On the axis of change – 80 years of Węglozbyt
The dawn of industrial heritage
In turbulent times marked by war, when the country was just forging its future, a state-owned enterprise was established whose task was not only to stoke the fires in boilers, supplying black gold to steelworks, power plants, homes, and rail transport, but also to inspire hope for the future as a symbol of durability, strength, and a reviving economy.
The Coal Distribution Center, established in Katowice, was responsible for distributing coal throughout the country from February 20, 1945. The first train carrying coal from Silesia to Warsaw departed in February 1945.
Soon, on May 1 of that year, the name was changed to reflect the scope of its activities: “Central Sales Office for Coal Industry Products.” Four years later, on October 1, 1949, the company was renamed “Central Coal Sales Office.” In 1949, the private sector was completely eliminated, and coal trade was now carried out by the state and cooperative apparatus.
In 1949, the Foreign Trade Office was separated from the Head Office and soon transformed into the Foreign Trade Head Office “Węglokoks.”
Entering the second half of the 20th century, the Head Office builds analytical and accounting facilities. On January 1, 1951, the Central Accounting Office for the Coal Industry is established – the nucleus of the future Central Mining Information Center (COIG).
The heart of distribution – Coal Storage Facility in Ostrów Wielkopolski
In order to ensure smooth deliveries to customers and to guarantee the continuity of strategic state coal reserves, as a result of rapid and dynamic development, a decision was made in the 1960s to build large buffer storage facilities for hard coal. Centrala Zbytu Węgla launched two coal storage facilities at that time – in Elbląg and Ostrów Wielkopolski. The latter, operating within the structures of the Centrala Zbytu Węgla “Węglozbyt” S.A., continues to provide bulk goods storage and coal sales services to this day.
Conveniently located in Ostrów Wielkopolski, the 42-hectare storage yard is currently one of the largest in Europe, with a capacity of up to 1.5 million tons of coal. It is equipped with specialized equipment for unloading, loading, and mixing coal. It is fully adapted for the storage, transshipment, and distribution of bulk goods and oversized loads.
The time of political transformation
With the advent of the 1990s and economic changes, Centrala Zbytu Węgla entered a new stage in its history – on June 4, 1993, it was transformed into a sole shareholder company of the State Treasury. The transformation was carried out pursuant to the Act of February 5, 1993, on the ownership transformation of certain state-owned enterprises of particular importance to the national economy, and Order No. 141/org/93 of the Minister of Industry and Trade of June 2, 1993.
It was a turning point – we managed to maintain continuity of operations while preserving our values in the new political and economic reality.
July 1, 1993 Centrala Zbytu Węgla “Węglozbyt” S.A. was officially entered into the Commercial Register (No. RHB 9757) kept by the District Court in Katowice – this act marked the formal opening of a new chapter in the Company’s operations, based on the principles of a competitive market economy.
Entering the 21st century
On November 8, 2001, the Company is entered into the National Court Register under KRS number 0000059625. This act seals the Company’s established position as a modern, fully transformed business entity – ready for the challenges of a new era.
Starting on September 9, 2004, the Head Office is entering a new cycle of ownership changes. First, 70,000 registered shares of series A of Centrali Zbytu Węgla “Węglozbyt” S.A. are transferred to Kompania Węglowa S.A. Then, in March 2012, another transfer takes place – this time to Węglokoks S.A. Finally, on May 29, 2015, the block of shares was transferred to Węglokoks Kraj Sp. z o.o.
June 1, 2023 – Centrala Zbytu Węgla “Węglozbyt” S.A., continuing its long-standing mission, becomes part of the Węglokoks Kraj capital group, strengthening its position on the market and opening a new chapter in the Company’s history.
