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Mercator Medical Group

Want to know our story? Here, we will tell you who we are and what markets we operate in and describe our mission, vision and values that guide us in our everyday work. You will also find out more about the structure of the Group and the countries where we do business as a distributor and manufacturer.

Who we are

Who we are

The Mercator Medical Group is a company from Kraków with Polish capital that officially opened its business in the medical devices market in 1996.

It is one of the two companies in Europe and also one of the few companies in the world that distribute both disposable medical supplies and disposable gloves.

The Group is now one of the most important players on the international scene.

It sells its products to approximately 70 countries in the world and distributes them in Europe and Russia.

For over 25 years of its operations, the company has successively established the MERCATOR brand, which is both highly recognisable and well-trusted in the medical industry.

Our portfolio includes a wide range of medical and protective gloves and nonwoven products as well as products from reputable international companies that are distributed exclusively by us.

The structure of the Group

Mercator Medical S.A. is a company that has been operating in the European medical market for years. It was the foundation for the Mercator Medical Group, in which the most important subsidiaries are:

  • The Mercator Medical Group companies are present in the following countries:
    • Poland
    • Czech Republic
    • Thailand
    • Romania
    • Ukraine
    • Hungary
    • Italy
    • Germany
    • France
  • Sales distribution by the Mercator Group branches
  • Sales covered by the factory in Thailand
The structure of the Group

Distribution markets

Mercator Medical has organised distribution in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Italy, Germany, Ukraine and Hungary.

In these countries, sales are carried out directly by local sales representatives, which makes it easier for our products to reach virtually any country in Europe and Russia.

Our sales network also extends beyond the continent.

Production in Asia

The Mercator Medical Group has 3 factories in Thailand that make disposable medical and professional gloves.

Two plants have been in operation for a long time (17 production lines in total), while the new plant commissioned its first line in February 2022.

To date, the total production capacity is approx. 270 million gloves per month.

Ultimately, by the end of September 2022, the factories of the Group will include 23 production lines with a total capacity of 345 million gloves per month (4 billion per year).

The latest factory was built using high-tech production solutions as well as many systems designed to protect the environment.

Mercator Medical Thailand focuses on the production and sale of medical and professional gloves intended for professionals from various industries, e.g., beauty, food, cleaning or automotive.

Composition 2

Logistics Centres

The Logistics Centres of Mercator Medical S.A. are located in Brześć Kujawski and at Yusen Logistics in Gdańsk.

The Company has additional warehouse spaces in Romania, Hungary, Ukraine and Russia.

Composition 3

History of the Group

The history of the Mercator Medical Group dates back to 1989, when Piotr and Wiesław Żyznowski founded Firma Handlowa „Mercator” Żyznowski i Spółka, Spółka Jawna. Then, in 1993, Mercator Med. S.A. was established as a public limited company, from which the independent companies Mercator Papier S.A., Mercator Medical S.A. and Mercator Poligrafia S.A. sprang up in the following years.

History of the Group

Mercator Medical S.A. has been active as an independent entity on the market of medical devices since 1996. Initially, the company focused exclusively on medical and protective gloves. In response to customer needs and as a result of continuous development, the product range has been extended to include dressings, single-use clothing and surgical draping.

As the product portfolio developed, areas of activity extended as well.
In 2004, the company started to develop direct distribution in Hungary and Ukraine, and in 2006 in Romania as well, setting up a branch in Budapest and subsidiaries in Kiev and Cluj-Napoca. In 2006, Mercator Medical S.A. decided to purchase shares in a company located in Thailand which manufactured medical gloves. This acquisition resulted in the establishment of Mercator Medical (Thailand) Ltd.

On 21 November 2013, Mercator Medical S.A. made its debut on the Main List of the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

2015 turned out to be another milestone for our company. In April, Mercator Medical OOO started its operations on the Russian market, which allowed for the dynamization of direct sales to other countries across the eastern borders. The group has also grown to include a company in the Czech Republic - Mercator Medical s.r.o. and the subsidiary Mercator Medical based in the USA.

