Management and Services Division
Ladies and gentlemen,
The year 2009 was substantially marked by global financial and economic crisis, which showed itself in reduction of the volume of orders. We had to react to the new situation by introducing a number of cost saving measures. On the other hand, thanks to these measures, in 2009 the cost effectiveness of the company was increased, and consequently, economic indicators do not differ from those of the previous years.
I am glad to report again success in fulfilling the vision of První brněnská strojírna Velká Bíteš, a.s. in core lines of business of the firm. In the crisis year we added new lines - food, cosmetics and consumer goods. The full list of current lines of business of První brněnská strojírna Velká Bíteš, a.s. is as follows:
- aviation
- power engineering
- automotive
- ship building
- medical
- ecology
- glass fibres
- food
- cosmetics
- consumer goods
Notwithstanding the difficult times, the company successfully invested in a new information system and new technologies in the field of precise machining on CNC machines, and precision casting in vacuum and annealing furnace and relating precision casting technologies.
The new information system has improved and made more effective control of processes in the company.
In the aviation field, in 2009 the main technical initiative was the commencement of tests of the wholly new 180 kW turbo-prop engine designed for small aircraft. We have concluded a three-year contract for supply of starting systems of main engines of helicopters MI-17. Also turbojet engine TJ100 (for which we successfully increased the thrust to 1300N) as well as air-conditioning systems have had a ready market. We are thoroughly working on a new air-conditioning system for MI helicopters and small aircraft.
In the foundry field, our defibering disks met with success on the glass fibre production market. Furthermore, we deliver big series of precision castings of turbine wheels for turbochargers and small aircraft engines, and of blades for gas turbines. We invested successfully within the Innovation programme in further modernization of the investment casting technology.
In the medical field, we deliver not only precision castings as joint implants, but also precision machined parts for mammographic equipment.
In the area of ecology, we deliver more and more decanting centrifuges for waste water treatment plants. We are developing decanting centrifuges of higher output, and offer also mobile solution, which seems an optimal solution in sludge dewatering. We are taking part in the development and manufacture of a new centrifuge for both food and cosmetic industries.
We successfully started manufacturing and assembling machines for a leading world manufacturer and supplier of packages for food and consumer-goods industry, using special technology of recycled paper processing.
In the power field, we have manufactured and installed the biggest ever delivered 8.5 MW condensing turbine in Slovakia, which has become an excellent reference.
The plating shop continues high-quality eloxal coating, zinc coating, metal coating or chromating for aviation, automotive, textile and other industries.
The market of India has completed our already stabile markets in the European Union, Russia, China, USA, North Africa and the Near East.
One of our apprentices has become a winner of the final of the nation-wide metal cutting competition "Gold Czech Hands".
In conclusion, allow me to thank to all of you who contributed to the fulfilment of all challenging objectives in the difficult year 2009. I firmly believe that in 2010 not only we will keep, but also further strengthen the outstanding position of První brněnská strojírna Velká Bíteš, a.s. on European and global markets.
- Milan Macholán
- Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors