Among other things, the KH Group created the largest Polish automotive group, an importer and dealer in Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Bentley cars, a chain which sold more than one million cars over a period of twenty years, and was the undisputed leader on the Polish market. It was the co-founder of Kompania Piwowarska, the largest brewery group in Poland, and one of the most modern breweries in the world. It was the strategic partner to the SABMiller group, and prior to the global merger with AB InBev it was the largest private shareholder in the global concern, with a stake valued at more than PLN 10 billion. The KH Group was also the architect and leader of the consortium that constructed the first toll motorway in Poland, and party to the largest Polish PPP, the Konin – Świecko section of the A2 motorway, built at a total cost of PLN 9 billion. In 2007, an international investment group was formed on the foundations of KH, active in the most strategic sectors of the economy, crude oil and gas, raw minerals, generation of power, and distribution and trade power and gas. The company, with its headquarters in Luxembourg, took the name Kulczyk Investments, and in the years that followed it completed dozens of ventures and complex investment projects in more than 30 countries on four continents. This made Jan Kulczyk the first Polish entrepreneur to be active on a global scale. The long-term projects effected in cooperation with international investors, firms managing assets, and private business owners, expanded the investment portfolio to include real estate, infrastructure, and crude oil and gas projects. Jan Kulczyk was also the first Pole to be named on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people, and for many years topped the Polish rankings. In 2014, the Kulczyk Investments Group became the strategic shareholder in Ciech, a leading chemical group in Europe, which was listed on the WSE and FSE.
Kulczyk Holding is entered in the commercial register.
Work on creating Poland’s leading automotive group begins.
First activities in the infrastructure sector.
Kulczyk Holding starts prestigious infrastructure projects.
Autostrada Wielkopolska is formed. It is the first private company in Poland to be granted the concession to build and operate a toll motorway.
The Polish Government and the Vatican ratify a concordat.
Privatization of Lech Browary Wielkopolski.
The creation of Poland’s largest – and one of Europe’s most modern brewery group gets under way.
Involvement in the mobile telephony sector.
Polska Telefona Cyfrowa is formed to become one of Poland’s most dynamic GSM operators.
Škoda Auto Polska begins operations.
Škoda Auto Polska enters into first dealer contracts and starts operating. Škoda Favorit is the first model to be sold.
Strategic partner in Lech Browary Wielkopolski.
South African Breweries International (future SABMiller) supports Kompania Piwowarska in its quest to become the leading player in the Polish brewery market.
Privatization of Browary Tyskie Górny Śląsk.
Participation in the privatization of Browary Tyskie Górny Śląsk – the strategic partner South African Breweries International acquires the majority stake.
First stage of investment in TUiR Warta.
Kulczyk Holding starts investing in TUiR Warta which becomes Poland’s largest private insurance group.
Concession agreement for the A2 motorway.
Autostrada Wielkopolska and the Polish Government sign a concession agreement to construct the A2 motorway. It is the first such significant investment project in Poland carried out on the basis of a Public-Private-Partnership.
Disposal of the share in Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa.
The new investment strategy focuses on the brewing, infrastructure and automotive sectors.
The purchase of the majority stake in TUiR Warta from the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Kulczyk Holding and its subsidiaries become the majority shareholder in Warta. The main achievement is the restructuring of the former state-owned company into a market-oriented organization making it one of the most competitive insurance groups in Poland.
Kompania Piwowarska is formed.
Kulczyk Holding leads the merger of the breweries Lech Browary Wielkopolski and Browary Tyskie Górny Śląsk. One of the largest and the most technologically advanced brewing groups in Poland is created with over 40% market share.
Polenergia is established.
Kulczyk Holding forms Polenergia to become one of the leading private energy trading companies in Poland.
Privatization of Telekomunikacja Polska.
In consortium with France Telecom, Kulczyk Holding completes the largest privatization deal in Central Europe. The consortium acquires a 47.5% share in Telekomunikacja Polska from the State Treasury.