In 2016, the company carried out a further issue of shares which were subscribed for by stock exchange investors. In 2017, a Mercator Medical company was launched in Italy.

In 2017, Mercator Medical (Thailand) Ltd. started building another nitrile glove factory in Thailand, which commenced its operations already in 2018. In 2019, the Group decided to set up a company in Germany.

Today, products of the Mercator Medical Group are present on all continents. With the distribution of gloves purchased from external suppliers, the Group’s total sales potential can be estimated at around 6 billion gloves per year.

Significant events

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  • On the initiative of, inter alia, the President Wiesław Żyznowski and the former long-term Vice President Monika Sitko, now the company’s main shareholders, the company Mercator Medical S.A. was founded, based in Krakow, specialising in the distribution of single-use medical gloves.
  • Commencement of the company's operations in the public procurement sector with tenders organised by healthcare institutions; the product offer addressed directly to contracting authorities.
  • The central warehouse and the Sales Office in Stary Brześć are opened.
  • Mercator Medical starts selling its products abroad – in the Central and Eastern European countries.
  • A branch of Mercator Medical S.A. is established in Hungary.
  • A subsidiary, Mercator Medical TOB, is established in Ukraine.
  • Distribution cooperation is commenced with Ansell Healthcare – a company specialising in the production of surgical gloves.
  • The Group extends its assortment with single-use nonwoven clothing.
  • A subsidiary, Mercator Medical s.r.l., is established in Romania.
  • 50.4% of shares are purchased in B-Care located in Thailand – currently Mercator Medical (Thailand) Ltd. – which manufactures medical gloves.
  • The opening of a new warehouse in Stary Brześć.
  • The Group adds medical dressings to its assortment.
  • Upgrade of the glove plant in Thailand – the commissioning of a new power boiler.
  • A subsidiary, Mercator Medical KFT., is established in Hungary
  • Mercator Medical (Thailand) Ltd. starts exporting to customers in Russia, Belarus, Canada, Tunisia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Kenya, Turkey and South American countries (Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay).
  • The Group adds surgical drapes and specialist surgical drapes to its assortment.
  • Mercator Medical S.A. obtains certificates for the sale of products in Russia and starts exporting its products to that region.
  • A distribution sales network starts its operation in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
  • Upgrade of the glove plant in Thailand – the commissioning of a second power boiler and commencement of construction of a warehouse and office hall to adapt the existing building to new production lines; the first of the four new dual production lines is ordered.
  • 21.11.2013 – Debut on the Main List of the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Warsaw.
  • The extension of the single-use glove factory in Thailand begins.
  • 9.03.2015 – Commissioning of the fourth and last of the planned, dual latex gloves production line at the Mercator Medical factory in Thailand. The launch of all new production lines enabled the production of 110 million gloves per month.
  • The expansion of the Mercator Medical S.A. Logistics Centre in Stary Brześć is completed. The investment included a storage hall of 2,682 m2, with the storage height of 6.2 m and capacity of almost 2,600 pallet spaces with goods, and an administrative aisle with an area of 177 m2.
  • Distribution activities in Russia are commenced.
  • Distribution activities in the Czech Republic are commenced.
  • The Group extends its composition by adding a US subsidiary Mercator Medical LLC based in the United States. The company is not currently operating. The Management Board of Mercator Medical S.A. prepares to begin the distribution of medical gloves in this region of the world.
  • 18.03.2016 – Mercator Medical concludes a set of long-term and short-term credit agreements with CIMB Thai Bank based in Thailand, with a total value exceeding PLN 86 million.
  • Rebranding of packaging for household and protective gloves.
  • 8.08.2016 – The company presents an updated development strategy for 2016–2018.
  • The construction of the second plant in Thailand is commenced to increase the production capacity by approx. 150%, i.e. to 3 billion gloves per year. This investment includes a facility which specialises in the production of nitrile gloves, which currently are the fastest growing segment in the global market of single-use medical gloves. The cost of the investment in Thailand has been estimated at PLN 107 million.
  • Construction of a facility manufacturing single-use nonwoven products is started in Poland. The company purchased a plot for this purpose with the area of 1 ha in Pikutkowo k. Brześć Kujawski, where the Sales Office and Logistics Centre of the company is located.
  • Introduction of new packaging for household and protective gloves.
  • Secondary public offering is carried out – financing of capacity increase by 150%.
  • Distribution of Group products in more than 50 countries.
  • Construction of a nitrile glove factory in Thailand is commenced.
  • Rebranding of packaging for diagnostic and protective gloves.
  • Launching the production of nonwoven products in Poland.
  • Establishing a company in Italy.
  • Launch of a nitrile glove factory in Thailand.
  • Launch of a distribution sales network in Great Britain.
  • Rebranding of packaging for surgical gloves.
  • Distribution of Group products in more than 60 countries on five continents.
  • The level of 2% of the global share in the sale of gloves is reached.
  • Launching of a company in Germany.
  • Distribution of Group products in 70 countries on five continents.
  • Mercator Medical GmbH
  • eMercator set up
 
