From the Ground Up – The Story of the Velká Bíteš Manufacturing Plant

The history of the plant dates back to 1946, when the construction of the industrial complex in Velká Bíteš began, initially under the patronage of Vítkovice Ironworks. In 1950, the plant officially started operations and was subsequently incorporated into První brněnská strojírna (PBS). Initially, production focused on pneumatic tools and valves for steam power plants. As early as 1957, the product range expanded to include turbochargers for diesel engines, marking PBS Velká Bíteš as a pioneer in this field.
 

In the 1960s, a decision was made to build an investment casting foundry, which became a key element in the development of PBS's aerospace program. From the first castings of turbine blades to complex components for cryogenic components and medical implants, this highlights the breadth of expertise the plant has built over the decades.

Construction of the turbine hall and special production hall 1985–1987.

Innovation as the Company’s DNA

Over the years, the plant has transformed into a hub of technological innovation. From the development of investment castings for aerospace to air conditioning systems for military aircraft, and the iconic jet engines TJ100, TJ150, and the latest TJ200, PBS products are used on dozens of global markets and are integral parts of some of the most advanced aerospace systems today.

The investment casting foundry, established in the late 1960s, has become one of the most modern workplaces in Central Europe. It specializes in manufacturing castings from high-alloy alloys used in aerospace, energy, and transportation industries. In addition to classic castings, it produces turbine blades, rotors, and complex components with high dimensional accuracy. In recent years, the foundry has undergone significant modernization, including the introduction of robotic workstations and vacuum furnaces for processing superalloys.

From a Small Workshop to a Legacy Spanning Two Centuries

The story of PBS began in 1814 in the town of Šlapanice near Brno, where an enterprising mechanic named Jan Reiff established a small engineering workshop. Initially focused on simple tools for the textile industry, Reiff made a breakthrough just ten years later when he built his first steam engine — a pivotal moment that set the company on a new path. As demand grew, so did the need for expansion. In 1837, the workshop relocated to Brno, where a new facility was established on Olomoucká Street.
 

This key move was led by Reiff’s business partner, Jindřich Alexander Luz, who took over the company after Reiff’s death. It was in Brno that the foundations were laid for what would become known as the First Brno Engineering Company. More than 200 years later, we continue to build on the same core values: technical skill, innovation, and the courage to explore new frontiers.

The earliest known view of Luz’s factory in Brno, circa 1850 (Photo: Roman Mifek / Wikimedia Commons).