Technika a trh

rail transport l introductory word of the Association

Dear readers,

Railway industry companies are considered to be a stable engine of the Czech economy. The currently successful development of railway transport comes as a result

of the 200-year old tradition of the Czech

railway industry. This long tradition is successfully followed by the current representatives of the Czech railway industry,

who do not rely only on tradition, but also

invest significantly in the development

of new products, the purchase of advanced technologies, and the renovation of

production facilities. Technological innovation is a fundamental prerequisite to becoming competitive in this dynamically

developing industry.

The companies associated in ACRI have

a significant share in supplies for the

Czech railway system, with an ever-increasing share of exports. The turnover

of companies in the Czech railway industry amounts to CZK 76 billion, of which

exports account for 56 %, and the total number of employees is 20,000.

Supplies from Třinecké železárny to a number of European

countries are successful;

BONATRANS, a manufacturer of wheelsets,

has opened a plant in

India and wheels

from its plants

are used almost

all

o v e r

the world; Czech trams are operated reliably in Turkey, Germany, Slovakia, Finland, and Hungary; Czech companies participate in railway operation safety

systems in Bulgaria, Serbia, Belarus, Slovakia, and other countries. Other projects

include the supply of the InterPanter and

RegioPanter electric multiple units manufactured by Škoda Plzeň for interurban

and suburban transport in Slovakia,

Germany, Lithuania, and Ukraine. As

far as the Czech railways are concerned,

they are virtually a stable partner for the

national carriers, ČESKÉ DRÁHY and ČD

CARGO. The whole system of the railway

industry relies on suppliers of components.

These companies specialise in the development and production of components

and parts which are then incorporated

into larger units. These include traction

and control systems, brake systems, gearboxes, springs, forgings, bearings, cables,

seats, electronics, and information systems.

ing. Marie Alžběta Vopálenská

CEO

Association of the Czech Railway Industry