In 2009 the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency positively closed 29 investment projects which were jointly worth EUR 767.9 mln. The projects will generate over 8,150 new jobs. PAIiIZ rewarded three investors which executed the biggest projects in three categories: the biggest investment, investment which created the biggest number of jobs and the most important investment in the field of new technologies.

The award for the Investment of the Year for 2009, for the biggest investment was awarded to Cargotec Poland. On a 41ha plot situated within the Stargad Szczeciński Industrial Park the company will construct a reloading machines assembly room. The project is worth EUR 959 million. The company's facility will mainly produce forklifts, cranes, gantry carts and tractors. By the year 2013 the investor intends to create at least 400 permanent jobs - 340 workers (electrical and mechanical fitters, foremen and employees of stores and paint shop) and 60 for managers. The company is the technology leader in the production of the equipment and its research and development department focuses on developing innovative and environment-friendly solutions.  

Award for the Investment of the Year for 2009 for the company which created the largest number of workplaces went to IBM Polska. IBM plans to generate 2,000 jobs for professionals in its Wrocław-based facility in accordance with the grant application. The process of recruitment will continue until 2013. Specialists will provide services, administer servers, databases, networks and applications for IBM customers who have their headquarters in Europe. IBM Poland employs Project Managers, IT Professionals and System Administrators. The new centre joins IBM's global network of centres providing IT services. These centres monitor, maintain and support IT infrastructure and manage IT services for thousands of IBM clients around the world. The centre is expected to start operating in spring 2010. 

This year’s award for the Investment of the Year for 2009 in modern technologies was granted to Woodward Governor Poland. The company forms part of the American corporation Woodward Governor Company headquartered in Fort Collins (Colorado) in the USA. The investor’s primary business activities are the design, manufacture and service of control and monitoring devices for the aviation industry, industrial engines, turbines and electricity generators. The company’s investment located in Niepołomice near Cracow is worth around PLN 35 mln. The facility will accommodate offices for engineers and supporting departments as well as a production floor. Both design and production projects developed in the facility will be technologically advanced and will mainly concern electronics and mechanics.

/PAIiIZ/