Distributor shortlist
We find 15–25 potential distributors for your product in Poland, check each one in Polish registers and call them in Polish to confirm interest. You get a scored shortlist with contacts in about two weeks. Every report includes comments from industry, scientific and business experts.
Since 2006 · more than 800 projects for more than 200 companies · more than 5,000 data sources
We show client names and logos only with their direct consent. Most of our projects are covered by a confidentiality clause.
Expert commentary in every report
Every distributor shortlist includes comments from industry, scientific and business experts. They assess the candidates’ position and reputation in the Polish market and what to watch for in talks.
How do you find distributors in Poland?
A database export gives you names. We build the list from several sources and keep only companies that actually sell to your customers:
Registers by activity
Companies registered with the relevant activity codes (PKD) in the court register (KRS) and the business registers.
Trade fairs and associations
Exhibitor lists from Polish trade fairs and members of industry associations and chambers.
Import data
Companies that already import similar products into Poland, found in trade statistics and customs-based sources.
Competitors’ distributors
Companies that already sell your competitors’ products, and those that sell complementary products to the same customers.
Catalogues and marketplaces
Industry catalogues, B2B platforms and online marketplaces where your customers buy.
Public tender winners
Suppliers that win tenders for similar products in the public procurement bulletin (BZP) and TED.
How are partners checked and scored?
Each candidate gets a fit score against criteria we agree with you at the start. We read financial statements in the court register, check for red flags and compare reach and portfolio. The default criteria are:
| Criterion | What we check | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Distributor, wholesaler, agent or integrator, and which customers it serves | Website, registers, interviews |
| Revenue and size | Revenue and headcount over recent years | Financial statements in KRS |
| Geographic reach | Whole of Poland or selected regions (voivodeships), branches and sales staff in the field | Website, registers, phone call |
| Portfolio | Competing and complementary products, brands it represents | Website, catalogues, phone call |
| Warehouse and logistics | Own warehouse, delivery and service capacity | Website, phone call |
| Sales team | Size of the sales and technical team | Job ads, professional profiles, phone call |
| Financial health | Results, debt, red flags in registers | KRS, financial statements, debtor registers |
| Interest | Whether it is open to a new supplier and on what terms | Phone call in Polish |
The score is a weighted sum of these criteria. You can change the weights before we start, for example if national coverage matters more to you than size.
Sample shortlist row
This is what one row of the shortlist looks like. Company details are anonymised.
| Company | Profile | Reach | Portfolio | Finance | Phone check | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distributor A, sp. z o.o. | Industrial distributor, 40 staff | National, 3 branches | Complementary, no direct competitor | Revenue growing for 3 years, no red flags | Interested, asks for a price list and samples | High |
Illustrative example. Real rows include contact details and the name of the decision maker.
The phone interest check
A list without a phone call is a list of names. We call each candidate in Polish before it goes on the shortlist.
What we say
We describe the product, the type of company behind it and what kind of partner you are looking for, and ask whether they would like to talk.
On whose behalf
You decide. We can introduce your company by name or describe the product without naming you until a candidate confirms interest.
What we report
For each company: who we spoke to, whether it is interested, what it asks about (prices, exclusivity, samples, terms) and any reservations.
We read the Polish registers and make the calls in Polish.
Each candidate hears about your product from a Polish-speaking analyst. You get their questions and reservations before you talk to them yourself.
How it works: day by day
Timings are indicative. You get the exact schedule in the quote.
- StartStep 1 · days 1–2
Brief: product, target customers, regions and your partner criteria
From you: product information, price range, current partners in Poland if any
- Research, calls and shortlist: about two weeks in totalStep 2 · days 3–7
Research: we build the long list and check candidates in Polish registers
- Step 3 · days 8–11
Phone calls in Polish to confirm interest
From you: a short product description in English we can refer to
- Step 4 · days 12–14
Scored shortlist with contacts, and a call to go through the results
From you: a date for the call
What you get
Every shortlist is different, because we set the criteria around your product, customers and regions. The elements below are examples.
It takes less work than scouting the Polish market with your own team, and there is no language barrier: we read the registers and make the calls in Polish.
In what form:
Distributor, agent or subsidiary?
