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| T.RAD Czech President Jan Lepeška (left) and Production and Engineering Manager Jun Yoshioka |
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T.RAD, specialists in the production of heat exchangers for a wide range of applications, established a production base in the Czech Republic in October 2004 in response to the rapid growth of the automotive and air conditioning industries in Europe.
Barely six months after, the company moved out of a small flat in Prague to a fully equipped factory that produced its first heat exchanger for Daikin Industries Czech Republic in May 2005, according to Jan Lepeška, who worked closely with his Japanese colleagues to facilitate the local business and equip operations in the country.
In 2008, the company opened its second production line to support Toyota’s engine production by delivering Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) coolers for diesel engines for mid-size vehicles, which lower the temperature of the exhaust returned to the engine in line with strict exhaust regulations in Europe.
“The competitive advantage of our company is our size. We can be flexible for our customer, operate efficiently and move people across production lines according to the demand,” says Lepeška, the only non-Japanese to hold the position of president of any T.RAD subsidiary.
T.RAD Czech has become one of the most important operations in the T.RAD Group’s European territory. In anticipation of increased business, T.RAD is considering expanding the Czech factory.
“We will diversify our industrial applications and be even more flexible to changes in demand,” says
Lepeška.
To maximize the efficiency, quality and customer orientation of the processes, the company chief intends to further facilitate communication and collaboration among his Czech and Japanese managers and workers.
In 2005, he organized a management training initiative to build Czech-Japanese cultural understanding, localize company operations and improve relationships with Japanese clients in the country.
Lepeška is grateful for the confidence shown by the Tokyo headquarters in his management style and efforts to integrate the strengths of the parent company into the Czech operations.
“I appreciate the trust from Japan to make me the executive of this company. I believe that this is the first step for T.RAD to becoming a truly global company,” he says.
www.trad.cz |