In 2014 we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the foundation of PILANA.
The most important moments of our history are shown in the timeline below. Groundbreaking facts are mixed with curiosities which may conjure up a smile in your face.
80 Years
In its 80 years of existence PILANA has become one of the largest producers of tools in Europe.
Our special thanks also go to you.
2014
Another Success
PILANA reaches a combined annual sales record of 45 mil. €
2013
Vast Reconstruction
A vast reconstruction of technical equipment takes place as well as refurbishment of production and office facilities.
Production of tools continues successfully in the trend of using the highest quality DIN and ISO steels.
The individual Pilana companies carry on their cooperation in many fields from production and sales to shipping.
2010
Export to the Whole World
The whole Pilana Group with its 600 employees reaches annual sales of 885 mil. CZK. This is double of year 2000.
Among key products one may find circular saw blades with tungsten carbide, industrial knives, bans saws, machines and tools for cutting of metals, frame and gang saws, saw bodies and hand tools.
80 % of the production is exported to almost 80 countries in the world.
2007
The Foundation of Other Companies within PILANA
1997
Foundation of PILANA TOOLS s.r.o.
Other limited liability companies are registered on 1. 6. — they are Pilana Tools , Slévárna, MCT, Nástrojárna, Pilana Zborovice.
1992
Privatisation
The headquarters of company Naradi in Prague is dissolved, delimitation of property takes place and the works in Hulin become independent. The company is divided into divisions — from production to sales.
Privatisation project is approved within the larger Voucher Privatisation. Pilana a.s. (i.e. Inc.) is established.
On 1. 11. Walker Pilana, a limited liability company, is established as the first one to come out of the approved privatisation project.
1991
The Annual Plan is Met
The total sales of the company reach more than 530 mil. Czech Crown, the annual sales plan is met to 101,5 %
A linden tree of "freedom" is planted during the visit of the industry minister attended by the director of the whole company.
1984
45 Year since Foundation of the Company and Arrival of Robert Plaček
To increase quality of tools a plan is introduced to modernize machinery for production of segmental saws for cutting of metals.
Celebrations take place of 45th anniversary since the foundation of the company. The company no longer produces just sawblades but also electromagnetic fastenerse, perfectors and fasteners with permanent magnets.
A foundry is built to produce cast milling tools and exact steel casts. First prototypes of sawblades with diamond segments are tested.
Modernisation of switchboard takes place.
1. 8. Ing. Robert Plaček starts his employment with the company.
1979
2 482 Czech Crowns and Arrival of Jiří Michal
The average salary reaches 2 482 Czech Crowns per employee.
On 1. 3. Ing. Jiří Michal starts his employment with the company.
1977
Increasing Demands of Customers and Arrival of Jaroslav Čudrnák
The most demanded products are circular saws for wood and metals, hand tools for metal cutting, bandsaws for carpenters or saws for gardeners and frames for metals.
On 5. 8. Ing. Jaroslav Čudrnák starts his employment with the company.
1974
Segmental Saws
The company gets engaged in the technology of production of saw segments.
More than 50 % of the production of circular sawblades is exported to the USSR.
Average montly salary compared to year 1972 grows by 100 %, in absolute number by 37 Czech Crowns.
The celebration of May 1st takes place.
1973
Golden Medal in Brno
In cooperation with company TOS Varnsdorf the production of exact drilling rods for milling centers is started. As a result the Golden Medal at the International Engeneering Exhibition in Brno is awarded.
The production of the company reaches 216 mil. Czech Crowns in total sales of which 54,2 % falls on Hulin and 45,8 % falls on Zborovice
1972
Steel Cutting Sawblades
This year sees the beginning of production of hand and machine band saws for cutting of metals.
"Experiment", a trial system of business management is introduced ... ... its results are however unknown.
1965
Chronicle and 30 Years
The official chronicle of the company comes into existence.
Celebration of 30 years since the foundation of the company takes place.
First series of meetings with German technicians takes place where information on production and refinement of metals is exchanged.
1964
Perfektor
A new production line for measuring devices "Perfektor" is introduced.
A new fire station is built.
1960
25 years
Pilana celebrates its 25th anniversary.
1959
Reorganisation
Nationalized company "Pilana" is made part of the newly established government owned company "Naradi" (i.e. Tools in English) with its headquarters in Prague.
The most modern production facility of the company is put into operation – workshop for general reconstruction and repair of machines.
1958
Fire
A wooden production hall catches fire. Due to speedy reaction of the local fire brigade no harm is done to the adjacent buildings.
1957
Production of New Products
The branch in Hulin restarts the production of circular saws, planes and light chain saws.
As a result of production extension a new branch is established in a former sugar mill in Zborovice.
1948
Highest Export Sales since Foundation
Nationalized "Pilana" in Hulin employs 675 people.
In July 1947 the highest montly export sales figure is reached since the foundation of the company.
Its also time to have fun — for the relaxation of the employees a recreation and wellness center is leased in Luhačovice.
1947
Merger of Individual Companies
Representatives of the company set on a successful journey across Scandinavia to secure important supplies of material for production of saws.
Josef Studenik is given the task of joining 9 engineering companies and making them into one larger enterprise.
Based on Mr. Studenik´s proposal the new name "PILANA" is approved and a total of 9 companies all across Czechoslovakia are becoming members of one holding.
At the end of the of the year Mr. Studenik leaves the company.
1946
End of War
The works are empty and heavily destroyed by the German occupying forces. The greatest damage is done to the modern production hall. It is the end of WW2 and the Germans are positioned nearby in the village of Brest attacking the liberating Red Army holding Hulin.
First employees are returning back to work on 11. 5. During the ensuing two weeks most machinery is repaired.
Josef Studeník is arrested and accused of collaboration with the Nazis on 12. 5.
A new administrative management is installed in the company on 15.5. to prepare the nationalization of it.
Josef Studenik is released in October due to an intervention of the workers and the new administrative management of the company who signed a petition demanding his release.
On 20. 10. the new administrative management is dissolved and the company is returned to Josef Studenik.
This takes only a couple of days and on 27. 10. the company is nationalized once again with Josef Studenik staying on as its director. At this moment the company employs 800 people.
1945
1200 Employees
The company now employs 1 200 employees many of whom were spared of forced labour in Germany due to intervention of Josef Studenik.
In this year the football club "Studenikova XI" is established in Hulin.
1944
The Company Loses Josef Katze
The most modern production hall so far is opened and along with it the production of milling cutters and knives.
The company loses Josef Katze as he is deported due to his Jewish origin.
1942
Construction of Buildings
The company establishes its first technical office, stockroom but also its first-aid station. A new administrative building is being built.
1940
Occupation
During the Nazi occupation of the Czech lands Josef Studenik manages to find new markets in Germany and other Western European countries.
The occupation authorities assign "supervising entity "into the company.
1939
Production Expansion
The production is expanded for frame saws and band saws and a new production of circular saws is introduced. Production of gang saws and frame saws is also established this year.
1936
Sales Growth
Mr. Josef Katze starts his employment with the company and becomes the first official sales representative. Due to his abilities the total sales of the company start gradually rising after resolution of initial problem of the company.
1935
Company Foundation
Mr. Josef Studenik, sales representative of various companies and private entrepreneur, founds "The First Moravian Works for Saws and Tools" Studenik & co. in former gasworks ČSD Hulín. The newly established company specializes in production of carpenter tools while offering repairs of old and used woodworking tools.
This year the first punching machine for making of teeth in steel saw bodies is purchased and the production of band saws is started.
1934