Tradition meets modernity.
On the cooperation between MAS-POL and the KRAWCZYK Meat company
A conversation about technology, ideas for new products, and the collaboration that is expanding the range of meat products.
The meat industry faces a constant stream of new challenges regarding production costs, stringent quality standards, and the demands of customers who are increasingly attentive to product quality and ingredients. Meat processing plants are seeking suppliers who understand the market and can help them meet these requirements. We discuss what this collaboration looks like in practice with representatives from MAS-POL—a company specializing in solutions for the meat industry—and Zakład Masarski KRAWCZYK from Mleczkowo, a business long renowned for its high-quality products.
To start with, please tell us a little about your companies.
Piotr Szpanel, Production Director at ZM KRAWCZYK:
We are a family-owned business that has been operating continuously since 1990. The art of butchery and charcuterie is a passion that has been passed down through our family for generations. Both the grandparents and the father of Sylwester—the company’s founder—crafted cured meats by hand. This passion for the craft has been inherited by his children, who now support Mr. Sylwester in the company’s day-to-day operations.
Our motto is simple: cured meats must be both healthy and delicious. This simplicity and the honest composition of our products are our top priorities; after all, we put our own name on them. This commits us to maintaining the highest quality. We set high standards for ourselves, and our customers appreciate it—KRAWCZYK cured meats are a trusted and well-known brand throughout the region.
Michał Przybylski, Regional Manager at MAS-POL:
MAS-POL has been collaborating with meat processing plants across Poland for many years. We specialize in supplying spices and technological blends, printed casings, and labels, as well as providing comprehensive technological consulting for the meat industry.
Our role is not merely to supply products, but above all to assist in creating new products, refining existing formulations, and implementing solutions that streamline production and enhance the quality of the client’s final product.
How did the cooperation between your companies begin?
Piotr Szpanel:
The beginnings were a bit rocky (laughs); our first contact with Mr. Michał was many years ago, but we approached the relationship with caution. After all, “outsiders” weren’t exactly welcomed with open arms back then (laughs). But in all seriousness, that caution stemmed from our commitment to maintaining high standards. We vet every spice blend, production process, and product thoroughly. Yet, step by step, we built mutual trust. Each subsequent order, product launch, and—most importantly—the support provided during urgent, unplanned situations brought us closer to what we can now describe as a true partnership.
Michał Przybylski:
Fortunately, I am a very persistent and patient person (laughs). It was evident from the very first meetings that both sides were open to exploring new ideas. The plant needed a partner capable not only of supplying spices or casings but also of providing technical support for new product development. And that is precisely our area of expertise; we have years of experience bringing products to market, along with the necessary know-how and a team of specialists.
Piotr Szpanel: We value working with a company that understands the realities of the meat industry and can view a product from both a technological and a market perspective. In MAS-POL, we have found a partner that actively participates in the new product development process and proposes innovative solutions.
What does the day-to-day cooperation between the companies entail?
Michał Przybylski:
Our cooperation has several dimensions. Above all, we supply spices and technological solutions that form the basis of many products manufactured at the plant.
In addition, we support the plant in developing new recipes and refining existing products. We work together to select the right spice blends to achieve the desired taste, aroma, or product texture.
Another area of cooperation involves printing on casings and labels, and—more recently—marketing support for a new line of products in cardboard packaging.
Piotr Szpanel: We value the fact that MAS-POL is not merely a supplier to us, and that Mr. Michał is not just a salesperson presenting a dry price quote. We meet to discuss specific matters: to sample finished products and learn about methods for implementing them in our company.
A MAS-POL technologist also takes part in the meetings and subsequently participates in the supervised production process. After years of collaboration, I can confidently say that the sales representative and technologist team consists of solid professionals who truly know their craft.
Could you give an example of such collaborative work on a product?
Michał Przybylski:
We have successfully carried out numerous product implementations involving items developed by MAS-POL and subsequently adapted for our plant’s production lines. We prepare proposals for seasonings and functional additives, and suggest solutions to enhance the product’s taste, appearance, or manufacturing process. We then conduct production trials, during which we collaboratively refine the final version destined for store shelves.
