The Presov MT company took over the Liaz factory in Velky Krtis, whose majority owner is Skoda Liaz Mnichovo Hradiste, when it was in deep recession. The MT's owner Marian Troliga said they would restart the production of propeller shafts, providing jobs to 150 out of the current 350 workers. They plan to employ 500 people in the future, and sell a portion of their output abroad, including the Czech Republic. The new manager also considers the possibility of producing small three-wheel utility vehicles called Veka developed in the Liaz of Velky Krtis. The Liaz factory in Velky Krtis was established in the year 1972 and its line product at that time were flywheels, rockers, shafts and connecting rods for S 706 RT engines. Later on entire engines of this type were assembled, and most components for these engines were made in the factory. In the year 1990, at the times of general downturn of the mechanical engineering sector, the factory stopped producing engines, and started producing more propeller shafts and crosshead pins, and exported them to Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The company, having successfully manufactured the prototype of the Slovak innovation - three wheel truck - was planning to start a series production but was unable to do so because of lack of financial resources. The new production program, namely ball studs for Ziguli cars, failed to meet the expectations. The successive deterioration of the situation resulted in production downsizing, late payments of wages and employee layoffs. The management of MT Presov and its capital input offer actual prerequisites for revitalization and development of a company whose existence is under threat.

Slovak Trade FORUM