The year 2026 is a special one for H. Cegielski-Poznań. Founded by Hipolit Cegielski in 1846, the company is celebrating its 180th anniversary. For nearly two centuries, the plant has witnessed some of the most important economic and social transformations in Poland, building a brand recognized far beyond the Wielkopolska region. Since 2023, the company has been part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ). Today, its activities focus primarily on the production of metal structures, the manufacture and servicing of centrifugal blowers, the production of spare parts for diesel engines, and engine maintenance. In the defense sector, the company manufactures structural components for military applications, including pontoons and transport pallets for pontoon bridge modules, folding bridges, and steel structures used as components of combat vehicles.
“H. Cegielski is a symbol of Polish entrepreneurship, industry, and economic patriotism. We are working on the future of the plant and on new projects that will not only contribute to strengthening our security and defense capabilities, but will also be a source of professional satisfaction,” said Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun. “Today, tradition remains an important part of the company’s identity, but its future is equally important.”
On June 22, a letter of intent was signed concerning the establishment of the Hipolit Cegielski Wielkopolska Armored Works in Poznań. The project is intended to combine the manufacturing capabilities of H. Cegielski-Poznań with the experience of Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne (WZM) in the maintenance, overhaul, modernization, and sustainment of military equipment.
The development of the Wielkopolska Armored Works is already reflected in specific projects being carried out by companies within the Polish Armaments Group. On June 26, H. Cegielski-Poznań, WZM, and BAE Systems signed a memorandum on cooperation in the development of production and support capabilities related, among other things, to M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles.
Another important step was the expansion of cooperation between Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne and Hyundai Rotem Company, announced on September 17. WZM was selected as the company designated to receive a technology transfer covering the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of engines used in K2 Black Panther tanks operated by the Polish Armed Forces. This means that new maintenance and support capabilities related to one of the most important modernization programs of the Polish Armed Forces will be established in Poznań.
“This is a unique moment in the history of Cegielski. As we celebrate the company’s 180th anniversary, we pay tribute to the generations of employees who built its position. For years, the strength of the plant has been its people, who have always determined its potential and contributed to the standing of both the city and the entire region. One hundred and eighty years of Cegielski’s history is a responsibility, but even more importantly, it inspires us to think about the future. That is why we are consistently developing the Hipolit Cegielski Wielkopolska Armored Works project, which will combine Poznań’s industrial heritage with modern defense technologies. Our goal is to create a strong domestic center for the production, maintenance, and development of armored equipment that will serve the Polish Armed Forces for decades to come,” said Adam Leszkiewicz, President of the Management Board of the Polish Armaments Group.
The emerging Wielkopolska Armored Works are intended to become an important element in the development of Poland’s domestic industrial and defense capabilities. Combining the potential of the two Poznań-based companies will make it possible to carry out tasks covering the entire life cycle of military equipment: from production and integration, through maintenance and overhaul, to modernization and in-service support.
“Consolidation opens up an entirely new perspective for us. We are combining the experience and manufacturing capabilities of H. Cegielski-Poznań with the expertise of Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne. This will allow us to build a comprehensive armored vehicle center of expertise in Poznań,” said Grzegorz Szkaradek, President of the Management Boards of H. Cegielski-Poznań and Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne.
For Poznań, this means not only preserving the industrial heritage of the H. Cegielski brand, but also new investments, the development of technological expertise, and prospects for creating specialized jobs. For the Polish Armaments Group, in turn, it represents an important step toward building a modern industrial base supporting the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces.
