanik hurdles appeared at the World Championships in Athens in I received that information directly from Stefan Paszczyk, the president of the Polish Olympic Committee. He was surprised to see Polish products being used at such an event. Since then our equipment has been regularly used during the championships, cups and Olympic Games. - Are you still committed to the idea of continuous product improvement? - Actually, I am retired now. Since 2003 the president of the company has been my son, Darek. Sometimes, I can offer him only little advice. I am currently thinking of producing a new generation of javelins. I can't rest on laurels. I have been working for all my life so I still want to do something. Interviewed by Pawel Reising Do-win athletics footwear

3 Dear Sir/Madam 2011 is a special year for us, the year of our jubilee. Forty-five years ago, on 24 March 1966 my father, Wieslaw Szczepanik established the company. At the beginning the company produced household items, licence plates, drawing boards etc. Sports javelins went into production in 1975 and those products were already exported to many countries around the world. The first javelins had a simple construction and were designed for training. However my father's ambition was the implementation of the competition javelin made of duraluminium. And so in 1985 the first aluminiun javelins left the production centre. This assortment was made with high precision, in accordance to the IAAF requirements and was characterized by high stiffness. That modern technological solution was patented. For the constructor and inventor the javelin production was a great challenge, not the result of the end of sports career as it is in many companies of this field. That was the source of difficulties with product promotion - nobody knew us and we did not know anyone. However, unexpectedly the high quality and attractive prices of the javelins as well as the persistence and belief in success helped to attract new clients. The financial resources of the first export contracts were invested in launching the production of next new products: shot puts, hammers and hurdles. New products implementation and company development were hindered by the Polish socio-economic system. The political changes started in the early 90's. During that time the system transformation gave the opportunity to run the private enterprise. My father decided to take out a loan. It was the EU loan for small enterprises. Within two years he built the first production hall of 1200 sqm. The period of the dynamic company development started. Thanks to the excellent quality, modern, ecological and technological solutions, the equipment was very well accepted on the market and that attracted new clients and caused orders increase. Nowadays, Polanik is a thriving and family-run company. There are three production halls of 4200 sqm and over a thousand of items in our offer. We fully equip athletics stadiums and advise designers and investors. We distribute athletics shoes and have our apparel Polanik Athletics Collection. Our products set the quality standards and are used to break records during the biggest championships. 80 employees are involved in the life of Polanik and many of the workers have been working for years. Our success is also their success. Our mission for the following years is to strengthen the company's image as a manufacturer and supplier of high quality track and field equipment, to promote this beautiful sport as well as a healthy lifestyle. Wieslaw Szczepanik still takes an active part in the life of the company, he keeps designing new products. He once said to me: "When I established the company I did not expect that it would expand so much, I just did what I liked, the rest happend a kind of by the way". Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been with you for 45 years now. Thank you for those years together and we look forward to the next... Sincerely, Darek Szczepanik Polanik President

4 Polanik the National Supplier of the European Athletics Championships U23 Ostrava July July it will be a very exciting time of the European Athletics Championships in Ostrava. The capital of the Moravian Silesian region will be the centre of the athletes struggles under the age of 23 years. Our company became the National Supplier of that sports event by signing the required contract on 8th October th European Veterans Athletics Championships Europe Relay Festival Bydgoszcz Poland European Athletics Championships U23 Poznan Poland Europe Cup in Athletics Bydgoszcz Poland Ostrava Czech Republic 2005 Europe Indoor Championships Vienna Austria rd World University Summer Games th IAAF World Championships Berlin Germany Izmir Turkey World Championships in Athletics 25th Summer Universiade Belgrade Serbia 2004 Edmonton Canada European Cup Combined Events Super League Olympic Games Athens Greece World Junior Championships Debrecen Hungary Szczecin Poland European Cup SPAR Bydgoszcz Poland World Indoor Championships in Athletics Olympic Games Sydney Australia Polish Championships in Athletics Szczecin Poland Budapest Hungary World Junior Championships Santiago Chile Olympic Games Beijing China 2003 Europe Cup Bydgoszcz Poland 2007 World Youth Championships Sherbrooke Canada 1999 IAAF World Youth Championships Europe Championships U23 Bydgoszcz Poland World Junior Championships Bydgoszcz Poland Ostrava Czech Republic Pan American Games IAAF World Athletics Tour Golden Spike Santo Domingo Dominican Republic 1997 Ostrava Czech Republic World Championships in Athletics Paris France World Championships Athens Greece 2006 World Junior Championships Brisbane Australia 20th Central American and Caribbean Games 2002 and many other prestigious IAAF Golden League Cartagena Colombia World Junior Championships Kingston Jamaica and Grand Prix meetings we are open to your suggestions and comments marketing@polanik.com cheaper in the set

5 Ewa Szymczyk Piotr Rysiukiewicz Magdalena Dolecinska Danuta Laska Jerzy Weglarz Europe (Belgium Bulgaria France Greece Spain Ireland Portugal Romania Turkey Italy United Kingdom) Africa North America (without Mexico) Australia & Oceania Asia (Cyprus and Russia only) Pawel Ciechanowski Polanik odzież sportowa Athletics Collection Do-win obuwie athletics sportowefootwear

6 Igor Janik personal best 84,76 m

7 New competition line of Polanik javelins At the beginning of 2011 we are introducing new models of 800g and 600g competition javelins. The javelins will be produced on the completely new instrumentation which guarantees higher precision of dimensions and weight distribution. The duraluminium we use is also changed. Its modified chemical constitution allows us to increase the javelin rigidness. All the new line javelin models have got weights and dimensions at the edge of the IAAF technical allowance, what ensures the highest possible range. The javelin cord is a new one, too - synthetic core in cotton plait. In the jubilee year the transparent powder paint refers to the first models of Polanik aluminium javelins from There are three model lines in the offer: SPACE MASTER Top competition model. Ultrathin javelin end, maximal rigidness, completely new sharp head coated with thick layer of zinc, new powder paint in electric lime transparent colour SKY CHALLENGER Model for advanced competitors. Increased rigidness, narrowed shank end, steel galvanized head in a cigar shape. Powder painted shank in red transparent colour AIR FLYER Base model for beginners. Slightly less rigid shank forgives throwers mistakes and does not strain the joints. Excellent for mastering the throwing technique. Steel galvanized head, powder painted shank in blue transparent colour Description Certificate Description Certificate Description Certificate SM Space Master 600 SC Sky Challenger 600 AF Air Flyer 600 SM Space Master 800 SC Sky Challenger 800 AF Air Flyer 800 3

8 4 Thanks to the application of special raw materials and unique production processes we have developed a javelin which shows outstanding durability and precision of manufacturing. The javelin shank is made of the highest quality hardended duraluminium. All javelins are coated with powder paint, very resistant to abrasion. The javelin grip is made of cotton cord. All competition javelins are the IAAF certified products.

9 Made of steel tubes and profiles coated with powder paints Made of steel tubes and profiles coated with powder paints, easy to manoeuvre Designed for schoolchildren training, steel head Designed for schoolchildren training, rubber head Made of waterproof synthetic fabric, special strengthening of both bag ends prevents piercing, Velcro belts located inside secure javelins against movements, sturdy handles 5

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