President of the Management Board (CEO), LPP S.A., Cropp (brand of LPP S.A.)
Trzydzieści lat minęło: rozmowa z Markiem Piechockim, prezesem LPP
Z okazji naszych 30. urodzin w podcaście pojawił się wyjątkowy rozmówca! Marek opowiedział o początkach firmy i tym, co jest ...
About Marek Piechocki
Marek Piechocki, president of LPP, discussed the company’s 30-year history and growth in a 2022 podcast, saying that the need for constant change was “the only constant thing” and describing his early role negotiating with suppliers and inspecting factories. He also spoke about his management approach, stating that he considers himself “a slave of my best managers” and that he prioritises paying employees well so they feel secure and can focus on their work. In earlier interviews, Piechocki explained his preference for avoiding public visibility, saying he does not show his face in media “in order to live a normal life.” He stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic LPP would not pay dividends in 2020 in
Transcript (30 segments)
K
Karolina Kamińska0:00
Hi, this is Karolina Kamińska. This is the podcast 'Stages from the Lining'. We discuss career, passion, and work in the fashion industry. Welcome.
Today we have a special episode as our company celebrates its 30th anniversary, and I don't think there could be a better guest than Marek Piechocki, CEO of LPP. Hi Marek.
M
Marek Piechocki0:27
Hi, welcome. Thirty years is a long time, but it passed like a single day. We'll see soon.
K
Karolina Kamińska0:36
I have some questions for Marek, going back to his youth so you can get to know him better. We'll also discuss the company and future plans. First, when I spoke to your son Marcin, now Vice President of LPP, he said as a teenager he wanted to ride a scooter on a skateboard. What dreams did you have as a teenager?
M
Marek Piechocki1:10
Dreams for young people are the hardest because we want to enjoy life and have fun. When Marcin said he wanted to be with a skateboard, he wanted to play. In my times, there were fewer possibilities, so we wanted to live well. When you think about what he said, he wasn't thinking about his professional future but about the here and now. As for me, I didn't have such dreams; I had problems deciding what to do in life. Looking at my children now, each faces the same difficulty. It hasn't changed much because it's a tough decision.
K
Karolina Kamińska1:43
When you're 19, I also didn't know what to become. It often changes in life. You are an exception, we'll get to that, but you ended up at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology. Why that choice?
M
Marek Piechocki2:36
It was very pragmatic. I come from a small town, Kościerzyna, and since I didn't know what to study, I thought I had more technical competencies in math and physics, so polytechnic. Someone told me that in Kościerzyna, construction is safe for work. So I chose construction. But after the first year, I knew I wouldn't work in that profession. The choice was pragmatic but based on lack of knowledge. Many people don't work in their studied field. Studies teach us how to learn and solve problems, not just subject knowledge.
K
Karolina Kamińska3:22
Your studies might have helped with planning new buildings for LPP, but I think the main benefit is learning how to learn and think critically.
M
Marek Piechocki3:57
Yes, technical knowledge helps in construction investments, but studies are more about learning how to learn, be open, solve problems, and formulate thoughts. They teach us to choose and discard. This is more important than subject knowledge, which we forget anyway.
K
Karolina Kamińska5:28
How do you remember your university period?
M
Marek Piechocki6:31
These were different times. In the early 1980s, perspectives were limited. We thought we'd end up in a construction firm in Kościerzyna, which wasn't seen as a big success. I didn't join the party, which was needed for advancement then. After 1989, everything changed, and we got opportunities. I realized I was studying just to have a degree and not feel worse than others. I learned a different perspective on problem-solving.
K
Karolina Kamińska8:07
When did the idea to sell clothes come from?
M
Marek Piechocki9:45
It was a coincidence. While studying in Germany in the mid-1980s, I brought back money and bought a townhouse in Kościerzyna. I went to the city office to open a shop. They asked what I wanted to sell; flower shops were profitable, but they already had one. So I said a clothing shop, a small one. It was partly accidental. Later, I went to Turkey and saw that buying Turkish sweaters and selling them in Poland could be profitable. I had a good eye for it. I started small with a shop, then moved to international trade with a partner.
K
Karolina Kamińska12:06
How did you meet Jerzy?
M
Marek Piechocki12:12
I met Jerzy in 1985 during studies in Germany. He returned earlier, and we reconnected. We started thinking about joint trips for private trade to cover costs. It became a business, not just covering trip costs.
K
Karolina Kamińska13:06
When did the decision to design clothes instead of just importing come?
M
Marek Piechocki13:11
In 1989-1990, we imported ready-made goods. But in the early 1990s, more competition appeared, so we needed to differentiate. We started with China in 1991; they didn't have ready-made products. We placed custom orders. For example, Beata Piasecka helped design the first hooded jackets. This began our design phase. We had to wait months for delivery, but it gave us unique products. We started producing under our own brand and sold to wholesalers.
K
Karolina Kamińska15:15
As the company grew, how did your role change?
M
Marek Piechocki18:25
My role changed continuously as the company grew. Initially, I was a buyer and quality inspector in factories, spending 200-250 days a year in China. Over time, as the company expanded, I had to shift responsibilities. Many employees also changed roles. For example, Michał Laskowski started as a salesman and now manages all sales at Sinsay. We delegate duties, and many people take them up well. That's the company's strength.
K
Karolina Kamińska22:17
You mentioned the 10-year anniversary tradition for employees.
M
Marek Piechocki22:23
Yes, we organize an event annually for employees who have been with us for 10 years. We started this in the early 2000s after seeing a consultant's 10-year watch gift. I thought I should do something for those who contributed. We give watches, and it's a proud moment. Even during the 2009 crisis, we continued the tradition. It's valuable because these people have invested a lot, and it shows appreciation.
K
Karolina Kamińska25:11
What are your dreams or plans for the future?
M
Marek Piechocki25:22
I hope we can maintain our growth phase. This year, revenues are estimated at 14 billion PLN, and next year will be higher. This growth helps many people develop professionally. My dream is for this to continue. In the next few years, we have challenges like e-commerce growth, which now accounts for over 25% of sales. We must follow customers there. Also, climate changes require us to minimize our carbon footprint and meet social responsibility standards. We are pioneers in some areas, like shipping in cardboard boxes instead of plastic.
K
Karolina Kamińska28:07
How do you balance work and personal time?
M
Marek Piechocki28:21
Everyone needs to disconnect to develop other interests. I enjoy classical music, traveling, and photography. I like skiing in winter and cycling in summer. I run for 40 minutes to keep fit. Photography is relaxing; when I'm on vacation, I take photos of people and streets, which helps me forget business. I love Sopot because it wasn't destroyed in WWII and looks beautiful.
K
Karolina Kamińska33:38
Any advice for those starting their own business or managing teams?
M
Marek Piechocki33:55
For entrepreneurs, be prepared for longer working hours and more effort than expected. It requires full dedication. For managers, listen to your team and give them opportunities to develop. Leadership is about allowing self-realization for others, which builds strength. Encourage them and believe in them, as I do with my team.
K
Karolina Kamińska37:17
Marek, thank you for the conversation. I appreciate you taking time. I wish you more 10-year and 25-year anniversaries, motivation, and continued growth with the people. Enjoy sunny walks with your dog.
M
Marek Piechocki37:42
I believe there will be more 10-year anniversaries. This tradition will continue. Thanks to all employees, the company exists and grows. Thank you.
K
Karolina Kamińska37:54
Thank you. Bye.