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.

We present our recommended products for the third quarter of 2026. We have compiled a list of proven and popular items from our range for this period—including quite a few new arrivals!

We are introducing the new MAS-pro: Naturalnie line of seasonings. These are natural blends—carefully crafted by our food technologists—based on top-quality spices and sea salt.

The MAS-pro range also includes other interesting new products: butter flavoring and the functional ingredient Natursol Basic.

The list also includes, among other things, innovative Magnum Hot Dog Smoke casings for frankfurters that allow smoke to pass through.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

MAS-pro Naturalnie Kabanos NEW!

MAS-pro Naturalnie Krakowska NEW!

MAS-pro Naturalnie Śląska NEW!

MAS-pro Naturalnie Wiejska NEW!

MAS-pro Aromat masła NEW!

MAS-pro Natursol Basic NEW!

MAS-pro Pork Protein 85K

MAS-pro Solmas 100 FB NEW

MAS-pro Fresh Mix

MAS-pro Wheat fiber 200

MAS-pro Wheat fiber 1000

MAS-pro Smoked meat aroma

MAS-POL Magnum Hot Dog Smoke EX 19 transparent case

MAS-POL Magnum Hot Dog Smoke EX 16 transparent case

MAS-POL Mold Pet 84x59x42 mm

MAS-POL Dried onion Premium

MAS-POL again on the podium! We won 1st and 3rd place in the “It tastes good to me! Experts recommend” competition in the “Cooperation” categories.

The products we offer with our customers were endorsed by meat industry experts, chefs, and online retailers. The jury recommended the products’ taste, appearance, and packaging.

1st place: Pulled pork in barbecue sauce is another of our convenient meat dishes: excellent, ready-to-heat dishes with our twist on BBQ flavor; an independent solution developed in collaboration with the KRAWCZYK Meat Plant in Mleczkowo.

3rd place: KOPERNIK’s sausage is a delicious poultry sausage with a noticeable dill flavor, complemented by its freshness and lightness. Original and unique, this solution was created in collaboration with the ŻBIKOWSCY Plant in Skrwilno.

We would like to thank our client for their trust and comprehensive cooperation on the award-winning products – we create taste!

We present our recommended products for the second quarter of 2026. We’ve created a list of proven and frequently selected items from our offerings during this period.

These include new MAS-pro products: the Flavour Plus mixture, which “boosts” the flavour of the spices used (without any electronic additives!), and Śląska Extra Premium – a spice mixture for classic Silesian sausage, with a delicate hint of coriander.

The list also includes our Red Paprika Marinade, a popular choice for grilled products. and Extraxt 75, developed by our technologists: an agent that allows you to obtain a natural, full color of smoked meats.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

MAS-pro Solmas 60 Smart

MAS-pro Solmas for sausages ZP 50 BK / NEW!

MAS-pro EXTRACT 75

MAS-pro Flavour Plus / NEW!

MAS-pro Kabanosy (Dried sausages)

MAS-pro Krucha Staropolska

MAS-pro Red Marinade

MAS-pro Pasztet kremowy combi

MAS-pro Śląska Extra Premium / NOWOŚĆ!

MAS-POL Dried granulated garlic

MAS-POL Osłonka FCase EBP CNA Fi 14

MAS-POL Osłonka Pecta C Fi 40

They personally supervised the printing process for the casing of their new joint project – the astronomical Copernicus Sausage. They also recorded a video about the entire product and MAS-POL’s participation, which can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

Our technologist, Robert Krawczyk, was involved in the process, working with ZM ŻBIKOWSCY to develop the formula and production process. The print design and implementation took place in our packaging studio and printing house.

The KOPERnik sausage is an example of a comprehensive project implemented in collaboration with the client: from concept, through recipe and technology development, to packaging design and printing. Together, we create taste!

You can watch videos here:

Kiełbasa Kopernika

Druk na osłonce projektu

Among other topics we discussed advanced solutions for pet food casings, the characteristics of permeable casings, and casings designed for sterilized products.

