Avon Cosmetics Polska was established in Poland in 1992 with 100% foreign capital. Since then, Avon has become the market leader in sales of cosmetics and related products. Distribution of Avon products is based on direct selling – our 236,000 representatives sell over 600 products directly to their customers throughout Poland.
We have been very successful. With over 25 million customers served in 2002, Poland is now Avon’s second-largest European market in terms of annual sales. Avon has opened representative support centers in 11 major Polish cities, with plans for 5 more. An Avon web site has enabled our customers to place orders via the Internet since 2001.
Avon established its manufacturing plant in Garwolin, currently called Avon Operations Polska, in 1997. The plant is one of the largest, most modern cosmetic plants in Europe, and it is the largest of Avon’s 16 manufacturing plants worldwide. The majority of its production is exported – as of mid-2003, its products supply over 50 markets, from Portugal to Taiwan. Avon Operations Polska includes laboratories with the most modern equipment to guarantee world-class quality standards. Currently, products manufactured in Poland include eaux de toilette, creams, lotions, roll-ons, mascaras, masks and many kinds of packaging.
The Garwolin facility’s capacity has grown quickly: since 1997, it has gone from 7 million units per year to 269 million units in 2002, with plans to reach 474 million units in 2003. Currently there are 63 production lines.
The number of employees working at Avon Operations Polska has grown from 384 in 1999 to 2,763 in July 2003. Because of this growth and social responsibility, as well as significant investment in human resources Avon Operations Polska was named “Best Employer 2002” by “Rzeczpospolita” magazine.
Avon sponsors programs especially dedicated to women. Since March 1998 we have been running the Great Campaign for Life – Avon Against Breast Cancer. As of September 2003, we have raised more than 5 million PLN through the sales of over one million Pink Ribbon items. These proceeds are used to promote awareness of breast cancer prevention in Poland.
Since 2000, Avon has been organizing the Woman of Enterprise contest to promote entrepreneurship among Polish women. This contest recognizes the women throughout Poland who are successful in business and who contribute to their communities.
We are very proud of Avon’s activities in Poland, and we are happy to serve the customers who have been so important to our success.
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About the Embassy
