In the News

ALTA management changes. The new director is Lubomír Fabík

Ekonom.iHNed.cz,  4. 1. 2011

The present boss Martin Bajer is leaving the top position after one year. New CEO of Alta group, whose annual revenues approach ten billion crowns, has become Lubomír Fabík since the new year; one of three co-owners, says The Economist.
Forty-six-year-old Fabík works at Alta since 1995 and already acted as a CEO from 2005 to 2007. He is the Vice Chairman responsible for the economy now. He replaced the former head of the company Martin Bajer, who was CEO exactly for a year and resign from his membership in the Board of Directors.

Orientation to the east
By these steps Alta Group boosts ownership in the company's management and intensifies its links with the countries of the former Soviet Union, which it primarily trades with. Alta owns TOS, foundries and ball screws in Kuřim, SE-MI technology in Ostrava and ČKD Blansko. Alta exports mining technology and large engineering industry giants mainly to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The countries of the former Soviet Union import back to the Czech Republic for example iron ore for Třinecké železárny and nuclear power fuel cells for nuclear power plants Dukovany and Temelín.

The recent key business is represented by a starting 5 billion contract with Russia's ZAO Uralmetanolgroup for the supply of a chemical plant for production of 600 tons of methanol. According to the contract Alta provides complete design activities, construction and technological supply, installation and commissioning the plant in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals into operation in 2013.

ALTA in turbulent times

Brno, 25th July 2010 (ČTK)

The profit of one of the largest employers in southern Moravia, Alta engineering group, fell significantly in 2009 to 12.8 million. The company earned almost 280 million a year earlier. The reason is not only the global economic crisis but also the costs associated with acquisitions and extensive reconstruction of production facilities. ČTK found out from the company's annual report published in the collection of documents.
According to the group's spokeswoman Pavlína Sluková this year's results for the first half show a significant positive turnover. Expected earnings are in the range of 40-50 million CZK, estimated revenues for the same period are approximately CZK 4.5 billion.
Alta has worked out several major projects, of which the key is the five-billion contract with Russia's ZAO Uralmetanolgroup to supply a chemical plant to produce methanol. The contract was signed last Friday. Construction will begin next year in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals. According to the contract Alta provides complete design activities, construction and technological supply, installation and commissioning the plant in operation. Alta provides other key projects in the Russian Federation and Ukraine as well.
During the crisis period of 2009 Alta concentrated primarily on a cost reduction and a development of new major projects impact of which will be reflected in this and next year's results. Alta also concentrated on the continuing extensive reconstruction and modernization of production facilities of its subsidiaries (especially TOS Kuřim - OS and SE-MI service Ostrava) and especially on the acquisition of ČKD Blansko. In December last year Alta group took over a part of ČKD focused on manufacturing carousels and a new joint stock company of the group was named ČKD Blansko - OS.
On the other hand, with the crisis the Alta group recorded a significant decrease in deliveries of equipment for mining and processing ore and non-ore raw materials and also in the supplies of technologies for underground coal mining. The manufacturing subsidiaries felt the economic recession as well. Most of them saw orders decline by about 30 percent.

The main imports continue to be represented by a supply of iron ore from Ukraine for Třinecké železárny.
There are 1159 employees in all group companies currently. Alta Group specializes in engineering, metallurgy and energy industry. It operates mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Vietnam. Alta also owns engineering works TOS Kuřim - OS, ball screws Kuřim, Foundry Society Kuřim or SE-MI service.

Alta won 5 billion contract in Russia

16th July 2010, bay, ČTK

Brno company ALTA signed a 5 billion contract with Russian company ZAO Uralmetanolgroup to supply a chemical plant to produce methanol. Construction will begin next year in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals.
Putting the plant into operation is planned for 2014. Shareholders of ZAO are Russian gas company Itera, which will provide for new plant feedstock supply, and an Austrian holding company UCP Chemicals. The Nizhny Tagil plant with a capacity of 600,000 tons of methanol per year will serve mainly for export.
Alta's partner is an Italian company Techint Engineering and Construction, which is currently finalizing the first stage of plant design solution in cooperation with the Danish licensors. In connection with the provided export loan Alta started a pre-qualification selection of Czech suppliers whose supply of technological equipment, design and engineering activities will significantly contribute to the project. 

A Technological Workplace for BelAZ

27.01.2009  Technický týdeník   p. 7

The BelAZ company (Belorussian Automobile Factory), a prominent manufacturer of dump trucks used for mining in quarries, belongs to the important customers of the company TOS KUŘIM-OS. The BelAZ plant is situated in Zhodin, Belarus, and produces around 200 modifications of dump trucks with bearing capacity of 30 – 200 tons. In addition, in new economic conditions it supplies also technical equipment for road constructions, special equipment for transportation of metallurgical production and underground means of transportation. In the years 1999 – 2003 the modernization of the BelAZ plant was tended to by the Brno company ALTA which provided machine tools, forming machines, pressing machines and measuring and testing equipment. The value of the contract reached 105 million USD at that time.  As a part of the project of BelAZ plant modernization in 2002 the company TOS KUŘIM-OS produced and supplied two machining centres of the type FFDQ 250-OOR/A8 and a single-purpose machine JÚS-3D to BelAZ.
After a few years BelAZ showed again its interest in the supply of some other machining centres. In early 2008 a contract on the new equipment from TOS KUŘIM-OS was signed. In November 2008 the acceptance trials of these two technological workplaces were carried out with the participation of the BelAZ customer.  Successful acceptance trials and demanding special packaging of the disassembled equipment were finished at the beginning of December 2008 with the departure of 20 trucks heading to Belarus.

ALTA Will Deliver a Paint Shop Worth 110 Million CZK to Belarus

26.01.2009   News Service ČTK

Brno 26 January (ČTK) - the Brno company Alta will deliver a Paint Shop worth 110 million CZK (exactly four million EURO). The company representatives have agreed on it during the visit of Czech businessmen and politicians in Belarus today, informed Tomáš Bartovský, the ČTK spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
According to him, the visit resulted in some other contracts worth dozens of millions EURO. They concern primarily Czech engineering technology and equipment for modernization of production basis in Belorussian industrial establishments, specified the spokesman.
ALTA which belongs to the prominent domestic suppliers of the machine equipment is not a newcomer to Belarus. According to the available information, the trade activities in Russia, Ukraine and namely Belarus makes around 90 percent of its total turnover which amounted to almost 7 billion CZK the year before last.
The Paint Shop will be delivered by ALTA to Belorussian production association BELKOMUNMAŠ which produces also means of public transportation. Formerly it was, for example, a domestic company Škoda Electric which worked for this association.

LANDING GEARS FOR BOEING …are Machined by Machinery from Kuřim

19.12.2008  T+T Technika a trh   p. 51  Technika

In November the representatives of the prominent Canadian company received two highly productive and dynamic CNC contouring machine tools from TOS KUŘIM-OS, a.s. The technology of the machines ordered at the beginning of the year 2008 was adjusted for machining of Boeing A 320 landing gears. Landing gear forging, originally weighting 400 kg, had only 150 kg after the final treatment, which shows that the machine met all the requirements for rapid machining in the aircraft industry given by the customer.
Some of the phases of machining process proceed in six axes, which give evidence of the fact that high demands are put on the programming. TOS Kuřim managed to cope with it without difficulty.
This machining centre was awarded the Gold Medal in the IMT trade fair Brno 2008.

Negotiations of the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic in Vietnam

27.11.2008   businessinfo.cz   Vietnam

…. a first official negotiation between Minister Říman and the Deputy Minister of the Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh was held. They exchanged their views on the further development of mutual business and economic relations between both countries. The Minister informed about a very good cooperation of the company VINACOMIN with the Czech company Alta as far as mining equipment supplies are concerned and he asked for the help of the Czech party in the construction of a concrete mixing plant for VINACOMIN.
On Wednesday 12th November the delegation of Minister Říman made a visit of a black coal colliery Vanh Danh in the province of Quang Ninh in the north of the country. Alta supplied mining and transport units (a combined cutter loader, belt conveyors, flight conveyors, self-advancing roof) to the colliery. The unit has already been put into operation and Czech technicians introduced the system of operation and maintenance to the Vietnamese workers. Minister Říman stated that the Czech Republic has a very long tradition and rich experience in the underground black coal mining and that Czech companies produce the most modern mining equipment. The colliery manager said that they are very much satisfied with the supplied technology. The present mining goes to 120 meters under the surface and the supplies of coal have been confirmed to the depth of 300 meters. The colliery and Alta cooperate with the Institute for the Research in the Mining Technology of Vietnam on the modernization project of the Vietnamese mines. At an early date a delegation of specialists is going to make a visit to the Czech Republic in order to choose the technology for the other collieries in Vietnam.

The Machining Centre from Kuřim Will Be Making Boeing Landing Gears in Canada

18.09.2008   News Service ČTK    p. 0   ebn

Brno, 18 September (ČTK) – A machine from a South Moravian business organization TOS Kuřim will be used for the production of landing gears for the American aircrafts Boeing. The machining centre which was acknowledged among others as one of the best exhibits in the International Engineering Trade Fair in Brno was bought by the Canadian supplier of Boeing, said the technical director of TOS Kuřim Jan Sobola to the ČTK today.
The work on the development of the horizontal machining centre took approximately three years. “During that time we managed to reach the parameters which the Canadian company does not have on its contemporary machines,” said Sobola. He does not want to mention the name of the company now but he added that the same association already has several machines from Kuřim. It bought them in 1970s.
The new equipment is able to cope with even more complex contouring operations which are needed namely in the case of landing gears, the director remarked.
TOS which employs about 600 people increased its sales revenues from 835 million to 850 million CZK.
It is the first encounter of the company with the Boeing aeroplanes.

The ALTA Company Builds a Large Brickworks in Ukraine

17. 9. 2008   News Service ČTK   p.0   esp   mak

Kiev, 17 September (a special ČTK correspondent) – This autumn, after all the technologic tests, the Ukrainian partner of the Czech company Alta is going to take over the first line of the new brickworks in Kuzmintsy. The Chairman of the Board of Directors Vladimír Plašil said to the ČTK that namely this delivery is the biggest Ukrainian project of the company which specializes significantly in the Eastern markets.
 “At present we are discussing the delivery of the second production line. After that the largest brickfield in Ukraine would grow in Kuzmintsy,” explained Plašil. According to him, Ukraine has always been and will be an important business partner of Alta.
The construction of the line is now being finished and its value reaches 18 million EURO (over 430 million CZK). Provided that the company agrees on the delivery of the next production line the value of the contract will increase by 16 million euros (approximately 385 million CZK), added Plašil. The contract concerning the supply of the complete technologic line for this brickwork was signed by Alta in October 2006.

The Prime Minister Participated in the Opening of the Czech House in Donetsk

17. 09. 2008   ceska-media.cz   str.0   Společnost-Stalo se

Donetsk (Ukraine), 17 September (a special ČTK correspondent) – In the Eastern-Ukrainian city of Donetsk the Czech House was inaugurated and it should become a background for Czech businessmen in this part of Ukraine. The opening was accompanied by the presence of the Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek who led negotiations in Kiev with the top politicians of the country.
The Czech House in Donetsk is situated very near to the Czech Consulate General and is fully financed from the private resources of the companies PAM Market and Alta. “With its orientation towards industry, Donetsk and the whole region of Donbas bring big potential and business opportunities for Czech entrepreneurs,” explained Petr Šafarčík, the agent of PAM Market. Also Vladimír Plašil, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alta company, reminded that many of the customers of his company come from the eastern Ukraine. “We expect particularly the development of the mining technology market and the technologies of building material production,” said Plašil.

ALTA Will Supply Furnaces Worth Millions of Euros to Russia

16.09.2008   Mladá fronta DNES   p. 4   Kurzy a Trhy

Brno – In the course of the next two years, Alta will supply Czech machine tools and furnaces worth a billion CZK to Russian company Uralvagonzavod.  The contracts concerning the supplies were signed by the company representatives yesterday in the International Engineering Fair in Brno. The Russians will buy machine tools having value of 17 million EURO (over 410 million CZK) and furnaces worth 23 million EURO (over 555 million CZK) from Alta.

Czechs got share on a huge investment in Russia

16.7.2008    Lidové noviny    str. 12   Byznys

PRAHA – Czech companies will expressively partake in building of gigantic mine for iron ore in the western Russia. In Prague yesterday, a memorandum of strategy cooperation was signed between Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat (MMK) and Czech company ALTA.  That makes it the biggest investment in which has the Czech companies in Russia have taken part. 

Czechs will build up a mine in Russia

16.7.2008    Hospodářské noviny    str. 15   ČESKO

Brno company ALTA will be a supplier for a project worth tens of billions Czech Crowns.
Czechs indirectly profit on the worldwide mounting demand of ore and steel. The Czech company ALTA has become a major supplier for the newly constructing Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat in the western Russia which should cost 70 milliard Czech Crowns.
 It is not a luck that MMK had chosen for a major supplier Czech company ALTA. Russians have chosen a player who is very familiar with Russian market. ALTA has been trading in Russia since 1991. Ten years ago, ALTA was modernizing Belorussian producer of heavy-load trucks called Belza for 119 million dollars.

In Russia like at home

Company ALTA is focusing on supplies in heavy engineering, mining industry, metallurgy, energetic and building materials industry. Ninety percent of its yearly profits come from activities in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Last year in Russia, for example, ALTA signed contracts worth more than 40 million EURO (about 933 million CZK). The biggest present project of the company is the modernization of the biggest plant of cargo wagons in the world, Russian producer URALVAGONZAVOD. Value of the trade is now one billion EURO.
 ALTA knows Russian Federation, first supplies of turbo blowers into the CIS were in 1991, shortly after its foundation. One year later, supplies of engines for needs of surface mining works, followed.  In 1998, company has found its sub institution in Belorussian Minsk, a year later, in Ukrainian Kiev.
 Year 2001 was very important to ALTA; it has become part of the TOP 100 companies in the Czech Republic in the scale made up by association Czech Top 100. Last year, ALTA placed on the 72nd place.
In July 2005, company has entered into domestic company TOS Kuřim and its two daughters Kuličkové šrouby Kuřim and Slévárna Kuřim. With this solicitation, ALTA has expressively strengthened its production possibilities. »We established order. We cleaned up; we put the money in to it. The company has started to work again, because of it, « said the Chairman of Board of Directors, Vladimír Plašil.
 Takeover of TOS Kuřim has cost 300 million CZK – approximately ten percent more than the management have pictured. »This money helped to clean up the plant, to solve its liabilities in face of state, to get started. If we would want to have the company on the level of the 21st century, we wouldn’t talk about hundreds of million, but about billions, « said Plašil.

Czechs placed contract worth 3 billion EURO with Russia

15.7.2008    iHNed.cz    str. 0   Ekonomika.iHNed.cz

In the contract worth roughly 3 milliard EURO, Czech companies will provide approximately half of the supply and equipment to a newly constructing Prioskolski mining works in the western Russia.
Czech company ALTA will be major supplier for Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat Company (MMK) which is, in the western Russia, constructing new Prioskolski mining works. Project worth is estimated up to 3 milliard EURO (about 70 milliard Czech Crowns).
In the last ten years, it is the most expensive project of this kind in Europe. Both of the companies have signed a memorandum of strategy cooperation. Czech companies, here at, will provide 40 to 50 percent of supplies and equipment to the new plant.
Contract was signed by Vladimír Plašil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ALTA, and Viktor Rašnikov, major owner and director of MMK. Prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, and Industry and Trade Secretary, Martin Říman, were both present during the signing of a contact.