We also shared our insights on the practical use of individual casing types.

Thank you very much for the meeting. We are delighted to be working with the best professionals. Together, we create taste!

We present our recommended products for Q1 2026. We’ve created a list of proven and frequently selected items from our offerings during this period.

These include, among others, PREMIUM spice mixtures from our MAS-pro brand, including NEW – Staropolska Sprinkle, which is an excellent flavor option for roasts.

The list also includes classics: the eco-friendly Marrien wooden mold and the Fabios egg white, wreath-shaped casing.

We also present PREMIUM black pepper, finely and coarsely ground at low temperatures – noticeably more intense and aromatic.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

MAS-pro Staropolska Sprinkle NEW!

MAS-pro Kasztelańska Roast Premium

MAS-pro Skruszacz Premium

MAS-pro Solmas Ekoszynka

MAS-pro Solmas Smart for sausages

MAS-pro Pork Protein 85 K

MAS-pro Rzeszowska Premium

MAS-pro Szynka po góralsku

MAS-pro FOS Free

Premium coarse/fine ground black pepper

Wooden mold Marrien

Traditional case 52 FWP CS0, carmel colour

We present our recommended products for the fourth quarter of 2025. We’ve created a list of tried-and-true items from our offerings during this time of year.

These include new products from our MAS-pro brand, including the excellent smoking agent Extract 75. It allows for a natural color to be achieved on the surface of smoked meats and does not contain any E-additives.

The list also includes the very popular 260 ml cardboard molds, a textile insert with print and the immediately available standard “Szynkowa” print on a matte Visflex casing.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

MAS-pro Extract 75 NEW!

MAS-pro Chłopska F Premium NEW!

MAS-pro Koncentrat białka sojowego PRO 70 NEW!

MAS-pro Gold Brown

MAS-pro Necówka Teścia Premium

MAS-pro Pasztet Paryski combi

MAS-pro Solmas 100 FB New

MAS-pro Szynka jak domowa

MAS-POL Sweet pepper Asta 100

MAS-POL “Szynkowa” print on Visflex N88

Viscoflex casing 0,8 kg with overprint “Pasztet Borowikowy”

260 ml cardboard mold, laminated

This is another event bringing together pet food producers, but the first on such a large, nationwide scale and taking place at the Kielce Trade Fair.

We sponsored the congress and were present with a strong team of representatives from the sales, technology and packaging departments.

At our exhibition point, we presented our offer for feed producers – including casings, prints, and functional additives from our MAS-pro brand.

We presented a practical demonstration of the use of AI tools in implementing a new pet food product. We discussed the AI ​​tools we use in our daily work and the entire process of implementing a client’s new product at MAS-POL.

Thank you for the excellent organization of the event and for the words of appreciation after the presentation. See you at the next edition!

Together we create taste: Comprehensive support and a partnership approach by MAS-POL

Today, meat production is a challenge requiring not only high-quality raw materials and packaging, but above all, effective process management and rapid response to market needs. We spoke with representatives of MAS-POL about what it’s like to work in partnership with a supplier who doesn’t limit themselves to selling products.

Katarzyna Salomon, Polish Butcher Magazine: Many companies today declare “comprehensive service.” What does this mean to you in practice?

Krzysztof Łodej, Sales Director: For us, it’s all about an individual approach to each client. We start by talking about their production processes—not just what they’d like to order, but also their technological needs, what their production line looks like, their constraints, and their goals. Only then do we choose the right offer. We don’t sell off the shelf without consideration—we always look for a solution that will actually work in a given facility.

Tomasz Wilk, Chief Technologist: The entire service process is based on analysis. We frequently visit the plant, inspect processes, and test recipes. We propose not only additives and casings, but also complete solutions for a given product – from brines and spice blends to packaging and print designs. Our mission is to help the customer achieve a consistent, high-quality end product that is repeatable and meets their expectations.

KS: What exactly makes you stand out?

