Cutlery passed down through generations – yet perfectly in step with the times. The traditional brand TONER, part of the ABNER company, now complements the restaurant setup in the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Partners, delegations, and everyday visitors will also encounter it while dining in the CTP Lounge.
The family-owned company ABNER, which manufactures this cutlery, builds on more than 140 years of Czech metalworking tradition and precision craftsmanship. TONER cutlery is not only functional but also timeless in design – regularly featured in professional gastronomy, on ocean liners, and in the demanding environments of hotels and restaurants. For the company, participation in the World Expo is a key step toward expanding its export activities – particularly in the rapidly growing Indo-Pacific region. Its products target the hospitality sector and other types of food service operations – industries that have seen tremendous growth in Japan and its neighboring countries in recent years. “Taking part in EXPO 2025 in Osaka is a unique opportunity for us to showcase Czech precision, tradition, and craftsmanship – values that TONER cutlery has represented for over 140 years,” says Petr Berger, Sales Director at ABNER. He hopes the company’s products will inspire current and new customers and partners and help drive further export development in this strategically important region.
TONER is one of the few European brands that still manufactures its entire range of cutlery exclusively in its own facility in Czechia – specifically in Moravská Třebová, where the company operates its production halls, and the development department. This setup allows the company to fulfill custom orders – including individual engraving, company logo placement, or decorative gilding. Under this brand, the cutlery will become an integral part of the visitor experience at EXPO 2025. Dining in the Czech National Pavilion will offer guests an authentic touch of Czech culture – whether it’s a casual lunch, a festive reception, or a business meeting in the CTP Lounge. "At a World EXPO, every detail matters. I’m glad that TONER cutlery is part of an experience that offers visitors not only the taste of Czech cuisine, but also a touch of tradition and true craftsmanship,” says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General for Czechia’s participation in EXPO 2025.
About ABNER ABNER is a Czech-based company founded in the 1990s. Since 1993, it has specialized in the production of professional gastronomy equipment and ranks among the leading European manufacturers in this field. Under the TONER brand, it continues the tradition of cutlery manufacturing dating back to 1883. With its focus on craftsmanship, functionality, and production flexibility, the company is now among the leaders on the European market. What sets ABNER apart is its unique blend of traditional Czech manufacturing and modern technologies.
Its portfolio includes comprehensive solutions for food service operations – such as tray transport trolleys, active and passive food transport systems, catering carts, serving counters, and shelving units, all designed to perform even in extreme conditions. The production is tailored to the specific requirements of customers and takes place as custom manufacturing from stainless steel. In addition to TONER cutlery, ABNER also produces CO₂ and N₂ pressure cartridges, used as propellants in fire extinguishers.
About the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Czechia will be participating in a World Expo as an independent country for the sixth time. Since September 2022, the role of Commissioner General has been held by Ondřej Soška. The pavilion’s design – a glass spiral – was selected through an open architectural competition, which was won in March 2023 by Apropos Architects. The main structure is made of modern CLT wooden panels, while the façade features artistic glass, drawing on a centuries-old Czech tradition. The national pavilion provides a dignified setting for Czechia’s presence at EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Inside, the pavilion features a permanent exhibition, the multifunctional Daisue Hall auditorium, business meeting facilities, a restaurant, the CTP Lounge, and a seaside relaxation zone open to visitors in front of the building. Cultural performances take place almost every weekend from Friday to Sunday. The pavilion was officially approved for use in early April 2025 and stands as the largest wooden structure of its kind in Japan without a metal supporting frame. It officially opened to the public on April 13, 2025.
