10/09/2026
Harald was enjoying his morning coffee when his business partner inquired, "Are you aware of the reason for IKEA's introduction to Poland?" ☕ Harald smiled and said, "Classic nearshoring story." He is proud of how well he knows Nordic business history.
1961 was a challenging year for Ingvar Kamprad. He set prices that were too high for Swedish furniture makers. They wouldn't work with him. Some people even planned a boycott. Thus, Kamprad set sail, as Vikings are known to do. Poland became the first country outside of Sweden in which IKEA established production. Not China. Not Germany. Poland. The first order is for wooden ÖGLA chairs, which are manufactured in a Radomsko factory.
It was a complete rethinking of the business model when IKEA shifted production from Sweden to Poland, resulting in a 50% reduction in costs. But the real progress was made when they started to change how things were done. Solid wood to engineered materials: - Particle board, not solid wood, is used to make half of IKEA's wooden furniture today, including PAX, MALM, BILLY, NORDLI, and METOD. - Particle board uses all production waste, including sawdust, to turn leftovers into raw material. - Currently, 30% of IKEA's particle boards contain recycled content. By 2030, the target is 80%.
Today IKEA didn't just outsource. They transferred technology, trained suppliers, and built long-term contracts that allowed Polish manufacturers to plan and scale. They invested in local capabilities, not just local costs. And the outcome? Poles became the second-largest production hub in the world for IKEA. By 2026, Poland accounts for 20% of IKEA's worldwide production, and the country produces roughly 50% of the company's wooden furniture.
Harald put down his coffee and leaned back. So it wasn't about finding cheaper labour. Redesigning the whole production model, including materials, processes, and partnerships, and making a long-term commitment were important. His work-partner nodded... Exactly. IKEA changed the way they build, and Poland helped them stay ahead of the competition. What IKEA understood in 1961 is still true in 2026, Poland isn't just a place to reduce costs.
You can change how you do business there if you're ready to plan for the long term, make investments in local partnerships, and change your methods to fit the ecosystem.
👉 The question isn't "Should we go to Poland?"
👉 The question is: "Are we ready to rethink how we build?"
If you've just asked yourself that question, we'd be happy to explore that with you. 🌊🚢