Blog Some car manufacturers may not survive the fast-paced industry.

An interview with Miroslav Dvořák, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MOTORU JIKOV Group a.s., was conducted by the editors of Svět průmyslu magazine. You can read part of the interview on our website.

The pace at which the automotive industry moves is frantic. This is driven not only by new technologies but also by efforts to reduce emissions and transition to alternative powertrains. “We should slow down. Some automakers are even resisting the rapid pace, claiming they cannot sustain it because the investments in change are enormous,” says Miroslav Dvořák.

What have been the major changes in your company regarding automation in recent years? Can you mention your biggest investments?
In the field of automation, a lot has changed over the past decade. We have been following the path toward Industry 4.0 for many years. On average, our annual investment is around CZK 100 million, with last year being exceptional—we invested as much as CZK 250 million. We purchased three high-pressure casting machines for the aluminum foundry for nearly CZK 100 million. For mold manufacturing, we bought a CZK 50 million automated line dedicated to machining and core making. Another significant investment went into our machining division based in Soběslav, where we are acquiring automated machining centers and lines.

When did you start the automation process in your company, and what was the key driving force?
We took our first steps about ten years ago in the hot casting operation. The main motivation was to increase productivity and our competitiveness, replacing manual labor, and ultimately minimizing heavy work in a demanding environment. About four to five years ago, we adopted a philosophy of working with robots in machining processes.

Has automation helped you reduce manufacturing costs?
Definitely. When preparing a specific project, we must incorporate all investment costs, including robotization and automation. It’s important to consider the return on investment for each project. We determine whether the investment will pay off within three to five years. If so, it’s clear that automation is worthwhile.

What are your main plans for this year?
This year, we plan to take it a bit easier regarding investments. As I mentioned, last year we spent CZK 250 million, which was double our usual yearly investment. Therefore, we aim to reach maximum productivity this year, which is essential to stay competitive globally. We will also make additional mandatory investments in ecological areas and focus on emission reduction.

Are there any interesting projects lined up for this year?
We are currently starting a project for Jaguar Land Rover, which recently opened a plant in Nitra, Slovakia. This project will involve an investment of nearly CZK 200 million in five new machines. Three are already being commissioned, and we will acquire two more. I am pleased with this collaboration and hope that demand for these vehicles will be high, fulfilling our expectations.

The full interview can be read here Svět průmyslu or download it as a PDF.