Investment in PTE Dom pension fund.
The construction of the A2 motorway begins.
Autostrada Wielkopolska starts construction of the A2 motorway, the main axis of the strategic road corridor linking Poland to Western Europe.
The first section of A2.
The first, almost 50 km long, section of the A2 motorway from Konin to Września is completed.
Investment in PKN Orlen.
At the turn of 2001 and 2002 Kulczyk companies invest in PKN Orlen, one of the largest oil refineries in Europe (they exit the investment in 2005).
Browar Dojlidy merges with Kompania Piwowarska.
Together with SABMiller, Kulczyk Holding acquires Browar Dojlidy. In 2008, Browar Belgia, the owner of such brands as Palm and Gingers will also merge with Kompania Piwowarska.
Investment in the chemical sector.
The Group acquires the POCH chemical plant, one of Poland’s largest producers of specialized chemical materials and reagents for laboratories.
Another section of the A2 motorway is completed.
Autostrada Wielkopolska completes the construction of the next section of the A2 motorway (Poznań to Nowy Tomyśl). It is the fastest built motorway in Europe (150 km in three years).
Investment in Pekaes.
Through a subsidiary company Kulczyk Holding invests in PEKAES, a Polish logistics operator listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
KH explores for oil&gas.
Kulczyk Holding Invests in Ophir Energy, an upstream company operating in Africa. The oil & gas sector becomes one of the strategic sectors for the group.
The Kulczyk Holding Group is reorganized.
An international investment group is created to focus on the most strategic sectors of the economy: oil and gas, mineral resources, power generation, power and gas distribution and trading as well as infrastructure. The Luxembourg based company is now called Kulczyk Investments and is run by Dariusz Mioduski.
Preparations for the IPO for KOV.
Kulczyk Oil Ventures is created following the division of Loon Energy Inc. into two separate units. KOV intends to list its shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2010.
Investment in Aurelian Oil & Gas.
Kulczyk Investments starts extensive exploration for natural gas in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
The A2 motorway to Germany.
Autostrada Wielkopolska finalises negotiations with the Ministry of Infrastructure concerning the financing of the Nowy Tomyśl – Świecko section of the A2 motorway. In 2011 Poland will be linked to the European motorway network.
Construction of the final stretch of the A2 motorway begins.
In June, Autostrada Wielkopolska, the government and banks sign agreements with respect to the construction and operation of the Nowy Tomyśl – Świecko stretch of the A2 motorway. The new road will connect Poland with the European motorway network prior to the EURO 2012.
Taking control of PEKAES.
Kulczyk Holding becomes the holder of a 58.42% share in the leading logistics operator, PEKAES; the only sector company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Kulczyk Holding, one of SABMiller larger shareholders.
After contributing a 28.1% share in Kompania Piwowarska to the SABMiller Group, Kulczyk Holding becomes the holder of a 3.8% share in the world’s second largest beer producer.
Jan Kulczyk, the richest Pole.
Jan Kulczyk is at the top of the list of the richest Poles published by Forbes Magazine. He is also the highest classified Pole in the World’s richest people list.
Kulczyk Oil Ventures listed on the WSE.
On 25 May, the shares of Kulczyk Oil Ventures are listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Creation of CEED.
Jan Kulczyk launches “Central and East European Development”, a think-tank for ideas and initiatives which promotes the achievements of the ten newest EU member states
Ophir floats on the LSE.
On 13 July, Ophir Energy, a company exploring for oil and gas in Africa, successfully floats on the LSE main market. It is the fourth company in the Kulczyk Group listed in London.
A2, the longest and the most technologically advanced Polish motorway links Poland with the European road network.
On 1 December, six months earlier than planned, Autostrada Wielkopolska opens the final stretch of the A2 motorway, from Świecko to Nowy Tomyśl. The PLN 6 billion investment is the largest project based on Public Private Parntership in Europe and Poland’s largest infrastructure project.