  • the third factory in Thailand
  • the opening of a distribution company in France
  • the German eMercator Gmbh is established

Our mission

Protecting and supporting the people who do what’s important.

Our vision

Supplying reliable, trustworthy products and services that ensure comfort and security and creating innovative, high-quality products perfectly tailored to the needs of professionals from various industries.

Mercator meddical

Key values:

In all aspects of our business we adhere to the principles of ethics, openness and transparency.

Respect for others

Employees, contractors, partners and stakeholders are extremely important to us. We are committed to maintaining good relationships and adhering to the principles of fair competition. We value privacy.

Respect for others
Clear communication

Internal and external communication in the Group is transparent, open, clear and meaningful. We share information that contributes to the development of individual companies.

Clear communication
Managing empowerment to achieve the purpose

We delegate our powers, based on experience, skills and knowledge. Our actions are focused on achieving the intended goal. Growth is the most important thing for us. All persons associated with the Group are responsible for it.

Managing empowerment to achieve the purpose
Market-based customer focus

We listen to the needs of customers. We offer reliable, expert information and professional support. We share knowledge and experience, we offer support. We monitor our actions and fulfil our commitments.

Market-based customer focus
We respond to key needs

Our products are essential to everyday life and extremely useful.

We respond to key needs
We combine the characteristics of a private company and a corporation

We try to combine the entrepreneurial spirit characteristic of private business owners with corporate best practices that are found in systemically organised companies, independent in their operations from their owners or shareholders.

We combine the characteristics of a private company and a corporation
Local patriotism

Our industry and specialisation require activity in many countries. We want to cultivate the local character wherever we are – and reconcile the necessary corporate centralisation with the local conditions.

Local patriotism

Quality Management System – ISO

To meet the expectations of our customers and stakeholders, we have implemented and maintain and continuously improve our Quality Management System compliant with the requirements of ISO standards, as evidenced by our certificates in this regard:

  • EN ISO 9001:2015
  • EN ISO 13485:2016

Awards and distinctions

We are constantly developing, creating stable foundations for the future. Our achievements are appreciated in Poland and abroad. The Mercator Medical Group continues to receive more prestigious awards and distinctions.

Awards and distinctions
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  • The title of the Lesser Poland Leader 2020 for the Mercator Medical Group. The award granted by the Association of Municipalities and Counties of Lesser Poland (Stowarzyszenie Gmin i Powiatów Małopolski, SGiPM) distinguishes “Lesser Poland locomotives”, which are the most important initiatives, spectacular achievements as well as economically and socially relevant investments affecting the dynamic development of the region. The SGiPM is the largest regional local government organisation, currently comprising more than 100 municipalities and counties from the historical area of Lesser Poland.

