Kateřina Kupková - Innovation and People as the Key to Success
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WOMAN
Ing. Kateřina Kupková, CEO and Chairwoman of the Board at Lenzing Biocel Paskov, has been
with the company for 23 years, progressing through various managerial posions. In this interview,
she discusses the key moments of her career, the challenges of sustainable producon, and how
she inspires young women aiming to succeed in the industrial sector.
What were the key moments during your
23-year career at Lenzing Biocel Paskov
that influenced your leadership and your
approach to managing the company?
I started at what was then Biocel
as a controlling manager, and I believe
that was the pivotal moment in my
career. I worked hard to thoroughly
understand the company’s processes
and resource flows, participated in
almost all important projects, and we
also implemented a new ERP system. All
of this helped me grasp the company's
operations from different angles, gain
experience, and most importantly, be
a part of teams making crucial decisions
about the company's growth and future
direction. Equally important to me were
my colleagues. I was always able to turn
to most of them for consultation, and I’ve
been very fortunate with my colleagues
and bosses.
What values and principles do you
consider crucial for successfully leading
a company, especially in a highly
competitive environment?
A company must constantly evolve,
improve, and adopt new technologies.
In our case, this also means using BAT’s—
Best Available Techniques. Today’s
business environment is very dynamic
and fast-paced, and management must
be able to respond quickly. Properly
set decision-making processes, clear
responsibilities, and flexibility in making
important decisions are critical. I believe
the key to leading a company is having
the courage to take responsibility for your
work, creating a strong, reliable team, and
having the ability to motivate colleagues
to perform at their best and appreciate
their work.
In running a company focused on
sustainability and technological
innovation, what challenges have
you faced, especially in the context
of the evolving industrial landscape and
initiatives like the Green Deal? How do
you successfully integrate sustainable
practices with production, and which
sustainability projects inspire and
motivate you the most?
There have been quite a few challenges.
Over ten years ago, we completely changed
our final product. Instead of pulp for paper
production, we started producing viscose
pulp, which is used for sustainable viscose
fiber in textile applications and nonwoven
fabrics. In a short period, we invested
more than 150 million euro. This allowed
us to not only change the technology
but also significantly improve production
efficiency. We implemented more
effective equipment and expanded
our energy production. Today, we are
completely independent in heat and
electricity production, and we sell nearly
20% of the electricity we generate back
to the grid. We manufacture products
from renewable resources, continuously
increase production capacity, are entirely
energy self-sufficient, and produce
very little waste. In more than 40 years
of the company’s existence, we’ve
made significant strides in reducing our
environmental impact on surrounding
communities. Over 98% of our electricity
comes from non-fossil renewable sources.
We constantly seek new solutions, and
our technology meets global standards.
Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us.
We care about the state of the planet that
we leave for future generations.
In addition to being the CEO of Lenzing
Biocel Paskov, you also serve as Vice
President of the Confederation
of Industry of the Czech Republic.
As one of the few women in a leadership
role in the industrial sector, how do
you perceive the position of women in
the industry? Have you encountered any
prejudice along the way?
Working at the Confederation of Industry
and Trade is incredibly fulfilling for me. I have
the opportunity to collaborate with very
experienced experts and inspiring people.
At the Confederation, I am responsible for
sustainability and the circular economy,
which is a long-term, highly relevant but
currently complex and much-discussed
topic. It is true that the share of women in
industry is very low, not just in leadership
roles but across all levels. This is why fewer
women make it to leadership positions—
there simply aren’t enough to promote. In
my opinion, that’s a shame.
What advice would you give to young
women considering a career in
technology and industry but are hesitant
to enter a traditionally male-dominated
field?
There’s no reason to be afraid. Industry
and the implementation of advanced new
technologies are our future. If we want to
move our world forward, we need to focus on
modern technologies. There’s plenty of room
for both men and women in this field. It just
takes courage, passion, enthusiasm, and hard
work. I sense that the younger generation
wants work that has meaning and fulfills
them. So why not try it in the industry?
Kateřina, thank you for the interview.
Ing. Kateřina Kupková is
the CEO and Chairwoman
of the Board at Lenzing
Biocel Paskov, where she
has worked since 2001.
She started as a controlling
manager, then moved on to
the role of CFO, and since
2020, she has been leading
the company, known for
its eco-friendly producon
of viscose pulp. She also
serves as the Chairwoman
of the Board
of the Associaon
of Forestry and Wood
Processing Enterprises
and the Czech Pulp and
Paper Industry Associaon.
Since 2023, she has
served as Vice President
of the Confederaon
of Industry of the Czech
Republic. She holds
a degree from the VSB
– Technical University
of Ostrava, Faculty
of Economics.
“
A company must constantly
evolve, improve, and adopt new
technologies.
”
“
This allowed us to not only
change the technology but
also signicantly improve
producon eciency.
”