TPCA - Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile – the Kolín manufacturing company is celebrating its fifth anniversary since its establishment and two years since its full production capacity of 300 000 vehicles annually.   

“The mutual project of both companies Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroën of car manufacturing- TPCA – is the largest completed foreign investment in the Czech Republic,“ says the general director of CzechInvest Tomáš Hruda and continues: “In addition we can include even other supplier projects that were created through this investment.” According to the economist’s estimates, TPCA contributed to 1.5-2% GDP growth in the Czech Republic in 2005. Annually it purchases manufacturing parts in the amount of 20 billion a year and its annual revenue 50 billion crowns is also a significant benefit to the domestic economy.

“We are very happy with the implementation of the project. The project is working according to plan, the start of full production was exactly on time, we employ a skilled labour force and we positively evaluate our cooperation with suppliers. The results are high quality cars of three brands, which we are selling well on the market, "said Yasuhiro Takahashi, TPCA president and continued: "In the future, we are aiming at stabilizing production, human resources and long-term cost reductions. We are working according to the Toyota Production System, continuous improvement (Kaizen) and the high demands we make on the quality of our work are characteristic. "

3,500 employees work at the factory. TPCA and its trade union signed a collective agreement on February 27, 2007 guaranteeing them a salary increase for all employee categories by at least 7.5%. The agreement also has an attractive program for employee benefits such as the favourable leasing of cars, housing support, etc. "From April 1st, 2007, the average wage of the lowest working position will be 20 000, - CZK plus 3000, - CZK in employee benefits. The average wage in production will be 23 100, - CZK plus another 3-4000, - crowns in benefits. The total salary is increased by an annual bonus of 5% of the annual base pay. We require superior performance and high work quality. However, we also offer well above average conditions. TPCA is ranked among the top 25% rewarding companies in the Czech Republic, "says vice-president for manufacturing, Jiří Černý.

After an investment of$ 300millionper year requiring an increase in salary andfinancingbenefitsincludingholiday leave forfive weeks, the parent companies of ToyotaandPSA declare their satisfactionwith the results ofthe TPCA project and plan on operating in the CR for a long time. 

Matěj Matolín
TPCA spokesperson