We are a traditional Czech manufacturer of machine tools and bicycle parking towers. We provide, among other things, custom manufacturing of precision machine parts on our own machine tools. We are a leading European supplier of components for the automotive industry.
VAPOS is a member of the RKO GROUP Holding, which is based on traditional and family values. We focus, among other things, on environmental protection and helping disadvantaged citizens in the labour market.
VAPOS has been manufacturing precision machine parts since 1996. In 1998, we won a gold medal for our 5-axis horizontal centre at the MSV in Brno.
Currently we are also engaged in the production of bicycle parking houses – PARK BIKE, CNC broaching machines and towing devices.
You can read more about the company in an article published in MM Spectrum magazine.
Company history
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1990
Establishment of VAPOS
VAPOS - a limited liability company was established by a Memorandum of Association on 26 October 10. 1990 and was entered into the Commercial Register on 1 November 1990. 11. 1990. The company was founded at that time by four shareholders for a definite period until 31 October 1995. 10. 1995.
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1991
Start of production
The company started production in February in rented premises on an area of approximately 220 m2. Among the first products were copper sealing rings, which were used to seal high pressure liquids.
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1994
Expansion of the product range
The company expands its range of machines to ten types and milling machines to twenty types. The company is not able to meet the demand at this time. For capacity reasons, the company therefore transfers part of the production to a co-operation with Elitex Lomnice n. Pop.
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1995
Transfer to own premises
The company's lease agreement for the production premises ends. Two partners decide to quit and leave VAPOS. The company moves to a new premises with a production area of about 1000 m2 and a non-production area of about 900 m2.
The beginning of a new phase of the company's development in its own premises. -
1997
Production of CNC machines for ŠKODA AUTO
The company ends serial production of woodworking machines, however, the production of milling tools continues. The company manufactures 3 vertical CNC machining centres and deploys them in the serial production of automotive parts for ŠKODA AUTO.
At MSV Brno, VAPOS won the Technik magazine award for original technical solution for the FVC - 2x710 CNC vertical centre.
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1998
Gold Medal Brno
The company starts the development of horizontal machining centres for machining metal parts. Production of precision machine parts is further expanded. The company also starts production of precision plain bearings for a French customer and sales of FVC 2x710 CNC vertical centres. The first customer is ŠKODA AUTO. A total of 6 machines have been sold, 2 of them to Germany.
At MSV Brno, VAPOS wins a gold medal in the machine tool category for the HSC 630 5X five-axis horizontal centre.
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1999
Construction of a new hall
The company obtains a certificate according to the requirements of the ČSN EN ISO 9002:1995 standard.
Negotiations are initiated with Lucas-Varity for the possibility of machining the brake holder. Furthermore, the construction of a new hall measuring 40 m x 12.5 m (500 m2) was started.
Another 6 pieces of FCV 2x710 CNC machining centres were produced - 4 pieces were shipped and 2 pieces were deployed for own use in the serial production of automotive parts.
The company stopped exhibiting the machines -
2000
Start of machining of brake brackets
A new TRW Lucas production hall was completed with a production area of approximately 400 m2. The company began machining brake brackets for TRW Lucas (formerly Lucas-Varity).
The development of a five-axis machining centre was started under the TECHNOS programme (without MIT subsidy).
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2003
Expansion of the product range
The company expands its range of machines to ten types and milling machines to twenty types. The company is not able to meet the demand at this time. For capacity reasons, the company therefore transfers part of the production to a co-operation with Elitex Lomnice n. Pop.
The line for TRW Lucas is being expanded to six machines with a total capacity of 980,000 pieces per year.
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2005
Expansion of technological areas
Construction of a new measuring centre with an area of approx. 150 m2. Reconstruction of the boiler room into a tool room is started - a new production area of 220 m2 is created. In addition, the heating gas supply of the entire company is being upgraded.
The windows are being replaced and the floor in the assembly hall is being reconstructed.
VAPOS purchases a new 3D gauge from WENZEL (1600x800x800).
