Tatra wants to fill the niches of the world market. Her current boss focuses mainly on discipline

15. 2. 2019

Last year probably will not belong to the most successful trips of Koprivnice car manufacturer Tatra Trucks, admitted in the program ČT24 Business by its interim CEO Petr Karasek. Some major project assignments for different countries have failed or have been postponed to this year.

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Interim head of the Tatras Petr Karasek in the Czech Business24

Last year there was a drop in manufactured cars, said Karasek, but added that it is also worth adding value. He reminded that the company produces many variants and the difference between the simplest and the most complex car is up to twelve times.

The Interim Director also mentioned the era since 2013, when the new owners entered the car, the Czech owners (Jaroslav Strnad and René Matera won it at auction). Since then, the company has been trying to find a new position on the world market. “He has a lot to invest in technical development and aftermarket development.” The result should be finding “niche markets” next to big players. They produce large-scale, are based on economies of scale, while Tatra in smaller series or even specials.

After the entry of new owners and restructuring, production was stabilized to 800, 900 cars per year to increase to 1200 or 1300, said Karasek.

Tatra TrucksFACTS

While Karasek was originally a crisis manager, he now sees his role differently as a substitute. It has been operating for two and a half months – he is behind the CEO, who did not follow the original plan. A few months in this role will continue until the owners find a new CEO.

In his second mission, Karas uses the knowledge of the previous one. “I’m trying to get Tatra into a process where it was a few years ago, because with some pressure to grow volumes, some mistakes have happened,” he said. He mentioned in particular a decrease in discipline in compliance with the rules set up five years ago. “Discipline is first and with colleagues we get it back. We are mentors. We are trying to get the Tatars to find a way to follow discipline, “said Karasek. He considers his managerial style as fair, even strenuous.

Tatra TrucksFACTS- Past and Present

The Interim Director emphasized the role of the domestic market. “We most appreciate the fact that we are a stable partner for the Czech army, for Czech firefighters, for the Czech rescue integrated system.” According to him, references from the domestic market also occupy the world.

Tatras customers often appreciate the ability of cars to cope in complex terrain. The army has special requirements – for example, the Czech Ministry of Defense plans to buy about 60 Tatra trucks for container transport. The Danish army wants to use the Tatra chassis for fifteen self-propelled howitzers. The world is also targeting freight wagons tailored to construction, forestry or agriculture.

“The biggest segment of exports is now the Middle East and India,” added Karasek.

Last year the company had 1,200 employees, now it’s just 1100. “We’d like to keep it between a thousand and eleven hundred. We want to focus on productivity, “said the interim director. He pointed out that the company would be employed in the workers’ professions, while technicians and administrators would experience natural fluctuations and reductions. “The bureaucracy has grown more than we need,” he said.

Tatra wants to fill the niches of the world market. Her current boss focuses mainly on discipline

15. 2. 2019

Last year probably will not belong to the most successful trips of Koprivnice car manufacturer Tatra Trucks, admitted in the program ČT24 Business by its interim CEO Petr Karasek. Some major project assignments for different countries have failed or have been postponed to this year.

Last year there was a drop in manufactured cars, said Karasek, but added that it is also worth adding value. He reminded that the company produces many variants and the difference between the simplest and the most complex car is up to twelve times.

The Interim Director also mentioned the era since 2013, when the new owners entered the car, the Czech owners (Jaroslav Strnad and René Matera won it at auction). Since then, the company has been trying to find a new position on the world market. “He has a lot to invest in technical development and aftermarket development.” The result should be finding “niche markets” next to big players. They produce large-scale, are based on economies of scale, while Tatra in smaller series or even specials.

After the entry of new owners and restructuring, production was stabilized to 800, 900 cars per year to increase to 1200 or 1300, said Karasek.

While Karasek was originally a crisis manager, he now sees his role differently as a substitute. It has been operating for two and a half months – he is behind the CEO, who did not follow the original plan. A few months in this role will continue until the owners find a new CEO.

In his second mission, Karas uses the knowledge of the previous one. “I’m trying to get Tatra into a process where it was a few years ago, because with some pressure to grow volumes, some mistakes have happened,” he said. He mentioned in particular a decrease in discipline in compliance with the rules set up five years ago. “Discipline is first and with colleagues, we get it back. We are mentors. We are trying to get the Tatars to find a way to follow discipline, “said Karasek. He considers his managerial style as fair, even strenuous.

The Interim Director emphasized the role of the domestic market. “We most appreciate the fact that we are a stable partner for the Czech army, for Czech firefighters, for the Czech rescue integrated system.” According to him, references from the domestic market also occupy the world.

