Małopolska ... because the earth isn’t flat
04.02.2011
Location of choice for over 50 global leaders
Over 50 multinational companies have located shared services, outsourcing, IT and R&D centres in Małopolska, among them global leaders such as IBM, Philip Morris International (PMI), State Street, Shell, UBS and Alexander Mann Solutions.
This is why the region’s capital city, Kraków, is ranked the Top Emerging City for Global Outsourcing 2010 by Global Services Tholons and home to ASPIRE - Central and Eastern Europe’s leading network of shared services, outsourcing and IT companies and practitioners.
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From initial set up in 1996 with five persons we have grown to our current size of 1,200 employees. Over the years we have extended our client service offerings into more complex areas and moved up the value chain. We see Kraków continuing to grow as a source of value added service delivery in accounting, financial reporting and business analytics. Through our presence here IBM is assisting Kraków in building on the potential of the Internet and IT and to craft policies to sustain economic growth and competitiveness. John Lyons, EMEA Delivery Manager, IBM |
In a class of its own
Małopolska‘s success is driven by the talents and ambitions of its young people. The region boasts over 230,000 young people in university, most studying for master's degrees, many speaking several foreign languages.
There are 34 colleges and universities across the region, including the prestigious Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland‘s top ranked university, where Copernicus, the father of the scientific revolution, was a student.
Funding for research and development in Małopolska is twice the national average in Poland.
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Kraków is an attractive location with great access to a professional and highly skilled talent pool with a good knowledge of foreign languages. Up to now we have migrated Finance, HR and IS processes from more than 52 countries. Simultaneously our company was able to streamline, standardize processes and to consolidate best practices. Nicklas Blomqvist, Director Finance, PMI Service Center Europe Kraków has a deep and talented labour pool, and it is an attractive city in which to operate and live. Employees are highly educated and ambitious, and these qualities support the aggressive growth plans of our Kraków office. Scott Newman, General Manager, State Street Services |
Close to your business
Małopolska is at the heart of Central and Eastern Europe, at the crossroads of historic East–West and North–South trade routes. Today, the region is served by two international airports with direct flights to over 60 European destinations.
The region also boasts fast motorway connections to Germany and easy access to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Ukraine and other parts of Poland.
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We started off with a vision of a 100–150 headcount Centre, we have almost doubled in size and look to grow further in the next 12/18months. This is based on the quality of service delivered by our people here locally in Kraków. Vic Khan, Director of Global Client Service Centres, Alexander Mann Solutions I am impressed not only by the qualifications and language skills of our employees, but also by their strong work ethic, enthusiasm and openness towards new challenges. Our people shape the culture in our office in the most positive way and are true ambassadors of the UBS values. Antony Roberts-York, CEO, UBS Poland Service Centre |
Space to grow
Małopolska is growing. Almost 10 million people live within a 100 km radius of the city of Kraków, equal to the entire population of the Czech Republic, and as well as the talents of our own people, our region also acts as a magnet for people from other parts of Poland and across Europe, especially outsourcing and IT specialists.
Business can take advantage of over 440,000m2 of Class A office space, with the stock constantly being replenished as new developments come on stream. The region also offers 2,000 hectares of attractive investment areas for greenfield development.
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From an initial business case of 450 staff doing Finance Operations for our Downstream business, we now have 1,500 staff supporting also our Upstream Business and doing multiple processes (HR services, Customer services, Contracting & Procurement). Besides the breadth of our services, we have significantly increased the depth of our services moving up the value chain and now doing also statutary accounting, tax returns, internal audit, etc. Patrick den Bult, VP SBSC Operations, General Manager, Shell Business Services Centre Kraków. |
Grow with us
Grow your business in Małopolska and we can support you from beginning to end with analysis, funding support and necessary permits. Visit our website today,www.businessinmalopolska.com and learn why so many companies are choosing to grow their business in Małopolska.
Text courtesy of ASPIRE - Association of IT & Business Process Services - www.aspire.org.pl
A project part-financed by the European Union within the Malopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013
The article from: advertisementfeature.cnn.com/malopolska