Dawtona is a Polish food giant founded by Andrzej Wielgomas. The name of the “king of ketchup” came into the spotlight after the media reported that his son, Piotr Wielgomas, had purchased a 160-hectare plot in Zabłotnia near Grodzisk Mazowiecki. The transaction was controversial because the area is considered important for the construction of the Central Communication Port (CPK).
Andrzej Wielgomas is a well-known figure in Polish business. In the 1990s, he built one of the largest domestic food empires, transforming a small tomato processing plant into a company worth hundreds of millions of zlotys. Dawtona, whose products can be found in many Polish homes, currently has over 4.5 thousand. hectares of its own fields, cooperates with 2 thousand Polish farmers and employs approximately 1.2 thousand employees.
“We work based on an integrated production model – from seed to can,” we read on the company's website. Dawtona explains that thanks to this approach he has full knowledge of the product and full control over the process.
See also: The sale of land for the CPK causes a storm. The prosecutor's office is investigating the decisions of KOWR and PiS
In 2021, Wielgomas handed over the reins of the company to his wife, Danuta, and his sons. One of them is Piotr Wielgomas, vice-president and co-owner of Dawtona, who is currently in the spotlight due to a controversial transaction.
Vice-president Dawtona bought a plot of land. The transaction is under the microscope
According to information published by Wirtualna Polska, the plot was sold for PLN 22.8 million after obtaining the consent of the Ministry of Agriculture in the last days of the PiS government. The resort was then headed by Robert Telus. This area was to be leased by Dawtona from 2008 for the amount of PLN 580,000. PLN per year – the media reported.
The value of the land may increase significantly – up to PLN 400 million – if its purpose is changed and railway infrastructure leading to the STH is built on it.
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In a statement sent to PAP, Dawton's company emphasizedthat “it was not a party to the lease agreement, did not participate in the tender and did not seek to purchase the property.” Dawtona's vice president, Piotr Wielgomas, purchased the plot privately in December 2023.
See also: KOWR will demand the return of the plot for the CPK. New move after controversial sale
KOWR is in talks with Piotr Wielgomas
The land belonged to the National Center for Agricultural Support (KOWR). The prosecutor's office is investigating whether KOWR exceeded its powers in connection with the sale of land.
During the press conference, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Maciej Lasek explained that KOWR is in talks with Piotr Wielgomaswho purchased the plot. He pointed out that a change in local development plans may enable the purchase of the property. The agreement concluded in December 2023 provides for the possibility of “reversing the transaction” under certain conditions. Lasek emphasized that the good will of the current owner would significantly improve the process.