Tatras customers often appreciate the ability of cars to cope in complex terrain. The army has special requirements – for example, the Czech Ministry of Defense plans to buy about 60 Tatra trucks for container transport. The Danish army wants to use the Tatra chassis for fifteen self-propelled howitzers. The world is also targeting freight wagons tailored to construction, forestry or agriculture.

“The biggest segment of exports is now the Middle East and India,” added Karasek.

Last year the company had 1,200 employees, now it’s just 1100. “We’d like to keep it between a thousand and eleven hundred. We want to focus on productivity, “said the interim director. He pointed out that the company would be employed in the workers’ professions, while technicians and administrators would experience natural fluctuations and reductions. “The bureaucracy has grown more than we need,” he said.

Czech car maker Tatra produced less than half of its cars last year than it did in 2017. The crisis manager also returned to the company, and Tatra talks about blasts. Lidové noviny reported today.

Spokeswoman Andrej Čírtek explained the concern of employees:

“Indicatively, the number of employees should correspond to the number of vehicles produced per year.”

Thus, he confirmed that the number of workers is likely to decrease. The company currently employs about 1,200 people, and the speaker’s statement shows that hundreds of them are virtually redundant.

The portal also writes that the crisis manager Petr Karásek returned to the company. He took over the management of the company in 2013, when Tatra was experiencing an economic crisis. After two years of restructuring, Karassk managed to improve the situation and left the company. At present, however, it is still in charge of solving internal problems, which are connected not only with the decline of car production by up to half, but also with the possible departure of Radomír Smolka, the chief director and support of the company.

Czech truck maker Tatra produced less than half of its cars last year than it did in 2017. The crisis manager also returned to the company, and Tatra talks about blasts. Lidové noviny reported today.

Spokeswoman Andrej Čírtek explained the concern of employees:

“Indicatively, the number of employees should correspond to the number of vehicles produced per year.”

Thus, he confirmed that the number of workers is likely to decrease. The company currently employs about 1,200 people, and the speaker’s statement shows that hundreds of them are virtually redundant.

The portal also writes that the crisis manager Petr Karásek returned to the company. He took over the management of the company in 2013, when Tatra was experiencing an economic crisis. After two years of restructuring, Karassk managed to improve the situation and left the company. At present, however, it is still in charge of solving internal problems, which are connected not only with the decline of truck production by up to half, but also with the possible departure of Radomír Smolka, the chief director and support of the company.

atra Netherlands as a whole at TKD

May 22, 2018 | 154 views

Tatra Nederland presents itself for the first time as a whole at the Technical Contact Days (31 May to 2 June) in Almere. Tatra Nederland is a joint venture between DAF dealers Truckland, Loven, Sent-Waninge and Pals, strategically spread across the Netherlands.

Responsible for the advice and delivery of the Tatra products in the Netherlands is Gerrit van der Garde, who has been working as Dealer Account Manager at Tatra Nederland since 1 May. He visits interested customers with a demo vehicle, helps to specify and maintain contact with the DAF company in the region for delivery and maintenance. Interested parties can get to know the various vehicles of the Czech truck builder during the TKD, both in the sand and on the stand.

“This is a great challenge for me, which is in line with the more than twenty years that I am now active within the sector”, explains Van der Garde. He has been asked by the relevant DAF companies as Dealer Account Manager. “Tatra is a brand with a long history. As is known, for the Phoenix products they have been using the DAF CF day, sleep and SpaceCab cabs, MX-11 and 13 engines with outputs from 370 to 530 hp and manual or automatic (TraXon) gearboxes from ZF. The vending machines also have the off-road software developed by Tatra. The transfer case is part of the strong and central drive tube. The Netherlands is known for its specific transport solutions with regard to the GVW, the axle configurations and building possibilities. Tatra fully cooperates with us and now delivers the highest GVW classes. For a 3-axle (6 × 6) this is 34.5 tonnes, a 4-axle (8 × is 46 tonnes, in between there is the 8 × 6 with 44.5 tonnes, and the 10 x6, 10 × 8 and 10 × 10 are good for 50 tons. But the last category of vehicles have 53 tons when you add the axles. This makes them safe for measuring loops. Tatra really thinks along with us, switches quickly and responds well to specific wishes. Then you see that a professional organization such as Tatra Netherlands is paying off. The vehicles are standard equipped with air suspension on all axles, but for us there is a combination suspension with air suspension and hydraulic auxiliary suspension. Furthermore, with a 3-axle, two axles are steered, with a 4-axle there are three and with the 5-axle you have three or four steered axles. The front axles can be switched on in all cases. This is beneficial for fuel consumption and the environment, without the Tatra losing the power of a full-fledged off-road vehicle. When circumstances require, you can switch on the drive. All vehicles have a widespread set-up (1.80 meters) behind with two steered rear axles. In the case of a five-axle with a rigid axle in the center, the fourth and fifth axles are simply steered, allowing you to drive neatly along the curb. It is, incidentally, possible to determine single or double wheel mounting, as well as the height of the wheels and the reduction of the transfer box. “

