Akpo has been operating on the Polish market since 1989. Initially, it manufactured hoods in its premises in Izabelin, a small village on the outskirts of Warsaw. These hoods were made only for local customers; however, the political and economic transformations that took place in Poland at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s created an extremely favourable opportunity for the company’s dynamic development. Removing the barriers to international trade has given Akpo a chance to go forward and compete on foreign markets. The company made the most of this opportunity and has achieved international success.
Today, Akpo sells the most advanced kitchen products to more than 30 countries around the world. Its products are available, among other places, in Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and central and eastern Europe. It has also entered such markets as Scandinavia, where it debuted as an equipment supplier to some of the largest store chains there. In addition, it has recently seen a significant increase in sales in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). As a result, the company’s production in 2017 increased by 20 per cent compared to the previous year.
Office and production plant is located in the village of Sonsk near Ciechanow in northern-central Poland. Today, its production plant covers an area of 5 ha; warehouses, paint shops and production halls cover a total area of more than 10,000m2. Akpo employs almost 300 highly skilled people, many of whom have been working for the company from its very beginning. They supervise each step of the product development process. It all starts with market research, the results of which are transmitted to the R&D department. It is there that modern design is combined with innovative technology. The final stage is serial production, which is preceded by numerous tests conducted both at its in-house laboratory and at certified external specialist centres.
Investing in growth
Akpo is constantly investing in its own development. In the last two years, impressive production halls, a laboratory, a design office as well as new warehouses and a logistics department have been put in place. The hoods and hobs are made with the use of a world-class specialised equipment (press brakes and punching machines, laser cutting machines or 3D welding robots).
Certainly, it is not only about cost reduction, but about maintaining 100 per cent quality control over the finished product and, thus, over service costs. The company has a range of more than 100 standard forms, from which it produces ready-made plastic components. It has just purchased a new machine for grinding the hoods and is planning further investments in the machinery park at the beginning of 2018. This will allow it to increase production by a dozen or so per cent once again. In 2018 Akpo production is set to go up to 400,000 units of hoods and several thousand hobs.
Vast range of hobs and hoods
Currently, the company produces about 100 versions of hoods in different colours and sizes. Its vast range of products includes chimney hoods, traditionally located directly above the stove, in the heart of the room. This is why it is so important for these products to be not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing to users. Akpo also makes island hoods, which are some of the most important elements of the modern kitchen. Economy hoods are the proof that high quality can go hand in hand with efficiency. Free standing hoods (also called built-in hoods) are designed to be mounted under or directly inside kitchen cabinets. They are a perfect solution for rooms with little space.
Akpo also manufactures ceramic hobs, which are easy to use and are characterised by aesthetic appearance and low power consumption. The company’s induction hobs are safer, more efficient and faster than traditional stoves.
Akpo cooperates with many partners, which contribute to the innovative character of the company. This approach translates into successes and business opportunities for all partners taking part in this cooperation. For example, the new production halls were supplied with the latest German machines, known for their quality and reliability: a laser cutters, press brakes and fully automated injection moulding machines for producing plastic components.
Akpo’s priority is maintaining the highest quality production standards at all times. To achieve this, the company takes advantage of the experience and expertise of its team, along with innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies used in the process of production. Its products meet all the requirements of EN ISO 9001:2000 standards, and each of the hoods coming off the line has the ‘CE’ mark, meaning they can be sold both within the European Union and beyond.