Czechs will take part on the mining construction in Russia

16.7.2008    Právo    str. 17   Trhy & ekonomika

Czech companies will provide 40 to 50 percent of supplies and equipment to newly built Prioskolski mining works in western Russia.
 Major supplier for Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat Company (MMK) ill be Czech company ALTA. Value of the project is estimated to 3 milliard EURO (about 70 milliard Czech Crowns).

Czech companies will equip Russian mine for milliards

15.7.2008    aktualne.cz    str. 0   Firmy - B2B

Prague – ALTA Company has signed a milliard contract in Russia, today. ALTA will become a major supplier for Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat Company for its new iron-ore mine.
Project is worth 300 milliard EURO. „Participation of the Czech companies will be forty to fifty percent,” specified during the signing Vladimír Plašil - Chairman of the Board of Directors of ALTA.
Anyway he thinks that it is the biggest investment on which Czech companies will take part in. Suppliers form heavy engineering, transporting, converting and mining industries have a good chance – for example PSP Engineering, SE-MI or Sigmet.
According to Plašil, first supplies should be in Russia next year.
ALTA has also signed a second contract for equipment delivery for the beginning phase of the whole project, which means the uncovering of ore deposits. That is worth 200 million EURO (almost 4, 7 milliard Czech Crowns). 
Mining in the Prioskolsk mine in Belgorod region in the western Russia should start in 2012. Ore reserves should for MMK carry for 60 years production.
MMK is one of the biggest Russian steel groups. Last year, it turned out 13,3 million tons of steel and supplied 12,2 million tons of metallurgical products. It earned 1,8 milliard dollars with sales revenues 8,2 milliard. Its stocks are traded on the London stock market.
ALTA Company is the supplier of technological equipment for energetics, smelting works, engineering and heavy industries.  Present biggest project of the company is the modernization of Russian wagon manufacturer Uralvagonzavod for a milliard EURO.
Last year company’s revenues reached 89 milliard Czech Crowns, therefore, ALTA belongs to first 100 biggest companies in the Czech Republic.

Czech company ALTA will provide with the construction of Russian mine

16.7.2008    E15    str. 8   Byznys

Domestic metallurgical and engineering companies will get to the commissions worth 28 milliard Czech Crown.
Czech engineering companies are returning back to Russia. Brno company ALTA will become major supplier for the newly built Prioskolski mining works in the western Russia. Forty to fifty percent of the supply to the project worth up to three milliard EURO (70 milliard Czech Crowns) should be provided by domestic companies. They should then get commissions worth at least 28 milliard Czech Crowns.
 Mining workers are now waiting for the needed permissions from the Russian government and for the results of expert opinion which will decide whether the mining will be surface or underground. Project, which is in the phase of preparation, is counting with erection of the whole operation from iron-ore mining to its processing including the preparation of an extract. 
 Owner of the deposits, Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat (MMK), formed a contract with ALTA Company for equipment delivery for advance workings and overburden processing, worth 200 million EURO (4,7 milliard Czech Crowns). Both of the companies have signed a memorandum on strategy cooperation which counts on that Czech ALTA will be, as the major supplier, covering the whole project.

ALTA Company got huge commission in Russia – it will equip a mine.

16.7.2008    Hospodářské noviny    str. 13   Podniky a trhy

Czech engineering companies are expecting good years. Russian company Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat (MMK) intends to use up to 50 percent of supplies from Czech companies for the newly built iron-ore mine in western Russia.
MMK signed a memorandum of strategy cooperation with Czech company ALTA, which will be the major supplier of the construction. ALTA will require capital investments worth up to 3 milliard EURO (about 70 milliard Czech Crowns).
 During the construction of Prioskolski mining works, companies from heavy engineering, mining and transportation technology will have the biggest chance. »Construction of MMK is so far the biggest investment in which the Czech companies will take part, « confirmed Vladimír Plašil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ALTA, company which supplies to the CIS countries since 1991.

ALTA signed a contract with Russians, so far for 200 million EURO

15.7.2008    tyden.cz    str. 0   Czechia

Brno company ALTA has signed a machinery contract with Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat (MMK), worth 200 million EURO. ALTA has already announced that the total supply could reach amount of 3 milliard EURO.
Director and joint-owner of ALTA Company, Vladimír Plašil, and his match, major owner and director of MMK, Viktor Rašnikov, have signed a Memorandum of strategy cooperation on the occasion of the Prioskolski mining woks building, and also a contract for equipment delivery for advance workings and overburden processing in Prioskolski iron-ore field, worth 200 million EURO. Memorandum creates conditions for sub deliveries of Czech or other companies.
"Reported amount of 3 milliard EURO is preparative, meanwhile, there will be delivery of machines worth 200 million EURO“, said the spokesman of MMK, Elena Azovtseva, for the Prague telegraph agency.
ALTA Company is the supplier of technological equipment for energetic, smelting, engineering and mining industries. Parts of the Group are production plants TOS Kuřim - OS, Slévárna Kuřim and KSK Kuřim. Russian company Magnitogorskii metalurgickij kombinat is one of the biggest producers of steel in Russia, its pluck was 8,2 milliard dollars last year. In 2006, MMK got in tender the possibility to extract in the iron-ore deposit in Belgorod region in the western Russia.

Czech Export Bank is going to open branch office in Moscow

For Czech Export Bank in recent years, Russian has become one of the most important territories in light of newly contracts. Last year, the bank has extended credits and guarantees for more than 20 milliard Czech crowns. More then a half of this trade volume falls on Russia. Among the most significant projects belongs expansion and reconstruction of engineering company Uralvagonzavod in Sverdlovsk region whereon participates Czech company ALTA. Vladimír Plašil, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated that entrepreneurs called for the Czech Export Bank branch office placing in Moscow for a long time. “People from the export bank will operate on the spot and will know problems of Russia better,” said Plašil.

TOS Kuřim wants to increase capital on 250 million Czech crowns this year

Kuřim Feb 11 (Czech Press Agency)

Czech engineering company TOS Kuřim wants to increase its capital after the strong decrease two years ago. It will get onto the level of 250 million Czech crowns, thus on the half of its original 500 000 Czech crowns. In the last two years company was prospering better then before. There are favorable plans for this year, therefore the increase is possible, said the manager of the Czech Press Agency Vítězslav Musil.

TOS Kuřim - OS replaced original TOS Kuřim which ended up in bankruptcy. It started up with the capital of over 500 million Czech crowns. However, it was decreased by ALTA on 62 million Czech crowns two years ago. Two years ago, after many unprofitable years, the company has got to a profit of 32 million Czech crowns and has shown gain of 835 million Czech crowns, almost a half higher gain then a year before.

TOS Kuřim increased revenue last year

5.2.2008    E15    str. 8   byznys

Alta- TOS Kuřim
Kuřim – Czech engineering company TOS Kuřim increased revenue from 835 million onto 850 million Czech crowns a year ago. According to estimations, the gain raised more then double times on 80 million Czech crowns. Vítězslav Musil, company manager, said that this year he wants to keep the profit on the same level as in the previous year and that he wants to increase revenues at over one milliard Czech crowns. TOS Kuřim - OS replaced original TOS Kuřim which ended up in bankruptcy.
 „The company was most beneficial in Canada, India, Poland and in other surrounding countries, “said the manager. Every year TOS exports 70 percent of its production out of the Czech and Slovakian trade market.  Approximately one third of the production is sold in the countries of Eastern Europe, added Musil.
 This year the company expects great things of the new machine tool with a high output of 60 kilowatts. There is no one in the Czech Republic who would make those yet. TOS has started with the sale this year and there are already signed few agreements. Those contracts should also contribute to the sale increase with over one milliard Czech crowns. However, the profit will stay the same, as planned, at last year level, among others because the company has raised wages by 10 percent.

TOS Kurim raises sales to Kc 850m in 2007

4.2.2008    Zpravodajství ČTK    str. 0   cbn  bns

Kurim, Feb 4 (CTK) - Czech engineering company TOS Kurim raised sales to Kc850m in 2007 from Kc835m a year earlier, chief executive Vitezslav Musil told CTK today.
Profit more than doubled to an estimated Kc80m, Musil said. This year, sales should increase to more than Kc1bn, while profit should remain at last year's level, also because of a growth in wages by around 10 percent.
TOS Kurim - OS is a successor to company TOS which had gone bankrupt. In 2006, the firm made profit worth Kc32m after several years in the red. Sales amounted to Kc835m, a growth of nearly a half year-on-year.
TOS Kurim originally planned sales worth around Kc900m and profit topping Kc40m for 2007.
"The company had the biggest success in Canada, India, Poland and other neighbouring countries," said Musil.
TOS Kurim exports around 70 percent of output every year outside the Czech and Slovak markets. It sells around one-third of production in countries in Eastern Europe, he added.
TOS Kurim with around 600 staff is a unit of investment group Alta, together with companies Kulickove Sroubarny and Slevarna Kurim.

Shortly

7.12.2007, Hospodářské noviny str. 17, Z domova

Alta has concluded billion contracts  in Russia
Czech trade company Alta, long-time significantly participating in the Russian market, concluded yesterday in Yekaterinburg contracts in the value more than 40 million Euros (more than billion crowns). This year in April, Brno company Alta signed a framework agreement in the total value more than one bilion Euros (cca. 27 billions Czech crowns) with Ural machine plant Uralvagonzavod. The agreements, yesterday confirmed, are its part (in the financing is significantly participating also the Czech export bank). 40 million Euros contract is, according to Czech consul in Yekaterinburg Karel Charanza, related to supply of manufacturing line for the production of carload double gear axises. Farther part of contract is related to the equipment for modernisation of Russian forest-products industry. 

Ukrainian market: the first-class is crowded already

14.11.2007,  businessinfo.cz

One of the most important exporter to the CIS countries, trade company ALTA, a.s., has won recognition in the Ukraine especially in supplies of technological equipment for an ore processing and enrichment, bituminous mixture adjustment or generally in modern engineering machines supplies. „Commodities, we are trading with, assert themselves very well in the Ukraine“, says chief executive Martin Belza.

The mission to the Chernihiv region

13.11.2007,  businessinfo.cz

On 8 and 9 of November 2007 realised, in terms of ambassador J. Bashta visit in Chernihiv oblast, eighth trade mission of the group of czech companies representatives. These action was organised by the Trade economic section ZU Kyiv and besides the OEU head, the mission also visited director of the agency CzechTrade Kyiv A. Synek 
In the mission was taking part following companies: LECO Instrumente Plzeň (laboratory equipment for chemical quality analysis), ALTA (heavy industry equipment), Ascom (asphalt production equipment) and other companies: CKD-Elektrotechnika, INSAK-Ukraine (trenchless saving of tubular systems), OKIN-Facility (Facility management) a KTTJ Trade-business center Kyiv (investment in industry and building).

The more efficient heads

19.11.2007,  Euro page. 18, Industry

Machine-plant TOS Kurim started the production of more efficient machine-tools. Thanks to a new programme, the company should increase its sales revenue at tenth annually. Managament awaits, that innovation will strike foot mainly in heavy duty engineering production like power industry, building industries or extractive industry. The production widening has costed 10 million crowns, part of them was granted by Ministry of  industry and trade. Amount should return very quickly, according to company expectation. Machine-plant holds several orders on the new series for the next year already, share of those efficient machine-tools in the company production will reach to one fifth.  For the time being we offer just a few models, but in the next year will accede another ones. In result, we should produce in the top grades the same types as in lower grades,“ specifies technical direktor of the company Jan Sobola. Until now, TOS has offered the heads with 30 Kw load, the innovation will´ve double load. In the last year, the company got over the several loss-making years to the profits in the value 32 mil. czech crowns and showed sales revenue 835 mil. czech crowns. . In this year, the company intends, according to certain information, increase the sales revenues to 900 mil. crowns and it plans to gain a profit over 40 mil. czech crowns. TOS Kurim, together with companies Kulickove sroubarny and Slevarna Kurim, are owned by stakeholder group Alta.  

TOS Kurim extended the production in a more efficient machine-tools

13.11.2007, Zpravodajství ČTK

Kurim (Brno region) November, 13th (ČTK) - TOS Kurim-OS company started with the production of twice more efficient machine-tools than offered till now. The heads with load  60 kw wasn´t producted in Czech Republic so far. TOS calculate with increasing of the sales revenue, thanks to a new programm, up to 10% in every year, said the technical director of the company Jan Sobola. The innovation should take a foot, according to him, in heavy duty engineering production like power industry, building industries or extractive industry.
The company has a number of  orders for next year already. Sobola awaits, that share of the most efficient machine-tools in the company production will reach to one fifth. „For the time being we offer just a few models, but in the next year will accede another ones. In result, we should produce in the top grades the same types as in lower grades,“ he added.  
In the last year, TOS Kurim – OS got over the several loss-making years to the profits in the value 32 mil. czech crowns and showed sales revenue 835 mil. czech crowns. In this year, the company intends, according to certain information, increase the sales revenues to 900 mil. czech crowns, it plans to gain a profit over 40 mil. crowns. TOS Kurim, together with companies Kulickove šroubárny and Slévárna Kurim, are owned by stakeholder group Alta.  

SHORTLY

19.11.2007, Profit page 10, Firms

TOS Kurim-OS company started with the production of twice more efficient machine-tools than offered till now. The heads with load  60 kw wasn´t producted in Czech Republic so far. TOS calculate with increasing of the sales revenue, thanks to a new programm, up to 10% in every year.

With sanctification of government commission

12.11.2007    Profit    page 26   Interview

The delegates of both states on the meeting of Russian-Czech inter-government commission, which took place in the end of October, devoted and promised the political support to many business projects, planned or in the state of realizing. Listing of the most interesting follows:
Building-up the oil processing plant in Sverdlovsk oblast. There are participating Czech companies Moravské naftové doly, Alta Brno, Cheteng Brno and others. 

THE TOP TEN OF LARGEST ENGINEERING COMPANIES

2.11.2007, BIZ, page. 44, Business - Engineering

Vitkovice, Skoda Holding, Alta, CKD Group. The companies with billion turnover, featuring among top ten largest largest engineering companies in Czech Republic. They are riding on growth curve, because the engineering is experiencing the unusual growth in last years.
The Union of Engineering Technology announces export increasing of machine-tools and shaping machines, in comparison with first half-year of this year and last year, to 16%. If we take a look into the annual report sof large companies, we find out, that exceptionally they are unsuccessful.  In short, this is how looks trade boom. 
 
Alta
sales revenue 7,1 billion Czech crowns
profits 165 million Czech crowns

The greenhorn among the worthy engineering companies. The ambitious jumper. Yes, we are talking about Alta. While the brands like Vítkovice, Skoda Plzen or CKD have their roots in the times before socialist Czechoslovakia, Alta unobtrusively came into being in 1991 in Brno like a trading company. It was flunder by Vladimír Plasil and his colleagues with authorized capital 140 000 Czech crowns. The company revealed a ´gold-mine´ in Eastern countries, mainly in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus, where provide a supplies of machines and equipment in the value of tens billions Czech crowns. No doubt, Plashil doesn´t predicted blindly, he has known environment of the place, because he studied the international business at Kyiv state university. Alta currently signed the agreement with Russian state company Uralvagonzavod on its modernisation during next ten years.  The value of order? One bilion Euros. Two years ago Alta began to coquet with production. It buyed TOS Kurim and associated companies Sleverna and Kulickove srouby (KSK). The companies were experiencing the economic troubles, but in short time it succeeded in improving of their management. For instance, TOS Kurim improve the volume of sale to 48% in last year. 