With regard to building up, Tatra Nederland also specifically looks at the local market. “The most used among these cars are tippers. A hook arm, cable system, concrete mixer is of course possible, but also the construction of a crane. We also look at firefighting applications (including a crew cabin with low entry due to lack of sub-frame) and, for example, a ground vacuum cleaner. All applications where Tatra delivers an appropriate chassis / cabin. As is known, a central tube with an air-sprung independent wheel suspension is used. As a result, the axles commute under the car and the superstructure hardly slopes. This technique also makes it possible to drive a rough track at a reasonable speed. The beauty of that tube is that the frame carries the tipper. That creates a low center of gravity. When you use this on tractors, this lowers the dish height and the vehicle is suitable for almost any type of trailer. Here too, I have all the necessary information and, in consultation with the customer and the engineering department of the factory, come up with a customer-specific solution, “says Van der Garde.

During the TKD Tatra Netherlands is present with different versions of the Tatra Phoenix such as a 6 × 6 and 8 × 8. On the demo track a Tatra Phoenix 8 × 6 with AJK tipper is running and on the stand there is also a Tatra Dakar vehicle. Tatra Nederland is on the TKD at stand number 43, right next to the stand of DAF.

Tatra Netherlands as a whole at TKD

May 22, 2018 | 154 views

Tatra Nederland presents itself for the first time as a whole at the Technical Contact Days (31 May to 2 June) in Almere. Tatra Nederland is a joint venture between DAF dealers Truckland, Loven, Sent-Waninge and Pals, strategically spread across the Netherlands.

Responsible for the advice and delivery of the Tatra products in the Netherlands is Gerrit van der Garde, who has been working as Dealer Account Manager at Tatra Nederland since 1 May. He visits interested customers with a demo vehicle, helps to specify and maintain contact with the DAF company in the region for delivery and maintenance. Interested parties can get to know the various vehicles of the Czech truck builder during the TKD, both in the sand and on the stand.

“This is a great challenge for me, which is in line with the more than twenty years that I am now active within the sector”, explains Van der Garde. He has been asked by the relevant DAF companies as Dealer Account Manager. “Tatra is a brand with a long history. As is known, for the Phoenix products they have been using the DAF CF day, sleep and SpaceCab cabs, MX-11 and 13 engines with outputs from 370 to 530 hp and manual or automatic (TraXon) gearboxes from ZF. The vending machines also have the off-road software developed by Tatra. The transfer case is part of the strong and central drive tube. The Netherlands is known for its specific transport solutions with regard to the GVW, the axle configurations and building possibilities. Tatra fully cooperates with us and now delivers the highest GVW classes. For a 3-axle (6 × 6) this is 34.5 tonnes, a 4-axle (8 × is 46 tonnes, in between there is the 8 × 6 with 44.5 tonnes, and the 10 x6, 10 × 8 and 10 × 10 are good for 50 tons. But the last category of vehicles have 53 tons when you add the axles. This makes them safe for measuring loops. Tatra really thinks along with us, switches quickly and responds well to specific wishes. Then you see that a professional organization such as Tatra Netherlands is paying off. The vehicles are standard equipped with air suspension on all axles, but for us there is a combination suspension with air suspension and hydraulic auxiliary suspension. Furthermore, with a 3-axle, two axles are steered, with a 4-axle there are three and with the 5-axle you have three or four steered axles. The front axles can be switched on in all cases. This is beneficial for fuel consumption and the environment, without the Tatra losing the power of a full-fledged off-road vehicle. When circumstances require, you can switch on the drive. All vehicles have a widespread set-up (1.80 meters) behind with two steered rear axles. In the case of a five-axle with a rigid axle in the center, the fourth and fifth axles are simply steered, allowing you to drive neatly along the curb. It is, incidentally, possible to determine single or double wheel mounting, as well as the height of the wheels and the reduction of the transfer box. “

