Czechia: Annual revenues of the manufacturer of braking systems and components for rolling stock surpassed CZK 2 bln (approx. €84 mln) for the first time. About 75% of sold products were supplied to the Indian market where DAKO-CZ established two joint ventures with local manufacturers in 2022. As a challenging task in the coming years, the company sees its entry into the North American market. The plans also provide for increasing the supplies to the EU, Africa, and South America.
In its press release on the preliminary results of 2022, DAKO-CZ claims to have more than doubled its sales in the last four years, despite all the adverse circumstances. If 2018 sales amounted only to CZK 927 mln (€38.9 mln), the figures in 2022 almost reached CZK 2.1 bln (€88.1 mln), 79% of which from overseas contracts.
DAKO-CZ emphasises its expansion into the Indian market in 2022, one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. The first joint venture was established with Medha Servo Drives (MSD) in Hyderabad. Its task is to produce braking systems for EMUs, metro cars, and locomotives for the Indian Railways. It is worth noting that last year MSD completed the construction of a plant in the state of Telangana to manufacture electric trains, locomotives, metro and monorail cars. The plant is expected to produce 500 cars and 50 locomotives annually. The second joint venture was established with Jupiter Wagons in Kolkata to produce braking systems for freight cars.
According to Lukas Andrysek, chairman of the Board of directors at DAKO-CZ, the company goes beyond investments in production expansion and actively supports R&D. Last year, InnoTrans, Berlin, Germany, saw DAKO KKBE electromechanical disc brake unit. The device is designed for regional trains and metro cars but can be used in passenger and freight cars. The brake unit does not need any compressed air or oil management, the company claims. Now DAKO-CZ is developing a completely new braking system for the fleet of three Prosper VLT two-car tram-trains which Marcopolo Rail, Brazil, plans to supply to São Paulo.
DAKO KKBE electromechanical disc brake unit at InnoTrans, Berlin. Source: DAKO-CZ
DAKO-CZ was established in 1816 as a foundry plant, and in 1920 began production for rail transport. The company provides a portfolio of pneumatic, electromechanical, and hydraulic braking systems for freight and passenger cars, locomotives, DMUs, EMUs, and LRVs. Major customers of DACO-CZ include Siemens Mobility, Stadler Rail, Skoda Group, Talgo, etc. Its braking systems and components are used in vehicles operated in India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and European countries.