  • We have just debuted in the 22nd Edition of the Ranking “Lista 500” of the Rzeczpospolita daily, becoming the Eagle of the Republic of Poland. Our company has been recognised for its rapid growth and presence in markets around the world.

  • Mercator Medical S.A. with the “Investor Without Borders” distinction! The award is granted every year during the European Economic Congress in Katowice to the most effective Polish investors pursuing foreign expansion. Our organisation has been recognised for creating a global, specialised and advanced company operating in an important sector of the modern economy. The award was collected by Wiesław Żyznowski, President of Mercator Medical S.A., who commented on the distinction: “We hire only 10% of our employees in Poland and the remainder in foreign markets. It is similar with our investments. In the case of sales, Poland is responsible for 20-25% of revenues and the rest are export markets, especially the US. Therefore, the “Investor Without Borders” distinction fits our business profile and it gives me great satisfaction that we have received this title”.

  • Mercator Medical was awarded in the “Foreign Investment Pioneer” category in the ninth edition of the Polish Company – International Champion competition. Once again, the competition was organised by PwC Poland and the Puls Biznesu magazine. The company has been recognised for its foreign investments to date and for the establishment of sales companies in foreign markets. The Mercator Medical Group is present in 70 countries on 5 continents, having a 2% share in the global market.

  • During the 2nd Congress of Family Businesses of Forbes magazine, Mercator Medical was awarded the title of the Family Ambassador of the Year 2020, which is a distinction for “corporations with a heart”, namely family companies in which harmonious cooperation between generations and “family” relationships not only among the owners, but also in dealing with the employees, do not contradict purely business values, enabling companies to grow dynamically. On behalf of the company, the award was collected by Monika Żyznowska, Member of the Management Board of Mercator Medical S.A.
  • „Forbes’ Diamonds” for the most dynamically developing companies in Poland.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Bronze finalist of the Polish Project Excellence Award 2019 in the “Investment Projects” – for the successfully completed project of building a nitrile glove factory in Thailand.
  • dr Wiesław Żyznowski, the President of the Mercator Medical Group, is the finalist of the 16th Edition of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Award for Mercator Medical from the magazine „Puls Biznesu” – “Gazele Biznesu 2014”.
  • Mercator Medical placed in the Forbes’ Diamonds ranking - 3rd place in the regional list and 32nd place in the national list.
  • Mercator Medical awarded a distinction by the daily „Rzeczpospolita” in the competition “Orły Eksportu Województwa Małopolskiego” [Eagles of Export of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship] as the most active entrepreneur in the Małopolska region in the categories: “Najdynamiczniejszy Eksporter” [Most dynamic Exporter] and “Najlepszy Debiut w Eksporcie” [Best Debut in Exports].
  • Mercator Medical S.A. awarded a distinction in the competition “Dobry Wzór 2015” [Good Design] organised by Institute of Industrial Design in Warsaw. The system of packaging for diagnostic and surgical gloves was positively evaluated by the Experts, which secured Mercator Medical’s place among the finalists of the competition.
  • Distinction for Mercator Medical in the ranking prepared by the Instytut Nowoczesnego Biznesu – the title of “Światowa Firma 2013”.
  • 18.11.2014 – the statue and title of “Globalny Lider Przyszłości” [Global Leader of the Future] at the closing conference for the first edition of the competition run by Think Tank „Poland, Go Global!”.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • The titles of “Gepard Biznesu” and “Gazela Biznesu”.
  • Award at the Polish National Competition “Światowa Firma” [Worldwide Company] – distinction in the ranking prepared by the Instytut Nowoczesnego Biznesu [Institute of Modern Business].
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.
  • Diagnostic vinyl gloves vinylex® were awarded the Product of the Year award organised by Ogólnopolski Przegląd Medyczny [National Medical Review].
  • Award granted by the magazine Puls Biznesu – “Gazele Biznesu”.