At full speed ŠKODA

at FuLL spEEd

From its establishment, the ŠKODA brand has been turning out cutting-edge technologies and inventions. Now part of the VW Group and with another record year in terms of financial performance, its position is stronger than ever before, as confirmed by Jiří Černý, Plant Manager of Kvasiny, the company’s most progressive manufacturing facility.

Jiří Černý, Plant manager of Kvasiny

Last year, ŠKODA AUTO again increased sales revenue by 20 per cent to record breaking €16.5 billion. The company now employs over 35,000 people at its three Czech manufacturing sites and is set to grow further. In the next two years, a total of 19 new models will be launched, including the plug-in hybrid SUPERB and electric CITIGO, followed by the electric SUV Vision E in 2020.

The company is also implementing the largest investment programme in its history. About two billion CZK will be spent on electromobiles and new mobility-related services, with 10 electrified models expected to join the portfolio by 2025.

State-of-the-art facility

“ŠKODA AUTO is the largest Czech car manufacturer and one of the world’s oldest, with its history going back to 1895, when Václav Laurin and Václav Klement founded a company for bicycle production. In 1925 the business merged with the ŠKODA Works. A key milestone came in 1991 when ŠKODA AUTO became part of the multinational Volkswagen Group,” said Jiří Černý.

“Kvasiny is a state-of-the-art plant with a rich tradition and an excellent, highly competent workforce,” he went on. “Cars have been built at the production site in eastern Bohemia since as early as 1934; ŠKODA commenced production in Kvasiny with the ŠKODA SUPERB 13 years later – and even back then the car was the brand’s flagship. Subsequent years saw further models being made here, including the FELICIA, the 110 R Coupé, the PICK-UP, the first and second generations of the SUPERB, the ROOMSTER and the YETI.”

He noted that present-day Kvasiny’s more than 8500 employees produce around 1000 cars each day. In early 2017, the factories two-millionth vehicle was made here. “Today, the ŠKODA SUPERB

and KODIAQ models are produced here, and, since 2017, our newly developed compact SUV, the KAROQ.”

Currently, the ŠKODA AUTO plant in Kvasiny is finalising the largest modernisation and expansion in its history. As part of the SUV campaign, which began with the ŠKODA KODIAQ, a total of around seven billion CZK was invested in modernising the production processes. Production capacity now reaches more than 300,000 vehicles per year. “The Kvasiny plant has become an important pillar in achieving the production targets defined in our 2025 Strategy,” affirmed Mr Černý.

Focus on automation

He further explained that the company continues to invest heavily in the location and is upgrading Kvasiny to a production competence centre – for SUVs amongst other things.

Recent investments include a new automatic warehouse for small-sized parts (AKL), put into operation last year. The construction of the AKL is one of the biggest logistics projects in the modern history of the brand. ŠKODA AUTO has invested over €8 million in this innovative solution. Automatic storage of smaller parts allows for more efficient handling of the increasing complexity of material types and the logistics processes in the plant will make it even more flexible.

In the new facility, which can store 45,000 small-load carriers, small parts are stored in a central location, with automated storage and picking processes. Parts are transported from the warehouse to the assembly line using autonomic trollies. “The uniqueness of the warehouse rests in the degree of its automation. Robots are deployed for the automated material receipt and issue and handle all material movements and transfer without any human intervention,” Mr Černý pointed out, adding that, hand-in-hand with the preparation of new models, the company invested in its Quality Centre to fully reflect future technology requirements.

Impressive present, electric future

Over the years, various ŠKODA models have received numerous awards, with panels and customers appreciating the excellent priceperformance ratio, reliability, flexibility and design. “As the Kvasiny Plant Manager, I naturally most value the awards won by the models produced in our factory. In January 2018, the ŠKODA KAROQ became Car of the Year 2018 in the Czech Republic, when this compact SUV won over the panel of 35 motor journalists. The KAROQ even achieved a double success here – in addition to becoming the absolute winner, it also won the prize from the public in the small SUV category,” remarked Mr Černý.

“In 2016, the first SUV ŠKODA KODIAQ also won ‘Best Family Car’ category from the British Top Gear Magazine. The Kvasinymanufactured ŠKODA SUPERB COMBI was awarded the ‘Best Estate Car’ in the same survey for the third consecutive year.”

In October of last year, the plant again opened its gates to the public. “I would like to invite all fans of the ŠKODA brand to come and see us here in Kvasiny. From January 2018, we offer two-hour guided tours which will take visitors to the welding shops as well as to the assembly lines.”

Mr Černý confirmed that the path to the future is firmly set for the Kvasiny plant. “Production of electric vehicles and electrical components represent a big step in the implementation of our Strategy 2025. The future of Kvasiny will also be electric. It is here that from 2019, the first electrified serial model of the ŠKODA brand – the ŠKODA SUPERB with a plug-in hybrid drive – will roll off the line.” n