VRG S.A. continues the tradition of Kraków-based garment factories from the interwar period, including the State Uniform Manufacturing Plant and the private company Strassberg. The Company may be considered to have commenced its operations as an independent entity in 1948, when the Kraków Garment Industry Plants were established. Along with the development and specialization of its operations, in 1961 production intended for export sales was launched, and in 1966 a decision was made to discontinue women’s clothing production in favor of men’s apparel.
Key events in the history of VRG S.A.
- In 1948, by a founding act of the Minister of Industry and Trade, the “United Garment Factories”, grouping four garment plants operating in Kraków, were named the Kraków Garment Industry Plants (hereinafter: KZPO) and became an independent economic entity subordinate to the Central Board of the Garment Industry.
- In 1949, KZPO took over the “Polonia” garment factory in Kraków. Following the acquisition of one of the buildings of the Tobacco Monopoly at 11 Nadwiślańska Street in Kraków, the enterprise relocated entirely to the Podgórze district.
- In 1956, KZPO acquired another facility at 13 Nadwiślańska Street. From that year onward, all KZPO production was located in the buildings on Nadwiślańska Street in Kraków.
- In 1961, KZPO began export production.
- From 1966, the production profile of KZPO included exclusively classic men’s apparel.
- In 1967, KZPO acquired an additional building at 7 Nadwiślańska Street. Pursuant to Ordinance No. 34/0/67 of 20 September 1967 issued by the Minister of Light Industry, KZPO changed their name to “Vistula” Garment Industry Plants.
- In the 1970s, the Kraków plant was modernized and branch facilities were launched in Myślenice, Staszów, Przeworsk, and Łańcut.
- On 30 April 1991, the “Vistula” Garment Industry Plants were transformed into a single-shareholder company of the State Treasury, resulting in the establishment of Zakłady Przemysłu Odzieżowego “VISTULA” S.A.
- On 30 September 1993, Zakłady Przemysłu Odzieżowego “VISTULA” S.A., as one of the first apparel companies, made its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
- As a result of the complete separation of production facilities into subsidiaries, finalized in 2004, the Company’s core operating activities became apparel design, development of commercial activities, sales management, and marketing communication.
- On 30 January 2001, the new company name Vistula Spółka Akcyjna (Vistula S.A.) was registered.
- On 31 August 2006, Vistula S.A. merged with Wólczanka S.A., based in Łódź, a leading producer and distributor of men’s shirts in Poland. Following the merger, the company adopted the name Vistula & Wólczanka S.A.
- On 17 January 2007, Vistula S.A. acquired 100% of the shares in Galeria Centrum Sp. z o.o., based in Warsaw.
- On 30 May 2008, as a result of a transaction carried out under a tender offer announced on 5 May 2008, Vistula & Wólczanka S.A. acquired 66% of the shares in W.KRUK S.A., based in Poznań.
- On 31 December 2008, the merger of Vistula & Wólczanka S.A. with W.KRUK S.A. was registered by the court. Following the merger, Vistula & Wólczanka S.A. changed its name to Vistula Group S.A.
- On 31 March 2015, an agreement was concluded to transfer all jewelry-related activities conducted under the W.KRUK brand to a subsidiary of Vistula Group S.A., namely W.KRUK S.A., based in Kraków. The transfer was effected in the form of a non-cash contribution (contribution in kind) of an organized part of the enterprise, previously operating within Vistula Group S.A. as the W.KRUK Organizational Unit, comprising an organizationally and financially separated set of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities intended to carry out defined business activities in the field of jewelry.
- On 30 November 2018, Vistula Group S.A. merged with Bytom S.A., based in Kraków, a company specializing in the design and distribution of high-quality men’s fashion collections. Following the merger, the company adopted the name VRG S.A.
- At the end of 2023, W.KRUK S.A., through its subsidiary WK 1840 HU Kft., will commence operations on the Hungarian market.
- On January 8 2026, W.KRUK S.A. and its subsidiary WK SPV 1 Sp. z o.o. finalized the acquisition of the Lilou group.