25 years of Lynka.  And we’re just getting started...

2017 

Brand new facility 

In December 2017, Lynka settled into brand new manufacturing and office complex located on the outskirts of Krakow, Poland. This investment – the new facility is almost 10,000 m2 – represents a major milestone.  By all accounts, it will be one of the largest apparel decoration factories – and certainly one of the most modern – in all of continental Europe.  

2012

Lynka turns 20 years old!

Wins EPPI 2012 Promotional Gift Award

The 20^th anniversary year begins with Lynka named a winner in Europe’s leading industry competition 'Promotional Gift Award 2012' in the category 'Customizing Technology'. This is LYNKA’s 40^th award – more than any other EU apparel supplier. Our 20^th year is crowned with LYNKA decorating the NIKE shirts for the Polish National Team at EURO2012.

2011

NIKE names Lynka as Official Apparel Supplier

After 2 difficult years due to global economic crisis, Lynka bounces back strong in 2011, achieving its highest sales level in history, with strong financial performance.  In August, NIKE names LYNKA as its Official Apparel Vendor in preparation for the EU2012 Football tournament, to be held in Poland in June 2012.

2005

Export launch - with big splash at PSI Dusseldorf

After Poland’s entry into the EU, Lynka can finally launch its export activities. It does so with a dramatic and sizable exhibition at the industry’s leading trade show, the PSI Dusseldorf.  Lynka imports our 16 color MHM machine and prints live in front of 1000s of promotional agencies. This is effective launch of Lynka export, and helps the company in winning hundreds of new clients.

2004  

Named ''Entrepreneur of the Year'' by AmCham

U.S. Ambassador Victor Ashe presents Lynka with this prestigious award in December. It reads: '' In recognition of your entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to people and success. Lynka is a timeless example of what good business is about: hard work, creativity, and commitment to the highest ethical standards.''

2003  

Launch of Sportswear contract manufacturing

Lynka is chosen as a strategic apparel vendor for OAKLEY INC. Through this important cooperation, we are required to improve quality systems, develop state-of-the-art decoration techniques and to manage the full apparel production supply chain. In the coming years, the company produces for Burton, Fruit of the Loom, Nitro, Campus, Cropp, Converse and even Walt Disney.

2000  

Opens Europe's most modern decoration facility

As a part of the expansion plan, Lynka designs and builds its new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Krakow. It is the most modern facility of its kind in Europe, complete with Austrian-made high-speed screen print, Japanese embroidery as well as Dutch pad printing machines.

1999  

Launch of Avalon Sportswear

The AVALON business is launched to supply promotional apparel to Polish promotional agencies and decorators. It is the first company dedicated to multi-brand distribution of sportswear in Poland. The marketing features a fresh, wholesome woman – ''the Avalon girl'' with the slogan ''Avalon - The Land of New Possibilities'' It almost instantly becomes the market leader.

1999  

Takes on private equity investor to fuel growth

Lynka takes on private equity investor, Central Poland Fund to provide capital to take the business to the next level. Funds are used to expand production, increase the investment in inventory and to build a new manufacturing facility – all to support an aggressive sales expansion. Lynka wins 3 more printing awards this year. 

1997  

 Victory! Two Gold medals for quality

Lynka wins its first two international gold medals for textile printing.  First, by winning the Images (UK) Competition in June with EB, and in October, at the SGIA competition (USA) with iconic Mazowszanka.  This was the first time in history that the Gold Medal was won by a company based outside the USA.

1996  

Signs technology agreement with Mirror Image

Lynka signs technology & know-how sharing agreement with Mirror Image Inc. of Boston, USA – widely recognized as one of the top screen printers in the world.  Lynka sends Polish printers to US to train.  This agreement became the foundation for Lynka’s rise to become one of the premier textile decorators in Europe. 

1994 

 Becomes Authorized Russell distributor

After winning the 1^st order from EB, the company ran into its next existential threat – there were literally no T-shirts in Poland in November 1993.  Needing a stable source of product to offer clients, we turned to Russell Inc.  Lynka became the first stock holding distributor of promotional textiles in Central & Eastern Europe with the introduction of the Jerzees brand.  Soon afterwards, other major brands followed.

1993 

 Lynka launches own production

Lynka’s outsourcing strategy falls apart when our contractor “pirates” first designs. Company decides that the only protection is to set up own production.  After traveling to industry trade shows in Holland, first equipment is imported in June. Industry guru, Richard Greaves (above, with Kalin printing very 1^st T-shirt) is hired to set up production, and train Founders on how to screen print.

1992 

 The company is founded in Krakow in June

After one year in the MBAEC, Lynch and Kalin decide to stay in Poland and start a company.  They considered opening a tourist agency, importing Levi’s jeans, and opening the first McDonald’s in Krakow.  In the end, they settle on the idea to design and create tourism T-shirts, and call their business Royal City T-shirts.  Production is initially outsourced.

1989-1991 

The fall of communism sets the stage

In 1989, the fall of Communism spurred many western governments to provide support to the newly emerging economies of Eastern Europe. In 1991, recent Wharton grads Anne Kalin and John Lynch were among the first volunteers in The MBA Enterprise Corp, a U.S. AID program created to help small local companies and to build bridges with the USA.