Kulczyk Investments invests in Nigeria.
KI Group holds 40 % in the Neconde Consortium that won in a tender to buy procuction licences in the Niger delta.
Opening of Ufficio Primo.
Following a complex revitalization, Ufficio Primo, the most prestigious office building in Poland is opened.
Kulczyk Holding one of the largest private CIT payers in Poland.
In the ranking published by Puls Biznesu, Kulczyk Holding is the second largest private CIT payer in Poland.
Kulczyk Oil Ventures acquires Winstar Resources and becomes Serinus Energy.
Kulczyk Oil Ventures acquires Winstar Resources, a Canadian exploration and production company with assets in Tunisia and Romania and subsequently changes its name into Serinus Energy.
Acquisition of CIECH.
KI Chemistry, a Kulczyk Investments group company, acquires by way of a public offering a controlling interest in the chemical group CIECH, one of European leaders in the soda and organic markets.
Sebastian Kulczyk takes the reins of Kulczyk Investments.
On 1st January, Sebastian Kulczyk is appointed Chief Executive Officer at Kulczyk Investments to manage the Group operations in over thirty countries on four continents.
Jan Kulczyk passes away.
Jan Kulczyk, a visionary of business, a philanthropist and a patron of culture and sport, passes away on 29 July, due to postoperative complications.
Sale of SABMiller’s stake.
Kulczyk Investments has sold 3 percent of the SABMiller plc shares. The transaction was a part of an ongoing process of the SABMiller takeover by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA / NV, which was one of the largest mergers in the history of international capital markets, with a total value of over 79 billion pounds. KI owned 3 percent. of SABMiller’s shares and was the largest private shareholder of the company.
Finalization of the sale of shares by KI was a turning point in the history of the Group and a milestone in the implementation of a new development strategy of the family investment company owned by Dominika and Sebastian Kulczyk.
100 million of goodness
Sebastian and Dominika Kulczyk declared to provide PLN 100 million to assist the poorest people.
This is the highest one-off payment donated to charity in the history of Poland.
InCredibles for the Polish start-ups.
Sebastian Kulczyk launched an innovative programme supporting Polish companies from the new-tech sector. Partners to the project were Campus Google (Warsaw) and IBM.
The Champions Wall in the Polish Olimpic Committee.
The Olimpic Champions Wall was officially unveiled in the main hall of the Polish Olimpic Committee. The gallery of 96 pictures of the most prominent Polish sportsmen is crowned with the quote of the greatest patron of Polish sport, dr Jan Kulczyk: „Olympians, conquer the world! For yourselves. For us. For Poland”.
Three years after the death of their father, Dominika and Sebastian Kulczyk decided to divide their joint estate. As a result of mutual decision, Sebastian remained as the head of the Kulczyk Investments Group and controls Ciech and Autostrada Wielkopolska, whereas Dominika became the owner of Polenergia and concentrates on the activities of Kulczyk Foundation.
In addition, Sebastian founded Manta Ray Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in technological companies all over the world and within the Incredible Inspirations programme supports young entrepreneurs in business development.
The “Jutronauci” program, which has been organised since 2017 by the daily “Gazeta Wyborcza” at the initiative of Sebastian Kulczyk, was awarded a prize in the INMA Global Media Awards 2018 for the “best PR and community activity”, as well as in the WAN-IFRA European Digital Media Awards (special commendation in the category Best Branded Content Project).
2nd edition of InCredibles programme.
For the second time, Sebastian Kulczyk invited start-ups to his acceleration programme that is focused on supporting innovative entrepreneurs from Central and Eastern Europe. Partners of this year’s edition were Startup Hub Poland, Campus Google (Warsaw), Business Link and Bain & Company.
CIECH among largest investors abroad.
The CIECH group has been rated an impressive eleventh in a ranking of the largest Polish private firms with investments abroad drawn up by the prestigious monthly Forbes. The CIECH group’s assets outside of Poland have been valued at more than PLN 1.1 bn.
