Pole position

Heading-up JPB Système’s Poland-based operations, Katarzyna Kalisz, looks back on a career in which steadfast determination has enabled her to seize opportunities and confront challenges.

My career in the aviation industry is inseparably connected with France and began around fifteen years’ ago following my creation of a consulting company that helped mainly French investors to start up and develop their businesses in Poland.

My recollection of that period is of numerous trips, meetings and conferences. It was a time of intensive work, sleepless nights and never-ending tasks with short deadlines – and I loved it. I met hundreds of amazing people with whom I had illuminating conversations and shared countless heartwarming moments.

Some of these business connections were with those operating in the aviation industry and it was around three years later that, via the French-Polish Chamber of Commerce, I met Damien Marc, CEO of JPB Système. At that time the company had already earmarked Poland as strategically important and knowing the local market and its suppliers, I helped JPB to make valuable connections. My first role was to ensure deliveries were on time, in the right quantity and of the highest quality. The responsibility was immense, but at the same time my dreams of being a part of the aviation industry came true.

Soon after, thanks largely to the availability of EU grants, JPB Système created a branch in Jasionka. Strategically situated in the heart of Poland’s ‘Aviation Valley’, the area is also a base for the likes of MTU, Safran, and Pratt & Whitney, all of whom are our customers and our neighbours. What’s more, Damien Marc gave me the opportunity to proudly assume the role of managing director.

So there I was, the first employee of the company’s Polish arm, with the remit to establish production of aviation parts. Obviously, it all began with tons of paperwork, applications and forms but the goal was clear – manufacturing had to take off as soon as possible. What began as a relatively simple operation with four CNC machines, soon evolved into a business with five efficient departments, two production halls and a couple of dozen employees.

We’re all tested at some point, and for me, as for many within the aviation industry, that first serious test came in the shape of the Covid pandemic, when business and key aspects of our lives changed in a heartbeat. Despite many companies throughout the manufacturing and supply chain laying off employees as a result of a shutting down or significant slowing down in operations, our CEO took a bolder approach, encouraging us to use this period for development and training. Indeed, JPB Système was able to navigate Covid having not reduced its global headcount at all.

Almost four years on, the aviation industry is undergoing significant changes and something that I believe is worthy of the attention are sustainable development initiatives, be it via the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft, the use of more environmentally-friendly aviation fuels, and overall efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Technological advances are also changing various aspects of aviation. This includes improvements in aircraft design and the increased uptake of technologies like additive manufacturing – something our own company is exploring via metal binder jetting 3D printing.

Overall, the industry is facing challenges, but also offering opportunities for innovation and growth. The coming years are likely to be characterised by a balance between advancing technology, improving the passenger experience and addressing environmental concerns. From our own company’s perspective, 2023 has brought a major development to our Polish arm as we commenced work on a new 4,000m² state-of-the-art facility.

And for me personally, it will come as no revelation when I say that this is a male-dominated industry. Sure, as a woman, there have been numerous times when I have battled stereotypical viewpoints about our ability to operate effectively at a senior level in this space. But it’s about looking forward, putting in the hard yards, demonstrating your strengths, professionalism and expertise and ultimately earning the respect of others. Indeed, regardless of gender, I have seen that, time and time again, great leadership comes down to your individual character traits, determination and will.

www.jpb-systeme.com