Arex

What Arex does

Arex (Zakład Automatyki i Urządzeń Pomiarowych AREX Sp. z o.o.) is a Polish engineering company founded in 1989 and headquartered in Gdynia, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WB Group, the largest private defense conglomerate in Poland. The company designs and manufactures power electronics, industrial automation, electrical drive control systems, and remotely operated weapon platforms, with its offerings organized into three verticals: a defense sector (the ZMU family of remotely operated weapon stations — ZMU-03, ZMU-05, ZMU-05N, ZMU-07 — plus modernization packages for legacy systems such as the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun and the Future Task Force manned-unmanned system), an e-mobility sector (DCX and ACX EV charging stations, the DCX-Mobile depot charger, trolleybus chargers and direct PV-to-traction integration, the SEMS smart energy management system, FlexPowerD battery storage, and QUARK electric drives), and a railway sector (SEMSRail, DIMaC-EK power systems, LMP dynamic lighting control, and electric point heating).

The company sells advanced engineering solutions directly to government defense ministries and armed forces (Polish Armed Forces, Belgian Land Forces, NATO export customers), railway infrastructure managers (primarily PKP PLK S.A.), and municipal public transport operators (PKS Nova S.A., Gdynia trolleybus operator, City of Włocławek) through competitive public procurement tenders and dedicated field sales teams. International distribution is channeled through WB Group's subsidiary network (WB India, WB America, WB Ukraine, WB UK) and validated through participation in premier trade fairs (MSPO, Eurosatory, DSA, AeroIndia, SecD-Day, ENERGETAB, TRAKO, ENEX). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales on project/tender contracts across the three verticals, supplemented by NCBiR-funded defense R&D consortium work (e.g., SZAFIR counter-UAV project), SEP-certified installation and maintenance services, and framework-based research cooperation with Polish universities (Politechnika Gdańska) and institutes (Łukasiewicz-IPO, Instytut Kolejnictwa, Łukasiewicz-PIAP).

Name

Arex

Legal name

Zakład Automatyki i Urządzeń Pomiarowych AREX Sp. z o.o.

Website

https://arex.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arex is a Polish engineering company and WB Group subsidiary that designs and manufactures remotely operated weapon stations, EV charging infrastructure, and railway power systems for defense ministries, rail infrastructure managers, and municipal transport operators in Poland and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense and Industrial Electronics Manufacturing

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Railroad Equipment (3743), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Electrification Manufacturing (eAxles/Battery Packs/Fuel Cells) (IMACABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive ECUs/Control Modules & Embedded Electronics Manufacturing (IMACAJAC), Electrical Engineering & Power Distribution (Generation, Switchboards, Cabling, Lighting) (IMAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Remote weapon stations
• Railway power systems
• EV charging infrastructure
• Energy management systems
• Industrial automation systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Gdynia

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Systems (ZMU Family): Design, development, and production of remotely operated weapon modules (ZMU-03, ZMU-05, ZMU-05N, ZMU-07, ZMU-08) and modernization kits for military customers including government defense ministries, NATO armed forces, and export customers. Revenue is project-based, often through multi-year procurement contracts.
2. Railway Infrastructure Systems: Supply of electrification, lighting control (LMP), electrical switchgear, railway energy management systems (SEMSRail, DIMaC-EK), and electric point heating (APR controller) for rail infrastructure managers (PKP PLK S.A.). Revenue is generated through project contracts, equipment supply, and maintenance services.
3. EV Charging Infrastructure & E-Mobility: Design, manufacture, and deployment of EV charging stations (DCX series, ACX series), mobile chargers (DCX-Mobile), and trolleybus depot chargers (TBC-01) for public transport operators and municipal clients. Revenue from equipment supply, installation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support contracts.
4. Energy Management & Storage Systems: SEMS intelligent energy management systems, FlexPowerD battery storage, and OZE energy conversion systems for municipal, industrial, and transport sector clients. Revenue from system design, equipment supply, integration, and software services.
5. R&D Grants & Defense Projects: NCBiR-funded defense R&D projects such as SZAFIR (high-power EMP systems against UAVs). AREX participates as consortium partner in government-funded defense modernization and innovation programs, generating non-dilutive R&D funding.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Arex designs, develops, and manufactures advanced engineering solutions across three sectors: defense (remotely operated weapon stations such as the ZMU family), railway infrastructure (electrification, lighting control, energy management systems), and e-mobility (EV charging stations, trolleybus chargers, mobile depot chargers). The company integrates power electronics, industrial automation, electrical drive control systems, and embedded software to deliver systems from concept through in-house production in Gdynia, Poland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZMU-05: Remote Weapon Module (Zdalny Moduł Uzbrojenia) - remotely controlled weapon station for vehicles and naval platforms
• ZMU-05N
• SEMS
• SEMSRail
• DCX
• FlexPowerD
• QUARK
• LMP

Products and services

• ZMU-05 Remote Weapon Station (Land Version)

