A conversation with Prof. Grzegorz Wszołek – head of EMT-Systems, CECHOWNIA Science and Technology Centre in Gliwice and CECHOWNIA Restaurant, Paint-it company and vice-president of Hexdent company in Gliwice, nominated for the title of Leader by Vocation – on effective management of such diverse companies and one’s own time through appropriate selection and motivation of employees.
When did your leadership qualities start manifesting?
To be perfectly honest, I felt I was capable of managing a team and do it well only when I started hiring employees. Many years before I set up the company, I worked at the Silesian University of Technology and held various positions, including laboratory supervisor, which of course involved management to some extent.
How did you acquire your competences?
During my education at the chemical-mechanical technical school (now the Upper Silesian Education Centre) in Gliwice, I met Prof. Jerzy Świder, my later supervisor and boss. He infected my entire class with a passion for automation and robotics, and we all entered the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology. Before we graduated, Professor presented us with a vision of cooperation beyond studying at the Polytechnic. I was given the opportunity to continue my studies and work at the University, first as an assistant, and then I defended my doctorate and habilitated in applied mechanics. I worked at the University from 1999 to 2020, and immediately after I moved to the WSB University in Dąbrowa Górnicza and have been employed there ever since. Students attend classes even here at EMT-Systems.
When did you establish your first company?
EMT-Systems was founded in 2006. It deals with training of maintenance staff. This parent company generates the biggest turnover and is the fastest growing. All the other companies were founded around it. It is based in the revitalised guildhall buildings of the former Gliwice mine. Today it is the largest technical training centre in Europe.
EMT-Systems enjoys a good reputation and is known for its strong emphasis on practice.
That’s right, we make every effort to ensure as much practice as possible in every training course. We are very committed to making our trainees satisfied not only with the level of teaching, but also with the quality of service, the atmosphere in the building or, last but not least, coffee and lunch service. We have 40 laboratories equipped with the most innovative industrial equipment and machinery. We train technical staff who have to respond quickly and efficiently to emergency situations, such as when a production line stops. The subject-matters are broad; we offer more than 200 training courses within this scope. We train 12,000 trainees a year, from all over Poland.
Do you offer accommodation?
Not yet, but we do have a plot of land where we plan a hotel; recently we are looking for an investor. Once it is built, we will be able to provide a complex service. This building is already bustling with activity late into the evening. Our company – Gliwice Science and Technology CECHOWNIA – organises events, vernissages, concerts, workshops, conferences and business meetings. We are obliged to provide meals for our students, thus we set up another company – CECHOWNIA Restaurant. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. out trainees are served lunches, which means several hundred of meals a day, and after 2 p.m. another team of chefs comes in and we open the restaurant a la carte available to all who wish to visit. Additionally, according to the opinion of our guests, this is the most atmospheric event space in Silesia. Outside, there’s almost 10,000 m2 of land we plan to develop. We have already started the investment related to construction of the outdoor restaurant, and next year there will be two halls ready for special events: banquets, weddings, etc. We are also in the process of fine-tuning the concept of the venue. We are also in the process of fine-tuning the concept of creating a garden with lots of greenery, fountains and a playground for children.
What other companies were established around EMT?
Examples of such companies are Hextent and Hexdent Lab, which I’m a major shareholder of. They sell German and Chinese dental machine tools, such as milling machines and 3D printers, making dentures and implants. The laboratory also provides various services commissioned by prosthodontists and dentists. Another company, Paint-it, produces artistic paints for fabrics. We took over a business that had been in existence for many years and invested in automating the production. There are several production lines in the Guildhall basement. This year we also bought the Gambit Systems company, the main distributor of a Swiss company selling industrial piping for 30 years now. We’ve already started the process of modernising, robotising and scaling up, which should soon translate into increased turnover.
Can you briefly describe the management philosophy you’ve adopted for these companies?
I haven’t created a great management philosophy. Gathering the right people who can take responsibility, who are committed, who add value is essential as far as I am concerned. I let people take action. If they have an idea, and I see sense in it – I support them and give the opportunity to implement initiatives – for the common good. Each company gathers people capable of running them well. I have confidence in them, so I give autonomy. I am, of course, present every day and try to provide support if needed, but I only take up the reins when it’s absolutely necessary.
How many people do you employ?
Approximately 120 full-time employees and more than 100 on civil law contracts. WIth my 29-year-old son Jakub, I run the Drofi company – providing external services and cleaning this area.
How do you find working with your own child?
I started working with my son 10 years ago, as soon as he started studying. He graduated from the same department and university as me and started doing some services for EMT-Systems. Step by step he grew into this job. He was interested in filming, so in the beginning he was involved in producing commercials. Now he runs a company called RCC Poland, he shoots music videos and commercials with an industrial robot, achieving precise and repeatable shots, impossible to do by hand.
What are your plans?
The Guildhall building is 8,500 m2 in size, and we have actually used this space to its limits. Nearby, we have two plots of land, one of which we lease for a period of 30 years and the other we own. Construction is going to begin next year: eventually, four buildings are planned – additional 4,000 m2 for the development of EMT and other companies. I love playing paddle, and there is no infrastructure for this sport in Gliwice yet, so we are also planning to build a paddle complex right in the area of Nowe Gliwice. It will be available to employees, trainees, restaurant guests and also the residents of Gliwice.
How else do you recharge your batteries?
Despite all the activities I am involved in, I am not a workaholic; I go to work at 8.00 a.m. and return home after 4.00 p.m. I spend time with my wife. I then spend time with my wife, children and forget about work. Sometimes we travel ogether. I also enjoy playing chess online with people from all over the world, it calms me down and recharges me.
What are you most proud of?
Of the fact that I have managed to build a team of high-level task-oriented people. I am also proud of the fact of not doing everything by myself. Therefore, I have a feeling that even if I am not around one day, the business will go on. I am proud of my son, Kuba, who is independent in his actions, creative, with many ideas. I’m glad that we have the opportunity to see each other every day and have business discussions. I still have two younger children, aged 9 and 11. When the time comes and they want to follow a similar path, I will light the entrepreneurial spark in them as well.
Dorota Kolano
Beata Sekuła