KŁ: Because we work as a team. The client communicates with a dedicated sales representative and technologist, which facilitates communication. However, every offer is the coordinated work of several departments. Our sales department identifies needs, the technology department proposes solutions and supports implementation, the graphic studio designs labels and prints, and the printing house prepares the finished prints. Everything happens under one roof, significantly reducing time and simplifying communication. The client doesn’t have to coordinate multiple suppliers – they receive a comprehensive solution tailored to their production.

TW: Exactly. It’s coordination that helps avoid errors and misunderstandings. For example, when we develop a new recipe or a printed casing, the technologist and graphic designer work together. This ensures the final result is consistent and meets the client’s expectations. The client gains time and peace of mind because we take responsibility for ensuring everything fits together. Our FSSC22000 certification supports the entire collaboration and delivery process, obliging us to adhere to global quality standards for services and goods.

KS: What is key in building such a relationship with a customer?

KŁ: Trust and communication. Customers need to know they can call us with any issue—from raw materials to packaging. We don’t limit ourselves to sales—we’re a partner who helps solve problems. That’s why we prioritize quick contact and accessibility—we have salespeople and technologists in every region of Poland.

TW: Experience and industry knowledge are also crucial. Our technologists understand the processes, machinery, and regulations. This allows us to provide practical advice on selecting the right brine, optimizing the recipe for cost, and selecting packaging that meets market requirements. This practical advice truly translates into production results.

KS: What does your technological support looks like in every day practice?

TW: These aren’t just general guidelines. As our clients will confirm, we’ve been participating in production trials at their plants for years. We bring ready-made recipes and mixtures, test them on-site, and adjust them until the result is satisfactory. This helps our clients avoid raw material losses, process errors, and complaints. We simply help them achieve a stable, repeatable process. When I mention this, my mind immediately goes to our MAS-rtu technology – ready-to-use, sterile casings. We were the first in Poland to offer casings using this technology. Their preparation requires us to adhere to strict production standards.

KS: And how does working on packaging and prints look like?

KŁ: In this case, the client isn’t just buying a casing—they’re buying a well-thought-out product or brand concept. We have our own flexographic printing house and graphic design studio, which can prepare the print design for the casing or label. Our departments work collaboratively to ensure everything is visually consistent and meets technological requirements. The client doesn’t need to coordinate—they receive a finished product, saving time, and reducing the risk of errors. In this case, it all starts with a conversation, often attended by a representative from our graphics department. This helps define the project’s direction and the client’s vision early on.

KS: What kind of real results do your clients achieve thanks to such cooperation?

TW: First and foremost, process standardization—crucial for large production volumes. Carefully selected brines and blends allow for consistent product quality and minimize the risk of complaints. We also reduce raw material losses, for example, by limiting leakage during thermal processing.

KŁ: Customers also appreciate the time savings. They have a single partner who supplies everything—additives, casings, packaging, labels—and coordinates everything. This is also complemented by technological support during the implementation phase. The results are: lower production costs, less downtime, and greater predictability through the entire process.

KS: We know that you’re active participants in various industry events. MAS-POL won an award at the recent MEATing 2025 congress – tell us about it.

KŁ: Of course. Together with our client – Matthias Meat Company – we took second place in the “Cooperator” category. Together, we developed a convenience meat product – Pork Tenderloin in Chanterelle Sauce. This is a very important distinction for us – not only a reward for our work, but above all, a confirmation of the strategy we have been implementing for years. This strategy is based on long-term collaboration with clients, understanding their processes, and jointly seeking the best solutions. This award is proof that the market appreciates this.

TW: We also owe this distinction to our clients – without their openness to collaboration and joint product development, this wouldn’t be possible. It’s truly the result of partnership and trust that we’ve built over the years. Together we work, grow, and win.

KS: What would you say to meat plants looking for such a partner?

KŁ: We’re not looking for a quick sale—we’re looking for long-term collaboration. We understand the industry—we’ve been operating in it for 30 years—and we want to be a reliable partner to our clients. We encourage you to meet and see what we can work on together.

