ENGINEERING MACHINE TOOL EXPORT ACC. TO TERRITORIES IN 2017 Germany China 30.56% 31.13% Slovakia Russia Source: SST 3.13% 3.61% 8.92% 3.86% 4.63% 6.50% 7.66% Poland USA Italy India Others EXPORT AND IMPORT IN CR 2008 - 2017 (HS8456-8463) IN CZK MIL. 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Export Source: SST as the Research Centre of Manufacturing Technology (RCMT) attached to the Prague Technical University, and independent research workplaces, e.g. VÚTS Liberec, a.s., and manufacturers and suppliers of electronic and mechatronic components, tools and robots. It is gratifying that, besides continuously improving their current machine tool concepts, <strong>Czech</strong> manufacturers are also keeping pace with regard to new technologies. For example, in <strong>2018</strong>, KOVOSVIT MAS presented its first hybrid machine enabling the combination of conventional machining with additive technologies. One of the main limiting factors in the development of the sector is the inadequate supply of accomplished graduates of technical and vocational schools. Although the situation has somewhat improved, enterprises are obliged to seek their own ways to find skilled workers. The secondary technical school founded by TOS VARNSDORF in 2016 is a unique example to be followed by other companies. For the time being, most firms rely on cooperation with regular vocational schools and apprentice training centres. Oldřich Paclík Director, Association of Engineering Technology www.sst.cz <strong>Czech</strong> firms displayed their products at the CCMT China CNC Machine Tool Fair in Shanghai <strong>Czech</strong> engineering firms, with support from the Ministry of Industry and <strong>Trade</strong>, took part in the CCMT Fair, one of the world´s largest engineering fairs held in Shanghai. Twelve companies presented their products at the Fair in a joint exhibition on a surface area of 296 sq. m. “<strong>Czech</strong>s are among the Fair´s traditional partners and among the important countries using national pavilions to present themselves. This is in keeping with the position of <strong>Czech</strong> manufacturers, who, thanks to the quality of their products and their presence in the Chinese market of more than 65 years, rank alongside respected Chinese partners. There is keen competition in the Chinese market, and this is another reason why systematic work and this form of support are needed to assist <strong>Czech</strong> firms. We appreciate the very well organised B2B meetings of <strong>Czech</strong> and Chinese firms, also attended by important representatives of the China Machine Tool & Tool Builders´ Association (CMTBA) and big Chinese firms,” said Bedřich Musil, professional guarantor of <strong>Czech</strong> participation and Project Manager of the Association of Engineering Technology. Twelve exhibitors – ČKD BLANSKO-OS, FERMAT CZ, KOVOSVIT MAS, KSK Precise Motion, Pilana Metal, RETOS VARNSDORF, Škoda Machine Tool, TOS Olomouc, TOS KUŘIM – OS, TOSHULIN, TOS VARNSDORF, and ŽĎAS – presented their companies at the joint <strong>Czech</strong> exhibition. The representatives of participating <strong>Czech</strong> companies conducted some 200 business encounters, some of which had been pre-arranged and some with new potential partners from among the visitors. <strong>Czech</strong> firms valued their participation in the Fair as very positive and many of them would like to attend the next CCMT Fair. “A great advantage is that the Fair is held in the most important part of China, in the centre of industry and trade. A large number of Chinese businessmen visited our exhibition and a large number of interesting discussions were held there,” said Luboš Janoušek, Sales Director of Fermat. | 12
CZECH BUSINESS AND TRADE 13 |