Škoda Plzeň

Škoda Plzeň

In 1858, Count Waldstein had built in Pilsen a foundry and a machine factory that focused on the production of industrial machines, especially pumps and equipment for grain mills, sugar mills, and breweries, but also steam engines. One of the persons employed there in a senior position was the Pilsen physician Emil Škoda. In 1869, his son, Emil Škoda Jr, bought the machine factory and foundry from Count Waldstein.

During the economic crisis of 1870s and 1880s, the factory shifted its focus on the production of equipment for food industry, which is exported mainly to the tsarist Russia. Soon, however, this production orientation turned out to be nonprofitable. In 1899, the previously privately owned company was therefore transformed into a joint-stock company. A turning point in the company’s history came with the First World War and militarisation of production. By that time, the company was after the death of Emil Škoda Jr in 1900 run by Karel Škoda. During the First World War, the company started experimenting with the production of both car and tractor tow vehicles. In 1917, the Škoda company established a small automobile department that produced special-purpose heavy vehicles. In 1925, the Pilsen-based Škoda bought Laurin & Klement Company in Mladá Boleslav and transferred here first automobile production and in 1936 also tractor production.

Škoda started to make tractors in Pilsen in 1926. They were equipped with modified engines from Škoda cars. Of the first type, HT 30, the company made 750 pieces in three series until 1936. Alongside this tractor, Škoda was also making the HT 25 tractor, and since 1931 follow-up types HT 33 and HT 33S. The strongest HT 45 tractor remained just a prototype.

Tractor production returned to Pilsen in 1946, when the company started making Škoda 30 tractor with a diesel engine: this was actually a universal Škoda HT 28 tractor, a successor of the HT 18 model. The transfer of Škoda 30 production back to Pilsen had in effect stopped the agricultural production programme in Mladá Boleslav. Škoda 30 was made in Pilsen until 1951; later, these tractors were for several more years assembled from spare parts by STS Libice nad Cidlinou.

In 1945, Škoda Industries were nationalised and after 1948 renamed to Závody V. I. Lenina [V.I. Lenin Works]. After 1989, it entered a difficult period of transformation. In 1992, the company was privatised in the so-called ‘Czech way’. It expanded its production activities by acquisition of Tatra and Liaz carmakers and the construction of further factories, which unfortunately had a detrimental effect on its financial stability. In 1999, Škoda signed an agreement with its creditor banks and started a process of restructuring. In 2000, the leading role was assumed by the newly formed Škoda Holding with nineteen daughter companies. The company continues its non-agricultural, highly diverse production programme including arms and weapons, locomotives, machines and equipment for the tobacco industry, etc. in Pilsen through various changes and developments to this day. 

Hammer Mill

Hammer mills are used to mechanically crush various kinds of seeds. In the past, they were used in farms, mills, but also for instance breweries. In agriculture, crushed wheat was used to make grain feed, which was subsequently fed to cattle. These implements were important for the processing of wheat and its preparation for further use.  

Historically, milling was important also for the preparation of malt grist. Its purpose is to uncover the inner parts of corn seed for further technological operations. The quality of malt grist influences enzymatic processes during beer brewing.