InCredibles programme run for third time.
Eleven companies, winners in three prestigious start-up competitions, have been selected in another InCredibles mentor programme: the Katowice European Start-up Challenge, the Business Insider Trends Festival, and SingularityU Global Impact Challenge.
How the Pho3nix Foundation began.
The Pho3nix Foundation is an international social welfare organisation founded by Sebastian Kulczyk to help children around the world who are the most talented at sports and whose material situation is the main obstacle preventing them achieving their goals and embarking on a championship career.
IV InCredibles program.
Ten companies have been selected in the latest InCredibles mentoring program – winners in the following prestigious start-up competitions: Katowice European Start-up Challenge, Business Insider Trends Festival, and SingularityU Global Impact Challenge. A series of customised online workshops and consultations, the “Incredible Academy” program, was launched in March.
New Poznań ring road.
In 2020, Autostrada Wielkopolska completed construction of the Poznań motorway ring road, the first investment project in Poland to be completed on an operational highway. The work included construction of a third lane in both directions on a 16-kilometre section of the A2 motorway, upgrading the road surface, and installation of noise barriers and safety barriers.
PLN 10 m for the needy.
Sebastian Kulczyk has donated more than PLN 10 m to single-infection hospitals and local care facilities, providing aid for more than 7 000 residents.
Changes to the Kulczyk Investments Management and Supervisory Boards
Sebastian Kulczyk took up the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Kulczyk Investments, and handed over the function of President of the Management Board to Dawid Jakubowicz, responsible for managing the KI investment portfolio for more than ten years, and President at Ciech from 2018-2023. Jarosław Romanowski, CFO at KI, also joined the Management Board.
Sale of share packages in the AWSA and AWSA II concessionaires, and also AESA and A2 Route
After more than thirty years, Sebastian Kulczyk decided to sell the Autostrada group companies. KI One’s share in Autostrada Wielkopolska (AWSA) was 23.8 percent, while it held 40 percent of shares in Autostrada Wielkopolska II (AWSA II). Autostrada Eksploatacja (AESA), the company responsible for maintenance of the concession sections of the A2 motorway, and the construction company A2 Route, were also sold, and acquired by the French investment fund Meridiam
KI Chemistry withdraws Ciech from trading on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
In transactions effected from April to December 2023, KI Chemistry, owned by the Kulczyk Investments group, increased its share in Ciech to 100%, making it possible to withdraw the company from trading on the stock exchange. The private status of the company means that the owner can act quickly and flexibly in the light of changes in the market climate.
New Aquatic Rehabilitation Center for children to be opened at the Children’s Health Center in Warsaw
Due to a donation of PLN 21 million from Sebastian Kulczyk’s Pho3nix Foundation, the old swimming pool will be replaced by a new, state-of-the-art facility providing rehabilitation of all kinds, adapted for people with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Center will cater for more than 30 000 hospitalized patients per year.
New stage: QEMETICA.
The change of Ciech’s name to Qemetica is a key stage in the company’s transformation, continuing the strategy implemented after Kulczyk Investments took full control of the business. The rebranding is the result of the implementation of the largest investment plan in the Group’s history, including modernization of production processes and improvement of operational efficiency.
One of Qemetica’s most important actions as part of this transformation was the acquisition of the precipitated silica business from global conglomerate PPG. The transaction, worth PLN 1.2 billion (about $310 million), represents one of the Polish company’s largest investments in the US market. As a result of the acquisition, the company gained silica factories in the US and the Netherlands, allowing it to increase revenues by more than a billion zlotys and diversify into new markets.
Tomorrow is now.
Kulczyk Investments held an event called “Tomorrow is Now”, during which experts, entrepreneurs and managers analyzed the key challenges of the future. The discussion focused on five civilizational processes that could significantly affect global change and disrupt the existing world order. Participants jointly sought solutions to adapt human development to the dynamically changing reality.