During the last decade, foreign investment in Upper Silesia exceeded EUR 4 billion, with about 80% of profits reinvested. Katowice, as the centrally located capital of the region, which offers many opportunities to investors, including well-qualified work force, modern infrastructure and a convenient location at the crossroads of trans-European routes, became a natural place to locate foreign businesses. Here is the list of most successful investments which were set up in Katowice over the recent years and are on the right way to improve both the self-development and the City’s attractivity in the future.
Capgemini
Is one of world’s biggest consulting technology and outsourcing companies, employing over 90 000 people worldwide. The Group has over 300 centers and offices in 32 countries and is the largest consultancy business in Europe.
Capgemini Polska Outsourcing Center in Krakow and Katowice serves over 45 global clients. The Katowice Center employs over 1 000 F&A and IT specialists in two offices. The last one was opened in December 2009 in the Atrium office building. Covering area of almost 4 000 sq. m, the office will create workplaces for following 500 people in the next two years.
DisplayLink
Has reinvented the way computers talk to multiple displays through the use of semiconductors and software. DisplayLink is a privately held company from Silicon Valley with offices in Californian Palo Alto, UK’s Cambridge, Taipei in Taiwan and Katowice. Since 2003, DisplayLink creates simple connections between computers and multiple monitors via USB.
The company has opened its R&D center in Katowice attracted by proximity of a number of universities and the quality of Polish engineers.
Kroll Ontrack
Is a provider of large-scale electronic and paper-based discovery and computer forensics services and software to help attorneys, investigators, corporations and legal professionals quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively recover, review, manage, and produce information and documents.
The office in Katowice has the largest computer forensics laboratory in Central Europe as well as the largest Kroll Ontrack software R&D development facility outside the U.S.
Mentor Graphics
Is a technology leader in electronic design automation (EDA), providing software and hardware design solutions that enable companies to develop better electronic products faster and at a lower cost. The company offers innovative products and solutions that help engineers overcome design challenges they face in the increasingly complex world of board and chip design.
The Polish office in Katowice is the largest Mentor’s R&D site in Europe.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
is focused on assurance, tax and advisory services for public and private clients. The company operates in Katowice since 2006 where cooperates mostly with energy, automotive and high-tech companies. In 2010, PwC opened in the City a first audit Shared Service Center in Poland. The PwC’s SSC will hire up to 250 employees during next 4 years.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, together with KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst&Young which have also theirs offices in Katowice, are known as the Big Four, the four largest international accountancy and professional services firms.
Rockwell Automation
Is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information systems and services that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their industries.
Katowice division is a significant investment of Rockwell Automation in this part of Europe as a multifunctional site housing several functions like manufacturing & operations center, financial shared services, administration, humans resources business services, IT, software, customer support & maintenance as well as sourcing & purchasing shared services.
Rockwell Automation has been operating in Katowice since May 2006 and currently employs 382 individuals.
Steria
Is a leading end-to-end IT services provider for companies and public authorities throughout Europe. Founded in 1969, Steria has offices in Europe, India, North Africa and SE Asia hiring 18 300 people, working across 16 countries.
The Steria’s platform in Katowice provides an IT and business process outsourcing including a service desk, a call center, the Application Management and monitoring. Currently, it hires 180 employees. Following development is planned.
based on Deloitte and PAlilZ reports