Stomil in Bydgoszcz has existed for over 100 years and was the first manufacturer of hydraulic hoses in Poland. From 2022, revenues began to decline, the plant could not withstand the competition with cheaper products from Asia. Finally, a drastic decision was made – 92 employees out of a 134-person workforce were given notice of termination at the end of February. At the same time, president Krzysztof Molen is still looking for contractors and trying to maintain production in the company.
— I have a backlog of orders until the end of the year. I plan to open the second and third shift, he said in an interview with TVP Bydgoszcz.
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Layoffs in Stomil. Employees negotiate with management
Stomil's losses have increased in recent years to over PLN 36 million. Since December 17, 2025, the company has been in restructuring proceedings. The only chance for survival – according to the management – is restructuring, which is inextricably linked to employment reduction. According to TVP Bydgoszcz, 40 employees will remain at the plant in the production of boards, rubber floorings and industrial ropes. Among other things, the management is now trying to base its actions on rubber flooring. – My analyzes and acquiring customers in Norway, Spain and Germany allow us to continue production – said Krzysztof Molen, president of TVP Bydgoszcz.
Meanwhile, the dismissed employees are angry. They do not understand why, when we are talking about the growth of the Polish economy and foreign media are blaring about the country's dynamic development, the legendary factory is being closed down.
— You don't know how to deal with it when your world is falling apart! It is very sad for us that we have become unnecessary – says “Gazeta Pomorska” Janusz Dalecki from the liquidated industrial hose factory, who worked in Stomil for 37 years. When he started working, the crew numbered approximately 2,000. people. He emphasizes that trade unionists are still talking to the management about what the company can offer to dismissed employees.
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The staff had known since the end of last year that things were not going well in the company and that there would be layoffs. Trade unionists have prepared demands regarding, among others: severance pay and jubilee awards, as well as professional activation for dismissed people. So far, we have managed to convince the management board to accept only some of the proposals. A councilor of the provincial assembly stood up for the dismissed employees. Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Jarosław Wenderlich, who in his interpellation to the voivodeship marshal Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship appealed for support from the voivodeship authorities for the company in a difficult situation.
The next meeting on this matter is to be held on Monday, March 16, reports TVP Bydgoszcz.
