The previous director of the company, Marek Špok, was dismissed by Černochová last December. According to her, the reason was the company’s long-term disappointing results and problems in internal company communication. Technical Director Martin Šturala temporarily took over the management of VOP CZ. Last year’s business ended with a loss of 55.8 million crowns. In 2022, years later, it reported a profit of 468,000 crowns, a year earlier it was in a loss of 59.3 million crowns.
Navrátil won the selection process in mid-July, and his nomination was subsequently approved by the government committee for personnel nominations. The new director has been the chairman of the board of the Olomouc District Chamber of Commerce since 2015, he also works as an executive of Linser Industry Service. “By the end of August, he will quit and take time off from his other work and professional commitments so that he can take over the leadership of VOP CZ on September 1,” the office said.
According to Černochová, VOP CZ is a strategically important company in the Czech defense industry, and according to her, its importance is also growing with regard to the modernization projects of the Czech army. Last year, the company became the main strategic partner of the Swedish company BAE Systems for an order for 246 combat vehicles CV90 infantry for the Czech army for 59.7 billion crowns.
Navrátil: We have to stabilize VOP
“It is therefore important for the Department of Defense that it stabilizes and improves its economic results. I am convinced that the new director, Mr. Vlastimil Navrátil, whom I appointed to the position today, has the best prerequisites for these goals. He is an experienced manager and expert who went through a demanding selection process,” added Černochová.
According to the ministry, Navrátil wants to build on his experience in the engineering industry at the head of the company. “We have a lot of work ahead of us. The main task is to stabilize VOP CZ from an economic and personnel point of view. But we also have to focus on the further development of strategic projects, such as the production of CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles, where the state enterprise will have an important position as an integrator,” stated the new director.
Navrátil is a member of the active reserve, in 2023 he worked in the Multinational Battle Group in Slovakia as a senior officer of the purchasing and acquisitions department. He studied economics and business management at the Moravian University Olomouc and the Academy of Crisis Management and Management.
