ZBUD, although it joined the group of Polish companies eligible for orders in the nuclear power plant project as the last one, is catching up – as much as the tedious processes of obtaining necessary competencies and permits allow. The Małopolska-based company sees its place in nuclear energy, not only in Poland. That is why it is already preparing for new investments.
Preparations for the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant are progressing, and with them, the so-called Big Seven is gaining new experience. That is the name given to seven companies from the Vistula region that could become suppliers of components for the so-called nuclear island, for which Westinghouse is responsible. It was the company providing the AP1000 reactor technology that was searching for potential future contractors.
Until recently, the group consisted of six entities, but in April 2026 it was joined by one more – ZBUD from Dąbrowa Tarnowska in Małopolska. The company manufactures lifting devices, construction machinery, equipment for shipyards or drilling platforms, and cranes. It is this last product that is to go to the power plant in Choczewo. This involves two cranes: a specialized Polar Crane (used during reactor assembly or fuel transport) and a Cask Crane (used to transport containers with spent nuclear fuel).
Nuclear quality challenges and supplier qualification
However, due to the specificity of orders for the nuclear sector, ZBUD faces a number of challenges and a long road to becoming a supplier of components for units with AP1000 reactors. Currently, the company is in the first phase (other Polish companies have already completed it) and is implementing a quality assurance program in its plants and processes that will comply with the American NQA-1 standard.
– The first phase does not worry us and we see no threats related to meeting the schedule – said Andrzej Wilk, vice president of ZBUD. – A greater challenge will be phases two and three, i.e. production of a test mockup. Having experience in the offshore segment, we are not afraid of the technical execution of the crane structures. The main challenge is the scope of required documentation, i.e. meeting the requirements of the NQA-1 standard, and the shortage of certified nuclear auditors on the developing Polish market.
In phase two, models and drawings are created (this is more of a design stage), and finally, in phase three, a test mockup of the product to be delivered is built. ZBUD does not have to reinvent the wheel because Westinghouse already has a crane design.
– In the case of both the polar crane and the cask crane, we are dealing with a Build-to-Print project – explained Tymoteusz Michaś, supplier development engineer at Westinghouse. – American legal provisions apply, and the formula for creating a quality system meeting these legal criteria is the NQA-1 standard, which we are currently implementing in cooperation with ZBUD.
Investment boost and long-term prospects
To ZBUD’s advantage, the company is almost self-sufficient. In the nuclear industry, suppliers are scrutinized very thoroughly, and the same awaits their subcontractors and sub-suppliers. ZBUD’s independence is an asset here.
– What we value most is independence. We want to be independent in terms of human potential, design facilities, production capabilities, and our own workshop base – said Andrzej Wilk. – We perform practically all production processes in our own plant, and we outsource only hot-dip galvanizing and radiographic non-destructive testing.
Currently, the cooperation between ZBUD and Westinghouse resembles a business incubator. The company responsible for the nuclear part of the power plant currently co-finances, for example, the working time of people preparing ZBUD for NQA-1. However, the Polish company will bear the cost of expanding its plant for nuclear orders.
– There is always a risk of failure. However, we decide to develop a supplier and invest resources to minimize this risk – said Karina Cierocka, chief procurement manager at Westinghouse. – This supplier is to deliver components not only for the Polish project – we have other projects in Europe as well and we would like Polish companies to be able to supply their solutions to other markets.
ZBUD sees its chances despite the possibility of failure and plans to invest over PLN 47 million in its plants in 2025–2027. All to realize its aspirations as a supplier for the nuclear sector. The largest amount, over PLN 36 million, will go to the construction of two new halls: production (PLN 15.5 million) and assembly (PLN 20.6 million).
– The long-term risk is simply that we might not pass the final qualification, but we are doing our best to make it happen – said Andrzej Wilk. He added that implementing the NQA-1 quality program is only one step in the nuclear business. Having this standard may make it easier for ZBUD to obtain the next European ISO 19443, which will also improve its position.
– Possessing the ISO 19443 and NQA-1 standards will open the door for us to cooperate with American, European, or Korean partners – concluded Andrzej Wilk.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Kacper Świsłowski / PTWP
