185th anniversary of steel production in Třinec

Stoves, fences, dishes, columns, staircases, grave crosses, but also decorative and artistic castings such as candlesticks, ashtrays, plates and animal figurines.Třinecké železárny broke into world markets with such products at the time of its establishment. Their history began on 1st of April, 1839, 185 years ago.

History

Over the years, the company has evolved from originally foundry products to the production of long rolled products. Today it is the only manufacturer of rails and railway accessories in the Czech Republic. For example, from entire production of rails that have been produced since the beginning of production in 1878, a track could be built that would lead approximately three times around the world.The vast majority of tracks in the Czech Republic are made up of rails from Třinec. "Today, the best-selling product is wire, of which we produce an average of 900,000 tons per year" explains Roman Heide, CEO of Třinecké železárny.

During its 185 year history, a number of crucial moments have occurred. For example, in 1906, the whole world watched the launch of the world's first electrified rolling mill in the Třinec. 30 years later, the steelworks established a training school for apprentices, which still operates today, as does the company newspaper Třinecký hutník, which took over the role of the regional press and has been published continuously for 75 years.

In addition to the 185th anniversary of the establishment of Třinecké železárny by the Těšín Chamber under the leadership of director Ludwig Hohenegger, this year the company also celebrates the 95th anniversary of the registration of the trademark of three hammers in a circle, an important milestone was also the construction of a direct current power plant and the introduction of electric lighting in all operations 140 years ago. From modern history, it is worth mentioning the beginning of modern block casting, i.e. the commissioning of the continuous casting of steel into square and round blocks, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

"In the context of the upcoming exhibition of technical innovations and inventions Invent Arena 2024 which will be held in June in Třinec, it is necessary to mention another anniversary, when 30 years ago the innovators from Třinec company won four gold and three bronze medals from the Brussels Eureka 1994, world exhibition of inventors and innovators," reminds Henryk Huczala, Technical Director TŽ.

The museum celebrates 55th anniversary

In September, it will be 55 years since visitors can admire the exhibits of the Museum of Třinec Ironworks and the city of Třinec. Not only on the occasion of the anniversary of the steelworks, visitors can learn about the way of life of the local residents and the beginnings of metallurgy in the region, the initial development of which was closely linked to the deposits of ore and limestone in the nearby area, the abundance of wood and the hydropower of the Olza river.  The exhibition is complemented by the oldest products of the Třinec smelter, which were produced in the foundry and enamel works.

Anniversary event

On the occasion of the 185th anniversary, the smelter will exceptionally open its doors to the general public on April 8 and 9. "Normally, we do not organize an excursion due to the smoothness of production and the safety of operations. However, we decided to exceptionally show the 185 visitors the casting of pig iron in a blast furnace, the production of our best-selling product – wire, or modern operations for the production of special refined steel bars," explains CEO Roman The Heide Excursion is already full, the quota was used up by interested parties already on the 5th day after the publicaton of possibility to registration.

The Museum in Třinec is preparing celebrations on the occasion of the smelter's anniversary as well as its own. "We will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the museum and the 185th anniversary of the iron works with a special interactive exhibition focused on the life of our ancestors and the attractions of the Třinec smelter. We will exhibit several original museum treasures, during the accompanying activities the visitor can try his hand at museum work and become a restorer, then for example samples of raw materials for the production of steel and different types of rails are waiting for him," invites Eva Zamarská, Director of the Muzeum. The exhibition, entitled Treasures and Curiosities of the Depository, opens to the public on Sunday, 28th of April and will be open until autumn.

In June, the museum's gardens will be opened by modern photographs by Pavel Zubek, the industrial photographer. An exhibition called Focused on the work in the changes of time, which in the form of a panel exhibition will present selected locations in the factory in historical photographs and will show their current form through the lens of Pavel Zubek.

The annual production of the Třinec steelworks is around 2.5 million tonnes of steel. The main products are mainly long rolled products – wire rod, shaped steel, special steel bars, drawn steel, rails, wide steel, seamless tubes and metallurgical semi-finished products. The company currently employs almost 7,000 people, and owns 28 subsidiaries.