Piotr Szpanel:
We have recently been working intensively on a new line of slow-cooked meats sold as ready-to-cook products. Our goal was to make our portfolio stand out in the rapidly growing ready-meal segment. While our foundation lies in traditional products that have long been known in our region, we are also seeking new products for our expanding sales network.
Michał Przybylski:
We have prepared proposals for meat dishes in sauces—along with their packaging—that are ready for evaluation. This is a market segment where we can already point to our own successes: last year, we won second place in the “To mi smakuje! – eksperci rekomendują” (“I Like the Taste! – Experts Recommend”) competition for a product developed jointly with another client.
As is standard with new product launches, we developed several flavor variants and a detailed production recipe—crucial for ensuring consistency moving forward. Initial feedback was highly positive regarding taste, appearance, and meat texture alike. I’m not giving away any secrets by saying that the barbecue-sauce ribs developed by MAS-POL turned out to be an absolute hit.
Piotr Szpanel:
Yes, that’s true. The term “barbecue” itself is broad. We can make honey-flavored meat—slightly sweet, with a noticeable smoky aroma or a hint of whiskey or plum—and any of these would deserve the name “barbecue.” The key is to develop a sauce that tastes unique yet is versatile enough to appeal to a wide range of customers—in our case, Polish customers from the central part of the country. And that is exactly the kind of sauce MAS-POL developed for us. Our meat and preparation technique, combined with their recipe, created an exquisite final result.
Michał Przybylski:
This result has also been recognized by experts. This year, we jointly won first place in the “To mi smakuje!” (“I Like the Taste of This!”) competition for our product—pulled pork in barbecue sauce—and its packaging, which was designed by our MAS-pack studio and printed in-house. These products are available at ZM KRAWCZYK stores. We encourage you to give them a try!
Piotr Szpanel:
Turning to more routine yet important matters, I am reminded of our collaboration on the production of our *Parówki z Mleczkowa* (Mleczkowo Frankfurters). It is a very popular, high-meat-content product—one that actually won the “Highest Quality Products in the Meat Industry” award from the Institute of Biotechnology in Warsaw. We were looking for a replacement for the cellulose casing, but it had to be a sure bet: a casing that would perform well at high stuffing speeds and could be implemented as quickly as possible.
Michał Przybylski:
Yes, we discussed the matter together and proposed the Magnum Hot Dog Smoke casing. At the time, it was a new product that we had introduced to the Polish market as the exclusive distributor. The biggest challenge was modifying the heat treatment process for this type of casing. Thanks to the commitment and expert support of the ZM KRAWCZYK team, we conducted trials and jointly adjusted the production process.
Piotr Szpanel:
We are very pleased with this solution. It is our flagship product, and thanks to the changes, we have managed to reduce processing losses. Production runs more smoothly and without downtime, and the casing itself is available on short notice—and in smaller volumes—compared to “classic” cellulose.
In your opinion, what are the most important challenges facing the industry?
Piotr Szpanel:
Nature abhors a vacuum, and the market is no different. Customers expect tried-and-tested, traditional products, yet they also pay attention to new offerings, interesting flavor combinations, and attractive packaging. As a manufacturer, we must meet these demands without compromising on quality. The key challenge for us is balancing the quality our customers have come to expect with rising production costs. We need to find solutions that ensure consistency and help optimize costs, while also not being afraid to expand our range with unique, unconventional products.
Michał Przybylski:
Exactly. Modern cured meat production combines experience, technology, and creativity. By collaborating with meat processing plants, we can not only supply products but also jointly develop new concepts and respond to changing trends.
What are the plans for further cooperation?
Michał Przybylski:
We want to continue developing joint product projects and serve as a specialized support resource for production. We are eager for further shared successes.
Piotr Szpanel:
Our goal remains unchanged: to continue expanding our product range and maintaining the high quality of the goods that bear our name. Our partnership with MAS-POL provides us with solid support and access to new solutions that we can utilize in our production.
Thank you for the conversation.
