Ursus SA

**History of Ursus SA:**

– Ursus Factory established in 1893 in Warsaw.
– Started with production of valves and pumps for the Russian market.
– Expanded to producing internal combustion engines in 1902.
– Specialized in engines for industry and agriculture up to 80 HP.
– Produced around 6,000 different engines by World War I.

**Solidarity and Protests:**

– Ursus workers participated in solidarity movements in the 1970s and 1980s.
– Played a significant role in strikes against food price increases.
– Protested detentions and demanded increased wages and rights.
– Acted in unity with other workers in Poland.
– Demonstrated against government actions affecting workers.

**Investment Challenges under Gierek:**

– Ursus factory was a focus of investment under Edward Gierek in the 1970s.
– Large loans were taken to import modern equipment.
– Loans were granted for purchasing machine tools from American companies.
– Investment programs became inefficient and left Poland in debt.
– Ursus Factory faced challenges due to mismanagement of funds.

**Financial Difficulties and Restructuring:**

– Ursus tractor production declined in the 1990s.
– Production fell from 60,000 tractors in 1980 to 16,000 in 1995.
– Enormous debt from the 1980s expansion program led to financial difficulties.
– Debt write-offs and restructuring occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
– Ursus Company was established through restructuring and cooperation.

**Acquisitions, Partnerships, and Business Expansion:**

– Uzel Holding of Turkey acquired 51% of Ursus in 2007.
– Pol-Mot purchased Ursus from Bumar Ltd in 2011.
– Ursus products are marketed domestically and internationally.
– Plans to venture into electric bus production.
– Interest in acquiring the Ethiopian market.
– Re-establishment in Lublin in recent years.