Expansion into international markets, industry competitiveness, new growth strategies, digitization and the future of sales - these were the main topics of the 16th Polish Joinery Congress, which took place on May 14, 2026 at the Warszawianka Hotel in Jachranka. This year's edition of the event, organized by the POiD Association, brought together more than 300 representatives of woodwork companies, experts, market leaders, journalists and institutional and business partners.
The motto of the 16th Congress was "Foundations of the future - experience, relations, innovation." The event's program focused on the most important challenges facing the construction and joinery industry today - from the geopolitical situation and growing competition from outside the European Union, to technological and digital transformation, to changing models of sales, succession and customer relationship building.
On the eve of the Congress, on May 13, the Reporting and Election General Meeting of the POiD Association members was held, during which new authorities of the organization were elected.
XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry
© POiD Association
How does geopolitics affect the building materials market? The industry between China and Brussels
The first block of the Congress was devoted to the impact of the global economic and geopolitical situation on the building materials industry. Experts discussed the effects of trade tensions, changes in international supply chains, and increasing competition from non-EU manufacturers. Particular attention was paid to the rapidly growing imports of woodwork from China. The debate emphasized the need to protect the competitiveness of European industry and to build stable development conditions for domestic manufacturers.
Participants in the first thematic block included Sylwia Czubkowska, economic and technology journalist, host of the podcast "Techstorie" on Tok FM radio, Malgorzata Walczak-Gomula, CEO of ASM Research Solutions Strategy, Ryszard Florek, CEO of FAKRO, Henryk Kwapisz, Director of Institutional Relations at Saint-Goburg. Saint-Gobain Institutional Relations, MIWO CEO, Dr. Krzysztof Mazur, CEO of the Council of Polish Global Entrepreneurs, and Jan Stylinski, CEO of the Polish Association of Construction Employers.
XVI Polish Woodwork Congress
© POiD Association
Consolidation, succession and new growth strategies
The second thematic block of the Congress was devoted to the future of the woodwork industry and new models of business development. Discussions included market consolidation, succession in companies and building a long-term competitive advantage. Panelists pointed out that the modern market requires companies to be highly flexible, able to react quickly to changes and invest in the competencies of the future.
The second thematic block was attended by: Krystyna Baran, President of the Management Board of WIŚNIOWSKI, Grzegorz Białczak, Head of Arbonia CEE, Krzysztof Domarecki, Chief Shareholder of Selena Group, Joanna Klimas, Advisor to the Management Board for Strategic Development of KLIMAS Wkręt. KLIMAS Wkręt-met Strategic Development, Michał Kowalczyk, owner of Kowalczyk Fabryka Okien and Finko, Paweł Orleański, journalist and presenter, Roman Przybylski, President of the Management Board of Grupa Kęty, Krzysztof Ratajczak, Sales Director of Winkhaus Polska and Szymon Trzebiatowski, Head of the Expert Team of the Family Business Institute.
XVI Polish Woodwork Congress
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The new face of marketing and sales
The culmination of the substantive part of the Congress was the third block focused on marketing, sales and building relationships with customers in times of oversupply and strong competition from global brands.
Experts discussed changing customer purchase paths and how to effectively build market advantage without participating in price wars. They discussed the growing importance of customer experience, modern sales models, omnichannel communications and the role of authentic PR and branding in the era of artificial intelligence.
XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry
© POiD Association
The third thematic block was attended by: Michal Ciesielski, Director of Brand, Communication and Strategic Marketing of Saint-Gobain Group in Poland and Ukraine, Anna Kaminska, Member of the Management Board of PSB Handel Group, Dagmara Plata-Alf, Head of Studies Digital Management andInnovation, Chair of the Marketing and Digital Transformation Council at Kozminski University, Dominik Tomaszewski, Marketing Director of Somfy in Eastern Europe, and Dr. Radoslaw Wierzbinski, Head of Communication & Education Allegro.
XVI Polish Woodwork Congress
© POiD Association
30th Anniversary Eagles Gala
A special moment of the XVI Polish Woodwork Congress was the Gala, combined with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the POiD Association. During the Gala, industry distinctions were handed out: diplomas for Partners of the "TERMOMODERNIZATION+GREAT ASSEMBLY" campaign, certificates for new POiD member companies and statuettes for companies celebrating the anniversary of their activities.
Companies of particular merit for the development of the Polish woodwork industry and the activities of the POiD Association received statuettes of Eagles of the POiD Association and Eagles of the 30th anniversary of the POiD Association. The gala was also an excellent moment to thank for many years of work for the Association a distinguished representative of the industry - Ryszard Szpura, who this year ended his activity in the structures of the POiD.
XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry
© POiD Association
New Board of the POiD Association for 2026-2030
During the General Meeting of Members, a new POiD Board was elected, as well as a new composition of the organization's other statutory bodies: Union Council and Audit Commission. The organization's Management Board for 2026-2030 consists of:
- Janusz Komurkiewicz, President of the Board (FAKRO company)
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Alicja Rzeczkowska, Vice President of the Board (Somfy company)
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Marcin Strzelec, Vice President of the Management Board (Wiśniowski company)
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Bartłomiej Baudler, Member of the Management Board (Primo Profile company)
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Maciej Mańko, Member of the Management Board (Glassolutions Saint-Gobain company)
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Szymon Nadzieja, Member of the Management Board (Proventuss Polska company)
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Jacek Woźniak, Member of the Management Board (PORTA KMI Poland company)
XVI Polish Woodwork Congress
© POiD Association
Resolution of the XVI Polish Woodwork Congress
On the basis of the discussions held during the XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry Industry, the key directions of the POiD Association's activities in the coming years were indicated in the form of a congress resolution:
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Protecting the competitiveness of the European market - supporting legislative solutions conducive to the development of the European industry and reducing overregulation that undermines the competitiveness of companies.
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Strong representation of the industry and active dialogue with the administration - strengthening the representation of the woodwork industry at the national and European level, active participation in legislative processes, ongoing monitoring of regulatory changes and building a common voice of the environment on issues that are key to the future of the industry.
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Innovation, digitization and artificial intelligence - supporting the development of digital competence of member companies and the popularization of solutions that increase the efficiency of production, sales, marketing and customer service.
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Development of modern thermo-modernization and quality installation - supporting the development of modern thermo-modernization as one of the key elements of the energy transformation of buildings and improvement of energy efficiency in Poland, including through initiatives such as the "TERMOMODERNIZATION + GOOD INSTALLATION" campaign.
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Education and development of new staff - involvement in the development of modern professional education and cooperation with technical and trade schools to educate new staff, develop competencies related to new technologies and build an attractive image of the industry among young people.
XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry
© POiD Association
We would like to thank all participants of the XVI Congress of the Polish Carpentry Industry and already invite you to next year's edition of the event.
A photo report will be made available on the Congress website.
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