History

ASTRA S.A. is a Polish company with almost 90 years of presence in the Polish and European market and years of tradition.

Over the years we became one of the leaders of the school, office and art supplies market. From the very beginning the ASTRA brand products contributed to trendsetting in artistic education of children and youths, at the same time winning the trust of their parents, teachers and tutors.

The Przemyśl plant was opened in 1921 and has its own professional laboratory. Over the years the company specialized in different industries – at first the manufacturing concentrated, among others on inks, drawing inks or school chalk. At the same time the portfolio of paints, modeling clay and other school supplies was developed.

In 1997, after connection of sales department of Astra and the Częstochowa-based Zenith the A-Z company was formed, that took over the distribution of products of both companies.

Next transformation came in 2000, when a merger with Zenith S.A. occurred and the Astra-Zenith S.A. company with corporate headquarters in Częstochowa was established. The aim of that transformation was to create a school and office supplies manufacturing holding, the scope of activity was broadened with writing products.

In 2003 the companies split again and our company currently functions under the name of ASTRA S.A. with corporate headquarters in Warsaw. Throughout the whole time we kept the continuity of manufacture of school and office supplies. Many of us fist saw paints, crayons or the modeling clay from Przemyśl already in our primary schools.

1927

Lazar family founded the Astra company

1951

The company is taken over by a state company.

Przemyskie Zakłady Przemysłu Terenowego – formed by fusion of many small, local companies.

1994

Our poster paints are awarded the DOBRY WZÓR ’94 badge

Our poster paints are awarded the DOBRY WZÓR ’94 badge by Institute of Industrial Design. The badge aims at awarding national products with high quality design.

1995

Privatization of the company

Privatization of the company in connection with the economic breakthrough of the 1990s.

1996

Award for sculpting clay, poster paints and tube paints during Educational Fair.

The Ministry of National Education and the “Edukator” Research and Educational Institute award for sculpting clay, poster paints and tube paints during Educational Fair.

1996

GOLD MEDAL in the category of “96’ novelty Polish product” for tempera paint.

1997

Transformation into the A-Z company

Transformation into the A-Z company after merger of the sales department of Astra with the Częstochowa-based Zenith.

1997

An award in the category of “Polish Ecological Product” for sculpting clay.

Awarded by the Chamber of Office and School Industry Businesses within the National Fair of Office, School and Paper Products.

1997

Najwyższa Jakość Małopolska – Award for poster paints for their high quality

2000

The Astra – Zenith S.A. company is formed

The Astra – Zenith S.A. company is formed after merger of companies.

2016

Introduction of the intelligent DR Cosmic Modeling Clay

Introduction of the intelligent DR Cosmic Modeling Clay. Huge amount of new possibilities that stretches, jumps, tears and glows.