With regard to building up, Tatra Nederland also specifically looks at the local market. “The most used among these cars are tippers. A hook arm, cable system, concrete mixer is of course possible, but also the construction of a crane. We also look at firefighting applications (including a crew cabin with low entry due to lack of sub-frame) and, for example, a ground vacuum cleaner. All applications where Tatra delivers an appropriate chassis / cabin. As is known, a central tube with an air-sprung independent wheel suspension is used. As a result, the axles commute under the car and the superstructure hardly slopes. This technique also makes it possible to drive a rough track at a reasonable speed. The beauty of that tube is that the frame carries the tipper. That creates a low center of gravity. When you use this on tractors, this lowers the dish height and the vehicle is suitable for almost any type of trailer. Here too, I have all the necessary information and, in consultation with the customer and the engineering department of the factory, come up with a customer-specific solution, “says Van der Garde.

During the TKD Tatra Netherlands is present with different versions of the Tatra Phoenix such as a 6 × 6 and 8 × 8. On the demo track a Tatra Phoenix 8 × 6 with AJK tipper is running and on the stand there is also a Tatra Dakar vehicle. Tatra Nederland is on the TKD at stand number 43, right next to the stand of DAF.

Renovation

Tatra will repair the legendary Slovak missile, it will take two years

Slovak missile at station Praha-Hlavní nádraží 1936.

19.02.2018 18:20

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For about two years, the reconstruction of the historic M 290.0 railway car called the Slovak missile, which will be repaired by Kopřivnice Tatra Trucks for almost 120 million crowns, will be necessary. After the repair, the car was built in 1936 in the Tatra State in a special glass depot and will be one of the attractions of the new car museum, which wants to build a Moravian-Silesian region in the former Tater’s foundry.

Almost 80 million will be donated by the European subsidies, a symbolic check on Monday in Kopřivnice for representatives of the car industry was handed over to Minister of Regional Development Klára Dostálová (for YES).

Tatra can launch a tender for the company that will rebuild the legendary car in the near future. Now the Slovak missile stands outside the Tatra Museum and is decaying for many years. “Today, when you look at it, it is static and ugly, we believe it will be dynamic and will ride again and be beautiful and will bring joy to the next and it will be a proof of how unique the car was. and fully operational, “said Tatra CEO Radek Strouhal.

Jan Jurkovič, the director of the Tatra Technical Museum, said that the car should be technically refurbished in the form it was after 1936. “It is supposed to be renovated into a mobile state, that is to say, basically a truly original state, which will capable of running even after public halls, of course, new regulations are in place, but the electronics that are needed today are just to be delivered for, say, a particular ride as portable, “said Jurkovic.

Depo, in which the car will stand, will be glazed so that the chassis can be seen. “On the other hand, there will be an imitation of the station, and there is room for a Slovak missile to go in front of this depot, plus we intend to make some fancy races once in a while,” said Strouhal.

Prague-Bratislava in 4 hours 50 minutes

Jurkovic said the state of the car is really poor. For example, the seats will have to be completely new. “The tremendous benefit of renovation will be that the technical documentation is fully preserved, so restorers have something to do, so we think they will really do it within the two-year horizon,” said the director of the museum. Inside the car, however, due to fear of being damaged, people will only open up for more exceptional events.

Slovenská Strela is the only movable monument in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The motor car produced in Tatra was put into operation on July 13, 1936. It was installed on the Prague – Bratislava line, and therefore it was named Slovenská strela. He had a single stop in Brno, and it was the fastest route to Czechoslovak railways. The route was off in four hours and 50 minutes.

After the start of World War II, the Slovak missile was shut down due to a shortage of fuel. After the war, the car was driving for a while, mainly as a ministerial or government train, and he also brought Czechoslovakian representatives to the Nuremberg process. He drove back in the 1950s, but was eliminated. The Slovak missile trains were made by two. One later burned out and the other got to the Koprivnice museum in 1960. For decades, it has been one of the symbols of the city.

Tatra will repair the legendary Slovak missile, it will take two years

Slovak missile at station Praha-Hlavní nádraží 1936.

19.02.2018 18:20

For about two years, the reconstruction of the historic M 290.0 railway car called the Slovak missile, which will be repaired by Kopřivnice Tatra Trucks for almost 120 million crowns, will be necessary. After the repair, the car was built in 1936 in the Tatra State in a special glass depot and will be one of the attractions of the new car museum, which wants to build a Moravian-Silesian region in the former Tater’s foundry.

Almost 80 million will be donated by the European subsidies, a symbolic check on Monday in Kopřivnice for representatives of the car industry was handed over to Minister of Regional Development Klára Dostálová (for YES).