Quantifiable outcome

• AREX achieved 2nd place in Diamenty Forbes 2024 (ranking of fastest-growing Polish companies), up from 30th place in 2024 debut — a 28-position jump — competing in the over 250M PLN revenue category.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Defence24 (organizer of Defence24 Days)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026WB GROUP was the Strategic Partner of Defence24 Days 2026 — Central and Eastern Europe's leading defense and security conference in Warsaw. The event gathered over 5,500 participants, 350 experts across 70 panels. AREX benefited from visibility and engagement with Polish defense decision-makers through WB GROUP's participation.
• Larsen & Toubro (via WB India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2025During AeroIndia 2025 in Bengaluru, WB Electronics India and Larsen & Toubro signed a cooperation agreement for the development of autonomous unmanned systems. The agreement covers unmanned vehicles, advanced sensors, and AI applications. AREX participates as part of WB GROUP, with its ZMU systems representing the group's contribution to the autonomous systems ecosystem being developed for the Indian market.
• Łukasiewicz – Instytut Przemysłu Organicznego (Łukasiewicz-IPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2025AREX, WB ELECTRONICS S.A., and Polska Amunicja signed a framework agreement with Łukasiewicz-IPO for joint R&D, development, and implementation of innovative technologies for the defense industry and new technologies in explosives and rocket fuels. The agreement aims to create a flexible cooperation model for rapid response to dynamic market and technological needs, strengthening Poland's defense industrial base.
• Łukasiewicz – ILOTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2024Similar framework agreement signed between WB GROUP and Łukasiewicz-ILOT, extending WB GROUP's research cooperation with the Łukasiewicz research network.
• Thales GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2024During Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, WB GROUP signed a cooperation agreement with Thales Group for remotely controlled weapon systems ZMU-03/05. This agreement was signed at the world's leading land and inner security defense exhibition, signaling significant international recognition of AREX's ZMU technology.
• Politechnika Gdańska – Wydział Elektrotechniki i Automatyki (WEiA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2023NCBiR-funded SZAFIR project consortium: Politechnika Gdańska WEiA (leader) and AREX (partner) for 'High-power electromagnetic pulse generation and emission system for counter-UAV applications.' AREX contributes power electronics and systems integration expertise.
• WB GROUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAREX is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WB GROUP, the largest private capital group in Poland's defense industry, offering IT systems, cybersecurity, communication technologies, and solutions for armed forces worldwide. As the group's center of excellence for unmanned ground systems, AREX benefits from shared technology platforms (EYEQ AI, U-GATE C4ISR, FONET communication), distribution network (WB India, WB America, WB Ukraine, WB UK), and cross-selling opportunities across WB GROUP's defense customer base.
• Łukasiewicz – PIAP (Przemysłowy Instytut Automatyki i Pomiarów)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation between Łukasiewicz-PIAP and AREX on the PIAP HUNTER robot project — Poland's largest ground combat robot. AREX provides the ZMU-03 remotely controlled weapon module integrated onto the PIAP HUNTER unmanned ground platform. This is a flagship cooperation combining Poland's leading robotics institute with AREX's weapon station expertise.
• Instytut Kolejnictwa (Railway Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAREX participated as consortium partner (with SILED and ABZ Consulting) led by Instytut Kolejnictwa in the LM Project under BRIK initiative (co-funded by NCBiR), developing the innovative LMP railway lighting management system. The consortium won the Medal Prezesa SEP at TRAKO 2023. Demonstrated at Cieplewo and Gdynia Orłowo stations.
• Politechnika Gdańska (Gdańsk University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework cooperation agreement signed at MSPO 2024 between WB GROUP companies (AREX, RADMOR, MindMade) and Gdańsk University of Technology faculties. Includes joint seminars, student project support, research collaboration, and recruitment activities. Seminars held at CK STOS (Centrum Kompetencji STOS). Cooperation covers defense systems, communication, AI, and electric drive technologies.
• Macro-SystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationMacro-System, a manufacturer of the UNL multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), integrated AREX's ZMU-05 remote weapon module onto their platform. Belgian Land Forces tested this integrated system during advanced field training exercises, confirming successful interoperability between Macro-System's UGV and AREX's weapon station.
• DEFTECH/DRB HICOMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDEFTECH/DRB HICOM, a Malaysian defense group, visited WB GROUP's stand at DSA 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, representing potential channel partner for WB GROUP products (including AREX ZMU systems) in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Saab: Swedish defense and security company; its Trackfire remote weapon station and naval/marine electronics business compete with AREX's ZMU and ZMU-05N product lines in Northern European defense markets.
• Alstom: Global rail OEM with overlapping offerings in rail electrification, energy management, and signaling-infrastructure power systems; one of the broad incumbents in the same European rail modernization wave AREX targets.
• Leonardo S.p.A. Italian defense prime with a significant remote weapon station (HITROLE) family and naval combat systems; competes with AREX in European and international defense tenders across ground and maritime weapon station categories.
• Thales Group: French defense prime and 2024 partner of AREX (cooperation signed at Eurosatory) on ZMU-03/05; overlaps with AREX in naval combat systems, defense electronics, and broader C4ISR-adjacent integrations — both a partner and competitive incumbent in adjacent segments.
• Rheinmetall: German defense prime with extensive weapon station offerings (e.g., Fieldranger, Skynex air defense) and vehicle electronics; overlaps with AREX across defense modernization, naval systems, and military electric drives (QUARK-class offerings).
• Siemens Mobility: Major rail systems supplier competing with AREX's railway energy management (SEMSRail), lighting control (LMP), non-traction switchgear, and electrification products sold to PKP PLK and other European rail infrastructure operators.

Direct peers

• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics company with a major remote weapon station (RWS) business and Iron Fist active protection — competing head-to-head with AREX ZMU systems on European and export tenders for vehicle-mounted and naval weapon stations.
• ABB E-mobility: Global leader in DC fast charging stations (Terra HP family), depot charging, and OCPP-compliant management — directly comparable to AREX's DCX, DCX-Mobile, and TBC-01 product lines serving European bus and trolleybus fleets.
• Kongsberg Gruppen: Norwegian defense and aerospace group; its PROTECTOR remote weapon station family (RWS) is the most direct global counterpart to AREX's ZMU-03/05/07 systems, serving the same NATO militaries with similar product functionality and integration on armored vehicles and naval platforms.

Regional players

• Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ): Polish state-owned defense holding consolidating domestic defense manufacturers; competes with AREX and WB Group subsidiaries for Polish Ministry of Defence contracts in parallel to creating partnership/consortium opportunities within Polish defense procurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arex