A LITTLE Hulton company with a world-wide reputation was one of the first in the UK to recognise the potential in Poland.
Active sportswear specialist Henri-Lloyd Ltd established a Polish subsidiary - Henri-Lloyd Polska - in 1993.
Since then the economy has developed rapidly and the company believes it has a significant foothold in a growing market with 40 million people.
There is also an opportunity for further incursions into Eastern Europe.
"This has been a very good investment for us," said Mr Martin Strzelecki, who is joint managing director with his brother Paul. The business was part-founded by their father, Mr Henri Strzelecki MBE in 1963.
Mr Strzelecki, a Polish immigrant who had worked in the Lancashire textile industry, pioneered the development of specially-designed sailing clothing using new fabrics and closures.
The company's products are worn by yachtsmen all round the world.
Henri-Lloyd Ltd opened its Polish operation in Brodnica, where Mr Strzelecki snr was born.
He retired at the beginning of the year and is now the company's Honorary President.
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