The Prime minister became acquainted with the project

23.10.2007, AGORA - studentské noviny, str. 2, Zprávy ze studentského prostředí

The Prime ministr of Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek, accompanied by Minister of industry and trade Martin Riman and Brno mayor Roman Onderka, visited on 1st October, in terms of  the International engineering trade fair, display stand of TOS Kurim. VUT´s Vice-chancellor prof. Karel Rais, prof. Petr Stehlik from the faculty of machina engineering and representatives of company TOS Kurim and ALTA introduced to the Prime minister the project NETME Center (New Technologies for Mechanical Engineering),

which would, in cooperation of these three subjects, create in next years the center of top engineering technologies in Brno region. Project NETME, outgoing from the strategy of development of Southmoravian. Its aim is the incerasing of engeenering´s competitive advantage, it should be donored by Operational programme ´Research and development for  innovation´. Expenses on the center creation estimates on 1,4 billion of Czech crowns. The Center would cast over the sectors of engineering technology, processional industry, protection of living environment and energetics, manufacturing machines and industrial manipulators, traffic and air technology, mechatronics, virtual design and testing.

Czech respect in Hannover

24.9.2007, Profit

Czech companies definitely didn´t fly away in the machine-tools fair trade EMO Hannover. The domestic technological level in this sector was represented by 27 subjects, which presented many innovations.  Also the company TOS Kurim focuses on post-soviet republics, TOS Kurim is owned by trading copany Alta… „We´re exporting also to India, Sweden or Finland,“ adds the export director Petr Shimonik (see more in Profit, 24.9.2007).

Czech export bank in Omsk fair trade

6.9.2007, businessinfo.cz

Brno company Alta supplies with CEB financing the machina-tools for Omskgidroprivod in the value 2 mil. Euros. At the president Klaus visit in Omsk in September  2006 it was signed the Alta-CEB-Titan group Cooperation Memorandum on technology supplies. Meanwhile is negotiated the project in the value cca 10 mil Euros… The contract on the supply of equipment for Uralvagonzavod (Alta Brno) in the southern Ural in the value 1.000 million Euros belongs to the most substantive ones (see more in businessinfo.cz).

The Mission brought a tornado of contracts

28.5.2007, Profit, page 18
In April, one of the greatest trade missions of modern history was in Russian Federation. The participation of President Václav Klaus gave lustre to this mission. Two special planes had to be set out because of great number of businessmen and tornado of business orders waited for them in Moscow and Tatarstan. The company ALTA Brno obtains again a commission for building of bio ethanol manufactory in Omsk’s area. ALTA also agreed on foundation of joint venture for deliveries of technologies for nuclear power stations in the Middle Europe with the company Atomstrojexport Moscow. After ending of business forum, other giant businesses were closed directly in Kreml in the presence of presidents Vladimír Putin and Václav Klaus. Alta Brno and Russian state public enterprise Uralvagonzavod settled on a complex modernization of metallurgical, foundry and energetic plants. The value of this contract was topped from 300 millions to one milliard EURO. (more in Profit 28.05.2007, page 18)

ALTA closed billion deals in Russia

18.5.2007, Brněnský deník, page 7, Zpravodajství - podnikání
Brno/ To close deal for several milliards crowns can be a dream of most of firms during their existence. But representatives of Alta managed it. They signed the contract for delivery of machine tools for 28 milliards crowns for engineering company Uralvagonzavod in Moscow. The contract is enlargement of older contract, which was amounting to half milliard crowns. “For us, this is something like confirmation that the cooperation between us and Russian side works,” said Martin Belza, Chief Executive Officer of Alta. Officially the whole contract will end in 2012, but according to Belza it will be later. “The value is high and everything will not work swimmingly as we presuppose,” he added. Alta is one of the greatest trading companies in the Czech Republic. It targeted the deliveries in engineering and processing of building materials as are crushing plants and asphalt plants.
… Business with Uralvagonzavod is not the only one contract which Alta obtained in east countries. Alta also signed the contract for delivery of brickworks to Ukraine. The company also signed an agreement with Russian industrial holding Titan. Alta will help with building-up of the factory for a production of bio ethanol in Omsk. This contract has a value of almost 3 milliards crowns. (more in Brněnský deník, 28.05.2007, page 7)

The state assistance is necessary to great foreign contracts

17.5.2007, Ekonom, page 9, Služby státu exportérům
The company ALTA operates in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. If we would want to characterize Alta with three words then they would be: growth, prosperity, stability. Present business activity includes a complex of service of trade, financial and engineering in such a quality, which ensure a high competitive strength of company... No less important is the fact that ALTA with its orders enables to tens of Czech firms to achieve in foreign markets. ALTA is also connected through with manufacturing – it became the owner of TOS Kuřim group whose three companies employ about 1 400 employees and they produce machine tools, foundry products and ball screws. Due to references and good business contacts, Alta get an order – deliveries and renewal of machinery for Russian machine works Uralvagonzavod for 300 millions EURO. The company is the biggest producer of wagons not only in Russia but also in the world. “Uralvagonzavod was so satisfied with our deliveries that we signed the contract for increase mentioned contract to one milliard EURO in the end of April during the visit of President Václav Klaus in Russia,” stressed Plašil. “Our deliveries are focused on whole process of production of boxcars. Presently it is mainly metal cutting and varnishing. Enlargement of the order will look to other processes from basic industry even to finish.” Other interesting projects of financial guest-size are in the pipeline or in realization, for example deliveries for producer of aircrafts, which are related to machine tools and surface treatment... (more in Ekonom, page 9, Služby státu exportérům)

Data about great foreign capital commissions of Czech companies

16.5.2007, Haló noviny, page 8, Ekonomika
Modernization of Russian machine-works Uralvagonzavod
The company Alta should have to supply in the following ten years to machine-works Uralvagonzavod machines and equipment for about one milliard EURO (about 28 milliards crowns) according to agreement signed this April. Alta will cover all suppliers from several countries. The project with Uralvagonzavod include a modernization both metallurgical and foundry equipment and machine tools. Alta concluded an agreement with Russia industrial holding Titan of building-up of a factory for a production of bio ethanol in Omsk in worth 100 millions EURO (about 2,8 milliard crowns). (more in Haló noviny 16.5.2007, page 8)

The Alta company signed agreement in amount of one milliard EUR with Uralvagonzavod enterprises

Representatives of Alta company from Brno and ural machine-works Uralvagonzavod signed agreement on increase of supplies for reconstruction of russian enterprises on Ural into one milliard EUR (about 28 milliards Czech crowns) today. It is complex solution including modernization both metallurgical and foundry machinery and metal machining. At the signature there were present czech president Václav Klaus and his russian opposite Vladimir Putin. Alta company entered into agreement also with russian industrial holding Titan, namely on building-up of enterprises for bioethanol production in amount of 100 millions EUR (about 2,8 milliards Czech crowns) in Omsk.

Milliards came into Russia with Klaus

30th April 2007 / Plzeňský deník, page 5, Economics
Václav Klaus took the biggest business mission in history of president travels with himself on political visit in to Russia. With Klaus there were 109 businessmen in country where ice hockey championship started last weekend. They are finding contacts, making business or right signing contracts as Alta here. The contract of Alta with ural machine –works Uralvagonzavod means deal in amount of one milliard EUR, about 28 milliards Czech crowns, for Czech people – referred ČTK agency. Primarily it should have been only third of this amount. At the signature there were present czech president Václav Klaus and his russian opposite Vladimir Putin. “The fact, that signature of agreement is made in the presence of both of presidents indicates that agreement has meaning not only for us but also for both countries” said Vladimír Plašil, head of company from Brno after the signature. (for more information see Plzeňský deník, page no. 5 The Economics).

Czech Company Alta signed agreement in amount of one milliard EUR with Uralvagonzavod

27th April 2007 / Press service  ČTK
Deputies of company Alta from Brno and ural machine-work Uralvagonzavod signed agreement on increase of supplies for reconstruction of russian enterprises on Ural into one milliard EUR (about 28 milliards Czech crowns) today. Primarily the amount of this contract was 300 millions EUR (about 8,4 milliards czech crowns). At the signature there were present czech president Václav Klaus and his russian opposite Vladimir Putin. “The fact, that signature of agreement is made in the presence of both of presidents indicates that agreement has meaning not only for us but also for both countries. Political support is important but much more important is communication”, to ČTK said Vladimír Plašil, head of company from Brno after the signature. The Alta company also concluded an arrangement with russian industrial holding Titan, namely for building-up of enterprise for production of bioethanol in amount of 100 millions EUR (about 2,8 milliards czech crowns) in Omsk. (more in ČTK news).

Certainty costs hundreds of millions

26th April 2007 / Ekonom, page No. 53, Analyses
Alta, the new owner of one-time famous machine tools producer, is going to invest hundreds of millions crowns in TOS Kuřim. Otherwise the acquisition does not make sense...
Furthermore in 2005 TOS Kuřim shown out lost in amount of 365 millions, last year the company shown net profit of 79 millions and it will be more than 60 millions this year. When the project with Uralvagonzavod within the Alta, the trading company from Brno, will ensure supplies in total amount of almost one milliard EUR (see Ekonom No. 16/2007) started, it looked that one of key-suppliers will be just producer of machine tools TOS Kuřim. Alta cooperated with this producer many years. In 2005 it looked like bankruptcy in TOS. How to prevent it? In this critical situation Alta company decided to buy back this company from current owner. With 100% part of  TOS in 2005 Alta obtained even 75 % of Kuličkové šrouby Kuřim and roughly 67 % of Slévárna Kuřim. “I have been sorry for that decision during first months but today I am glad we did it” says Vladimír Plašil, chairman of the board of directors. Therefore he also says it was not be easy neither cheap to put out the enterprise from the worst. Even if TOS Kuřim still had good products and big unused reserves, there was problem with cash-flow in this company and there was a debt on payments of social security in amount of millions...
Investments will come subsequently. The new owner wants to give 135 millions crowns into training center and to educate profession specialists for his own requirement. He is going to change part of machines, he detached 40 millions crowns for this. Next 60 millions are for technical progress. The whole area will be revitalized whereas quarter of this should be rented other companies...

Russia waits for Václav Klaus, hundreds of companies and contracts in amount of milliards

19th April 2007 / Hospodářské noviny, page No. 9, Trends
First time in history of Czech republic numerous group of businessmen will set forward Russia win our president in the end of April. One hundred and couple of decades, two aero planes. The contract of Alta company from Brno in amount of 700 millions EUR is demonstration of business-like skill. Some time ago Alta concluded supplies of engineering equipment with giant company Uralvagonzavod from Jekaterinburg in amount of 300 millions EUR but now the contract grosses up one milliard EUR... (for more information see Hospodářské noviny, pg. 9)

Mr. Plašil in Kreml

23th April 2007 / Týden, page No. 76, Economy
Alta company from Brno extended russian commission to one milliard EUR. Czech companies begin to be more successful in russian market. Alta company is going to supply machines and equipment in amount of 28 milliards crowns to Uralvagonzavod machine-works. The President is leading to Russia. There will be signed giant contract with his attendance in Kreml in 27th April. It will be the biggest engineering contract in the history of czech – russian relationship. Alta company from Brno is going to extend already existing contract with Uralvagonzavod company from Nižnij Tagil. Volume of supplies will increase from current 300 millions to whole one milliard. “The subject of the contract is complete solution including modernizing both metallurgical and foundry equipment and also metal cutting” said Vladimír Plašil, chairman of the board of directors and part-owner of company. The contract will be financing by Czech Export Bank and insured by Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation. Government institution in both cases. Interest rate of spread loan will be about 5 per cent including all charges and loan should be repaid about 2020. According to other part-owner of company the contract is extraordinary even for russian conditions. Alta will cover all suppliers from several countries. Czech companies will supply about 40 per cent of contract and TOS Kuřim which is owned by Alta will supply less then fifth from that.

We are not crisis managers but businessmen

19th April 2007 / Ekonom, page. 52, Analyses
The strategy of Alta company is not buying production enterprises but ALTA does not exclude any acquisition in machine tools area. Alta gained control of leasing company in Russia last year. Million is no number. Incomes of Alta from business with Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia above all are in milliards and profit is minimally in tens of millions. When they are doing business it is in large...
... Primarily Alta is doing business with machine products – machine tools, mining tools, technologies for energetics. Alta employs 120 people, mostly tradesmen, but lately there are more financiers, planners and other technically efficient specialists. Namely Alta more and more ensure engineering beside export and import. Last year turnover of Alta was over 5 milliards, net profit was 33 millions crowns. This year turnover over 7 milliards and profit over 99 millions are expected this year. Today besides the main residence in Brno Alta has its office in Prague, Plzeň and Přerov, commercial representation in Moscow, Sankt Petersburg, Jekaterinburg, Kiev and Minsk. Alta considers about floatation of representative office in Omsk. The part of Alta group is also manufacturing concern TOS Kuřim ant its associated plants (Kuličkové šrouby, Slévárna Kuřim)... (for more information see Econom, page 52).

Milliard contracts in front and behind Ural

19th April .2007 / Ekonom, page 50, Analyses
The Alta company from Brno will undersign other important contracts in Russia next week. The supplies for Uralvagonzavod should achieve milliard EUR. Mr. Vladimír Plašil, chairman of the board of directors of Alta company will go to Russia again next week. He will join the businessmen delegation following the czech president Václav Klaus on official visit of Russian federation – it is opportunity to undersign other hundred millions contracts. This contract will be relating to energetics, other supplies for Uralvagonzavod and for company producing bioethanol and not least export of machinery and equipment aircraft industry. Alta is one of the biggest trading company in Czech republic, 90 % of its turnover is presented by activities in Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia. Above all Alta focuses on supplies of heavy machinery, mining industry, energetics and industry of building materials... The general contract consists of many partial contracts. For example Alta is going to supply even paint shop in amount of more than one milliard crowns for requirements of this company, the biggest on the world sui generis... (for more information see ekonom, page 50, Analyses).

They manage without the loss

Machine works TOS Kuřim from district of Brno got from the loss and showed profit in amount of 32 millions crowns after several years. It is growth almost about 400 millions in comparison with year 2005. Incomes increase about 46 per cent to 835 millions. “The main reason is change of owner in half of year 2005” said Vítězslav Musil, director of the company. TOS Kuřim – OS together with Kuličkovými šroubárnami a Slévárnou Kuřim are in ownership of  investor company Alta. TOS Kuřim – OS is superseder of authentic bankrupt company TOS. In 44 hectare area near by Brno the company produces universal cutter centers, single-purpose machines and lines, i.a. for automotive industry.

