Strong through tradition, looking to the future with foresight

Interview with Andrzej Golezki in *Gazeta Przemysłu Drzewnego*, September 2025

KLEIBERIT in Poland

GPD: Do you still remember your first timber trade fairs?

Andrzej Golecki: Yes, I’ll never forget that. We were a small team, nobody knew us, and the first few days passed with hardly any visitors. But we didn’t give up. We approached people directly, told them about us and said: “We’re KLEIBERIT – and we’ve got the best adhesive on the market.” Looking back, it was a tough but also very instructive time. It showed us that passion, perseverance and a strong sense of teamwork are the key.

GPD: What gave you the strength to carry on back then?

A.G.: It was the people. Colleagues who were prepared to give their all and build the brand together. A team became a community, almost like a family – and that spirit still drives us today.

GPD: What set KLEIBERIT apart from the competition back then – and what sets it apart today?

A.G.: We were the first to introduce a 24/7 delivery system – that helped us attract ever-larger customers and support them over the long term. Our customers stay with us because, then as now, we deliver the highest quality, respond flexibly to their needs and support them with our technological expertise. For our customers, this means: planning certainty, short response times and solutions that safeguard their competitiveness.

GPD: You’ve always been known for your spectacular trade fair displays. What’s that like these days?

A.G.: In the past, our displays were real highlights – we built things that many thought were impossible. One example was a two-storey stand with a spiral staircase down the outside of which water flowed. The staircase was crafted by master craftsman Maciej Trąbczyński and his company – a project that demanded the utmost precision. Water forgives no mistakes, but he and his sons mastered the task perfectly. The structure withstood the pressure of the water and the load – and it was a crowd-puller for over ten editions of the trade fair.

The second project was the construction of a Viking ship, which we brought in from Olsztyn. Its components and seals were made using our KLEIBERIT PUR 501. Our motto at the time was a tongue-in-cheek: ‘Even the oldest Vikings used it to glue their horns.’ The replica of a sailing-and-rowing vessel, featuring a large KLEIBERIT logo on the sail, was presented in a specially constructed water basin. The stand also featured pavilions for discussions, which stood on stilts and were connected by walkways. The weather was on our side, the bonds held firm, and we won a gold medal at the fair as well as the Acanthus Aureus Prize.

The third project was a fully-fledged house made of larch timber on a granite foundation – complete with a tiled roof, windows, doors, a fireplace and a kitchen, built entirely on a turnkey basis. The construction took two weeks and was carried out under the supervision of Stanisław Kmin, with the support of hundreds of workers from the firms of Kazimierz Wolski, Robert Chrobak and partners. The building covered 220 square metres on the ground floor and 150 square metres on the upper floor, stood 15 metres high, and featured an impressive staircase with water cascades inside. During the trade fair, the house was a real crowd-puller – at times we had around 150 visitors per hour. This house, too, was built entirely using our adhesive systems and demonstrated just how versatile and reliable KLEIBERIT solutions are. For visitors, it was a real experience, and for us, proof that we can master even the greatest challenges with our adhesives.
Today, our stands are places for personal interaction – a comprehensive source of information. Alongside machinery and physical samples, digital presentations are also becoming increasingly important. The focus is on obtaining information quickly and comprehensively: at our stand, visitors learn how our technologies boost efficiency, support sustainable production and enable new designs. At the same time, customers can familiarise themselves with our broad portfolio and experience it in an accessible, practical way. Particularly in the current climate, our customers appreciate the clear focus on their questions and our solutions – our trade fair appearances are now meeting places for professional dialogue, intensive knowledge exchange and the strengthening of close, long-term partnerships.

GPD: How have market requirements changed?

A.G.: The market has become more demanding. Manufacturers need adhesives that speed up processes, are environmentally friendly and ensure the highest quality. That is why we are investing in new systems – from water-based dispersions and hybrid adhesives to bio-based solutions. Our aim: to give our customers genuine competitive advantages. A good example is KLEIBERIT 303.0 PVAC wood glue – a Class D3 aqueous dispersion from which D4-quality adhesives can be produced and which retains its properties even after freezing and thawing. Initially, the Polish market wasn’t ready – hardly anyone wanted to change their production processes. Today, the situation is completely different: KLEIBERIT 303.0 has since become a bestseller – valued by our customers for its reliability, versatility and sustainability.

GPD: Which innovation are you particularly proud of?

A.G.: Our patented surface finishing system – HotCoating. This technology not only protects surfaces but also opens up new design possibilities – from a deep matt finish to a high-gloss piano lacquer. Used in furniture, panelling or floor coverings, it ensures high durability and products that stand out on the international stage – for example, thanks to their resistance to abrasion and cracking.

GPD: Are there any timeless adhesives that have remained almost unchanged despite changing trends?

A.G.: No, I don’t think so. There have been bone, formaldehyde, PVAC, polyurethane, resorcinol and many other adhesives. Now we’re seeing the emergence of STP adhesives – that is, polymer hybrids. However, environmental concerns are posing new challenges – there is an ever-increasing emphasis on biodegradable adhesives. For us, this means that adhesives are constantly evolving, and KLEIBERIT is actively driving this development forward. We combine decades of experience with new technologies to offer our customers solutions that deliver the highest performance whilst meeting sustainability requirements.

GPD: What was the biggest challenge for you in establishing the KLEIBERIT brand in Poland?

A.G.: It’s always the people. The key was finding a team that had a genuine interest in our products whilst also understanding the specific circumstances – from customs duties and currency fluctuations to longer delivery routes from Germany. This enabled us to serve our customers in Poland reliably and build trust. Our greatest success, therefore, lies not only in the products, but in the long-standing partnerships that have emerged as a result.

GPD: What is most important today?

A.G.: Quality, responsibility and foresight. The Polish furniture industry is a global leader, and there is no room for compromise. KLEIBERIT exports worldwide; we support projects from concept to completion, and our customers make use of the most advanced technologies. Just as we did 28 years ago, when we had to actively draw visitors to our stand at our first furniture trade fair in Poland, or later, when we attracted attention with our Viking ship. With the same enthusiasm, we support our customers in Poland today – thanks to our high-quality adhesives – in competing on a par with the world’s leading furniture and timber manufacturers.

GPD: How do you see the future of bonding?

A.G.: New materials, the circular economy, robotisation – these are the issues that will shape our industry. Adhesives must become more versatile and sustainable. But one thing remains: the customer needs a partner who understands processes and supports them every step of the way. We fulfil this requirement – today and in the future.

GPD: You have used striking mottos over the years. Which phrase best sums up KLEIBERIT today?

A.G.: Today we say: “Designed for professionals. Engineered for the future.” For me, that sums it all up: the highest quality for today’s professionals – and solutions that will stand the test of time.