MEDIATION SEEMS INNOVATIVE

Time is money, but the average waiting time to get an instrument permitting enforcement in Poland was as long as 584 days last year. When conflicting parties used mediator's services, they reached a consensus on financial receivables within 30 days. Moreover, the mediation fee was only 25% of the court fee and these are not all savings.

Managing conflicts, moderating discussions, softening emotions – more and more people are learning mediation craft. Fairness and impartiality, confidentiality, humility and the knowledge of communication techniques are features and skills of a mediator. Mediator's duty is always the same: to bring a lasting resolution to the conflict and reach an agreement which is good for all the parties involved. 

WAITING FOR STABILITY

The beginning of this season is, undoubtedly, a temporary situation. Although the majority of important players updated their price lists at the beginning of the year, it sometimes happens that the difference in price of the same material reaches up to 30% because some wholesales or smaller trading companies are selling their materials from last year for old price.  

What does the wholesale natural stone market look like, what tendencies can we notice and, finally, what is the condition of companies operating in Poland? Like every year we asked a group of entrepreneurs these questions. Some of our interviewees admit that prices (not only of materials) settled so far in euro got higher (we predicted that in our article in the previous issue of Świat Kamienia). Some nervous moves can be expected from the companies which have so far bought stone in American currency and sold it in euro.   

NEW ORDER

Stone will make your immovable properties keep their value – this slogan takes a special meaning, because 2015 will be known for unprecedented rise of imported stone prices. Should we blame dollar rate, which got stronger by 25% and became expensive compared to other currencies? Opinions are divided here.

Most of our interviewees predict that the price rise of imported stone will reach as much as 30% by the end of the year. In case of a permanent lack of “colour” supplies from diminishing deposits, the prices will be even higher despite the growing demand for ready-made products in residential construction. Low interest rates and huge EU funds dedicated to infrastructural projects will surely improve the situation in this branch.