Business between Russia and Czech Republic increases, balance is not favourable for Czech

26.2.2006 / CTK News

PRAGUE 26th February – Czech-Russian commercial relations made a great progress in recent years. New economic contract was signed last year, sale of mutual business has an increasing tendency after throughs in the year 2002 and Russian debt in face of Czech was also resolved which entered into mutual relations most markedly in recent years. Machines and transport means and facilities dominate to Czech export into Russia. Petroleum and natural gas predominate in export from Russia, aluminium, non-ferrous metals and fuel elements for reactors belong to other more important items. Russian supplies of gas into Czech Republic cover about three quarters of usage. Czech Republic signed several contracts about economic collaboration with Russia and agreement about realization of 17 common projects for about two milliards dollars (circa 50 milliards CZK) was part of that. Modernizing of Uralvagonzavod in Sverdlovskaya area is ranked among given projects. Supplier of project for 300 millions dollars (7,5 milliards CZK) should be among others company Alta Brno. (More in CTK News)

Project of Russian Culture has begun

20.2.2006 / Právo, page 2, News

BRNO – Ministers of Culture of Czech republic and Russia Vítezslav Jandák and Alexander Sergejevic Sokolov prefaced fifth year of project Russian Culture in Czech Republic on Sunday. “We are getting on with tradition of mutual relations, we have common rootage and many join us on the present. We are preparing a new contract among our ministries,” said Sokolov on news conference before gala performance in Janacek’s Theatre. Stars of Russian corps de ballet from Moscow and Petersburg together with inland soloists entered its stage. General partners of year’s project are join-stock companies Alta and Trade Fairs Brno. This year’s project Russian Culture in Czech Republic is part of official interstate project Russian season 2006, which takes place under guarantee of Ministry of Culture and mass communications of Russian Federation, Federal agenda for culture and cinematography of Russia and Czech Ministry of Culture. (More in Právo, page 2, News)

Special economic zone in Russia has to attract Czech money

17.2.2006 / CTK News

MOSCOW 17th February – Russia expects that Czech investment in country will increase in after years. Founding of so called special economic areas, so zones with favoured tax precept and customs regulations and simplified administration, should pitch in its flood. Head of company Alta Vladimír Plašil, sees advantages of special economic areas above all in simplified tax system and simpler administration. To establish a company in Russia admonishes of about situation which was in Czech Republic at the beginning of 90th years and even more complicated. If Russians will achieve taxable and economic advantages as they present now, that will be a question of little time until the Russian zones will be filled,” said Plašil. Limit of 10 millions Euro as basic capital for investments is not so high according to him. “It means 300 millions CZK and that something like a middle factory,” compared Plašil. (More in CTK News)

Comeback of Russian language

13.1.2006 / Lidové noviny, page 6, Metropole Brno

Russian alphabet is taught at schools once again but old teachers often do not know modern trends of language... Businessmen: Russian language is missed by whole generation. If they studied Russian, they would earn money in the East. Whole generation stays without perfect knowledge of language. “Young capable engineers or businessmen indorse us but generation around thirty missed Russian language. It is very difficult to find experts who know this language and other world languages,” confirms Helena Švédová from company Alta which is one of the most successful Central-European firms on Russian market. (More in Lidové noviny, page 6, Metropole Brno)

Fourth year of Russian Culture in Czech Republic was closed

23.11.2005 / Právo, str. 13, South Moravia

Performance in Brno and Prague of Rotschild’s violin presented by artists from Moscow’s theatre of young onlooker closed fourth year of project Russian Culture in Czech republic thanks to that Russian artists come back on Czech stages. Project which arose in Brno and its main initiator was local agency SNIP and Co., proved its viability. General partners also have their portion on that – Russian industrial corporation TVEL, producer of fuelling into reactors and Brno joint-stock company Alta, one of the biggest national company operating on Russian market. Visitors in Prague and Brno can get to know all sorts of creative ways of Russian arts primarily thanks to sponsorship these and several other companies for four years. For example this year, after traditional opening of season with jazzman Alexej Kozlov, onlookers could see ballet performance Don Quixote performed by visiting Theatre of opera and ballet of Rimsky-Korsakov and performance of ballet Carmen and Aurora’s Wedding with Petersburg’s soloists Julia Machalinova and Michail Lobuchin.. (More in Právo, page 13, South Moravia).

Czech representatives discuss a possibility of manufacturing Skoda cars at Ural

11.11.2005 / CTK News

MOSCOW 11th November - First assistant of Czech Minister of Industry Václav Petrícek and Eduard Rossel, gubernator of District of Sverdlovskaya area, have been discussing the possibility of common corporation’s conception, which would manufacture Skoda cars. CTK was informed by Jan Hronik from Ministry of Industry and Trade. There are already several common projects of Czech companies at Middle Ural, for example company ALTA Brno participates in modernizing of company Uralvagonzavod in the amount of 9 milliard Czech crowns at Sverdlovskaya area. (More in CTK News)

There is an interest about Russian market. Commission will help.

17.10.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 16, This week in economy

For Czech exporters Russia is the most perspective market at all , without countries of European Union. This is confirmed by several years’ practised Export research of DHL and accruing volumes of export, which obviously reach over limits of one-milliard dollars. A coalition of firms Czech Water Alliance, that obtained a commission in Saint Petersburg, an alliance Ceská dobývací technika or delivery of technologies and equipments for branches of industry which is coordinated by Alta, is an example of successes in these spheres. (more in Hospodárské noviny, page 16, This week in economy).

National Theatre in Brno

14.10.2005 / Rovnost - Brnenský deník, page 12, National Theatre in Brno – advertising

Stars of Russian Mariin‘s Theatre and Theatre of opera and ballet Rimsky-Korsakov from Petersburg with soloists Julia Machalinova, Irma Nioradze and Michail Lobuchin will appear even in National Theatre in Brno as well as 26th October in National Theatre in Prague. Brno’s audience will get a chance to see Russian celebrities twice. First performance will take place 27th of October on the scene of Janacek’s Theatre and a day later there will be Gala performance with two ballets – Carmen and Aurora’s wedding on the occasion of Admission Day of Czech Republic. Ballet of National Theater in Brno in conjunction with companies TVEL Corporation and ALTA prepared these two unique evenings, which comes true 27th and 28th of October 2005 in 19:00 in Janácek’s Theatre. Ballet performances are realized in terms of project Russian Culture in Czech Republic. Main producer of this project is an advertising company SNIP. (more in Rovnost – Brnenský deník, page 12, National Theatre in Brno – advertising).

TOS Kurim expects commissions for more than 800 millions Czech crowns in the year 2006

7.10.2005 / Zpravodajství CTK

BRNO 7th October (CTK) – Engineering company TOS Kurim-OS expects production orders for more than 800 millions Czech crowns next year. Volume is roughly abreast of this year but without necessary settlement of inconvenient contracts from the last years, which will be at the end in first quarter of 2006. After summer exchange of proprietor, company prefaced internal changes and tries production to be more effective, said today chief executive officer Jirí Bartunek in fair in Brno. Company ALTA gained control of TOS Kurim-OS including partnership production companies Kulickové Šrouby Kurim a Slévárna Kurim. ALTA is specialist for export of capital equipment especially into East Europe. It belongs among 100 the most successful companies inland and it gained more than 7.2 milliard Czech crowns last year. All of Kurim’s firms has their annual takings about 1,3 milliards Czech crowns. Company misses especially skilled people as well as others. It intends to open Technological center as fourth subject in group most probably in 2006. In conjunction with Brno University of Technology it is going to train workers which are able to hand over to client faultlessly functional goods abroad. They will also teach a service from foreign country because of minimization of expenses. “Every tour into China, India or Russia is expensive,” explained Bartunek. (more in Zpravodajství CTK)

Department of Commerce acts about important investment in Brno

6.10.2005 / Právo, page 12, South Moravia

American company considers investment in Brno.. Order for mining technology, reconstruction of shafts and building–up of power station of discharge 300MW in Vietnam, is other significant business action that was handled by Department of Commerce in Brno. The consortium of firms (where Alta also belongs) should partake of it. This company added an engineering to Vietnam for 3.8 millions dollars. This year its orders reached the volume of 7,5 millions dollars in this country,” said Tlapa. (more in Právo, page 12, South Moravia).

Vietnam comes under Czech priority

30.9.2005 / Obchodní týdeník, page 41, Engineering

An agreement about mutual economic help between Czech Republic and Socialist Republic of Vietnam evolves high potential of economic cooperation both countries. Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Milan Urban and Minister of Trade of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Truong Dinh Tuyen, signed the agreement about mutual economic help. “An expansion is necessary without European markets and today Vietnam is preferred region for us. Škoda Prague with the project of building-up of 300MW power-station or Alta Brno with possibility of delivery of mining technology for Vietnamese Vinacoal represent today’s trend, that must be supported,” said Milan Urban, a Minister of Trade and Industry. “We unambiguously support the cooperation with the Czech Republic and suppose the Czech Republic will become for us an entering gate into European market,” declared Truong Dinh Tuyen, a Minister of Trade of Socialist Republic of Vietnam. A mission of MPO’s representatives with Czech businessmen aided successful course of project in July 2005. At present, Alta Brno, a.s. handles the possibility of delivery of mining technology for Vietnamese partner, company Vinacoal. First of all it is technology for modernizing of mining shafts with that part of equipment could be produced directly in Vietnam. At present, preparation of financing of project with cooperation of EGAP and CEB is in progress. (more in Obchodní týdeník, page 41, Engineering).

It is not enough to be good – we must me known

19.9.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 4, Jihomoravský kraj - Region

...International culture project Russian Culture in the Czech Republic is very successful in the last four years. It is in conjunction with company ALTA from Brno, Russian corporation TVEL, and embassy of Russian Federation in the Czech Republic and other Czech and Russian culture institutions…(more in Hospodárské noviny, page 4, Jihomoravský kraj - Region).

MPO: New economic agreement with Vietnam will help the business

13.9.2005 / Zpravodajství CTK

PRAGUE – 13th September (CTK) – According to Milan Urban, new agreement about economic cooperation which was signed by Truong Dinh Tuyen today, should help to increase Czech export into Vietnam. Trade balance with Vietnam shaw a pluck of 98,7 millions dollars. Whereas it ended with negative balance 57,4 millions dollars from Czech point of view. “An expansion is necessary without European markets and today Vietnam is preferred region for us. Škoda Prague with the project of building-up of 300MW power-station or Alta Brno with possibility of delivery of mining technology for Vietnamese Vinacoal represent today’s trend, that must be supported,” said Milan Urban, a Minister of Trade and Industry. He also said that new agreement should help to reach more even trade balance with Vietnam…(more in Zpravodajství CTK)

Russia is the most perspective country for Czech exporters

11.8.2005 / CR 1 - Radiožurnál, page 6, 09:15 Ekonomický magazín

Milan MOSTÝN, a redactor of Hospodárské noviny …. I talked to many Czech businessmen, exporters who agree that one of specificity of Russian market is extensive corruption and corruption world is more evident than in Czech. They also have bureaucracy, administrative regulations, that are very complicated and ambiguous at interpretation and exaction of law is also problematic. Russian companies have relatively bad payment morality. Everyone who runs business in Russia agrees in that commercial representative, who knows conditions of the place well, is necessary. I was in Yekaterinburg recently, where Czech company Alta has their foreign agency headed by Russian director and thanks to maintenance very close contacts with directors local factories, Alta concluded a contract for three hundred millions Euro. We can tell generally that corporate environment in Russia is going to be better…

TOS Kurim expects an expansion of production in the next few years...

4.8.2005 / Ekonom, page 9, Zpravodajský prehled

TOS Kurim expects an expansion of machine tools for Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine in the next few years. Company ALTA gained control of TOS Kurim-OS including partnership production companies Kulickové Šrouby Kurim a Slévárna Kurim. ALTA is specialist for export of capital equipment especially into East Europe.

Changes will bring new engagements

29.7.2005 / Mladá fronta DNES, page 1, South Moravia

Kurim – the company Alta, which is majority proprietor of TOS Kurim – OS, will offer about sixty engagements shortly. Last year Alta earned more than seven milliards Czech crowns and it has big plans with factory in Kurim. One of the biggest producers of shaping metals in the country should obtain bygone glory and reputation headed by Alta again. “Our main aim is to stabilize the company and evolve it,” explained Vladimír Plašil, a Chairman of the Board of Directors. Now we need to take in about sixty working cadres, mainly in light and heavy technology and mount,” described new Chief Executive Officer of TOS Kurim – OS, Jirí Bartunek. Employees and trade unionist also greeted coming of a new proprietor. “I am expecting better tomorrows,” said Petr Belský, a Chairman of Trade Union of TOS Kurim. (more in Mladá fronta DNES, page 1, South Moravia)

Triplet of Kurim’s engineering companies changed its management completely

29.7.2005 / News service CTK

Kurim (Brno) – Triplet of engineering companies in Kurim, which are controlled by Alta, changed its management completely. Vladimír Plašil (45) became a Chairman of the Board of Directors in all these three companies – TOS Kurim – OS, Kulickové Šrouby Kurim and Slévárna Kurim. He holds this appointment in Alta too. As well as Jaroslav Zapletal (39), that is a Chairman of Supervisory Board in all three companies. Jirí Bartunek is current Chief Executive Officer in TOS Kurim-OS which is expecting an expansion of production of machines into Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine in the next few years. The director of Kulickové Šrouby Kurim became Martin Bajer (31) and the director of Slévárna Kurim is Miloš Hovorka (45). Alta belongs among hundred the most successful firms inland and it gained more than 7.2 milliards Czech crowns last year. In former times it worked f. e. on modernization of Belaz, ZAO Metrovgonmaš or ANTK. Now it delivers for Uralvagonzavod or VSPMO-Avisma. Kurim’s companies take in more than 1.3 milliards Czech crowns per year from engineering production and the biggest of them, TOS Kurim – OS, bargains for the highest volume (800 millions Czech crowns) in the history.

TOS Kurim at the hand’s of Alta

29.7.2005 / Právo, page 10, South Moravia

Producers of machine tools expects orders over hundred millions. An important producer of machine tools, TOS Kurim, went underneath wings of trading company from Brno, Alta. Alta also became a majority proprietor of manufacturing plants Kulickové Šrouby Kurim and Slévárna Kurim. “Alta wants to return this traditional company where it should be. TOS Kurim has already given contracts in value of 800 millions Czech crowns. Total volume of orders is about one milliard Czech crown for all companies,” said to Právo Jirí Bartunek, new Chief Executive Officer of TOS Kurim-OS. Alta is specialized in foreign trade with countries of Middle and Eastern Europe where it makes use of self-net of foreign agencies. In year 2004 takings of Alta exceeded 7.2 milliards Czech crowns. (more in Právo, page 10, South Moravia)

Alta obtained a majority in Kurim and wants to take on skilled workers

29.7.2005 / Rovnost – Brnenský deník, page 24, Economy

Kurim – trading company Alta from Brno became a majority proprietor of Kurim’s producer of machine tools, one of the most significant firms in this branch in the Czech Republic. (more in Rovnost – Brnenský deník, page 24, Economy)

Alta takes over TOS Kurim

28.7.2005 / News service CTK

PRAGUE, July 28 (CTK) - Czech trading company Alta has taken over TOS Kurim-OS, one of the four largest Czech producers of machine tools, the daily Hospodarske noviny says today. Alta, with turnover worth Kc 7.2 billion in 2004, has also taken over Kulickove srouby Kurim and Slevarna Kurim. "We know each other well and we have been co-operating on joint projects in the long run," Alta board chairman Vladimir Plasil told the daily. After general meetings held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Plasil is also the chairman at the three acquisitions. "In the current sharp competitive environment on global markets, this can bring both sides advantages that the end-users will feel too," Plasil said. The companies are now in for restructuring. The new owner plans to export products above all to the former Soviet Union countries, mainly Russia and Ukraine.

TOS Kurim will expand a production into East and look for skilled workers

28.7.2005 / News service CTK

TOS Kurim-OS is expecting an expansion of production of machines into Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine in the next few years. Plan of takings bargains for the highest volume – 800 millions Czech crowns this year, thereout 30 – 40 % of production should go to East. “We do not have about sixty skilled workers,” said new Chief Executive Officer of company, Jirí Bartunek. According to him engineering business has sinusoids in period of 7 – 9 years that is why it is necessary to spread powers into western and eastern markets... Director of company, Miloš Hovorka, marked an entrance of Alta as “marriage de convenience” of productive and trading company that will solve a question of necessary investment amounting to 80 millions Czech crowns. Alta belongs among hundred the most successful firms inland and it gained more than 7.2 milliards crowns last year.

