When Grzegorz Nalborczyk first discussed his business idea at WiReGo’s Startup Day in 2017, he was not yet fully aware of the scale of his decision to become self-employed. His vision was to use modern waterjet technology to offer custom solutions for industry, skilled trades and private customers. In 2018, he founded GN Metall- und Schneidtechnik in Bad Harzburg, boldly invested around €315,000 in his project and is now amazed by how far it has come. “It’s incredible how everything has developed,” says Grzegorz Nalborczyk enthusiastically. Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, he received active support from WiReGo and the municipal business development agency in Bad Harzburg.
Custom creations instead of mass-produced goods
A large waterjet cutting machine stands in an industrial hall at the former freight station in central Bad Harzburg. It cuts aluminium, structural steel, stainless steel, PVC, tiles, glass and stone precisely, without deformation, discolouration or burrs. “I already knew what the machine could do,” says Nalborczyk. “But I hadn’t realised how varied my work would be or how creatively I would think.” Customisation is what makes his work special, resulting in unique privacy screens, planters, decorative items and company signs. Both private individuals and businesses in industry, skilled trades and commerce now enjoy his one-off creations made to order. His enthusiasm is contagious, and it is hardly surprising that he still gets goosebumps when handing over the finished pieces. “It’s wonderful to make people happy in this way,” says Nalborczyk.
Business success thanks to wide-ranging support
This venture would probably have been difficult to achieve alone. Nalborczyk is still grateful that he learned about WiReGo. He gained a great deal of information from startup advice and refined his business plan, helping his bank meetings go well. WiReGo also put him in touch with the landlord of his workshop, which had stood empty for many years. With support from WiReGo and the Bad Harzburg municipal business development agency, the company received around €56,000 in funding at the end of 2019 under the Joint Task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structures” (GRW) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). During the coronavirus pandemic, Nalborczyk was also kept well informed thanks to WiReGo’s regular updates.
Looking to the future
Anyone who meets Grzegorz Nalborczyk can sense that his company has made a dream come true. His wife now supports him part-time, and he has hired his first mini-job employee to help with the metalwork. The machine is operating at only 40 percent capacity, so there is room to grow. His next investment will be a segmented press brake to expand the product range. To eventually create custom objects from thin sheet metal, Nalborczyk is considering a fibre laser. “But that’s for the future,” he says. “I’m still at the beginning, and for now my company needs to continue establishing itself.”
Photos: © Grzegorz Nalborczyk
