Polonian Metalworks
Native name | Polskie Zakłady Metalowe |
|---|---|
Formerly | Forte Industries |
| bladesmith, uniform tailor | |
| Founded | 17 July 2024 |
| Founders | Michał Walenowski, Blake Baker, Austin Karcz, Jakub Szaczynski |
| Headquarters | Bołchidów, Valenowa |
Areas served | Wisconsin, United States |
| Owner | Michał Walenowski |
Number of employees | 5 (2024) |
Polonian Metalworks is a bladesmith/blacksmith and military uniform tailor company, founded on 17 July 2024 by co-founders Michał Walenowski, Blake Baker, Austin Karcz, and Jakub Szaczynski, and owned by Michał Walenowski, Grand Duke of Valenowa. It is located in the settlement of Bolesław, in Bolchidow Voivodeship, Grand Duchy of Valenowa. Geographically, the company is headquartered in central Wisconsin, United States, North of the city of Madison. As of 2024, Polonian Metalworks has two additional locations planned near Milwaukee and Green Bay, with expansions at its current headquarters currently underway, and expected to be completed by early 2025.
Polonian Metalworks is the largest native Valenian company, and the only company openly funded by the government of the Grand Duchy of Valenowa. The company produces all uniforms and some load-bearing equipment currently in use with the Valenian Land Forces and the Special Operations Forces, namely the domestically-produced Nz.81 series of combat uniform and the Nz.61 steel training helmet. The company's predecessor, Forte Industries, designed the prototype Napranian Temperate Camouflage Pattern, also referred to as Napranian Disruptive Pattern or NADPAT, as well as various other experimental patterns for use by the former Napranian Royal Defense Corps.
Additionally, Polonian Metalworks produces ceremonial and tactical blades for both the Armed Forces of Valenowa and the Temple of Valen, as well as manufacturing commercially-available models such as the WzPn.18 "Szczur Okopowy" and the soon-to-be-released Wz.2024 "Grom." Polonian Metalworks was additionally contracted by the Valenian Civilian Corps of Engineers immediately upon its founding for the production and issue of domestically-produced axes and hatchets for forestry use.
History
Polonian Metalworks was initially founded in August 2020 by Michał Walenowski as a loosely-organized defense contractor for the micronational government of the Grand Duchy of Naprzódsk, under the name Forte Arms and Weaponry, which was eventually changed to Forte Collective Services (Forte Industries) in 2023. Following a number of brief contracts with the Napranian government, the company faced a bout of dormancy due to the collapse and subsequent dissolution of the Grand Duchy of Naprzódsk. The company would face an attempted revival under the government of the Polonian Presidential Dependency of Valenowa, shortly before the micronation's constitutional monarchy was restored in early 2024.
Michał Walenowski would completely disintegrate and re-found the company on 17 July 2024, alongside co-founders Lieutenant General Jakub Szaczynski (head of the Civilian Corps of Engineers of Valenowa), Blake Baker, and Austin Karcz. Immediately following this, the company, now renamed Polonian Metalworks, purchased two propane forges, as well as various other smithing equipment. The company additionally purchased an undisclosed number of prefabricated metal shelters for storage and workshop purposes. Immediately after it was founded, the government of the Grand Duchy of Valenowa issued a contract for the full-scale production of the WzPn.81 combat uniform, intended for use by the Valenian Land Forces, replacing the older-issue Battle Dress Uniform. The uniform will be issued in the M81 Woodland camouflage pattern for Land Forces, and in the ATACS-FG camouflage pattern for Special Operations Forces. The first model of the uniform is currently in service with the Land Forces. Additionally, an undisclosed number of Wz.2024 "Grom" tactical knives were ordered by the Valenian Ministry of Defense on 18 July 2024, which are expected to enter production in late 2024.
Organization
Intermicronational operations
- Polonian Metalworks Valenowa
Departments
- Department of Blacksmithing
- Department of Tailoring
- Department of Defense Contracting
Company governance
Polonian Metalworks is a privately-owned organization, funded in part by the Valenian government. All assets are under the direct control/ownership of the company's sole proprietor.
Owner
The owner is the sole proprietor of Polonian metalworks. As of July 2024, all historical owners include:
- Michał Walenowski (2024-present)
Board of founders
The board of founders consists of 4 members. As of July 2024, members include:
- Michał Walenowski (2024-present)
- Jakub Szaczynski (2024-present)
- Blake Baker (2024-present)
- Austin Karcz (2024-present)
Management
Polonian Metalworks is de jure owned privately by a sole proprietor (currently Michał Walenowski), however in practice is controlled equally by members of the board of founders. Membership within the board of founders is restricted only to individuals who directly contributed to the founding and maintenance of Polonian Metalworks, and is likely to be replaced or supplemented by a board of directors in the future. The company additionally consists of 3 primary departments, those being the Department of Blacksmithing (headed by Austin Karcz), the Department of Tailoring (headed by Blake Baker), and the Department of Defense Contracting (headed by Michał Walenowski), with each department specializing in a different portion of the company's management/operation.