The history of the BUZULUK Komárov joint stock company dates back to the very beginning of iron production in the region of Podbrdsko in the 15th century. Historical sources mention the year 1460. In the latter half of the 17th century, the ironworks passed into the possession of the family of the Prince of Vrbno. The old tilt-hammers were gradually replaced with modern blast furnaces and Komárov foudrymen acquired excellent craftsmanship. Numerous art castins are still to be see on historical buildings, e.g. Prague bridges or the famed Hanavský pavilon (Hanava Pavilion) in Letná, originate from their workshop.
In the 19th century, the backbone of production consisted of cast iron kitchenware, stoves and ornamental casting used in the construction industry. In 1902, the ironworks were purchased by the CT Petzold a spol. company. The manufacture of chilled rolls cast in in permanent moulds was initiated in 1904. In October 1919, the ironworks were transformed into a joint stock company. A decrease in production in the early 1920s called for a modification of the general conception of the production. With blast furnaces losing their importance, produciton focused on the manufacture of enamelled cast iron bathtubs and rolls. During the Depression, the company initiated the manufacture of piston rings (1932). In 1935, the Komárov iron works assumed the manufacture of mill machines from the Machaň company of Pardubice. These changes laid down the basis for the transformation of the ironworks and foundry into an engineering-oriented company. At the end of the year 1940, the Komárov works switched to war production focusing on piston rings for vehicle and aircraft engines.
After the eind of WWII, the Komárov ironworks became an national enterprise and were gradually converted to the manufacture of enamelled bathtubs, rolls and grinding mill machines, pistons and rolls. In 1949, the Komárov ironworks were given te name BUZULUK Komárov. In 1952, the plant assumed the production of rubber-processing machines from Svit Gottwaldov (originally Baťa Zlín), which completed its transfomration into an engineering works. Nevertheless, the first rubber-processing machine (a three-roll calander) was manufactured in Komárov as soon as 1929. Besides piston rings. rubber-processing machines became the major product of the plant, and formed an important Czechoslovak export item.
Within the framework of reorganisation of Czechoslovak industry in the 1950s, the production of mill machines returned to Pardubice, with BUZULUK asquired by Západočeské slévárny a strojírny seated in Hořovice. In 1958, BUZULUK became a part of the narional enterprise of Závody Vítězného února v Hradci Králové, and in 1965, it passed over to the branch enterprice of Chepos Brno. The reconstructed foundry initiated its operation in 1960.
The following three main production lines were developed rubber-processing machines, piston rings and enamel chemistry (mainly the production of nemamelled bathtubs and other cast iron products with same surface finishing). The production of bathtubs was eventually shifted to Bratislava. In the mid-1980s, the plant produced 20 million piston ring per year, supplying practically all the domestic engine manufacturers. In the late 1980s, BUZULUK purchased a licence for the production of steel band piston ring for Škoda Favorit cars from the Götze company. In July 1988, BUZULUK Komárov left the Chepos concern, becoming an independent state enterprise one year later. Transformed into a joint stock company in 1992, the company underwent a coupon privatisation. In 1996, BUZULUK was purchased by ČGS a. s.
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