The shortlist works for distributors and agents. Which model fits depends on your product and plans:
| Distributor | Sales agent | Own subsidiary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Buys your product and resells it on its own account | Finds customers and earns a commission; you sell to them directly | Your own company or branch in Poland |
| Your control over prices and customers | Low | Medium | Full |
| Your cost and risk | Low | Low to medium | High |
| Speed to market | Fast, if the partner has customers | Medium | Slow |
| Typical when | You test the market or sell standard products | You sell technical products to a few large buyers | The market is proven and large enough |
If you are not sure which model fits, a market entry strategy compares the options for your product.
What happens after the shortlist?
Most clients move to introductions with the top five, or to a Market Entry Strategy when the shortlist shows the channel question is bigger than expected.
Support with first meetings
We can arrange introductory calls with the top candidates and join them to explain the Polish context.
Company Check of selected firms
Before you sign, we check the finalists in more depth: owners, financials and red flags.
Polish Company CheckIn-depth market analysis
If the calls show that the market or the channel is less clear than expected, we size the market and map the competitors.
In-depth market analysisWhat this does not cover
The shortlist opens the door. These steps stay with you or your advisers:
Contract negotiations
No. We verify and introduce. Contracts stay with you.
Legal advice
Distribution and agency agreements, exclusivity and competition law need a law firm.
No guarantee of a contract
We confirm interest, but whether you sign depends on your terms and the partner’s decision.
Too much? Not enough?
Who will build your shortlist
Our analysts prepare the research. You have one contact person throughout the project.
Patrycja Hrabiec-Hojda
Founded Infobrokerska in 2006, one of the first information brokerage firms in Poland, which grew into MarketHub. Has led analytical projects for 20 years and runs training in open-source intelligence (OSINT). Co-authored the professional standards for information brokers for the Polish Ministry of Labour.
Dr Łukasz Brzeziński
PhD in economics. Prepares advanced market reports and analyses. Assesses market potential, writes business plans and values technologies, patents and know-how.
Katarzyna Kucia
Prepares market analyses and reports, develops analytical materials and carries out desk research, including in scientific sources. Writes MarketHub market reviews and articles for the Rynek Informacji portal.
Questions about finding distributors in Poland
About the service
How many distributors will be on the list?
Usually 15–25 companies that passed the register check, with the results of our phone calls. In narrow niches there may be fewer, and we will tell you this in the quote.
What is the expert commentary in your reports?
Opinions from industry, scientific and business experts we choose for the topic of the project. The expert explains what is behind the figures, checks the estimates and conclusions, and says what they may mean for your decision. The commentary is part of every paid MarketHub report.
Which industries do you cover?
Industrial goods, components, chemicals, medical devices and B2B services.
Do you contact the distributors?
Yes. We call each candidate in Polish to confirm interest and report who we spoke to, what they said and what they ask about.
Do you mention our company name when calling?
That is your choice. We can introduce your company by name or describe the product without naming you until a candidate confirms interest.
Method
Where do you find potential partners?
In registers by activity code, exhibitor lists from trade fairs, industry associations, import data, competitors’ distributors, catalogues, B2B marketplaces and public tender winners.
How do you check them?
In the Polish court register and business registers: legal form, owners, financial statements and red flags. Then we check their profile, reach and portfolio on their websites and in a phone call.
What does the fit score mean?
It is a weighted sum of the criteria we agree with you: profile, size, reach, portfolio, logistics, sales team, financial health and interest. The higher the score, the better the candidate matches your needs.
Can you look for agents instead of distributors?
Yes. We can search for sales agents, resellers, integrators or service partners. The criteria change accordingly.
After
Can you help with the first meetings?
Yes. We can arrange introductory calls with the top candidates. We agree the scope separately.
What if none of them is interested?
We report why: price, competing brands, timing or the product itself. That is valuable information too, and we suggest what to change or where else to look.
Can you verify a distributor we already found?
Yes. For one company, a Polish Company Check is usually enough.
Do you guarantee a contract?
No. We confirm interest and give you the information you need to choose. Negotiating and signing the contract is up to you.
Time and price
How long does it take?
About two weeks from your acceptance of the quote. Narrow niches or several countries take longer.
What does the price depend on?
On the number of candidates and regions, how narrow the niche is and whether you need support with the first meetings. We send the quote within 72 hours.
Request a quote for a distributor shortlist
Request a quote: Distributor shortlist
We send the scope, timeline and price within 72 hours of your enquiry.
Related: Market entry strategy · Polish Company Check · In-depth market analysis · Case studies