Meat processing has been the Gołąbek family trade for generations. It started in 1930, when Alfred Gołąbek built his first plant in Świętochłowice (Upper Silesia) continuing the trade of his father, Jan. The plant started small, but grew and developed dynamically until WW2. During the war and after, during Communism, Polish economy had undergone abrupt changes. Communist government put a ban on any private business and Alfred Gołąbek had to abandon his dreams of becoming a large-scale producer. However, he tried to remain in the same industry and in 1947 started working for state owned meat supplier. Any private business operations were stopped for many years to come. However, family recipes and trade secrets passed from one generation to another survived.

In the late 1970's, private business started to pick up. Polish government, under the social pressure, had to give some freedom to Polish manufacturers and producers. Maksymilian Gołąbek, Alfred's son saw his chance and took it. He wanted to fulfill his father’s dream of having his own meat processing plant. He bought a bankrupt plant in Bytom in 1978. Only in few years, his dynamically growing business proved too small to meet the local market demand. Maksymilian passed the family trade to his son, Jerzy. In 1990, the father and son decided to build a new plant in Kuźnia Raciborska. It was one of the most technologically advanced meat processing plant in the entire region. The plant was named Maxpol (after Maksymilian) and has been managed by the Gołąbek family ever since. Maxpol has gained trust and popularity among clients due to its highest product quality and best taste. As the demand for Maxpol products grew, in four years the production proved to small for the local market needs.

The family business has become popular not only in Poland, but also abroad. In 1997 Maxpol received five gold medals at the Inter In 1998, Maxpol won the first prize in Agroliga competition. In 1999, the company was awarded by a prestigious “Teraz Polska” title. Maxpol Management decided to expand the business to meet the demand and all industry standards. In 1998 Poland started pre-accession negotiations. EU membership would be a great chance for Polish business, it involved, however, a great responsibility due to production quality and technology requirements. In 1999, the Ministry of Economy issued an instruction to close all meat processing plants that did not meet EU norms.

Maxpol decided to build a new, modern plant to meet all the requirements. In 2001, Maxpol opened the first meat processing plant in Poland that was in full compliance with all EU restrictions. Since then Maxpol has been enjoying a great success and gained a strong position on the market. In 2002, Maxpol was the first business in the region to obtain HACCP, ISO 9001:2000 and DS.3027E:2002 certificates, allowing the company to export its products to all European countries. A few months later Maxpol received a Diploma and Gold Medal from Polish Manufacturers Association, and Maksymilian Gołąbek was honored as the Manufacturer of the Year. Maxpol has also received four top rating of Silesian Quality Mark. These awards and honors have been the crowning achievement of Maksymilian Gołąbek in his professional career.

Maxpol decided to build a new, modern plant to meet all the requirements. In 2001, Maxpol opened the first meat processing plant in Poland that was in full compliance with all EU restrictions. Since then Maxpol has been enjoying a great success and gained a strong position on the market. In 2002, Maxpol was the first business in the region to obtain HACCP, ISO 9001:2000 and DS.3027E:2002 certificates, allowing the company to export its products to all European countries. A few months later Maxpol received a Diploma and Gold Medal from Polish Manufacturers Association, and Maksymilian Gołąbek was honored as the Manufacturer of the Year. Maxpol has also received four top rating of Silesian Quality Mark. These awards and honors have been the crowning achievement of Maksymilian Gołąbek in his professional career.

Since then Maksymilian Gołąbek has retired and left the business to the younger generation. At present, the company is managed by Maksymilian’s son, Jerzy, who continues to develop the plant and improve the product quality. Maxpol is striving to achieve excellence based on modern technology and long family tradition.