In the town of Dobra (Cieszyn Silesia region, today’s Czech Republic), the name of Mokrys is already associated with trading. The progenitor of today’s Mokrysz family opens a shop with „colonial” goods. His name is Józef and besides his commercial activities, he keeps busy with many other things: he organizes a volunteer fire department and a folk handicraft school; he is a supporter of the patriotic organization „Sokół”. After some time, his younger brother - Alojzy, follows in his steps. He does so in the area of Goleszów. Here, he changes his name to „Mokrysz”. All of this takes place under the rule of Emperor Franz Joseph, and the mentioned towns were a part of the then world power - the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Józef Mokryš
MOKATE’s forerunner is a firm called Mokrysz – named, as is customary, after its owner. Starting with a shop in Goleszów (in southern Silesia), it goes on to acquire a restaurant and a concrete batching plant. The Mokrysz family business lasts for the next three generations.
Kazimierz Mokrysz, the grandson of the original owner, makes over the business to his wife. Teresa Mokrysz changes the name to MOKATE (from the names MOkrysz-KAzimierz-TEresa). She also changes the firm’s line of business, moving into the manufacture of coffee creamers. All this happens after a move to Ustroń.
MOKATE Cappuccino is launched. It is not an immediate success, as cappuccino is a complete and utter novelty to consumers. The breakthrough comes with an autumn television campaign, including a commercial which demonstrates how to prepare the drink.
MOKATE Cappuccino dominates the Polish market. The company has already made its first attempts at exporting its products to neighbouring countries. The growing level of demand means that production is fully stretched. A decision is made to invest, and in April construction of a new plant begins, close to the existing site.
MOKATE’s new headquarters is formally opened on March 30. This building, with floor space totalling 3,500 sq.m., houses modern production facilities, warehouses and offices. In the course of the year production increases twofold. The product range now consists of more than 100 items, including drinking chocolate. Goods are exported to 10 countries. Again more space is needed.
A new production facility is built, with 7,500 sq.m. of floor space on two storeys. The company’s workforce numbers close to 500. Modern production lines enable the company to expand its product range to 200 items. MOKATE products are sold in around 30 countries. The laboratories where new recipes are developed now take up more space than the entire company occupied just a few years ago.
A landmark year for investment. Ustroń sees the building of the “tower”, a 12-storey production facility for powdered cream. This means MOKATE no longer has to buy imported whiteners and frothers. In fact it begins to sell these products itself, supplying food manufacturers in Poland and elsewhere. An ultra-modern automatic warehouse also comes into operation. The total floor space of the Ustroń facilities reaches 15,000 sq.m. At the same time, in Żory (about 30 km away), another MOKATE plant of the same size is being built.
The Żory plant, again with “towers”, begins production. MOKATE has 700 employees in the two towns. Goods are exported to every continent. Midway through the year a change is made to the company’s organisational structure. Alongside the old F.P.U.H. MOKATE, a new company called MOKATE S.A. is set up in Ustroń. The well-known Polish manager Marek Tarnowski is appointed President of the Management Board. A separate company, MOKATE Sp. z o.o., operates in Żory. MOKATE INTERNATIONAL has offices in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Business is also being developed through MOKATE’s branch in Moscow.
The MOKATE Group strengthens its position as a supplier of food ingredients. The coffee market is taken by storm with the arrival of MOKATE CAFE Instant, the result of painstaking laboratory work and market analysis. New types of cocoa are launched under the name Biały Miś (White Bear), as well as drinking chocolate. In October the company takes over Consumer, one of Poland’s largest producers of tea. At the end of the year, MOKATE controls 18% of the Polish tea market. Total sales exceed € 80 million, and the workforce numbers almost 1000. Moreover this year is the tenth anniversary of the launch of MOKATE Cappuccino. Great satisfaction, and a celebratory holiday for everyone at MOKATE.