The company Alta took over TOS Kurim

28.7.2005 / News service CTK

According to today’s Hospodárské noviny one of four the most important Czech producers of machine tools, the company TOS Kurim – OS, became a part of trading company Alta. Alta is a majority proprietor from now and also in other productive companies – Kulickové Šrouby Kurim and Slévárna Kurim, journal wrote. “We know each other well and we are cooperating on common projects in the long term. That may produce benefits for both parties on present sharp competitive environment on global markets which end user also will feel”, said Vladimír Plašil, a Chairman of the Board of Directors, to HN. He holds an office in all three Kurim’s companies after Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s general meetings. Companies are expecting a restructuring of production. “We have plans for expansion of production of machine tools and accessories,’ said Plašil according to HN.

Czech Republic has new settlement with Russia

27.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny

Czech republic and Russia signed settlement about economical, industry and scientific and technical cooperation. It means that commerce exchange between both of countries should be easier. Yesterday Company Alta Brno and its Russian partners concluded a treaty, which enables export goods in value of 9 milliard Czech crowns into Russia during next 5 years. Prime minister Paroubek has been presented by signing of contracts between company Alta Brno and its Russian partners today. (more information in Hospodárské noviny)

Russian businessmen are friendlier in regions

20.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny

In contradiction to Moscow or Petrograd, Yekaterinburg is nevertheless periphery. That’s why Russian businessmen are not there so spoiled and they are more thankful for cooperation. “Relationships are more sincere maybe because of harder living conditions. I must confirm that we meet enough big attachment,” says Bronislav Šimek, Chief Executive Officer of Alta.(more information in Hospodárské noviny)

Modernizing, modernizing, modernizing

20.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny

Uralvagonzavod has 35 thousands staffs and several thousands subcontractors and he plans total modernizing of machinery and equipment for production railroad cars and another running of the enterprise. “When we have compared offers, finally we find out that structural financing and engineering supplies provided by Alta and Czech export bank conform to us”, said Vladislav Klabukov. Thanks to cooperation with a fund, Alta entered a treatment of supplies for Uralvagonzavod in volume of 300 millions Euros in the end of 2003. Uralmash has good relationships with Alta too. “We cooperate with rank of foreigner’s companies even thus with Czech company Alta. We bought hardware device in value 3.5 millions US Dollars at the hand of Alta; that was for the first time when we used a service of foreigner company in last years. Your engines acquit ourselves well,” suggest Michael Matvijenko. (more information in Hospodárské noviny)

Orientation on export

16.5.2005 / T+T Technika a trh, page 61, Technology

Marketing activity, focused on supplies of special single-purpose welding machine and robotized workplaces not only for inland companies but with no mean intensity also on perspective markets of states of the Middle and Eastern Europe, was terminated by business deal for supplies of automated line for welding of rectangular profiles for CTZ Uraltrak Celjabinsk. Funding of the project is ensured by Alta a.s., customer installation should be at the beginning of the year 2006. That is second comprehensive delivery of this scope over the last two years (in 2004 automated line was put into operation for production of boilers for the company Galmet – Glubczyce, PL). (more in T+T Technika a trh, page 61, Technology)

Ural offers possibilities in engineering mainly

12.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny

The third most important economic area in Russia is Sverdlovska’s area and its midland called Yekaterinburg. Czech companies can partake just in modernizing of local enterprises what even successful business activities of ALTA are indicating.(more information in Hospodárské noviny

Businessmen are sturdy, discussion are full of emotion

12.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny

Everybody who goes to Jekaterinburg because of business should prepare for hard discussion and sturdy businessmen. Local businessmen are not in contrast to Muscovite or Petrograd’s ones so sybarite; they are more thankful for cooperation and relationships with them are mostly franker. “I must confirm that we meet enough big readiness,” confirms Bronislav Šimek, a Chief Executive Officer of ALTA. Who wants to penetrate into the Russian market he should be patient. At discussion with Jekaterinburg’s businessmen is often decisive personal access and long-time built mutual confidence. When it succeeds, business is much simple. Definitely it does not work so that we would fly in Jekaterinburg, stay there for two days, meet ten people and in terms of this we achieve huge business success. Before we sign a contract we make a few meetings in Russian or in our country. Czech Republic is enough popular apart in Yekaterinburg and many Russian businessmen regularly come here. Czech people have good repute there and that’s why Russians like to deal with them. (more information in Hospodárské noviny)

HN: Czech people are going to supply machinery over 4.5 milliards Czech crowns to Ural

4.5.2005 / News service CTK

Czech engineering companies obtained according to Hospodárské noviny an important opportunity to penetrate into a Russian market in these days. In Monday, trading company from Brno, Alta and Jekaterinburg’s company FGUP Uralvagonzavod signed a basic contract for supplies of machine tools and other equipment to Russia over 300 millions Euro (about 9 milliards Czech crowns), newspaper wrote. According to specialists, this contract is one of the greatest offers of engineering companies for Russia. “This is really significant contract. 150 millions Euros is a diurnal export of whole Czech Republic,” extraction from daily paper – words of minister of industry and trade.

ALTA expands

4.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 17, home

Signed basic contract confirmed an expansion of company Alta on Russian market. According to auditor’s results of economy, takings of this company reached over 7.2 milliards Czech crowns during last year and a gain was 62 millions Czech crowns after taxation. Supplies of technology for mining industry and for some engineering enterprises in Russia and also in Ukraine and Byelorussia mostly participated in results in export. The most considerable supplies till now were supplies of technological equipment for manufacturing of railroad cars in FGUP Uralvagonzavod. This enterprise is planning complete renovation of machinery and equipment for production of railroad cars but even other production plants. “We want to restore metallurgical equipment and other factory building so that we could achieve world’s standards and also energetic and human reduction,” says Nikolaj Malych. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 05/04/2005, page 17)

Czech mechanical engineers are directed to Russia

4.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 17, home

Contract for supplies of machine tools and other equipment valued at 300 millions Euro between a trading company Alta and a Russian giant FGUP Uralvagonzavod which was concluded in these days, is a good news for Czech producers. “Agreement is an opportunity for us to assert on Russian market with our perpendicular turning lathes. It is not only a one-shot action. We were successful in sale of two turning lathes by means of Alta,” said Jirí Konupek, a Chief Executive Officer of Kovosvit.
References are important.
Producers agree that it is not the only commission. A possibility of other contracts and a gain of references is substantial. There is also an important thing that representatives from Sverdlovska’s area and Jekaterinburg where Uralvagonzavod lies consider relations with Czech side as rare. Basic contract between Alta and Uralvagonzavod will be filled by particular individual contracts in following years. First of them will be signed during two months. “We looked for a possibilities of substandard financing and individual access to every order. Finally we found out that Czech offer and cooperation with Alta and Czech export bank conform to us,” said Vladimir Klabukov, a director of a Fund of a support of investment in Sverdlovska’s area. If this minimally fifty perceptual part of inland companies increase, it depends on a price offer,” explained Bronislav Šimek, a Chief Executive Officer of Alta. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 05/04/2005, page 17)

Czech people will add a machinery to Ural for 4,5 milliards

4.5.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 17, home

Czech engineering companies obtain a significant opportunity to penetrate into Russian market. On Monday, trading company Alta and Jekaterinburg’s company FGUP Uralvagonzavod signed a basic contract for supplies of machine tools and other machinery to Russia for 300 millions euro (about 9 milliards Czech crowns). “Czech producers should participate in fifty per cent of supplies pursuant to deal with consumer”, said Bronislav Šimek, a Chief Executive Officer of Alta, when he signed mentioned contract. Czech companies in conjunction with competitions from Western Europe can contend with seek for remaining 150 millions euro in competition of tenders. It is possible that part of Czech suppliers will be higher. “It rests with a price of offered products,” said Bronislav Šimek. According to specialists, this is one of the greatest orders of engineering companies for Russia. Czech producers such as TOS Kurim, Kovosvit, ŽDAS, CETOS and others will participate in orders.(more information in Hospodárské noviny, 05/04/2005, page 17)

Companies

28.4.2005 / Ekonom, page 9, Reporter’s survey

ALTA, trading company of Brno, increased takings to 7.2 milliards Czech crowns last year and its net profit increased to 62 millions Czech crowns. Alta targets the business above all in engineering, metallurgy and energetics.

ALTA from Brno increased takings to more than seven milliards last year

22.4.2005 / News service CTK

Trading Company Alta increased its takings to 7.2 milliards Czech crowns while a year before takings increased to 5.7 milliards Czech crowns. Chairman of the Board of Directions Vladimír Plašil said to CTK that increase was influenced by great business cases abroad but also expressive improvement of prices of iron ore and metallurgical materials and their higher import to Czech republic. Alta targets the business above all in engineering, metallurgy and energetics and orientates mainly on Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia. Last year Alta started to do business for example with Vietnam. According to Plašil, technological equipments for production of railroad cars for Uralvagonzavod, lines for processing of slag for Severalstal or equipments for treatment of titanium’s products for VSMPO in Russia, belong to the most important last year’s deliveries. Plašil completed that last year Alta begun to export mining machinery for coal-mining industry. According to Plašil, company wants to target the stabilization this year. Economy should be on the comparable level among years. Company Alta employs about 110 people, 70 of them work in the Czech republic and the rest works in foreign agencies.

New trend: Compounding

14.4.2005 / Ekonom, page 44, companies

Czech Trade supports a clustering of firms – several tens of export associations will arise this year. “There is a great difference, if a proxy of company, which has about 50 employees, stands in face of potential client or if somebody who takes the place of alliance, which can compound a complex offer and employs several thousands people, stands in face of potential client. Making alliances for companies also sinks charges.” The alliance Czech mining technology is an association of companies according to Czech law. This alliance has a president and an executive secretary and membership dues are paid… In the meantime, CDT has collected most experiences in Russia where Alta is the most attractive trading company. Alta has a net of agencies in Russia and Ukraine. * Czech mining technology: Alta Brno, Bánské projekty Ostrava, CZMT Ostrava, INCO engineering Praha, Ostroj Hansen a Reinders Opava, Prodeco Teplice, PSP Engineering, SEMI service Ostrava, Vítkovice, a. s.

Advisory centre will arise in Moscow

3.3.2005 / Hospodárské noviny, page 22, business

National institutions prepare number of factual measures in terms of a Strategy of enforcement of business-economic interests of the Czech Republic, which caused more effectively service for Czech businessmen. Creation of positive image of the Czech Republic and Czech companies is an important intention. MPO offers an open communication with shippers in letter of round tables, in conjunction with Czech Trade agency, chambers and associations. Aim of strategy is a support of smaller companies by means of export alliances. There exist positive experiences, for example Czech Water Alliance in Saint Petersburg, Czech mining technology and supplies of technologies and machinery for industries coordinated by Alta (more vide Hospodárské noviny, 3.3.2005, page 22)

Czech export still lags behind its possibilities

June 22, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 15, from abroad

After a long break, Czech companies are returning to Ukrainian market. Regardless this is our trade with this country still in negative numbers. “The market is under invested, the domestic capital is not one of the strongest and a huge territory is opening to us, “said Pavel Kamarýt, representative of the Czech company ALTA, which supplies Ukraine with heavy mining technology since 1991. The company cooperates with Ukrainian mining complex Poltavský GOG in supplying of machinery, and imports ironstone to Czech Republic. The fears of Czech investors from Enterprising in Ukraine are, according to Kamarýt, caused primarily by lack of information. Problems, especially the ones of bureaucratic character, may arise Everywhere, complicated are especially certifications of products, complicated removal of taxes, different tolls, very troublesome are protractions on customs. “I fully recommend to cooperate with an Ukrainian legal adviser,” says Kamarýt (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 06/22/2004, page 15)

Reforms in Ukraine support investments

June 22, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 15, from abroad

Ukraine has trouble deciding between economical ties to European Union and strengthening economical ties to Russia. The stock market is well regulate and functions, but the investment activities are considerably regulated by lack of sufficient protection for small stockholders. Despite those shortages, Ukraine offers big opportunities. “Reforms, that are happening in Ukraine now, are much more complicated than the ones that happened in Czech Republic, “says Pavel Kamarýt, honorary consul of Ukraine in Brno and representative of the Czech company ALTA in Kyev. “But the anti corruption measures of the government, rejuvenation of economy, massive privatization, and standardized stances are reflected in the willingness of foreign capital to invest in basic production.” (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 06/22/2004, page 15)

The visas curb our business, companies complain

June 21, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 15, visas and business

Foreign and Czech investors are pointing out that the visa regime should be changed. Authorities say, that the problem is also in the Aliens‘ law. “Issuing visas for Russian partners is more complicated. An invitation was enough before, but everything is stricter now. The documents have to be verified and have to go through aliens’ registration office,” says the director of trading company ALTA, Helena Švédová. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 06/21/2004, page 15)

Rivals or partners

June 18, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 4, Theme

Confidence, ideas, flexibility and growing optimism. Those are some of the qualities Czech exporters are not missing. More likely they miss the idea of pulling at a string together with others. It looks like the EU crept into the exporters’ lives. Even though nearly 54 % of them say that nothing showed yet on their business. If we consider that fact, that another 40% of exporters is expecting only a little drop or growth in the volume of export, let’s proceed on the assumption that most of the 250 companies GfK and DHL of the questioned big Czech businessmen does not fell any big changes at all. “It has already started ten years ago. It is not like on the 1st of May the world made a U-turn,” expresses his opinion Vladimír Plašil, chief of the successful company ALTA, which is shared by many other businessmen. “I think that older Czech businessmen definitely do not lack confidence, which is demonstrated by accomplishments from the past. But also most of the young ones are now confident enough,” says optimistically Jaroslav Hubácek, general director of Škodaexport. It is true, that the situation is harder on citizens of small nations. “Look at the Germans, Americans, and British. It is easier for them to use their national fame,” cites his experience Vladimír Plašil. “They remember us, know our products. In Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, the older generation even considers us as their younger Slavic brother,” says Plašil. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 06/18/2004, page 4)

The case about the supplier of nuclear fuel to Temelín will be solved in year2005

June 17, 2004 / News service CTK

Saint Petersburg, June 17 (special reporter from CTK) – The supplier for the nuclear power station Temelín will be selected next year in a competitive examination . The contract with the recent supplier, American company Westinghouse, will expire till that time, that’s why the tender is necessary, told CTK minister of industry and business Milan Urban. Since the start of running the nuclear power station Dukovany, 8519 fuel cassettes were delivered by company Tvel. The contract about supplying is valid till year 2013. The fuel cassettes are delivered to our country per pro. Company ALTA in a regime of settling up with the formal Soviet Union debt to Czech Republic. A debt of 150 millions dollars was settled up since 1999.

