HISTORY
Since 1816
HOW TIME PASSED
1816
Zvěřina´s family founds an iron factory in Hedvikov valley.
1926
Company starts to produce continuous pressure brakes, thereby stabilize the production profile of the company. At the same time it is taking part in the modernization of the railway from Čáslav to Třemošnice.
1930
Josef Bartoš, the then owner, buys patent for production of casting machines and introduces the first production of pressure-cast castings in the Czech Republic.
1945
Company specializes in pressure casting of aluminum. At the end of the year, thanks to military production from the Second World War, is the company on the basis of the Beneš ´s Decrees nationalized.
1946
The company is named Kovolis and becomes the leading plant of other companies in region.
1962
The entire production park and technical background of brake components, which have been the main product of the company since 1950s, move to new plant in Třemošnice. Released hall in Hedvikov returns to its earlier purpose, production of pressure castings.
1966
In honour of the 150th anniversary of the factory ´s foundation, a sculpture of Foundries by academic sculptor Blažena Borovičková – Podpěrová is installed in the area.
1992
The company gets to private hands in small privatization.
1996
The joint stock company KOVOLIS HEDVIKOV is established. We obtain certificate of the management quality system according ES ISO 9001:1994 with a number of VDA 6 elements, which entitles us to produce automotive parts.
1999
We expand production and launch a new plant in Ronov nad Doubravou. Thanks to this, we are able to achieve sales that exceed the limit of CZK 1 million per employee.
2000
We are starting major modernization of workplaces, which includes large investment in the purchase of the latest robots and machines.
2001
We are purchasing top-class melting furnace Striko Westofen and we become first pressure foundry with ISO/TS 16949:1996 certification in the Czech Republic. In March, we are handing to Webasto Thermosysteme company casting number 1 250 000.
2002
We comply with our employee’s wishes and introduce flexible working hours, extend holidays by one week and expand the possibilities of further training.
2004
We build new tool shop, which helps us to reach the domestic top in production volume and technical level. By purchasing the most modern technologies we minimize our impact to environment.
2005
As part of the largest investment so far we buy a fully robotized workplace Bühler 840. At the same time we install new wastewater treatment plants Aquastar. We build sheltered workshop for 12 people with reduced working ability.
2006
For the first time we exceed the limit of 500 tons of aluminium castings and 1 billion CZK in sales. We significantly increase our support for individuals, teams and events in the field of culture and sport.
2007
We start serial production for our important customer, Wabco.
2010
We install first casting workplace Toshiba DC800J C1, which opens door to Japanese customers and ensures access to new technologies.
2011
We invest almost 1 billion CZK and build a new foundry hall. This significantly increases production and sells over 6 300 tons of aluminum castings.
2012
Mr. Miloslav Pavlas is awarded Entrepreneur of the year 2011 of the Pardubice region.
2013
We become the first foundry in Czech Republic, which use semi-solid casting technology, Rheocasting. We increase sales and production volume. These exceed 1,3 billion CZK and 7572 tons aluminium castings. Our support of Technical high school in Třemošnice helps save this school from closure.
2014
TÜV NORD confirms to us by certification that we meet all requirements of the environmental management system according to ISO 14001.
2015
We reach maximum of casting capacity a record turnover 2 billion CZK. We purchase a former guesthouse in Vapenný Podol, which we rebuild to hostel for our employees.
2016
We celebrate 200 years since the start of production in Hedvikov valley and also 20 years since foundation of the joint stock company.
2017
27th of September become the only owners of the company Mr. Miloslav Pavlas and his son.
We install 2 new cast robotized workplace, machines Bühler with closing forces 840 a 530t.
2018
We finish construction of new storage facilities in a branch Ronov nad Doubravou. We invest to automatic deburring of parts for electric vehicle´s heating.
We get first CNC machine with 4 spindles.
2019
We robotize and automate the machining line for PSA and Opel. We complete implementation of PLM sw TeamCenter (life cycle management). We put automatic robotic deburring into operation for the customer Wabco.
2020
We complete and approved new space for machining and assembling in branch Ronov nad Doubravou, we get ca.1200m2 for other technologies.
Next plans
We have more than 200 years of work behind us, but we need to focus on what we have before us. We plan to expand the production capacities of the foundry and machine lines with using a high degree of automation and robotics. We want to continue in introduction the latest technologies, especially rheocasting methods.
This will allow us to produce even the most complicated castings, which will get us to awareness of even more companies and brings us new contracts. We also think about changes in automotive industry in global and therefore we are ready to expand our projects towards the electromobility.