PromZ Vak 4 · 2026 · English edition

By Sem van Lit

Poland Special

NOEX: a beginning that lives on for generations

The origins of NOEX date back to 1935, when Antoni Nowak ran a technical company in Greater Poland. His technical knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit continued to live on within the family and led to the official founding of NOEX in 1986 by his grandson, Waldemar Nowak. A small pewter mold depicting a musketeer from the early days was preserved. This later formed the basis for the NOEX logo and symbolizes the courage and determination with which the family built the company.

Amajor breakthrough followed with checkout trays for retail counters. When these products proved less successful in the Benelux, NOEX increasingly focused on promotional trays and POS materials for the hospitality sector. Today, NOEX is a modern Polish family business with approximately 170 employees. The company supplies throughout Europe and to various markets in the Middle East and North Africa.

Purchasing, storage, logistics, service, and customer feedback also collectively determine the final result. “We cannot produce excellent serving trays without a reliable supply of plastic granules and without listening to our customers.”

The market is changing rapidly due to new consumer behaviour, generational differences, and stricter European regulations regarding advertising, promotion, and packaging, including the PPWR. This requires adaptability. For instance, the cash register trays with which NOEX made its breakthrough in Poland proved less successful in the Benelux. By focusing more strongly on promotional serving trays and POS materials for the hospitality industry, the company managed to establish a position there nonetheless.

Krzysztof Uruski has worked at NOEX since 2007 and is the Sales Director. In addition, he is responsible for the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality management systems. He has been active in the promotional products industry for over twenty years. NOEX specializes in plastic injection molding and the design of injection molds. In addition to promotional products and POS materials, the company manufactures laboratory equipment and technical plastic parts. Thanks to its own tool workshop, NOEX manages projects from design and mold making to production and delivery.

NOEX will also have to keep moving with the times in the coming years. Uruski expects sustainability to become the most important direction in this regard: “If I have to predict one clear direction, I bet on ECO.” European production is a key strength in this. NOEX produces within the EU, using European materials and in accordance with strict quality and legal requirements. According to the company, this offers extra value, especially now, in terms of reliability, transparency, and origin.

Within the promotional sector, the non-slip bar trays and serving trays are particularly important. “Thanks to the special surface, even wet glasses and mugs remain stable,” says Uruski. This makes the trays not only advertising media, but above all practical products for the hospitality industry. The products are also available in ECO Line versions made from recycled material.

The location near Poznań helps in this regard. The region boasts good transport links, technically skilled employees, and a strong entrepreneurial culture. From this central location, NOEX can manage the entire process from development to delivery in-house. Although the company has developed significantly over forty years, the foundation has remained the same. The musketeer in the logo represents the courage and entrepreneurial spirit with which NOEX continues to adapt. That is the course the family business intends to continue following in the future.

At NOEX, product development begins with knowledge of the market and the conditions in which a product is used. Therefore, customers are involved early in the development process. Their experiences and feedback help to ensure products align better with daily practice. Moreover, quality is not created solely during the production process.