Tatra can launch a tender for the company that will rebuild the legendary car in the near future. Now the Slovak missile stands outside the Tatra Museum and is decaying for many years. “Today, when you look at it, it is static and ugly, we believe it will be dynamic and will ride again and be beautiful and will bring joy to the next and it will be a proof of how unique the car was. and fully operational, “said Tatra CEO Radek Strouhal.

Jan Jurkovič, the director of the Tatra Technical Museum, said that the car should be technically refurbished in the form it was after 1936. “It is supposed to be renovated into a mobile state, that is to say, basically a truly original state, which will capable of running even after public halls, of course, new regulations are in place, but the electronics that are needed today are just to be delivered for, say, a particular ride as portable, “said Jurkovic.

Depo, in which the car will stand, will be glazed so that the chassis can be seen. “On the other hand, there will be an imitation of the station, and there is room for a Slovak missile to go in front of this depot, plus we intend to make some fancy races once in a while,” said Strouhal.

Prague-Bratislava in 4 hours 50 minutes

Jurkovic said the state of the car is really poor. For example, the seats will have to be completely new. “The tremendous benefit of renovation will be that the technical documentation is fully preserved, so restorers have something to do, so we think they will really do it within the two-year horizon,” said the director of the museum. Inside the car, however, due to fear of being damaged, people will only open up for more exceptional events.

Slovenská Strela is the only movable monument in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The motor car produced in Tatra was put into operation on July 13, 1936. It was installed on the Prague – Bratislava line, and therefore it was named Slovenská strela. He had a single stop in Brno, and it was the fastest route to Czechoslovak railways. The route was off in four hours and 50 minutes.

After the start of World War II, the Slovak missile was shut down due to a shortage of fuel. After the war, the car was driving for a while, mainly as a ministerial or government train, and he also brought Czechoslovakian representatives to the Nuremberg process. He drove back in the 1950s, but was eliminated. The Slovak missile trains were made by two. One later burned out and the other got to the Koprivnice museum in 1960. For decades, it has been one of the symbols of the city.

Four months ago, TATRA TRUCKS launched a new scheme for owners of older TATRA vehicles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The company buys back customers’ existing Tatra trucks and offers special discounted part-exchange deals on new trucks. No other producer of goods/utility vehicles in either country offers this type of part-exchange buyback scheme.

Kopřivnice-based TATRA TRUCKS launched the buyback scheme at the beginning of October 2017, following a pilot project run in cooperation with dealers. Currently there are around 14 000 TATRA vehicles registered in the Czech Republic, with an average age of 20 years. The company will buy back a customer’s old TATRA vehicle while offering a special discounted part-exchange deal for a new truck – provided that several conditions are met. The customer must have owned their current truck for at least two years, and the vehicle must have a technical inspection certificate valid for at least three months after the buyback date. Dealers and sales partners will provide full details of the scheme’s terms and conditions on request.

So far, the buyback scheme has covered over 40 vehicles. Around 20 vehicles have already been part-exchanged for new ones, or will be in the near future (some customers are waiting for their new vehicle to be completed at the factory). Other customers have had their existing vehicles valued by TATRA-approved experts as part of the scheme before selling them directly to other buyers; under the rules of the scheme, these customers are also eligible for discounts on the purchase price of new TATRA vehicles. All the vehicles that have been (or will be) bought back will be exported to other markets – mainly in developing countries. This means that the vehicles will not continue to operate in the same regions where their former owners are based, so they will not represent a source of competition.

CEO of TATRA TRUCKS Radek Strouhal explained the idea behind the scheme: “We launched the buyback scheme as a way of reinforcing brand loyalty by helping our loyal customers to modernize their fleets. As an additional motivation we are offering a special discount on new vehicles – so the process will be simple and cost-effective for our customers. There are other benefits too: our new vehicles give better operating economy, comply with the latest emissions limits, and do not require complex maintenance. Repair and reconditioning costs are minimal, and instead of spending time at the repair shop the vehicles are out there working and generating profits for our customers.”

The buyback scheme is run by EXCALIBUR TRADE, a member of the CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP holding company. Experts from EXCALIBUR TRADE carry out full technical inspections of customers’ old vehicles, including complete photo documentation, and then issue a technical report on each vehicle. Based on this inspection, the experts set the market price and the buyback price. Customers taking part in the scheme are eligible for a subsidy to cover the difference between the market and buyback prices when purchasing a new TATRA vehicle. The customer then signs a contract directly with TATRA TRUCKS for the purchase of the new vehicle.