Success Written in Lipstick comes to Bytów! How our CEO proves that Polish industry means world-class quality and modern leadership

For us at FK Machinery, the smell of steel and machine grease is simply part of everyday life. But today, we have a completely different and truly special reason to be proud — one we simply have to share with you. Our CEO, Izabela Kołaszewska-Gabor, has just become a laureate of the 17th edition of the nationwide “Success Written in Lipstick” competition — in one of its most demanding categories: Business of the Year (revenue above PLN 10 million). This is not just another trophy to place on a shelf in the office. It is a powerful confirmation that our journey from a small workshop to a global brand truly has meaning.

Bold succession, not a “paper puppet”

Our company is built on 50 years of history and the work of its founder. However, when Izabela officially took over the company in 2016, she made one thing clear: she wanted full independence in decision-making. She firmly refused to become a “paper puppet” managed from the back seat. And it was exactly this courage to take real responsibility that was recognized by the competition jury.

Thanks to her vision, we experienced a true revolution within the company. The advanced ERP system implementation introduced by our CEO in 2018 proved invaluable — just two years later, during the lockdown period, it allowed us to safely navigate the pandemic crisis without chaos, managing processes efficiently and securely.

People at the heart of the machinery park

Winning “Success Written in Lipstick” is also proof that in the world of heavy industry, there is no need to lead with an iron fist. Of course, we invest heavily in technology — our machinery park with robotic welding systems and 3D CNC lasers is now worth more than PLN 20 million. However, as our award-winning CEO always says, these machines alone will never produce anything by themselves.

We are a team of nearly 170 people. Our CEO does not build artificial barriers between management and production. She personally knows every manager and focuses on open dialogue, proving that modern, empathetic leadership works perfectly even in the stereotypically male industrial sector.

“Made in Poland” as a source of pride

Why does this award mean so much to us? Today, our machines and more than 250 attachment models operate in 50 countries — from the USA, through Chile, all the way to New Zealand. For years, CEO Izabela has been proving on international markets that the Made in Poland label no longer means being the cheapest supplier. This success is a strong reminder to the world that Polish engineering should be treated as a synonym for top quality, creativity, and reliability.

We are incredibly proud of this award. For us, it is the best proof that the daily commitment of our team, the combination of craftsmanship tradition with innovation, and a bold, human approach to business truly work!