Saint Petersburg hosts Czech companies

June 15, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 14, from abroad

The annually 8th international economic forum in Saint Petersburg has begun. From today, Czech Republic has a chance to present its economic growth and foremost its export opportunities at the 8th international economic forum in Saint Petersburg. The exhibition Czech Republic – Economic growth “is not really big, it is about showing, what Czech Republic is really able to offer to countries of SNS. Forty nine Czech companies, for example Alta, Karosa, Škoda Auto, Zetor, Zkumy, Chirana, or Jablonex, will have its expositions at the exhibition. The companies are allotted into the sections of the exhibition, like industry, energetic, transport, durables goods, and small and midsized companies. Another exhibitors, with the exception of the Chamber of Economical Commerce for SNS, are the capital city Prague and six associations and alliances. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 06/15/2004, page 14)

Plašil: We abandoned our positions on East unnecessarily

May 26, 2004 / Rovnost – daily paper for Brno-city and Brno-country, page 23, Economics

What are our chances towards East? Didn’t we hesitate in business during the after-november development? * What is the opinion of the Member of the Board of Economic and Business Brno and the president of company Alta Vladimír Plašil on this development? The market of the formal countries of Soviet Union presents more than a half of the European Union’s market, so if we count the number of customers, chances of winning recognition are very broad. I can not evaluate the whole area of business, but in the domains that are close to me, it is a case of energetic engineering, alimentary appliances, automobile industry and pharmaceutics. Some of the successful companies on the mentioned market from the region of South Moravia are Gumotex, New Mosilana, ŽS Brno, Unistav and of course our company Alta. (more information in Rovnost, 05/26/2004, page 23)

How to succeed in Saint Petersburg?

May 21, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 22, Exporter

The Russian market is not simple anymore. There is a strong foreign and also domestic competition and the clients are choosing carefully. But there are also many great possibilities and the goodwill of the Saint Petersburg’s administration. “Any underestimations will not redeem. The Russians have planes from the 5,5 generation, interesting ideas, and a good theoretical preparation of scientific and technical cadres. They are able to form a team of professionals – for example for the machine passing. There are many experts coming who know perfectly only a certain sector, but put together they do not miss any details,” shares his experience Jirí Bartunek, the delegate of successful Czech company Alta, which supplies Russia with technological systems for fabrication of ironstone and not-ore minerals, in Saint Petersburg. “Before it was enough to supply their market with little simplified and very resistant machines. Now the competition is so big that quality and price must be guaranteed as well as financing. It is hard to sell a machine; it is much harder to sell a factory. We are still successful though. But we would not be without our representatives in individual regions and a close contact with the market,” says Bartunek. There are still new commissions. For example the ones from the state. Nevertheless the conditions are really hard because the Russians are trying to support primarily domestic companies. Those are indeed forced to renew their outdated machinery and can not spare foreign machines. “Thanks to this we managed to supply technology for stone crusher plant in Vyborg or for a machine tool in Baltic factory, “ adds Bartunek. ( more information in Hospodárské noviny, 05/21/2004, page 22)

It is easier to enter the Russian market thanks to the experience

May 21, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 21, Exporter

Many Czech companies are trying to rescue their lost positions in Russia again. It is indicated by many entrepreneurial missions and other activities. Other ones still hesitate. The help for Czech entrepreneurial subjects in entering the markets of Russian federation and other eleven member countries of the SNS is more than 7 years a concern of the Chamber for economic relations with SNS, a special Chamber of Commerce (Chamber SNS). Today it upholds more than hundred firms and companies, from top Czech economy to midsized and small establishments. As an example we can mention corporations ŠKODA AUTO, TRANSGAS, ALTA, ŠKODA JS, MARBO CZ and banks including CSOB and EGAP. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 05/21/2004, page 21)

Alta provided Czech firms by supply to Russia

April 28, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 22, from home

A complex supply of 17 articles of machining tools for a Russian producer of wagons Uralvagonzavod was provided to Czech firms by company Alta from Brno. The business for ten million dollars (more than 270 million Czech crowns) is going to be realized this year. The project of modernization has been prepared by Alta since year 2002, and has a new arranged phase for 30 to 40 million dollars. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 04/28/2004, page 22)

Alta earned a commission on modernization of Russian producer for 270 million Czech crowns

April 27, 2004 / News service CTK

BRNO April 27 (CTK) – A complex supply for a Russian producer of wagons Uralvagonzavod was earned for Czech firms by company Alta from Brno. A business for 10 million dollars (more than 270 million Czech crowns) is going to be realized this year. The project of modernization has been planned by Alta since 2002, and has a new arranged phase for 30 to 40 million dollars, told CTK president of the managing board of the company Vladimír Plašil. During the first term of the year Alta ironed out some contracts from last year and now it is starting to work intensively on new business. “We have some arranged projects in milliard volumes, “ said Plašil. He assumes that the revenue of Alta will again be over five milliard Czech crowns. Last year the company made 5.7 milliard Czech crowns. Alta focuses on Russia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia. Russia and Ukraine embody a big economical growth, which is moving over from mining industry to engineering, and many companies are planning wide modernizations. “If we are successful in earning contracts, we will have work in those countries for a number of years,” said Plašil. That is why Alta does not plan an entrance of new territories, but on the contrary strongly strengthens its actual business representation. Alta wants to concentrate on large projects that many suppliers participate in. The company cooperates with suppliers from Czech Republic but also with Western European countries. Some of the clients demand products of Western European firms, but there are problems with Czech suppliers too, who are not able to compete in price any more, said Plašil. The company concentrates on exporting in range of engineering, metallurgy and energetics. About 60% of last year’s export was from the range of heavy engineering and 40% from mining technologies. He also assumes that the number of supplies in the area of construction materials will grow. Alta is also an important importer of crude and fuel elements for energetics. It belongs to the biggest Czech importers of ironstone. It has already received signals from engineering firms that they will also have to push up the prices of their products, which is Alta going to balance.

Alta from Brno raised its revenue by a milliard to 5.7 milliard Czech crowns last year

April 19, 2004 / News agency CTK

BRNO April 19 (CTK) – The revenue of business company Alta exceeded 5.7 milliards Czech crowns and is about one milliard bigger than last year. Told general manager Bronislav Šimek CTK. Alta is providing services in business for producing companies and projecting activities and concentrates mostly on Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia. Šimek said that the growth of revenue is caused by growth of number of business cases. Exceptionally successful was for example the area of supplying technologies for mining industry, where we reported a growth of revenue of about 40%, he added. Alta concentrates especially on business in range of engineering, metallurgy and energetics. The major part of the company’s last years’ export were supplies of technologies for mining industry and machine-building plants. “The most important supplies were: a line for forming gold ore for a firm MNPO Polymetal and a line for production of gravel for OAO Vozroždenije v Ruské federaci, “ informed us Šimek. But the copany from Brno does not concentrate on export only. It applies part of its activities also to import, in which last year dominated supplies of ironstone from Russia and Ukraine and also import of fuel elements in energetics. The copany Alta has an authorized capital 200 million Czech crowns. It employs 70 people and has six foreign representations.

There are eight admired firms in the region

April 4, 2004 / Mladá fronta DNES daily paper, page 3, South Bohemia

Experts ranked companies not by their economical impacts, but by thein reputation. „It is good to show our recognition those, who are successful. It motivates other businessman to better activities too, “ thinks Petr Bajer, manager of the South Moravian Chamber of Commerce. “We have companies, that worked hard, even though they are not on the list, “ says manager of the regional Chamber of Commerce Bajer. As an example he mentions ŽS Brno – a big building company, who managed to earn an investor from Spain. Gumotex Breclav, that imports products all over the world, became also important; it invests in Mexiko and other distant countries. “Neither should we leave out an engineering firm Alta. It managed to establish very good business relations with Russia, : adds Bajer. (more information in Mladá fronta DNES, April 3, 2004, page 3, South Moravia)

Ukraine begins to be interesting for investors

April 1, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny business paper, page 14, from abroad

Ukraine is becoming a direct neighbor of the European Union in May. It is a chance and also an appeal for both sides. The fact, that Ukraine did not receive a concrete offer to join the EU in the next wave, somewhat disappointed the Ukrainian government. However even Ukrainians admit, that their country is not ready to join neither economically nor by the quality of reforms. But the Ukrainian economy is prospering. “Especially in the last four years it was managed to push up the function of economy and the progress is noticeable not just in cities, but also in the country,” told HN Vladimír Plašil, manager of the Chamber for cooperation with the countries of SNS. Economy in the mentioned time grew in range from four to nine and a half percent a year. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 04/01/2004, page 14)

Our strategy is systematic broadcasting of our references…

March 22, 2004 / Prosperity, page 1, front-page

Also to areas of top technologies and unique technological solvents , put across and with a proper business confidence in an interview for a magazíne Prosperity president of the managing board of the copany TOS VARNSDORF, engineer Jan Rýdl. The biggest commission of the last decade was the project of modernization of the company BELAZ from Minsk, where we supplied machines for about 10 mil. USD in year 2000. This project, with a total estimate 118 mil. USD was arched over by ALTA Brno and was medialized enough. Thanks to that we have a great reference, which we use in selling similar technologies in Russia. (more information in Prosperity, 03/22/2004, page 1)

Minsk is full of contrasts and anticipation

March 19, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 22, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldavia

Foreign investors are settling down in Byelorussia and waiting for better times. But there are many problems awaiting the newcomers. Impassable judicial codes, complicated tax system, rampant bureaucracy… According to the economists the country lives from reserves left after the Soviet Union. “Nothing new is being formed,” says Pavel Danejka, manager of a nongovernmental organization Institution of privatization and management. Experts agree with the government on one thing: The country can not do without a wave of investments… And what to carry in business in the future? For example a Czech company Alta, that has rich experience in Byelorussia, sees the opportunities in technologies. “According to our opinion are perspective especially technologies of engineering and producing building material,” thinks Pavel Kamarýt, business manager of the company (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 03/19/2004, page 22)

Investors continue carefully waiting

March 19, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 24, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldavia

The risks of making business in Ukraine are considerable. But if the intention succeeds, the revenue may be very interesting, agree with each other experts on local conditions. “The potentional revenue surpasses the risks. According to the statistics one successful project replaces the loss from eight to ten not successful ones,” cites his experience Milan Jurceka… Pavel Kamarýt, commercial manager of company Alta, that functions on Russian market since the beginning of the nineties in buying materials, supplies of technological systems for mining, machining tools and adaptation of iron and none-iron materials, also sees the chances for Czech businessmen. “In Ukraine we can see a big perspective in the area of mining technologies, machines for producing building matters, materials and semi-finished products, technologies in engineering. “Especially the areas Charkovská, Dnepropetrovská, and Donecká, have a strong potencial and concentration of engineering companies and mining combines, “ concludes Kamarýt some of the options. But advertising only the sale of products is not enough any more. This is true especially in the area of engineering. “A Ukrainian customer is getting more and more demanding and wants quality products accompanied by engineering, financing, guaranty and after guaranty service outright, fast and accurate communication, “ points out the changing conditions the representative of company Alta. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 03/19/2004, page 24)

František Masopust: There are chances. If you know the environment

March 19, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 19, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Moldavia

Both the Ukrainian and Byelorussian markets are complicated. But the foreign competition exploits the hesitation of Czech businessmen, warns the operations manager of the Chamber for Commercial Relations with SNS, František Masopust…hn: If we look at Byelorussia, don’t you think that it gets beyond Ukraine and especially Russia in the Czech businessmen’s interest? If we are going to talk about the amount of interest about the Byelorussian market, we have to consider its different size when compared to other European countries of SNS. As a potential outlet of Czech products, Byelorussia, by means of population comparable to Czech Republic, can not compete with the nearly fifty million Ukraine, the less so with Russia. That does not mean that Czech firms should not be more active here. The existence of eventualities are approved by the results of companies, like ALTA… (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 03/19/2004, page 19)

The Government decided on the new owner of the company Královopolská. Disbelieves continue.

March 18, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 17, from home

Company Královopolská Ria is a new owner of nearly 100% of stocks of the engineering company Královopolská in Brno… The representatives of company Královopolská Ria mentioned before, that they will try to find new commissions for the engineering firm involved in debt, that would keep the employment rate. There are about seven hundred people working in the concern now. It is said that there are orders in Iraq of a value nearly two milliards Czech crowns being in proceeding. Also the concerns Šmeral Brno, Alta, Chemoprojekt Praha, Cheops Ingeneering or the American Koch Glitch should cooperate on the project. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 03/18/2004, page 17)

Regions are an opportunity for Czech exporters

January 14, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 15, from abroad

Russia is one of the most perspective markets for the Czech exporters. The results of the research made by an association DHL between Czech firms, from which more than 17% sees in Russia the biggest export opportunities, and conclusions made by many institutions only confirm this fact. Construction of a factory of company Glaverbel Czech producing glass windowpanes in the Moscow area, was an important investment worth nearly 150 million euro…a company from Brno Alta is also active in Russia. “The business atmosphere is really getting better,” says Vladimír Plašil, president of the managing board of Alta. “And those changes bring new business opportunities, for example during the modernization of Russian engineering, infrastructure, transportation, especially railroads,” adds Vladimír Plašil. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 01/14/2004, page 15)

Russia improved its conditions for making business

January 14, 2004 / Hospodárské noviny, page 15, from abroad

There is an annual growth of about six to nine percent in Russian economy already the fifth year and the business conditions are also improving. The evidence about the economic growth is hardly anywhere as noticeable as on the suburbs of Russian cities Moscow, Saint Petersburg, but also the smaller towns are surrounded by zones of hypermarkets like IKEA, METRO, OBI and other ones. Commercial chains consider Russia as the most dynamical consumer society in Europe. …companies like Siemens, Nokia, Alcatel or Lucent have already been active in Russia. They directly choose their partners in highly qualified companies from the former military-industrial complex. “Russia is a big and still not discovered country with a great potential - and not only in oil,” concluded Vladimír Plašil, chief of Czech company ALTA, which works on financial supplies to Russia. (more information in Hospodárské noviny, 01/14/2004, page 15)

PSP Engineering earned a number of new commissions in Russia

January 6, 2004 / Zpravodajství CTK

Company PSP Engineering, that took over the production of the bankrupted company Prerovské machine-works, earned a number of new commissions in Russia. “We signed a contract about slag crushing including selecting and separation for a firm Severstal. This delivery, which is being realized through company Alta, will be started this March,” said Fešar.

Czech engineering export to Russia

December 31, 2003 / Ekonom, page 35, Firms

The Czech engineering export to Russia in year 2004 should grow. Company Alta from Brno, which specializes in cooperation with the post Soviet Union states, made for example a contract on modernization of a company FGUP Uralvagonzavod. The value of deliveries will exceed ten million dollars. The suppliers will be TOS Kurim, Toshulin, Tajmac-ZPS Zlín and TOS Celákovice. „Important deliveries are realized by our company and also by associations PSP Engineering, DSP Prerov, TOS Varnsdorf, PBS Velká Bíteš, Motorpal Jihlava a Škoda Machine Tool,“ informed Alta (more information in Econom, 12/31/2003, page 35)

If machine, then smart

November 6, 2003 / Econom, page 46, Firms

…Czech is not going to get lost. This years’ EMO was held in October in Italian Milan, the next one will be in two years – in 2005 in Hanover. “Innovations are a question of life and death,” emphasized European Union’s commissar Philippe Busquin on an attendant conference of the milanian fair…”52% of the produced machinery tools in the world come from Europe, “emphasized vice chairman of CECIMO Dante Speroni. And on the Econom’s question he explained, that by European countries he means member countries of CECIMO, besides the states of EU also Switzerland, Czech Republic and Turkey. Commissar Busquin said, that regarding engineering, he has already convinced himself at the fair in Brno, that Czech producers belong to the top technical standard, they showed a great ability of adapting themselves to the changed conditions and already now have been abiding high qualitative standards, that are demanded by EU. Our firms definitely did not get lost on the fair. There were 18 Czech expositors (for example CETOS Praha, Tajmac-ZPS Zlín, Kovosvit, Šmeral Brno, TOSHULIN, TOS Celákovice, TOS Kurim, Ždas a TOS Varnsdorf). TOS Celákovice is satisfied because of the new important contract in SNS, arranged by a company Alta from Brno… (more information in Econom, 11/06/2003, page 46)

Russian character – emotions, toughness and perseverance

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 16, Service-Experience

Vodka and caviar on the table, red-faced directors in armchairs? Conditions have changed, however perseverance in dealing has remained the same. The Russian market is neither for amateurs nor for businessmen unfamiliar with the environment. Who can touch the roots of Russian mentality they can, at least to some extent, reduce the drawbacks the local environment prepares to the enterpreneur. The first, seemingly trivial, lesson is that Russian managers are not of the same sort. There are educational, professional and regional differences. Also the enterprises range from joint ventures where part of the top management is represented by foreigners, commission houses to factories that in terms of free market economy represent, so to say, prehistoric industrial relations and system of management. There are also various approaches of the Russian businessmen to the language of dealings. Many Russians in negotiations as well as in correspondence and contracts prefer Russian. Part of younger generation of managers that often studied at universities in the Western countries communicates in English or other foreign languages. The Western style of dealings relates to it, too. ”A new generation of managers is growing. They are educated, they think in a new way. The whole business environment is changing positively,” sums up his personal experience general director of ZVU Potez, Jirí Flídr. What is left from the past is a remarkable deal of trust to close and acquainted people. ”In Russia personal contacts are more important than in the West. If people met and have maintained good relationships, it is the best presupposition for building mutual trust between business partners,” says CEO of Alta company, Bronislav Šimek. Although the process of standardisation have already reduced the importance of these personal contacts, getting good references from someone means a great advantage in business.

