BUSINESS

About the company Škoda Vagonka Rail vehicle producer ŠKODA VAGONKA is the successor to the former wagon plant of Studénka established on Dec. 12, 1900 as StaudingerWaggonfabrik AG (Studénecká továrna na vagóny). In over a century of its history, the company has produced more than 10,000 passenger rail vehicles. The first passenger vehicle was made in 1902, the first tram in 1905, the first engine in 1916, and the first railcar in 1927. The first electric engine was produced in 1959. Over 1,200 passenger rail vehicles were exported to Bulgaria, Italy, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Austria, Serbia, USSR, Turkey, and recently to Finland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Slovakia. The company is the only producer in the Czech Republic who makes classic steel, stainless steel and aluminium boxcars. Since its foundation, the company has gone through numerous changes and developments in the product portfolio, organization and ownership (e.g. being part of Ringhoffer Concern in 1929, or of ČKD PRAHA Holding since 1997). From 2001 the company has operated in a modern renewed facility in Ostrava. In 2005, ŠKODA VAGONKA became a member of Group ŠKODA TRANSPORTATION, which has been a member of PPF Group since 2018.

Recently, the company has focused on the development and production of a new generation of double-decker rail vehicles NIM Express (Nuremberg – Ingolstadt - Munich) for German Railroad (Deutsche Bahn). This contract has been a breakthrough and very significant task for all Škoda Transportation group. The project is extremely challenging in technologies, incorporating features expected in modern travel in the 21st century. The project involves local suppliers from the MoravianSilesian Region and the Czech Republic. A total of six six-vehicle double-decker trains will service the link at speeds of up to 190 km/h. This contract develops the company’s tradition in the successful production of double-decker electric trains already operating in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia and Ukraine. In addition to the development and production of these trains, electric trains “Regiopanter” for the Czech Railway Company ČD are being made. The near future of the company is in the assembly of passenger rail vehicles for ČD in the syndicate SIEMENS – ŠKODA and single-deckers are being made for Slovak Railways, developing the concept of “Regiopanter” with a range of improvements. Crucial changes are found in the brand-new interior with better travel

comfort and further enhancement of vehicle performance. Škoda Vagonka works on concepts and the development of new vehicles: in addition to new double-deckers based on the trains of NIM Express, a second generation of singledeckers is being developed. All the new concepts follow progress in guaranteeing passengers and crew the highest levels of safety along with applied design science for service and passengers’ travel comforts. The company currently employs 500 people. ŠKODA VAGONKA is a traditional employer with 20% of its employees coming from the town of Studénka, where VAGONKA’s plant was situated till 2001. A job in VAGONKA means security with a range of benefits and opportunities to learn and grow in a field with great potential.

Text a foto: www.vagonka.cz

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