PromZ Vak 4 · 2026 · English edition

By Sem van Lit

Poland Special

Built to grow together

LanYard.PRO was founded in 2004 by Henryk and Katarzyna Surdej, based on a simple conviction: promotional products are never just products. Behind every product stands an agency that wants to impress its customers. That idea still forms the basis of the company.

The reason for starting their own business was less obvious. After Henryk, now founder and CEO of LanYard.PRO, lost his job, the couple decided to take the step into entrepreneurship. They did not yet have the money for business premises. A fifteensquare-meter room in Katarzyna’s mother’s house therefore served as an office, bedroom, and production space. “Like many companies, we started small: with one product, one customer, and one order at a time,” says Henryk. “We grew by investing in people, production, and relationships, rather than constantly seeking quick success.”

gave it more control over quality, planning, and delivery times. Lanyards still form the DNA of the company, but by now, the role extends beyond production alone. Customers are increasingly looking for complete solutions and a partner who actively thinks along with them. “The product is important, but understanding why it is needed is even more important.”

Production close to the customer

The factory and headquarters are located in Krakow, which the company claims is the largest lanyard factory in Europe. More than five million lanyards are produced annually, and around 700,000 items monthly for over 30,000 business customers in Europe. “Poland combines modern production capabilities with craftsmanship and flexibility. Thanks to our location, we can adapt quickly and stay close to our European customers. We are proud to produce in Europe.”

The company started with screen printing on workwear and safety clothing. Lanyards were added to the product range only later. That product proved decisive for further growth. Yet, the name LanYard.PRO now covers only a part of the activities. “That would be a bit like if IKEA only sold screws,” says Henryk. Today, the company produces hundreds of different promotional products, from wristbands and keychains to towels, lounge chairs, cushions, and custom textile products.

The market is changing rapidly: customers expect faster communication, more flexibility, and new ideas, while sustainability, European production, and reliable partnerships are becoming more important. Therefore, the role of the manufacturer is increasingly shifting towards that of an advisor. The company is constantly seeking smarter solutions, from innovative packaging to materials such as cotton, bamboo, and cork. Yet, collaboration remains at the core. “Above all, we wanted to be the company people enjoy working with.”

LanYard.PRO wants to be more than a manufacturer: the company sees itself as a partner that takes responsibility and helps agencies grow. Long-term customer relationships are more important to them than quick sales results. “We measure success not by the number of products we produce, but by the growth our customers experience together with us,” says Henryk.

That philosophy is encapsulated in the slogan #BUILTTOGETHER. As Henryk puts it: “When our clients grow, we grow with them.”

A major turning point came in 2014, when the company started its own production of sublimation ribbons. This