Jaro J. Rousek

The factory of František Špilar

1920 - 1939

In 1920, Jaroslaf Josef Rousek buys the former match factory established in 1855. The facilities are transformed into a factory for padlocks and other metal goods like furniture fittings, fireplace or stove hardware and masonry tools. In 1930, Josef Rousek (Jaroslav’s nephew) becomes the new owner. A year later, the production of fishing rods and reels commences with the assortment broadened by 11 types of hinges, 11 padlocks, small saws, ovens, garden tools, fireplace or stove hardware, locks, hasps, bars and masonry tools. Within the years 1933-1934, the company expands in the field of fishing production, starts exporting abroad, and Josef Rousek becomes the owner of several patents improving the fishing rods and tools. In 1935, František Špilar (Jaroslav Rousek’s son-in-law) establishes his own factory for pressed goods, furniture fittings, locks for the railways, sewing machines, sheet metal toys and tools nearby. In 1936, Irma Rousková, the widow of Josef Rousek, takes over the Jaro J. Rousek company. At that time, the company offers 21 locks, 18 bars and hasps, new saws, ladles, 9 types of scissors, 72 types of fishing rods, 15 types of reels and a myriad of other fishing tools.

1939 - 1948

TOKOZ a.s.

1948 - 1989

On January 1st 1950, an independent company is set up, Továrna na kovové zboží, n.p. (Metal goods factories) giving birth to the acronym - TOKOZ. Three years later, TOKOZ starts using polyamide to produce reels, winches and holders for fishing rods partially replacing aluminium or brass. In 1958, aluminium pressure die casting is set up enabling fishing rods made of fibreglass and TOKOZ 395 butterfly padlocks with aluminium body to be produced. Within the years 1961 - 1970, the assortment is broadened by rod (piano) hinges, foundry and painting tools, metal office furniture and tv antennas.

In 1966, metal office furniture, garden and foundry tools, antennas, duralumin poles and masonry tools are discontinued. They are replaced by the production of special window fittings. In 1968, the production of the most successful export padlocks, the TOKOZ 112 line, commences. In 1970, TOKOZ sets off on the way of automation gradually implementing computerised cooperation. The assortment of building fittings is broadened once again in 1971. This time it is the TOKOZ III. The TOKOZ V. fitting follows in 1975 remaining among the assortment until the present day. The seven years to follow see the launch of the 600 and 700 padlocks product lines with cast zinc body. In 1985, the MK 100 skidding winch production is launched under a Japanese licence.

INTERESTING: A new hotel and tv transmitter is opened at Ještěd in 1973 with its laminated roof panels supported by prestressed fibreglass TOKOZ rods (2.5 cm thickness and 11 m length).

1989 - present

On December 1^st 1989, the company shop on Nádražní Street is opened. On December 13^th 1989, a licence agreement is signed with the German company ROTO Frank AG for the production of the Roto Centro 100 fitting. The German company remains the largest customer of TOKOZ for the following 30 years. In September 1992, Ing. Vladimír Chládek becomes the general director of the TOKOZ state company. In the same year, an open market competitiveness analysis terminates the fishing equipment production. In 1998, the company is privatised by Ing. Vladimír Chládek and Vladislav Veselý renaming it TOKOZ a.s. Due to the rapid development of the custom production, including automotive parts, a large assembly hall is newly built in 2001. The construction of assembly halls continues, and a new pressing shop hall is built in 2003. Major investments are made into the pressure die casting technologies of aluminium and zinc alloys, large new machines in the pressing shop and CNC machines in the tool shop. Ing. Vladimír Chládek becomes the majority owner of the company 9 years after the privatisation. In 2008, the US 250 manhole cover lock is launched. In 2012, the assortment is broadened by the TOKOZ PRO lock cylinders and new padlocks belonging into the same family with 3 patents. Two years later, a second product family is launched fitted with the TOKOZ TECH cylinders with 2 patents. In May 2014, a new tool shop building at the rear end of the company facilities is opened, and the facilities of the non-ferrous metal foundry are enlarged and modernised. The warehouses are moved, the buildings are insulated and the development shop is modernised. In 2017, robotisation replaces the most demanding physical labour. The last new item for the time being comes in 2019 with the launch of the top mechatronic cylinder TOKOZ ePRO with access control placing TOKOZ among the most innovative players on the locking technology market.

From Jaro J. Rousek and J. Špilar to TOKOZ a.s.