Beginning of processing non-ferrous metals in Łabędy

Commencement of non-ferrous metal rolling in Hermina Ironworks

The property involved in the processing of non-ferrous metals was leased and two years later purchased by the VEREINIGTE DEUTSCHE NICKELWERKE A.G. company.

Establishment of an independent Metal Rolling Mill in Łabędy

The factory develops gradually, increases employment and expands the range of products. In the initial period, 300 employees manufacture sheet metal from nickel, copper and alloys of the above-mentioned metals. Ingots for rolling are sourced from affiliated plants.

Building a series of foundry halls equipped with furnaces for melting nickel, brass, bronze and copper. In the following years the foundry technology was being developed.

The factory employs 600 people and yields 1,000 tons of products annually. Just before the war, the number of employees increases to about 1,000 due to the economic boom and the production is shifted to war needs (ammunition materials and torpedo bodies).

Launching the production of sheet metal semi-finished products for further plastic forming. Manufacturing cups for ammunition production and coin planchets. The production programme includes many interesting products: single- and double-plated steel with copper, brass and nickel, nickel, nickel silver and alloy aluminium sheets, silicon, phosphor and aluminium bronzes, brass and nickel anodes, bronze castings.

Taking over warfare devastated and plundered enterprise by the Polish administration.

Re-starting the company operation after the war. Restoring the existing production range.

Introduction of the production of strips in coils. Purchase of halls, machinery and equipment from the neighbouring Huta Łabędy company. Further factory development focused on the production of strips and sheets, which requires reconstruction, expansion and erection of new buildings.

Completion of the first stage of upgrade and reconstruction of the enterprise.

Growth in demand for non-ferrous rolled products. The company is developing and the number of employees is approx. 1,200 people. The annual production capacity is estimated at 20,000 tons of products.

The upgrade of plant by specialising the line for the production of high-quality narrow strips from copper and its alloys, including the hard-to-form alloys.

The company becomes an independent State-owned Enterprise.

The process of commercialisation of State-owned Enterprises in progress. Walcownia Metali “Łabędy” becomes a joint-stock company.
TUV Berlin – Brandenburg issues the first Quality Assurance Certificate according to DIN ISO 9002/EN 29002.

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. becomes the main shareholder of Walcownia Metali “Łabędy” S.A. As a result of restructuring, the production related part of Walcownia Metali “Łabędy” was taken over by the spin-off company: Walcownia Metali Nieżelaznych Sp. z o.o.

Issue of Walcownia Metali Nieżelaznych Sp. z o.o. company shares with changing in 2011 to WMN “ŁABĘDY” S.A. shares.

Walcownia Metali Nieżelaznych Sp. z o.o. begins business operation as the Strip Rolling Mill Department of Walcownia Metali “Łabędy” S.A. The company has become a manufacturer of strips and sheets made of copper and its alloys. It introduces the production of casting alloys.

The entities of Walcownia Metali “Łabędy” S.A. and Walcownia Metali Nieżelaznych Sp. z o.o. merged into one company under the name Walcownia Metali Nieżelaznych „ŁABĘDY” Spółka Akcyjna, to which the assets of both merging companies were transferred for the shares of the newly established company.

The company installs new equipment for surface treatment of manufactured products as part of expanding its machinery stock. The new machines allow obtaining tighter cutting tolerances and improving the surface quality of products.

The company begins work on expanding the range of products. At the same time, it changes its sales strategy focusing on products for specialised applications. In addition, it develops new business projects.