20 Acquisition International - July 2017 ISOTRA is synonymous with production of interior and exterior blinds, fabric roller blinds, plisse, Japanese screens, pre-window exterior roller blinds, insect screens, awnings and screen blinds. We interviewed Sales and Marketing Manager at ISOTRA a.s., Jakub Vaněk to find out more, following the firm’s success as the 2017 European Excellence Awards Winner from the Czech Republic. SOTRA is synonymous with production of interior and exterior blinds, fabric roller blinds, plisse, Japanese screens, pre-window exterior roller blinds, insect screens, awnings and screen blinds. The firm’s Sales and Marketing Manager at ISOTRA a.s., Jakub Vaněk begins by telling us about the firm’s journey so far from its establishment to the present day. “An important part of the production plan is production of components, profiling lines, shearing tools and technological units for production of blinds. The company’s technological prowess is attested to by ownership of several global patents and utility samples for technical solutions, in the field of shading products. “ISOTRA was founded in Bolatice in 1992 by Erich Stavař and Bohumír Blachut. The initial business of the company focused on wholesale of window seals including installation. This is how the company ISOTRA was created. ISO from the word ‘isolation’ and TRA from ‘trade’. In 1993, the increasing demand for blinds lead to expansion of the business activities of ISOTRA, first by the installation of blinds and subsequently their production. Our continuous effort to improve products and services, was the reason for commencement of production of the firm’s own blind components and other shading products back in 1995. “The great desire to continuously look for new technical solutions, led to the fact that today ISOTRA a.s. has its own development centre, design office, modern tool shop, thermoplastic pressing shop and extensive production facilities. Technologies, procedures, research and the development of shading solar radiation ranks ISOTRA among the top producers of shading equipment in the Czech Republic today.” Jakub is eager to reveal his reflections on winning the 2017 European Excellence Awards Winner from the Czech Republic. Following on from this, he adds how the firm has been successful, despite fluctuations in the European market and Brexit for example. “It is fantastic result of the whole team. I believe we have been successful because we have chosen the right strategy and have reacted flexibly, with innovative products that meet market demands. We consider this as prestige occasion, which strengthens the ISOTRA brand awareness in the Czech market and beyond. “We have never dreamed that ISOTRA would grow to the size it is today. Our growth was very often a reflection of logical aspects and the reaction on demand, from both Czech and foreign markets. We have ideas, know-how and numerous business clients. While this is not the first prize we obtained this year, I believe it shows the steps we are making to get us on the right track. Company: ISOTRA a.s. Name: Jakub Vaněk Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.isotra.cz Address: Bílovecká 2411/1, 746 01 Opava, Czech Republic Telephone: +420 724 850 886 A Blind Bit of Difference I 1706AI51 “Both sensitive market perception and the right strategy are the key qualities when it comes to describing a company’s success. Production, technological and labour background are additional and indeed important factors to bear in mind. Besides this, if you invest back into company development, such changes cannot affect your business from the longer-term perspective.” Jakub then turns our thoughts towards the hard work and dedication of ISOTRA and the qualities they stand for, plus something of their excellent track record in the industry. “2017 is the year of the company’s 25th anniversary on the market, which gives our customers and business partners a clear signal of reliability, expertise, innovation and tradition. The company’s corporate communication and logo were changed, to mark this special anniversary. The new logo was redesigned with an emphasis on clarity in today’s competitive market. A unique brand image has also been created, with the red background depicting the dynamics with which ISOTRA has been evolving over the last two and a half decades. “Quality, reliability, customer care, research, development, technologies and innovations with respect to energy savings are the key values for ISOTRA. The company aims to give the customer a clearly identifiable product of expected quality and technological level. As a company, ISOTRA holds quality certificates CSN EN ISO 9001:2009 and CSN EN ISO 14001:2005, employs over 500 employees and exports its products to more than 40 countries worldwide.” In closing, Jakub reveals the type of clients ISOTRA serves, plus the role innovation plays in their work. “You can find mounting companies for solar shading products, construction companies, window producers and automotive suppliers (tool shop) among our customers. Our customer approach goes together with our long-term strategy is individual at the same time, depending on the specific demands of both customers and markets. “We dare to say, that we are one various companies around the world concerned with shading technologies. We can invent new product on request, create its design, produce necessary components, test and certify new product, settle new technological processes, design new machinery and deliver a complete technology solution. “With our development team, we currently work on the best and the most productive production line in shading product field, namely to produce external venetian blinds using industrial revolution 4.0 technologies. This is the label of the digitalisation trend and related automation, both of which allow a wide range of products and variability in terms of production.”