MOKATE’s range of teas continues to expand. A new line called BIONATURAL is followed by PERFECTION, which gives the company pride of place among teas in the “premium” category. The design of tea packaging becomes more functional and modern. All teas are produced based on the recipes and supplies of Thompson Lloyd & Ewart, the legendary London tea house founded in 1760. Another new instant product takes to the shelves: “NYCoffee 2+1”, or whitened coffee and sugar in one convenient pack. Exports increase, and now account for almost 25% of total sales. Whiteners are particularly successful abroad. The Management Board approves a new expansion strategy to take advantage of Poland’s EU membership.
MOKATE takes over the Czech company TIMEX, which becomes the group’s third subsidiary in that country. As one of the Czech Republic’s largest manufacturers of instant products, it gives MOKATE a leading position in that section of the market. The acquisition of TIMEX proves MOKATE’s consistency in pursuing its strategic goal: the further strengthening of its position in Central and Eastern Europe. At the same time, a survey of the Ukrainian market is under way, and trade and production priorities are being established for MOKATE in Kiev. At the end of the first quarter the MOKATE Group consists of eight enterprises.
Mokate is becoming more and more international. Export has reached 40% of total sales. Total sales have closed at around 100 million Euro. Semi finished products are still the most dynamic; whiteners and frothers reach 60 countries of the world, in addition to domestic customers. Employment extends to 1200 personnel, the largest production plant remains Mokate sp. z o. o. in Żory (the whole group still includes eight plants).
The ongoing cappuccino campaign is bringing effects. For the first time in several years, the turnover has not only stopped dropping, but a dynamic improvement in the sales can be seen. It is thanks to Mokate, which as an absolute leader in this category of the Polish market (about 80% share) - feels responsible for the structure of consumption. Market observers report: the cappuccino trend in returning. In the instant coffee market, the work of the Research and Implementation Centre is bringing excellent effects; new drinks are arriving in the market: Mokate Latte, Macchiato and Mocca. The improved Carmen („even creamier”) has been received by customers with appreciation. Mokate’s offensive in the tea market is not stopping. „Grandma Jagoda” is conquering the tea market, as a series of Mulled Teas is just entering it. These last teas are a totally innovative technology which blends tea with alcohol, placing the company among the precursors in the Europe's food industry. Tea products are winning many awards and distinctions in prestigious trade shows. The company’s foreign expansion includes not only exports (which includes whiteners and frothers); at the end of the year the company will attempt to acquire another (third) Czech enterprise. This time, it is a coffee and biscuit manufacturer located near Prague. Investments are taking place domestically, mostly consisting of strengthening the machine park. The Żory branch has finished (environment-friendly) work related with the recycling of post-production heat. This facility has purchased about 3 ha of land, increasing its current size; the production plant will be expanded on this newly purchased land. The year closes with a 10% increase in sales in comparison to the previous year.
Mokate creates a fully integrated group of 9 companies, with 6 located outside the country. On the Polish side: Mokate Sp. z o. o. in Żory, Mokate S.A. in Ustroń and FPUH. And outside the country: Mokate Czech Republic, Timex (in the Czech Republic), Marila (in the Czech Republic), Mokate Slovakia, Mokate Hungary and Mokate Ukraine. The turnover of the group has exceeded half a billion zlotys, exports have a 57% share it its sales. Mokate products are sold in places like China, Arabic countries, Africa. Mokate remains an absolute leader in the cappuccino market; it holds the second place in the domestic tea market. Mokate’s offer includes whole bean and ground coffees, manufactured in a modern roasting plant in the acquired Czech company Marila. Another Mokate product can be found on the shops' top shelves - Global coffee. Intermediate products strengthen their position in foreign markets, for example, cappuccino ingredients are supplied to Italian manufacturers. This way, a product made in Żory is a part of the market which is a traditional „homeland” of cappuccino. In total, the group has 1 500 employees hired in all enterprises. The company is making new investments. New storage facilities are being raised in Ustroń, and another production hall is being constructed in Żory, on a 3.5 ha lot adjacent to the existing plant.
Marila (Czech)
