History - ADR Group | Axles, Suspensions, Brakes and Wheels

1996

ATW, which became ADR Poland, was founded following closure and division of a farm trailer factory that produced 35,000 units per year for the Soviet Union. It comprised of an area of approx. 160,000m2, with a covered area of 60,000m2, with 4,500 employees. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the factory found itself without orders and 4,500 employees out of work. The only option was to sell the various units individually to find buyers, as it was impossible to find an investor who could take on all the employees. ADR Group started to frequent Poland when it was still under regime control to find commercial outlets for their products and new suppliers for the components used by the Group. Thanks to the know-how and contacts acquired over the years, they found that investment in the Polish market would be profitable, despite the economic difficulties of the country. Following a complex negotiation with the local bank, they purchased part of the industrial buildings (approx. 7,000m2) and took on 99 employees. This was the second foreign investment by ADR Group and their in-depth knowledge of the Polish market ensured rapid and safe development.

From 1990

Many challenges were faced in the early years of take-over of the first department, in launching new production ranges and finding a compromise between the old and new working methods. Fortunately, there was excellent cooperation between the ADR group technicians and most of the Polish workers.

From 2000

In this phase of expansion, ATW purchased additional industrial buildings to expand its business. At the same time, WPS, a manufacturer of brake blocks and other brake components for the entire Group, was founded. The main objective of ATW is the production of components for the Group company in Europe, but it also focused on the start-up of production of more advanced end products to be sold in Poland and the surrounding countries.

From 2010

During the decade, ATW (now ADR Poland) and WPS completed the acquisition of the entire industrial area. This resulted in the closure of the surrounding roads, the fencing of the entire industrial complex and the creation of necessary services for more efficient management, such as employee parking lots and yards for storage and cargo. ADR Poland also launched an ambitious investment plan, aiming to become a state-of-the-art factory organised according to the principles of 4.0. WPS organisation. On the other hand, it undertook a major investment project in the construction of a new industrial building with a hot moulding and axle body processing plant, using technology unique in Europe. Both companies are prepared for a promising future in the years to come.