BUSINESS ROZHOVOR

largest producer of these materials,

although once upon a time we were among

the smallest.

You are a successful manager, and are

among few that does not avoid social

responsibilities. Could you reveal to us

how the symbiosis between a city and an

industrial company such as the Třinec

Ironworks is built?

An

advisory

committee

between

businessmen and Třinec’s leadership had

already been established when we took

over operations in Třinec. They discussed

ideas on how to improve the quality of

life for residents. Nowadays, the smelter’s

leadership has regular meetings with the

city council, and I personally meet with

Mayor Palkovská to discuss similar matters

at least once a year.

We debate what we can do for the city

and what the city can do for us. Thanks

to that, we have been able to construct

an industrial zone together. We dedicated

part of the ironworks’ grounds to the city,

which took care of infrastructure and today

around five companies operate out of the

zone. Later, the city helped us with the

construction of a bridge at Baliny, meaning

that our trucks could avoid the city and

reach the ironworks site with greater ease.

I even recall that when the city bypass was

being built, the Třinec Ironworks released

funds for the first project study, which was

key for the bypass’ conception.

We are also expanding efforts to improve

the quality of life in the city, to prevent

people leaving due to dissatisfaction with

the fact that they would not have much to

do after work—going shopping or having

a way to spend their free time. From the

very beginning, we have supported sport

and cultural activities, whether hockey or

the construction of a new tennis hall. We

built a hotel, gradually updated the look of

the Trisia cultural venue and supported local

events. It is a great deal of effort aimed at

sports and cultural activities. To me, it would

seem that these endeavors are bearing fruit

and many people returning to the region are

satisfied with their life in Třinec.

Do you collaborate with the city on any

ecological programmes?

Yes, although some projects were recently

stunted due to COVID. There is an annual

event aimed at primary schools that is

focused on ecology, among other topics.

In collaboration with the city, we also host

ecological events every year, either planting

trees or revitalizing parks, helping with the

development of biodiversity or cleaning of

green areas, and much more. We always try

14 ǀ POSITIV 3/2021

to find a common goal that helps improve

the environment.

You touched on the topic of education.

Your high school has been awarded twice

for aiding in the development of the

Moravian-Silesian Region in the category

of educational institutions. Could you tell

us more about the school?

The school has had a great reputation for

a while now. In 2009, we acquired it from

the public ownership it had been in since

the 90s. Back then, I was very involved in this

process. To permanently obtain the school

cost us a lot of money and effort. It was very

neglected when we bought it and we had

to invest several tens of millions of crowns

in reconstruction, the construction of new

specialised classrooms and new workshops.

The model of dual education has been in

place here for years. The school’s return

to the care of the Třinec Ironworks makes

sense and I am proud that I was there to

witness the conception of the entire project.

This inspired us with more

fighting spirit, and we decided

to show everyone that we were

the best.

“

”

How do you manage to keep the

graduates in their hometown?

We would love for all the graduates to stay

with us, however, that is not realistic. About

70% of them stay in Třinec but some scatter

around. We are very grateful for the ones

that stay. We try to prepare the educational

programs in a way that motivates as many of

the students to stay as possible. These days,

even young adults return to their hometown

upon finishing their university education—

not all of them, but a lot do.

We touched on ecology. Nowadays, the

European Green Deal is subject to many

debates. What is the Třinec Ironworks’

view on this topic?

Improving the environment is a very sensible

thing to focus on and, personally, I support

it. For the past three years, we have been

vehemently developing a way to continue

production while staying true to the promise

of the Třinec Ironworks for future generations

so that we can still be here come 2030 and

2050. The most complicated area for us has

been energetics, as we are currently using

coal as fuel. We are preparing to install new

fluid boilers that can also make use of other

fuel sources.

Generally, smelters are very power hungry,

however, according to the principles of

circular economics, we are making use of

all metallurgical gases in reprocessing—blast

furnace, converter and coke oven.

Finally, steel is an infinitely recyclable

material; it perfectly fulfills the principles

of environmental sustainability and is

indispensable in reaching the climate goals

outlined by the European Union, particularly

through its role in railway transport, water

or wind energy and components for the

ecological automotive industry.

Therefore, the question of decreasing our

carbon footprint is constantly on our minds.

Another example is all of our administrative

buildings are powered by renewable

resources year-round.

What qualities do you think a person in

your professional position should have?

What principle should they follow?

Always, under any circumstances, stay true

to your word. That is how you build your

reputation. If you make a promise and then

do not deliver it will come back around like

a boomerang. That is the principle I have

always followed. My grandmother always

told me, ‘No one is too wise not to be able

to learn from you and no one is too foolish

for you not to be able to learn from them.’

That is what I stick to.

As you are the president of the HC Oceláři

Třinec hockey club, sport must be dear to

you. Other than hockey, is there another

sport you take interest in?

Personally, I love to go skiing every winter,

though it may be limited as of right now.

For years now, I have also been playing

basketball with my friends and I used to play

football a lot as well. Throughout summer

I play a lot of golf and I am also the president

of our golf club in Ropice, where I have been

getting some great results.

If you were to recommend visiting guests

some good local cuisine, what would it be?

If they would like to get a taste of something

very regional, I would definitely recommend

‘placky se špekem’ (fritters with cracklings).

Those are the best.

Třinec recently celebrated its ninetieth

year since being given status as a city.

What would you wish for Třinec in these

next ten years?

I would definitely wish Třinec a nice and

happy life, good health and for many more

young and energetic people to stay in their

hometown.

Thank you very much for the interview,

Mr Moder.