Russia is definitely among the countries of prior interest

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 24, Interview

Not every firm can afford a team of experts, not every one has enough information, contacts and more experience than hundreds of members of The Chamber for the Commercial Relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). “We can provide all that and help exporters enter the market,” says František Masopust, CEO of this influential organisation. HN: Are Czech firms ready to enter the Russian market? And how are they able to compete? There are great differences in the level of readiness among firms. Firms that are successful on these markets, and I name just the members of the Chamber CIS, are for instance Alta, Moravia Steel, Unipetrol, Transgas, Škoda Auto, Cechofracht, also CKD Nové Energo and others. They employ people who place contracts in Russia, but also other countries of CIS. But it is impossible to achieve long term success without long and profound experience in acting right in the region, without knowledge of mentality and customs, commercial practices, legislative, the Russian language, without appropriate contacts and ability to conform to the thinking of the partner…

The Round Table

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 27, Views

The experience of successful businessmen is worth a lot. Especially if they give advice on how to avoid problems and do business on the exacting Russian market. Hospodárské noviny and the Chamber of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) were lucky to get answers to some of these questions at the round table focused on ”Russia – risks and business chances”, which was organised with the participation of members of the Chamber of CIS - Vladimír Plašil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alta company, Jirí Borovec, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Škoda JS, Václav Pribyl, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unipetrol company and Milan Kuncír, Technical director of Unipetrol Rafinérie company.
Russia has a unique potential, but all the more, doing business here means a lot of difficulties. How were you prepared for the Russian conditions and which activities have you been undertaking in the area?
Vladimír Plašil: Russia is a market as any other, every market has its specifics. However if you want to do successful business here, besides other things it presupposes that you have to maintain and build personal and business contacts constantly. That means you need an expensive but useful representation. Russia is a huge market with 89 regions, where you cannot do without individual approach. Who wants to do big business should feel backing from the state. These are conditions of success. And that you CAN do business there is proved by the fact that 90 per cent of Alta’s turnover is made up by the activities in Russia, Ukraine and in Belarus. Our focus is on the extractive industry and heavy engineering, metallurgy, power industry and building material industry.
Which business risks have you met with in Russia? Is the business background changing? Are the risks decreasing? After the crisis in 1998, Russia saw a certain level of normalisation and gone are the times when Russian partners did not actually care about who they were doing business with. The price used to be the priority. Today our partners seek soundness and long-lived partnership with suppliers.
Especially smaller and middle size firms claim that doing business in Russia is complicated by visa obligations, customs duties, corruption and other obstacles. What is your experience?
Vladimír Plašil: From the side of the Russian state there is an apparent effort to simplify the legislative and customs regulations. As to the case of customs regulations it is going to take some more time, but the situation is incomparable with that of three years ago. The legislative matters are more complicated but even here you can see some development. What concerns visas, I dare say, we do not use our possibilities enough. We can see in Slovakia and Poland how things can be made much easier and simpler, for enterpreneurs for instance, even under this regime. The tax system is being simplified, too. There used to be dozens of taxes, nobody was fully acquainted with them and the taxing authorities used to jink among them. Because in Russia the state got more decayed than in our country it is clear that there is greater corruption there. However, even here the government’s efforts to achieve changes are evident. And as to Russian bureaucracy everyone knows what is about. A change in that is a long term matter, a matter of generations. Which branches do you regard as promising in Russia?
Vladimír Plašil: As far as gas industry, petroleum and petrochemistry is concerned I think Gazprom including its subsidiaries extract, processes and transports huge volumes on mostly obsolete equipment. May be it got a little bit retarded in creating new deposits, but now tremendous plans are being made for building new extracting and transporting equipment. Gas producers and corporations will have to invest into this equipment. Those who will have good references and will know Russian reality will be one step ahead.
Is pro-exporting policy of the Czech Republic accentuated enough?
Vladimír Plašil: In the 90s, the support in relation to Russia was latent. They used to speak about that but the priorities for Czechoslovakia or Czech lay in the direction of European Union, and after all it was correct. However, when there came to crucial decisions we did not act on time, I suspect. I do not mean that we should have turned the policy by 180 degrees, but there should have been more support focused on Russia. With the previous government it had been granted, undoubtedly. The lack of support we had during the last two years of Zeman’s government has been unprecedented in the last thirteen years. Unfortunately, the same is true of the last year when on the state level nothing else than minister Svoboda’s visit to Moscow was done. Today the support of exporting has been worked into the system. But if the Ministry of Industry and Trade puts order into its agencies, I think it will mean a step in the right direction. As to the financial support either from EGAP or CEB everything runs according to regular standards. But we do not need insurance with the partners we have been working with for five years. That is a question of risk assessment. There still should be a difference between commercial banks and a state agency. In practice, you can sometimes hardly stick to the rule of 60-percent share of Czech goods in business projects.

Which opportunities do the Czech exporters have in the East?

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 23, Trends

Russians like to remember Czech shoes. Gone are the good old days when people lined up for them and made real fights for the production. Czech enterpreneurs still have a good renown and an image of a quality supplier of engineering equipment, glass, porcelain, white and construction ceramics, beer and food-stuffs in Russia. These are the fields where exporting chances are awaiting. ”Generally, Czech goods have a better renown than those of other central- and eastern European countries. It is thanks to the traditions and also to Czech firms’ reserved approach to the frequent requirements on extreme price reduction at the cost of quality. These are usually heard of with willingness by suppliers from some countries. That usually relates to food and consumer products,” says Jan Mašata, the representative of Czech Trade in Moscow. Great chances in exporting highly technological products and engineering equipment, according to experts, can be accounted for by obsolete engineering park and the capacity of the Russian enterprises to absorb massive supplies. The proportion of engineering equipment older than twenty years rose from 15 % in 1990 to 42 % in 2002. Some statistics even speak of two thirds, which, naturally, forces the Russian industry to ”re-arm” itself. A great deal of capacity of engineering enterprises can be written off. The estimated bulk of potential supplies makes up to hundreds of billion dollars. Therefore every percentage of the market is interesting,” CEO of Alta company Bronislav Šimek confirms the chances for exporters.

Even after the Czech Republic Joins the EU Russia Will Remain its Priority

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 20, Trends

Some bilateral agreements with Russia will come out of force on the Czech Republic joining the EU. It means a chance to demonstrate an interest in a new quality of mutual relationships. The fact that the Russian Federation is among the most significant business partners of the Czech Republic was demonstrated by last year’s turnover of the goods exchange exceeding 2,35 billion dollars. Also the government pro-exporting policy conception until 2006 ranked Russia among priority territories. However, the Czech Republic is going to become a member of the EU and in commerce it is going to conform to its commercial and political rules. So does it mean a change in priorities? The representatives of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade say – definitely not. “The Russian side repeatedly expresses concerns about the impact of Czech joining EU on mutual relations. We reply that for the first time after ten years Russia is a partner of official eminence,” explains Václav Petrícek, the Deputy First Minister of Industry and Trade… Without new products which would promote financing and insuring of Czech exporting to territories of high priority, that is to Russia too, Czech can not succeed,” adds Deputy Minister. Among such products there could be insuring regional banks in Russia, thinks Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alta company Vladimír Plašil. ”We need that EGAP insures these banks. But it does not want to do that yet,” says Plašil… …Czech firms in Russia have already been carrying out several industrial and investment projects. The gasification of Kamchatka is proceeding. In Sverdlovsk region a common enterprise for cleaner production and another one for household chemical production has been founded. Alta company and supplying enterprises, e.g. TOS Kurim, TOS Hulín, have been modernising machine tools for Uralmash factory. Alta has also developed production base modernisation projects together with another big enterprise – Uralvagonzavod in Nizhni Tagil. …According to experts it is also the frequency of visits and promotion of presentation events such as exhibitions and fairs that argue Russia as a new territorial priority. “If the state gives out a hundred million crowns to arrange exhibitions and fairs annually, it makes a good example of an indirect backing for the enterpreneur who should not only discover the Russian market but should understand the change,” concludes Petrícek.

CEB – the Situation and Perspectives of Czech Firms’ Project Financing

19 September 2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 29, Trends

Czech exporting bank (CEB) has much to offer to Eastern market exporters. Its financing of the exports volume exceeding 4,5 billion CZC proves it. …Many exporters believe there is no possibility to offer a favourable financing in those cases when a Czech exporter’s supplies for the project make less than 60 per cent of Czech originated supply or services. It is a factual misunderstanding. In such cases CEB is able to help the exporter create a structure of co-financed business transaction… …Some Czech exporters have already been using this opportunity actively. On the Russian market these are Alta, Škoda JS, CKD Nové Energo, Sklostroj Turnov, Inekon and others. However in the broader spectre of exporters a great deal of ”self-censorship” is remarkable with a number of those who could operate on the Russian market, but have little idea about the possibilities of feasible risk insurance. Using the opportunity offered by CEB can be profitable even for those exporters who have already been successful on the Russian market. They could extend their activities in securing financing for their importers…(more in Hospodárské noviny, 19 September, p. 29)

Presenting Culture from St Petersburg

17 September 2003 / Právo, p. 12, South Moravia

The inscenation of Sophocles’s drama ”Oidipus the King” interpreted by artists from Petersburg theatre Na Litejnom and the opening of the exhibition of Petersburg photographer Viktor Achlomov’s photographs in Mestské divadlo Brno were among the highlights of this year’s Days of St Petersburg in Brno. Also the delegation from St Petersburg governorate headed by vice governor Sergei Vetliugin participated. Vetliugin appreciated that the Days of St Petersburg in Brno have been held in the year of the three hundred year’s anniversary of the city on the Neva river. ”It is just a small but a notable demonstration. We are already discussing the continuation of our partnership and I believe that our city will get more and more space in Brno, ” said Vetliugin. Also another member of Petersburg delegation Andrei Petriuk expressed belief that the young tradition of The Days of St Petersburg in the Czech Republic would bring more opportunity for the second largest Russian city with 89 theatres and 260 museums to represent itself on a broader scale. On the brink of 2004 and 2005 even an exhibition from the Hermitage funds should take place in Brno. ”The revival of the economic collaboration is worth, too. After several years we can see St. Petersburg firms on Brno engineering fair again,” said Petriuk and appreciated Russian consul general in Brno Viktor Sibiljev’s great deal of contribution to the deepening collaboration of the two cities. The days of Russian culture in Brno have been organised with strong support of Alta and Tvel companies and other significant firms and institutions under the auspices of both the ministers. This year, they were opened already on 9 March by Russian ballet soloists hosting in Janáckovo theatre and went on by Russian bards Julii Kim’s and Mark Rozovski’s performance at the courtyard of the Old Town Hall… (more in Právo, 17 September, p.12).

Alta delivers $1.5m production line to Ukraine

8.8.2003 / Zpravodajství CTK

PRAGUE, Aug 8 (CTK) - Czech complete plants maker Alta delivered a $1.5 million line to produce asphalt mixture to a Ukrainian company this week, the CzechTrade agency has told CTK. CzechTrade expects Ukraine to show interest in a packaging line in the nearest future. CzechTrade chief executive Martin Tlapa told CTK that opportunities for suppliers of machines and furniture production equipment were opening in Ukraine now. Alta, which exports complete plants mainly to Eastern Europe, ended 2002 with sales of Kc4.7 billion, which was Kc0.6 billion less than a year earlier.

Exporters have lower revenue

26.5.2003 / Brno and South Moravian Daily – Rovnost, p. 18

Brno – The current weak dollar exchange rate is decreasing revenue for firms that sell their products and services on markets dealing in that currency. Lower revenues show up negatively in the results of firms’ business. From the survey on some exporters in South Moravia…

… the Alta group has reported lower revenues in connection with the weakening dollar. The financial manager, Lubomír Fabík is, however, convinced that the effect on revenue and business margins this year will not be as significant as last year, when the dollar fell by 20 percent. (for more see, the Brno and South Moravian Daily – Rovnost, 26.5.2003, p. 18)

Alta: Billions are being spun in the East

28.5.2003 / Mladá fronta DNES, p. 4

Prague – A number of firms and managers have plunged into the uncertain business in the countries of the former Soviet Union. However, the Brno trade and engineering group Alta, whose annual revenue fluctuates around 5 billion crowns, has grown thanks to this expansion. “We studied there, we know things there, and moreover we had nothing left but to rely on ourselves,” says Vladimír Plašil, business manager and co-owner of Alta, who studies foreign trade at Kiev University in the eighties…

…“In the beginning an order was decided for the First Brno Machine Tools Company, the next break was an order for Belaz two years later,” says Plašil. Alta ensured the delivery by Czech machine tools industries, a value of 3.6 billion crowns, to Belarusian heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). A few months ago, Alta began to negotiate further, more extensive, export to Russia, this time technological equipment for diamond mining at a value of a few billion crowns. A key part of the firm’s order is also the import of atomic fuel for the electric plant at Dukovany, as a part of the liquidation of Russian debts to the Czech Republic. (for more see Mladá Fronta Dnes 28,5,2003, p. 4.)

Czech Industry is considered Top in Saint Petersburg

29.5.2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 17

The Russian market is a priority for Czech export policy, and is accommodated at trade fairs and exhibitions. Exceptionally high visitation is expected at the Czech industry exhibition at the trade fair taking place in Saint Petersburg this week...

...The Inecon firm is presenting trams and trolleybuses there; Alta modern machine tools production, and Strom telecom, which has founded a sister firm in the Leningrad region. In Saint Petersburg they offer potential users their various products directly to hundreds of smaller and medium-sized firms. (for more see HN 29.5.2002, p. 17.)

