RAILWAYS Are About More Than Just Tracks
A strong brand, solid foundations, and a drive to move forward
90 ǀ POSITIV 1/2025
DOPRAVA
RAILWAYS
Are About More Than Just Tracks
A strong brand, solid foundaons, and a drive to move forward. Ondřej Vaško steps in as the new
CEO of Stadler Praha with a clear vision: to preserve what works while opening the company
to new technologies, sustainable soluons, and the trends shaping the industry. He believes
in the power of collaboraon, a green future, and a movated team behind every change.
You are taking over the leadership of the company
from Bohumír Kráčmar, who held this position for
15 years. Can the company expect any major changes?
Stadler Praha will continue to build on the proven
strategy established by the previous director. This
vision has proven to be effective and beneficial in
the past. At the same time, we are fully aware of the
market’s dynamic development and the evolving
needs of our customers. That’s why we are enhancing
our development in the field of rail vehicles with new
elements and innovative approaches. We are focusing
on modernising key processes, implementing advanced
technologies, and expanding our portfolio with
solutions that reflect the latest trends in rail transport.
Our aim is not only to maintain our current success, but
also to strengthen our position and offer even greater
added value through our products.
Could you share your key priorities and vision
for the company’s future?
Our vision for the future is clear – Stadler is a global
leader in green technologies for rail vehicles, delivering
innovative solutions with high added value. The
key priorities for our branch lie in the continued
development and innovation of existing products
within our company’s portfolio, including green
technologies. That’s why we closely collaborate with
colleagues from competence centres in other locations,
sharing experiences and learning from one another.
This exchange of know-how allows us to adopt proven
practices, broaden our expertise, and continuously
improve the way we operate.
How do you, as the new CEO, plan to strengthen
company culture and employee motivation?
A stable company culture and motivated employees
are, in my view, key pillars of a successful business.
I want to continue fostering an environment where
everyone feels valued, has space for both career
and professional growth, and clearly understands
the purpose of their work. I plan to strengthen open
communication, involve employees in decision-making
processes, and support teamwork across the entire
organisation.
Are you planning any new development programmes
or changes to support employees’ professional
growth and satisfaction?
We have finalised new development programmes
designed to help our employees enhance their skills
and expand their career opportunities. We will focus
on leadership training, talent development, and new
specialisations required by emerging trends in rail
vehicle technology. A key part of our plans is also to
foster innovation – we want to give employees space
for new ideas and ensure they have the necessary tools
to bring those ideas to life.
We are also considering expanding
our network to include new suppliers.