B2B Speed Dating with Aviation Valley in Poland

This week, Germany’s aerospace community is meeting at the 74th German Aerospace Congress of the German Aerospace Society (DGLR) in Augsburg. As part of this event, the Polish Chamber of Foreign Trade organized a B2B speed dating event, to which it also invited viadoo GmbH. Since 2004, our experts have been developing and implementing change and communication strategies for companies in the aerospace and defense industries. This includes topics such as dealing with safety-related changes (EASA Part-21/Part-145), Post-Merger Integrations after M&As, and supporting restructuring processes. Our roots even go back to the production of editorial industry formats, including special supplements for the DGLR magazine.

For the world’s largest aviation companies

On site in Augsburg, our founder Dr. Dominik Faust exchanged ideas with Polish colleagues from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship about cooperation opportunities along the entire value chain. He explained to the companies from the Aviation Valley:

“Through timely change impact analyses, employee participation, appreciative dialogue (not just information), and changed mindsets, we help companies achieve their goals. They want to leverage synergies, shorten time-to-certification/time-to-market, increase resilience in supply chains, etc.”

Aviation Valley, located around the southern Polish city of Rzeszów with a population of just under 200,000, has had the highest density of aviation companies, research and training centers in Poland for years. The high-tech cluster has over 180 members with more than 35,000 employees. Remarkably, this ecosystem accounts for around 90% of Polish aviation production. For German partners, the region on the border with Ukraine and Slovakia is a natural and historical bridgehead to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The aviation cluster in Rzeszów is comparable to those in Seattle (Boeing), Montreal (Bombardier Aerospace), São José dos Campos (Embraer), Toulouse (Airbus), Hamburg, and Munich (bavAIRia e.V., of which viadoo GmbH is a member). Aviation Valley in Poland is characterized by a cluster of companies of various sizes, each specializing in specific products for the aviation industry. The aforementioned aviation ecosystem is created through interconnections between these companies. Within this ecosystem, OEMs and suppliers manufacture parts, components, and assemblies for the world’s largest aviation companies.

Helicopters / Aircraft / Drones & MRO

• PZL Mielec (Lockheed Martin): Production of S-70i Black Hawk (export, including to the Philippines; deliveries completed in 2024 for Polish LOS requirements).
• PZL Świdnik (Leonardo): AW149 helicopter in local production; first flight of Polish production in 2025, contract for 32 units (≈ €1.76 billion).
• PZL Warszawa-Okęcie (Airbus): Production of PZL-23 Karas, PZL-37 Los, PZL-104 Wilga, PZL-106 Kruk, and PZL-130 Orlik.
• PZL Warszawa-Okęcie (Airbus): Engineering, avionics/structures; LOT orders 40 Airbus A220s (plus options) in 2025 – largest Airbus entry into the Polish civil market.
• WB Group (UAS/loitering)
• Royal Star Krzysztof Pawełek is active in general and business aviation and offers comprehensive MRO services for aircraft. The company also offers charterflights and pilot training, making it a partner with a wide range of services in civil aviation. Royal Star supports both private aircraft owners and business fleet operators.

Engines & MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul)

• MTU Aero Engines Polska (Rzeszów/Jasionka): manufactures components for low-pressure turbines (LPT) and repairs engines, in particular the IAE V2500. The engine is primarily used in aircraft of the Airbus A320 family, as well as in the McDonnell Douglas MD-90 and Embraer C-390 Millennium.
• EME Aero is a 50:50 joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines. Since 2020, EME Aero has been part of the global Pratt & Whitney MRO network for the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine family – developed by PW and MTU Aero Engines. These engines power the Airbus A220 and A320neo aircraft as well as Embraer’s E-Jets.
• Yasa Poland develops and manufactures innovative electric motors and drive systems. Their solutions are used in electric vehicles and in pioneering projects in the fields of e-mobility and e-aviation. The company focuses on integrating its technologies into the automotive and aviation industries. Yasa’s products help to reduce emissions, increase efficiency, and miniaturize drive systems
• Advanced Technical Services (ATS) is a specialized company providing MRO services for the aviation industry. The focus is on the maintenance and repair of aircraft engines and key components, including mechanical and electronic systems. The company has modern technical facilities and the necessary industry certifications.

Land systems

• PGZ Group (including PIT-RADWAR, Mesko, Huta Stalowa Wola), Leopard 2PL modernization (Rheinmetall ↔︎ PGZ/ZM Bumar-Łabędy) and joint Leopard repair center in Gliwice (also used for Ukrainian vehicles),

Special Processes & Compliance-Enabler

In addition to large factories, specialized surface technology and process service providers as well as certification/QMS consulting shape the cluster—crucial for meeting prime/Tier 1 requirements.

Poeton Polska

Poeton Polska is part of the international Poeton Group, a leading global provider of surface technology and protective coatings. The company specializes in the application of advanced coatings that protect components against wear, corrosion, friction, and high temperatures. Poeton’s technologies are used in the aerospace, energy, and gas industries, as well as in mechanical engineering. With the group’s expertise and its own laboratory and production capacities, Poeton develops customized solutions for customers.

Dioxid

Dioxid is a manufacturer and supplier of technical and industrial gases, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and specialty mixtures. The company’s products are used in numerous industries: aviation, medicine, energy, metallurgy, and the food and beverage industry. With modern storage and distribution infrastructure and flexible logistics solutions, Dioxid ensures reliable deliveries, high safety standards, and compliance with industry-specific requirements.

RnD. Aero

RnD. Aero focuses on research and development in the aviation industry. The company offers services in the areas of design, development, and testing of newtechnologies and components for aircraft. It supports manufacturers in prototyping, validation, and the introduction of innovative solutions. In collaboration with scientific institutions and industry partners, RnD. Aero develops projects that increase operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability in aviation. The company works on solutions that correspond to global trends such as electrification and digitalization.

INNPuls

INNPuls is a consulting firm that technology transfer and innovation processes. It offers companies and research institutions with services in the areas of commercialization of research results, project management, and funding acquisition. Through an interdisciplinary team, INNPuls connects science, business, and administration. The company has experience in implementing national and European projects (Horizon Europe, NCBR programs), thereby enabling the establishment of successful consortia and international partnerships.

Why this is exciting for German companies

• Scaling & resilience: The close spatial integration of production, MRO, special processes, and training allows for short distances – from machine/line relocation to engine maintenance to the pre/post-treatment of components. For German OEMs/Tier 1, this means reduced throughput times and more robust supply chains.
• New market impulses: Poland’s civil and defense-related programs are strengthening regional demand – from the Black Hawk to LOT’s recent Airbus A220 orders, which are further fueling industrial cooperation in Europe.
• Talent & training: High density of pilot training and young engineering talent, flanked by universities and R&D facilities – ideal for growth steps and capability building along German supply chains.