INTERVIEW
from coal mining industries still viable in, for example,
Poland. This is why Poland is our most interesting target
country. It is different in third-world countries: Russia,
China and other countries mining huge amounts now
and in the future. There are countries where mining is
at its beginnings; if prices of their commodities rise, our
customers will of course be interested in higher efficiency
of the extraction processes. That is our great opportunity.
We therefore find the countries of South America, South
Africa and South East Asia particularly attractive. We
have contracted our first customers in India where we
supplied the first ever suspended transport system in
a coalmine. Our outlook in this field is very good outside
Europe.
“
In our enterprise as well as in many
more businesses, an individual is nothing,
it is the team that counts, and we have
developed our team for twenty-five
years.
”
You specialize in your own development and production
of electronic components for machinery operating in
an explosive environment. How do you respond to the
risks of mining jobs where the major concern is human
error? Can your products prevent such risks?
Generally, any underground job ranks among the most
dangerous. That is why all our machinery is designed
to comply with all the regulations of that particular
country in health and safety with mining machinery. For
underground operations and environments with a high
risk of on-site explosive gas leaks, we provide machinery
certified in compliance with current EU ATEX legislation.
The unique features of the machinery include special
propulsion enhancement and our own non-explosive
electronic components. Each traction device (an engine
and/or a manipulator) is equipped with a few independent
brake circuits and a safety brake. Our machinery is
equipped with methane sensors signalling the amount
of gas exceeding the given limit and switching the
machine off automatically. The machinery is equipped
with camera systems and other safety measures. We
can also remotely check if that particular machine has
gone through proper maintenance and servicing, the
elementary prerequisites of its safe operation.
Our
“ fromcompany mostly benefits
coal mining industries
still viable in.
”
Your company keeps growing. How do you recruit new
reliable collaborators?
People in our team have always been the cornerstone
of our success. We have emphasized that for all of our
twenty-five years. Only a happy and agile person fully
comprehending the philosophy and strategy of the
company will make the long-term targets come true.
We now have our concept of personal marketing,
recruitment, adaptation, and development for most
significant positions. We cooperate with schools of
various levels. In cooperation with apprentice schools we
support such specialisations as machining and welding.
We regularly offer internship for apprentices and we
do our best to keep in touch with and motivate the best
interns. Cooperation with secondary schools (primarily
engineering schools) is based on construction jobs and
technical documents. We also cooperate with universities
educating mechanical engineers and economists. We
intensely cooperate with Mining University Ostrava; we
have done a project with University of Tomáš Baťa in Zlín.
This cooperation produces new potential colleagues who
like working with us and whom we like too. They are well
qualified and likely to bring a positive contribution to the
company. We undoubtedly do not neglect these issues.
We spend great efforts in providing people with good
pay, meaningful jobs, opportunities for promotion,
development, and job prospects in a family-based
business. The top management of Ferrit is now the
second generation of the company’s founders.
“
People in our team have
always been the cornerstone
of our success.
”
You are a very important employer and exporter in
the Moravian-Silesian Region. Do you think that this
is an optimal environment for good quality enterprise
(including education and transport infrastructures)?
The long-term challenge has been the education of
technical experts at all levels. The job market misses
qualified experts in machining, welders, electrical
engineers, and locksmiths. We suffer from the lack of
secondary and university graduates in technical subjects
both in mechanical and electrical engineering. Businesses
are trying to fix the situation on their own but that is
extremely difficult without the assistance of and efficient
support from the national and regional governments.
It is crucial to change the atmosphere in a society who
often understands the technical subjects as lacking job
prospects, and society does not support young people
choosing the right direction when deciding on their
future jobs and career. It is the technical fields and
qualities of the people employed in them which further
the development and prosperity of the Czech Republic.
Your company is closely connected to the region and
the Beskyd Mountains. How do you relax and recharge
batteries?
My greatest interest has always been my family even
though at the beginning of the enterprise, my wife was
the driving force of the clan. However, I spent all my free
time with them. There were four of us, now it is just her
and me. My hobbies include hiking, especially in the
mountains. We have a house with a large garden where
there is a lot to do all year long. Physical jobs are the best
relaxation for me.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Editorial of magazine.
Text:
redakce
Foto:
archiv Ferrit
archiv EY
www.ferrit.cz
POSITIV ǀ 1/2019 13