Our history
Since 1986, we have been continuously developing our expertise in the manufacture of cooker hoods. From a small workshop to one of the largest OEM manufacturers in Europe.
1986 – The Beginnings
In 1986, engineer Ryszard Ziarko set up a small factory in Sanok called WAzTSiM (Factory of Plastic and Metal Products). Initially, production took place in a small workshop – just one cooker hood a day. These humble beginnings illustrate the journey we have taken to become one of the largest manufacturers in Europe.
1991 – Development
Growing market demand called for more space. In 1991, we moved our production to the Dąbrówka district of Sanok, taking on 20 additional staff. This marked the beginning of our transformation from a small workshop into a modern manufacturing company with ambitions to export.
The mid-1990s – The birth of the brand and its expansion
In the mid-1990s, we changed our name to CIARKO and began building a distribution network in Eastern Europe. The name quickly gained recognition among business customers, paving the way for OEM partnerships with larger companies.
1999–2006 – Recognition and strategic partnerships
The late 1990s and early 2000s were a period of dynamic growth. Gold Medals at the Poznań International Fair (1999, 2000) and the ‘Teraz Polska’ award (2001) confirmed the quality of our products. In 2001, we secured our first OEM client in Poland, and in 2006 we established a strategic partnership with Gorenje – one of the leaders in the European household appliances market. This was a landmark partnership that opened the door to the international OEM market.
2009–2016 – Scale and innovation
A decade of dynamic growth: in 2009, we exceeded an annual production of 500,000 cooker hoods, and by 2014 we had reached 800,000 units. At the same time, we developed our design expertise – in 2011 we launched a premium range (Living Kitchen, Kolonia), and in 2013 we won our first Red Dot Award. By 2015, we employed over 600 people, and in 2016 we unveiled an innovative downdraft system at the Living Kitchen trade fair.
2017–2023 – Modernisation and diversification
The rebranding in 2017 marked the start of a new phase of development. In 2018, we expanded our premises to 14,000 m² and invested in a new paint shop and machinery. In 2020–2021, we won further design awards and opened a showroom in Warsaw. In 2022, we began our first-ever exports to Australia and the USA, and we also received the government award for ‘Most Family-Friendly Company in Poland’. In 2023, we launched the production of induction hobs, expanding our range for OEM partners with a further product category.
Today – A reliable partner
Today, CIARKO is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of cooker hoods, producing 650,000 units annually for 62 OEM partners across four continents. 94% of our production consists of white-label projects under various brands. We remain a financially independent family-owned company with Polish capital, led by our founder, engineer Ryszard Ziarko. This stability, combined with continuous technological and product development, makes us the preferred partner for home appliance brands seeking a reliable OEM manufacturer in Europe.
