Explore the key historical milestones that have shaped the development of MOTOR JIKOV GROUP from its beginnings to the present.
The Julius Škrlandt Foundry is the founder of machinery and foundry tradition and the first link in the history of machinery and foundry production, at the end of which stands today's MOTOR JIKOV Group a.s. In addition to machine production, under the brand of Julius Škrlandt, industrial engines were assembled and repaired, the electrotechnical department also produced power plant equipment and lighting systems for cities and industrial plants.
With the further development of the company, Union stock machine shop and foundry České Budějovice is formed, and water turbines are newly included in the production program.
The national enterprise MOTOR UNION officially emerges, united engine factories based in České Budějovice. A year later, a new foundry is built and the production of two-stroke and four-stroke engines is launched. This is complemented by hydraulic elements for trucks, gasoline electric units and boat engines.
The global growth in the automotive industry called for further expansion of production with high technical level products. Production is focused on the development of motoring, the name of the enterprise MOTOR UNION is simplified to MOTOR, national enterprise. At this time, production of motorcycle carburetors, fuel and air pressure systems are concentrated in České Budějovice, under the brand "JIKOV", which is an acronym for the name "JIhočeský KOVoprůmysl" (Southern Bohemian Metal Industry).
The production program for motorcycle and car carburetors now includes the production of compressors for air brake systems of trucks, buses and tractors.
As part of industrial independence, the state enterprise MOTOR JIKOV is formed. The basic object of business activity is the development, production and sale of four-stroke and two-stroke air-cooled gasoline engines, fuel system equipment, braking devices of motor vehicles, carburetors, fuel pumps, castings made of gray and malleable cast iron, and castings made of zinc alloys.
One of the professional activities of the state enterprise is the initiation of the establishment of the AutoSAP interest association with the aim of promoting the interests of the national automotive industry at home and abroad at all attainable levels and places.
At the beginning of the year, there is a fundamental change in the company to a market-oriented industrial company with a large share of exports.
As part of the search for a strategic foreign partner, a joint venture is established this year in cooperation with the Stuttgart-based Bosch group - Robert Bosch s.r.o., České Budějovice. The aim is efficient production of compressed air brake system devices based on license agreements for the production and sale of components under the JIKOV trademark.
M.I.C.B. a.s. becomes the majority owner of MOTOR JIKOV a.s., the parent company of a group of companies with predominantly mechanical and foundry production. The main mission of M.I.C.B. is the management of property and equity participations, acquisition activities, and management of business projects. MOTOR JIKOV's products are internationally certified for technical quality and environmental parameters. In mid-1995, serial production of components - top and bottom parts sets for airbag gas generators for the German company TRW Aschau begins. In the autumn of the same year, M.I.C.B. takes over the legendary manufacturer of sewing machines, the Soběslav company LADA, which becomes a trading company.
The production of four-stroke TAURUS series engines and licensed two-stroke engines SB Fichtel & Sachs for the German company SABO from the John Deere group begins. For commercial reasons, in particular to maximize cost reduction and increase work productivity for business in the highly competitive international market, a new company, Fostron, is formed by merging the tool room of MOTOR JIKOV a.s. and LADA Jindřichův Hradec. The name of the new company refers to the core manufacturing sectors and is an abbreviation for the words FOrms, machines, tools.
As part of restructuring, separate joint-stock companies MOTOR JIKOV Cast Iron Foundry and MOTOR JIKOV Pressure Foundry are established. The first company follows the historical roots of establishing metallurgical production from 1899. The main program is mainly castings of ductile and gray iron, production of models, and heat treatment. The second company is also a successor to the famous tradition, focusing on pressure die casting of zinc alloys and aluminum alloys. The recipients of foundry products are international industrial companies.
MOTOR JIKOV Pressure Foundry starts the production of industrial components for one of the best global suppliers of the automotive industry, the German Brose Gruppe.
Establishment of the company MOTOCO, a joint venture with the American company Tecumseh Products Company, at that time the second largest manufacturer of small engines in the world. The business goal is successful production of carburetors and TWIN engines. Commercial production of pressure molds for casting metals - aluminum, zinc, magnesium - or plastics for the automotive industry and consumer technology is developed. In addition to a number of domestic customers, foreign business cooperation with the company MAGNA is launched.
The company establishes long-term production and business cooperation with the international company Textron Fastening Systems, one of the world's largest manufacturers of fastening technologies. Under the brand Avdel, it produces a range of top-notch pneumatic-hydraulic riveting tools for the automotive, aviation, electrical, and marine industries.
The company starts the production and assembly of cleaning machines for the American TENNANT, a global leader in the maintenance of indoor and outdoor areas without the use of chemicals.
Launch of the development and production of unique fully automatic assembly lines.
As part of the divisional arrangement of MOTOR JIKOV Engineering a.s., a company with a high competitive ability in international markets is formed. The main production program is the production of pedal system parts of cars and other components of air brake systems, hydraulic and filter systems, textile, printing and cutting machines, including riveting tools. TELEFLEX, AUTOMOTIVE, TEXTRON, E-Z-GO and ELECTROLUX are among the largest customers.
At the same time, the development and production of unique fully automated assembly lines for companies EDSCHA Bohemia, EDSCHA Slovakia, BRANO, ROBERT BOSCH, THYSSEN, KOVOLIS Hedvikov, METAL PROGRES, TRW, VALEO, and WITTE is launched.
Start of production and machining of Al alloy castings for Briggs & Stratton in the Pressure Foundry division. The project required a significant investment in a new casting machine, production of pressure molds, and installation of a technological line.
Start of production of aluminum drive system components for the Swedish automaker SCANIA AB, the only major European manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a total weight over 18 tons and buses.
After two years of development, the first domestic MOTOR JIKOV filling station for compressed natural gas (CNG) in the Czech Republic is launched on the market. It is designed for companies or private owners of CNG cars. The filling station uses a supply of natural gas, which is pressurized into the car's tank by a specially developed compressor. The device stands out for its compact dimensions and simple intuitive operation.
MOTOR JIKOV company starts serial production of filling stations for compressed natural gas (CNG) together with an extensive promotional campaign. At the same time, it introduces this system of environmentally clean energy into the used forklifts and part of passenger and utility vehicles. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, it achieves significant reduction in operating costs. MOTOR JIKOV Group becomes a founding member of the NGVA association.
MOTOR JIKOV company wins the prestigious E.ON Energy Globe Award. The experts were impressed by the clever use of alternative energy resources in the operation of a large industrial company and subsequent promotional activities.