TW: Every plant is different. Our job is to understand it and help it create a better product—more efficiently and safely. We want to collaborate with companies that, like us, are open to dialogue and development. These are the best plants to work with—then we can create something truly valuable together.

KS: Thank you for the interview.

We present our recommended products for the third quarter of 2025. We’ve created a list of tried-and-true items from our offerings during this time of year.

These include our latest signature sauces for meat dishes, developed by MAS-pro technologists. A product based on one of these sauces won second place in the expert ToMiSMAKuje! competition.

The list also includes E-free spices and additives for pates and roasts, which were popular among consumers at the time. Our classic, Black Smoke 100 BZ, also had to be included.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

MAS-pro A series of sauces for meat dishes

MAS-POL Magum Hot-Dog Smoke EX 22/35 mm

MAS-POL Pecta Ring Fi 41

MAS-POL MAS-net Traditional white net 180/10/XL4

MAS-POL Synthetic meat label 55×318 mm

MAS-POL Dried onion flakes Premium Q

MAS-POL Fried onion Extra Q

MAS-pro BLACK SMOKE 100 BZ

MAS-pro Pate Premium 53/7138

MAS-pro Roztoczańska 50/1316

MAS-pro Solmas SMART do kiełbas 250/7098

MAS-pro Highlander-Style Ham 45/1260

A trip to the event is an excellent opportunity for us to establish new contacts, exchange experiences and learn about new solutions and flavors for the meat industry.

The whole event is impressive due to its size, and the many stands of companies from all over the world. We are all the more pleased with the participation of companies from our country, including the growing number of exhibitors from Poland.

The whole trip has been an inspiring experience for us. See you next time!

We present recommended products for Q2 2025. We have created a list of proven and frequently selected items from our offer during this time of year.

These include excellent MAS-pro grill marinades, molds for versatile use in meat processing plants and – of course – our functional additives, including new products from our Solmas series.

Enjoy and let us know if you want to talk about our offer!

FCase EBP CNA Fi 14,15

MAS-pro Wheat fiber 200 434/2516

MAS-pro Kaszanka Zdzicha 303/5457

MAS-pro Gyros marinade P 261/9007

MAS-pro Balkan marinade P 324/9007

MAS-pro Red marinade P260/9006

MAS-pro Herbs & Garlic marinade P270/9008

MAS-pro Ribs marinade P265/9004

MAS-pro Classic marinade P268/9002

MAS-pro Spicy marinade P 271/9005

MAS-POL Smoothwall 276-58

MAS-POL Cardboard mold 260 ml

MAS-pro Rzeszowska PREMIUM 292/5089

MAS-pro Solmas C Convienance 253/9901

MAS-pro Solmas PREMIUM R 254/6754

MAS-pro Solmas C Plus 221/2757

MAS-pro Zwyczajna 22/050

MAS-pro Papryka ASTA 160 PREMIUM

We had the pleasure of meeting students of Commodity Science and Food Marketing.

We discussed the topic of packaging for the meat industry, issues related to its printing, and the work of a food technologist in implementing a new product on the market.

Also We provided MAS-pro protein preparations for laboratory exercises ? The preparations were analyzed as part of the comparative characterization of the technological properties of protein preparations used in the meat industry. The exercise report and research results match our assessments.

We are happy that we can support future technologists with our knowledge and materials ?

This is another edition of this event in which our MAS-pro technologists have already participated.

We actively participate in the development of the animal feed market. During the conference, we talked about packaging, printing and technological solutions MAS-POL Kielce for the Pet industry
?

Link to the page with our offer: https://maspol.com.pl/oferta/petfood/

We have updated our website with an offer dedicated to pet food producers.

Many years of experience in creating technologies for the meat industry, selling: food additives, casings, labels and printing are our advantages in cooperation with animal feed producers.

We support Pet Food producers in:

• printing casings, labels and packaging
• graphic design and marketing support
• sales of a specially selected group of food additives, successfully used by us in the meat industry – and therefore safe for animals!
• technological support at every stage of feed production

Together we create taste – also for our pets!

Find out more: https://maspol.com.pl/oferta/petfood/