The Weak Dollar is Decreasing Exporters‘ Revenue and Affecting Business

23.5.2003 / CTK News Service

The current weak dollar exchange rate is decreasing revenues for firms, which sell their products and services on markets dealing in that currency. Lower revenues show up negatively in the results of firms’ business. From CKT’s survey on exporters in South Moravia…

…the ALTA group has reported lower revenues in connection with the weakening dollar. The financial manager, Lubomír Fabík is, however, convinced that the effect on revenue and business margins this year will not be as significant as last year, when the dollar fell by 20 percent. If the dollar’s fall against the crown continues. Effects on exporters’ revenues are estimated for reach tens of billions of crowns. The development in the exchange rate, which is not stable, has forced Alta to use insurance against exchange risk, which significantly increases the overheads of individual trade with total impact on the group of several thousand crowns. Fabík adds that, for exporters, it is necessary to focus on projects with higher VAT, which decreases the negative effects of the exchange rate with respect to profit.

Brno Exhibition Grounds are nearly sold out for the Machine Tools Trade Fair

18.5.2003 / CTK News Service

Brno Exhibition Grounds have sold out nearly all pavilions for the International Machine Tools Trade Fair, which is taking place on September 15-19. The 45 year jubilee event this year is entirely in the spirit of joining the European Union and success in its markets. Complete information can be found in the newly opened European Consultation Centre, said CKT’s director of the trade group Brno Trade Fairs, Jirí Rousek. “This year 2,500 firms from more than 35 countries are expected at the event,” said Rousek. Around 105,000 specialists from 75 countries visit the trade fair exposition every year. Besides firms in the genuine machine tools field, this year there will also be significant presentation from electro technical, industrial, and IT firms. Energy and strong-current electotechnics are the highlighted field this year…

…important contracts were signed in last year’s trade fair, including orders worth over 50 million crowns from the British firm Fomax International and a million dollar’s worth of projection work between Alta and the Russian firm Titran.

Are we being active in Russia?

5.5.2003 / Haló Newspaper, p. 8.

The visits of the Russian premier and the Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda to Prague is a positive contribution to refreshing Czech-Russian cooperate…

…the Russian ambassador to the Czech Republic, I.S. Savolsky openly implied that Czech firms should be more active on the Russian market. A number of Czech firms are active in the Russian market: Brno’s ALTA, Tabor’s BRISK, Jicín’s KOBIT, Pardubice’s Plynostav, CZ Strakonice, etc. …(for more see Haló Newspaper, 5.5.2003, p.8)

With Russia Pragmatically

30.4.2003 / Ekonom, p. 19

Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda went to Moscow to lunch with department partner Ivanov. However, according to him and the suggestion of his business escort, it means a lot. With the arrival of one of the highest representatives, the state is opening its doors to business, in harmony with Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda’s business escort on his half-day trip to the capital of the Russian Federation, Moscow. This escort was not large; it comprised representatives of about ten businesses. With two exceptions, it concerned firms that are sounding out the terrain in Russia. For example, the spokesman of Zetor went to have a look. For beginners visiting with the escort means a great deal politically. “Of course contracts must be signed individually,” reminds Václav Klicka, the chairman of the board of Rieter, which wants to break into the Russian markets for automobile components and textile equipment. The minister’s visit was also welcomed by the local market’s ‘matador’, who is the chairman of the board of Alta, Vladimír Plašil. His firm has been operating in Russia since the start of the nineties and mediates a range of business liaisons including some sub-supplying for the unblocking of Russian debt. “Mutual contacts should be more frequent; business can only benefit,” says Plašil. In contrast with other colleagues, he is beginning to encounter problems other than the lack of contacts or less interest from the Russian side. “For example, some goods requested by Russian partners, especially replacement parts, are no longer produced in the Czech Republic,” says Plašil…

…according to him, Czech relationships with Russia do not have diplomatic problems, but maybe a few small unpleasantries. One of them is the visa requirement. The Russian side would like to introduce exceptions for students, experts, business trips, and diplomats. (for more see Ekonom 30.4.2003, p.19)

The Russian Economy is Growing, and with it Business Opportunities

28.4.2003 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 22

The Russian economy is expecting an increase in GDP of 4 percent this year. “That is less than last year, but it is still very solid,” said the president of the Chamber for Economic Relations with the CIS, Vladimír Plašil. “Higher economic growth is occurring in other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, especially in the Ukraine, which is experiencing a higher growth rate than Russia. Belarus and Central Asia are also notable. These are states which are creating a more or less free, yet social, economy,” added Plašil. This is an opportunity Czech business should understand... (for more see HN 28.4.2003, p.22)

Czech Managers are learning to trade with Russia

28.4.2003 / Lidové noviny, p. 17

In Moscow, minister Cyril Svoboda gained political support for Russian cooperation with Czech entrepreneurs (from the special LN correspondent in Russia). Economic cooperation between the Czech Republic and Russia was one of the main questions negotiated in Moscow last Friday by Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda and his Russian colleague Igor Ivanov. The main worry is that the entry of the Czech Republic to the EU could have negative effects on mutual trade. Therefore, a new contract on economic cooperation should be made as soon as possible, and working contracts should be modified. In Moscow Svoboda tried to support direct contact between firms that personally began the Czech-Russian Entrepreneurs’ Forum… …Vladimír Plašil, the head of ALTA Brno, maintains that the Russian market requires patience. “You cannot expect instant success,” he stressed. His firm has an annual turnover of 160 million dollars, of which the majority comes directly from Russia. (for more see LN, p. 17, Economy)

The Low Dollar Exchange Rate is decreased Alta Brno’s Revenue to 4.7 Billion Crowns

23.4.2003 / CTK News Service

The Alta trade group had 4.71 billion crowns in revenue last year, down from 5.3 billion the year before. According to the firm’s managing director, Bronislav Šimek, the dollar’s fall against the crown affected revenue. 90 percent of Alta Brno’s revenue is in dollars. The unfavourable development in the exchange rate affected the firm’s profits, added Šimek. The firm’s gross profit fell to 80.6 million, down from 106.2 million in 2001. The company’s revenue comes mainly from the export of machine tools, equipment for mining ore, and stone and from the import of iron ore and raw energy materials. Alta is currently involved in providing trade services for manufacturing companies and projection work. About 90 percent of its activities are focussed on the CIS, especially Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus. The project for the reconstruction of the Russian Titran factory is among its largest projects. Titran produces tractors, delivers mineral crushers to the Chakanja deposit in Russia, and asphalt to Kiev in the Ukraine. “We are also negotiating on the modernisation of part of the technological equipment for GUP Uralvagonzavod in Low Tagil in Russia and the Baltic factory in Saint Petersburg,” added Šimek. According to him, this year Alta expects lower revenues and profit. Last year the group completed its largest project, the modernisation of the Belarusian automobile factory BELAZ.

Czech Firms can be successful in Ekaterinburg

10.4.2003 / Právo, p. 15

In the name of the Czech Republic, partners took part in the independent Ekaterinburg exhibition on 23-26 September 2003, which was part of the export policy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. Significant interest in the exhibition in Sverdlosk has already begun, because it is concerned with an important region and Czech partners have a good name there. Czech firms, including Sklostroj, Škoda, and Alta, have already operated in that region… (for more see Právo 10.6.2003, p.15)

CEB is conducting preliminary Negotiations on Supporting the Export of Technology to Russia

28.1.2003 / CTK News Service

BRNO/MOSCOW 28. January (CTK) – the Czech Export Bank (CEB) is conducting preliminary negotiations between the Russian Alrosa group and the Czech firm Alta on the possibility of financing the export of Czech technology to Russia. CEB spokesman Ivan Klinger told CKT this today. He also reacted to information from Monday’s press, according to which CEB will provide a loan of 250 million euros (about 7.5 billion crowns) to a joint Czech-Russian diamond mining project. He said that this news was a work in progress and in part speculative. The role of the Bank in the project is entirely limited to financial assistance for Czech exports, he said. According to him, the sum would be spread out over a few years, according to the needs of the project. “Nothing concrete has been agreed yet,” he added. This statement was confirmed by CTK and Alta’s administrative director, Helena Švédová. Alta is a trade group, which focuses on mediating trade in Central and Eastern Europe. According to the Alrosa’s press report today, the sum of 205 million euros was confirmed by the finance minister Bohuslav Sobotka in Moscow not long ago. The Czech minister negotiated with a number of firms, including Alrosa. According to Alrosa, it concerned the participation of Czech businesses and the delivery of mining technology fir the diamond industry, equipment for the airport in Mirnyj, as well as participation in the projection and construction of a social complex in west Yakutsk. Alrosa is one of the largest Russian companies. It has been working in the field of mining, processing, and selling diamonds since 1954. It is one of the foremost producers of diamonds in the world. Its production capacity is about 20 percent of total world diamond mining. According to geologists’ estimates, Alrosa’s resources are sufficient for about another 50 years at its current rate of mining. It operates in the republic of Sacha (Yakustk) and in east Siberia. The Czech embassy in Moscow refused to provide any information to CKT on the content of the negotiations.

A Czech Firm could share in supplying for Diamond Mining

28.1.2003 / Právo, p. 18

The Czech firm Alta could share in supplying for diamond mining in Russia, working with the Alrosa group. The deal could be supported by the Czech Export Bank (CEB). The Russian media is talking about a 250 million euro loan, which is about 7.5 billion crowns. The Russian news service gazeta.ru and Prime-TASS mentioned it last week… (for more see Právo 28.1.2003, p.18)

ALTA signed a Contract worth a Million Dollars

12/2002 / Brno Business, winter 2002/2003, p. 5

The Brno-based company ALTA, which specialises in delivering machine tools equipment and complexes to eastern markets signed a contract for projection work, which is part of the delivery of Czech metal cutting tools, at a value of 30 million dollars, to the Russian Titran factory… (for more see Brno Business, winter 2002/2003, p.5)

Brno Trade Fair attracts Firms from the East

23.9.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 19

This year’s international machine tools trade fair in Brno (MSV), which took place on Friday, drew interest from Eastern Europe… “In comparison with past years, there was much more interest, particularly from Russia,” says the president of the Union of Producers and Distributors of Machine Tool Technology, Milan Potenc. …Potenc’s words were confirmed by Helena Švédová from Alta, which signed a contract for projection work worth a million dollars with Russia’s Titran at the trade fair. “The exporting of millions of Czech tools to the East has a new chance,” says Švédová... (for more see HN 23.9.2002, p. 19)

ALTA signed its first Contract with Titran

20.9.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 19

ALTA, a.s. signed a contract worth one million dollars with the Russian firm Titran at that trade fair in Brno. The contract is part of a big 30 million dollar project, which includes the modernisation of heavy tractor production in Tichvin in the Leningrad region. … (for more see HN 20.9.2003, p.19)

The Czechs want to renew the Russian Aircraft Industry

20.9.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 19

Pragmatic interest in cooperation in the field of aeronautics, aerospace, and related production fields was confirmed by representatives of Czech and Russian firms at the machine tools conference organised by the Brno Chamber of Business and Economy. … “Czech industry will participate in the modernisation of factories which will produce the An-70. Technical negotiations have already begun and the visit by potential partners at the Brno trade fair should help specify the needs of the Russian side,” explained Vladimír Plašil, the general director of the ALTA group, which proposes to use its wealth of experience in the realisation of large orders in post-Soviet states. … (for more see HN 20.9.2002, p.19)

Russia is this year’s Hit among Czech Engineers

19.9.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 21

Czech machine tool manufacturers, which are among the top in the world, are targeting Russia. … Not long ago, Alta signed a 30 million dollar contract to deliver equipment for the production of tractors in Russia. … (for more see HN 19.2.2002, p.21)

Firms are looking for the Route to the East

17.9.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 15

More than two thousand firms from all over the world promised to get involved in East European markets at the International Machine Tools trade fair, which started in Brno yesterday. ... Alta, for example, concluded a million dollar contract with the Russian firm Titran, which is part of a larger 30 million dollar order for the delivery of equipment for producing tractors. ... (for more see HN 17.9.2002, p. 19)

Mutually Beneficial Cooperation with Russia

16.9.2002 / Trade Fairs Newspaper 5/2002

An important part of the opening programme of the 44th International Machine Tools Trade Fair (MSV), the Round Table on Opportunities for Czech-Russian Cooperate in the field of aeronautics and aerospace, will take part on Monday, 16 September at 16.00. It is organised by the Brno firm, Alta a.s., the Russian State Technological University, OHK Brno, the CIS Chamber, and Brno Trade Fairs a.s. ... (for more see Trade Fairs Newspaper 5/2002)

Czech Capital is very attractive in Belarus

6.6.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 16

More than 120 Czech firms are currently active in Belarus, some as part of newly founded joint ventures, some independently. … So far the largest project is the modernisation of the Belarusian automobile factory Belaz, at a value of 119 million USD. On the Czech side, financing is ensured by the Czech Export Bank and export insurance is provided by EGAP. The main supplier is ALTA, a.s. Brno. A number of other Czech firms are involved, including producers of: machine and cutting tools, presses, measurement and inspections technology, and other equipment. … (for more see HN 6.6.2002, p.16)

A Record Number of Mechanical Engineers were in Moscow

3.6.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 20

Probably at no other time in the recent history has there been such a strong representation of Czech firms at the prestigious Moscow Exhibition of Machine Tools, Metaloobrabotka. … “The number of Czech firms at the Russian exhibition was a record this year,” said the Alta’s marketing manager, Ivo Zavrel. The Brno-based company, which attends the fair annually, represented Czech firms in the programme for the modernisation of machine tools in Russia. … “It is important that we are able to offer not just technically competitive tools, but also the commercial requirements, which Russian purchasers are accustomed to from their Western European suppliers, the USA, and Japan,” commented Alta’s Zavrel. The Alta group organised a conference for about 150 Russian firms on financing for Czech supplies, as well as a special event for companies from the Russian aerospace industry. The Brno foreign trade group had a turnover of 5.2 million crowns last year, of which 45 percent came from Russia. … (for more see HN 3.6.2002, p.19)

The Russians are Interested in our Products

17.4.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 17

Brno’s Alta signed a contract yesterday for the modernisation of metal cutting tools for the Uralmash firm. The contract, for 8.5 million dollars, will be realised in the years 2002-2006. Its main sub-suppliers are Czech Škoda Machine Tools and the German Pittler company. Alta Brno was founded by ex-members of firms, which engaged in close trade with Russia. It has been operating as a mediator since 1991, says its general director Vladimír Plašil. … (for more se HN 17.4.2002, p.17)

The Premier visited a Top-Secret Firm in Russia

16.4.2002 / Lidové noviny, p. 2

…The premier picked out a key point in yesterday’s programme; a trip to the city of Elektrostal. … Besides visiting the company that produces fuel cells for nuclear power plants, which is part of Moscow TVEL holdings, according to the official programme, Zeman also attended a private “informal programme around the city of Elektrostal,” … The president of Alta Brno, Vladimír Plašil, was also satisfied. His firm is the sole representative of TVEL in the Czech Republic. Thanks to the agreement for the unblocking of Russian debt, as part of which the Czech Republic also receives nuclear fuel, Plašil’s firm has achieved hundreds of millions in turnover. ... (for more see LN 16.4.2002, p.2)

Zeman has fried another Part of the Russian Debt

15.4.2002 / Hospodárské noviny, p. 24

Miloš Zeman’s trip to Russia promises to reach a concrete agreement on the payment of Russian debt and close a number of business deals. … Over seventy entrepreneurs went to Russia with the premier. … The modernisation of the natural gas plant in Sosnogosk by Škoda JS and the supply of machine tools by Alta Brno for the modernisation of factories in Uralmash in the Sverdlosk district, Elektrosil in Saint Petersburg, and the introduction of the production of automobile steel disks in the Vazinterservis plant in the Samarsky region were marked as priority projects. … (for more see HN 15.4.2002, p.24)