Construction of a new quality system according to the requirements of ISO/TS 16949:2002 is started.
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2006
Construction of new offices
Construction of the production hall continues. A new floor above the Mazak workplace is being built, covering an area of approximately 360 m2. The newly created area includes offices, a meeting room and an electrical workshop connected by a lift to the assembly hall.
Certification according to the requirements of ISO/TS 16949:2002 is in progress.
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2007
Further investments, information system
Renovation of the welding shop, paint shop and sanitary facilities is being completed, including new facades and epoxy floors.
The company purchases and implements a new information system Helios-Orange, a new HSC 630 4X horizontal centre and two turning centres from Mazak.
The development of five-axis machining centres is started with the support of MIT under the IMPULS programme.
Completion of a new tool room - 340 m2 of new production space and new sanitary facilities of about 40 m2.
The company builds a new information network for 25 stations and a new telephone exchange.
Construction of a new kitchen and canteen is started.
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2008
New production facilities and technology
The company receives additional orders from TRW Lucas for end customers (BMW, Peugeot, VW and Renault). The necessary increase in production space and preparation for new technology was started.
Purchase of new production technology - turning centre from DMG, VHN 10 CNC boring machine, 3D measuring machine from Wenzel (500x400x400).
Production of a new line of own design for the new TRW Lucas production and new tools for TRW production started.
Completed new hall, created approx. 540 m2 of new production area, 80 m2 of offices including sanitary facilities and 85 m2 of chip management.
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2009
Summary
The company has 2800 m2 of production space and 2200 m2 of non-production space (offices, changing rooms, toilets, ...). It employs 84 workers, of which 12 THP and 4 overhead. All production areas have new epoxy floors and the buildings have been completely renovated. The production halls have sliding doors with remote control.
The company has very good technology and a total of 19 CNC machines. Another 3 machines will be produced this year, 2 of which will be presented at MSV Brno. The new computer network and the modern information system Helios-Orange allows perfect communication between our own staff and our business partners and with the whole world.
The production of 3 machines of our own production was completed (No. 12,13,14)
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2010
New production hall in Nová Paka
VAPOS buys a new production hall in Nová Paka, a complete renovation is planned for 2011. The production hall will have 1600 m2 of production space, 740 m2 of sanitary facilities and offices and 1600 m2 of paved areas (yard and parking lot).
Production of new machines 15, 16, 17 and 18 is underway.
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2013
Development of tiltable towing devices
The development of tilt towing devices for ŠKODA cars has started.
A hydropulse tilt testing machine and a welding robot from KUKA and welding equipment from FRONIUS were purchased.
Production of a new line of own design for the new TRW Lucas production and new tools for TRW production started.
Completed new hall, created approx. 540 m2 of new production area, 80 m2 of offices including sanitary facilities and 85 m2 of chip management.
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2016
Roofing of the yard in Jičín
A roofing project was started for the yard in Jičín of approximately 1100 square meters and a new surface (interlocking paving) was created in the yard totaling 3000 square meters.
The welding and painting shop from Jičín was relocated to the Nová Paka site. In the premises of the former paint shop, a new warehouse was created for the machining of brake holders. Output control and dispatch of products was moved to the former welding shop.
Machines No. 19, 20, 21 were installed in the former output control hall. 19, 20, 21.
In July, production of spare parts, gauges, fixtures for main production and
in August, production started in Nová Paka in the new paint shop and welding shop, as well as the production of tiltable towing devices.
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2017
CNC stretching machines project
The preparation of the CNC stretching machines project, which is co-financed by European funds, has started.
The development of tiltable towing devices continues.
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2018
Parking bike rails project - PARK BIKE
The preparation of the PARK BIKE project - parking towers for bicycles and electric bicycles has started. Construction of the first prototype is scheduled for Q1 2019 on VAPOS land.
Preparations are also underway for the mass production of tilt towing devices for the ŠKODA brand.
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2022
The company becomes part of the RKO GROUP Holding
RKO GROUP is divided into three basic divisions. Waste Management Division, Demolition Division and Engineering Division.
