The splendorous anniversary gala was a unique opportunity to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the AREX company. The event was held among representatives of the management boards of companies belonging to the WB GROUP and friends of the company.
The gala was attended by Piotr Wojciechowski and Adam Bartosiewicz – founders of WB GROUP, management boards of other group companies, business partners, foreign delegations, representatives of key suppliers, universities, and research centers with which AREX has been cooperating for years.
The gala began with paying tribute to the AREX’s founders and thanking the current owners for introducing constant innovations, for their determination and for the development of the company. The anniversary was an expression of gratitude, a moment to reflect on history, an opportunity to focus on current plans and present a vision of the future.
In his speech, Krzysztof Bielawski, CEO of AREX, emphasized the importance of the company and the role it plays in the WB GROUP. He highlighted the value of the community created by the company in the human, business and technical dimensions. Members of the management board of AREX recalled the past time, its achievements and the people who influenced its development.
During the gala, guests had the opportunity to learn about the history of AREX. Over the course of 35 years, the company has become a modern enterprise based on its own technical solutions and production capabilities.
The focus on developing innovative technologies, the concentration of Polish engineering potential and the ability to anticipate changes resulted in the company’s development on the military market. Thanks to this, AREX has become synonymous with quality and reliability.
The official part ended with the presentation of a film summarizing 35 years of the company’s activity. The culmination of the gala, and at the same time the beginning of the informal part, was a jazz concert.
35 years of history
The AREX company started its operations in 1989, the founder was Andrzej Darski. The company produced measurement transducers, over time it began to implement measurement and control systems for boiler rooms and gas reduction stations.
A breakthrough in the company’s development was the implementation in 1994 of an automatic electric turnout heating system. Over the following years, the product strengthened the position of AREX in the railway industry. Since 2002, the company has participated in projects related to Poland’s defense. The engineering potential and expansion of the company translated into the development of solutions for the military market.
In 2005, after the tragic death of the owner, AREX was transformed into a corporate entity. Krzysztof Bielawski was appointed President of the management board, who, together with Gerard Wiśniewski and Tomasz Buda, still manages the company. Currently, AREX employs over 200 employees. The staff consists of high-class engineers, electronics, mechanics, electricity, and IT specialists.
In September 2011, AREX became part of the WB GROUP. It is the largest Polish concern in the defense sector, offering IT and cybersecurity systems, and communication technologies for the armed forces.
AREX designs and produces its own solutions for the civilian and military markets. The company is a proven supplier of advanced power systems for railway and road infrastructure.
The flagship product is an electric turnout heating system that improves train traffic in winter conditions. AREX conducts research and development in the field of electronic technology and software, develops and produces electromobile systems, including: inverters, motors, energy storage, EV charging stations.
AREX produces advanced products for the military market. The company has participated in projects such as the ZUR-23-2KG Jodek-G air defense system, the ZSMU-12.7 Kobuz remotely controlled weapon station, the W-3PL combat helicopter, and the RAK 120 mm self-propelled mortar.
The company offers electromechanical components for 155 mm howitzers and self-propelled mortars, rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft artillery systems, helicopter and naval artillery systems.
AREX participated in the development of the 30 mm Remotely Controlled Turret System ZSSW-30. The company supplies electromechanical accessories for the ZSSW-30 unmanned turret.
AREX independently developed ZMU family of remotely controlled weapon stations, the ARM-28 modernization package with the CKE-1T sight and the DJ-25 jammer for the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft artillery system.
From the beginning of its activity, AREX has been strongly associated with scientific and research centers, including: with the Gdańsk University of Technology, the Naval Academy and the Maritime University. The cooperation also covers other centers: Kielce University of Technology, Warsaw Military University of Technology, Railway Institute, Warsaw University of Technology.
Since 2013, AREX has been a member of the Consultative Council of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Automation of the Gdańsk University of Technology, where it plays an advisory and opinion-giving role. The cooperation results in jointly carried out research and development work.