ZPS-FN a.s.

ZPS-FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. (ZPS-MILLING TOOLS, joint-stock company) is the biggest manufacturer of milling cutters made of high speed steels (HSS) in the Czech Republic.

The company is divided into two divisions: Milling Cutters and Vacuum Hardening Shop. The production of milling cutters offers tools made in accordance with DIN and ČSN standards but also special milling cutters designed according to demands of the customer. Thermal processing of steels includes such technological processes like nitriding, hardening, tempering, annealing, heat treatment of aluminium alloys etc. We have our collection and distribution service for the customers.
History and tradition
Tradition of manufacture of milling cutters dates back to the 30th of the 20th century when production of tools was of the parts of engineering production of the Baťa concern. Production of tools made of high-speed steels (HSS) was commenced on the basis of preceding experience in the early 50s. This production already came under Závody přesného strojírenství (Precise Engineering Works) company known under the abbreviation ZPS world-famous in particular for production of machine tools. 1990 when an independently managed unit – Kombinát nářadí (Combine of Tools) – was established in former Czechoslovakia was a significant milestone in the history of the company. Production, trade, design and technology were unified here for the first time. The subsidiary company ZPS-KESTAG, A.G. was established within ZPS a.s. thanks to joining an Austrian manufacturer of tools and Kombinát nářadí ZPS. This fusion ended in 1994 and the production of milling cutters obtained the present name ZPS-Frézovací nástroje as a subsidiary company of the ZPS group. ZPS–FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. has been an independent joint-stock company in private ownership since June 2001. The company consists of two divisions: Divize Frézy (Milling Cutters Division) and Divize Tepelného zpracování (Thermal Processing Division).

The present and experience

Long-term tradition and experience, high quality of products, dense distribution network and favourable prices help to maintain a high share of the domestic market and continuing growth of export in demanding, mainly European markets. ZPS – FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. is the biggest domestic manufacturer of milling cutters made of high-speed steels. Germany is a dominant export region nowadays. The offer of services in the field of thermal processing of tool steels and other metals that includes in particular hardening, tempering and ion (plasma) nitriding has a great importance in the scope of regional activities of the company. The hardening shop includes also own collection and distribution service.

ZPS-FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. is a member of the concern organization together with VRTÁKY a.s. (DRILLS, joint-stock company) with the head office in Kyjov. VRTÁKY a.s. produces ground drills made of high-speed steels – www.vrtakyas.cz.

Tomorrow and future

ZPS - FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. works on improvement of competitiveness in key markets continuously. Focusing on the customer is a priority goal; it is necessary to satisfy topical demands of the quickly developing market of tools in this field.

Our objectives are as follows:

Price policy: Continuous effort for increasing of productivity which results in maintaining favourable and competitive prices.

Delivery terms: The objective is to have as wide catalogue range of products as possible and shortening of delivery terms in case of special tools.

Development of new products: Currently we are extending the offer of milling cutters made of sintered high-speed steels HSSE - PM, we are also developing the extension of the profiled range of tools in the group of milling cutters with Morse tapers. In the field of offer of coats, we commence sale of the standard universal TiAlN coat that we will have available as a standard part of our stock. As to the field of special milling cutters, we are developing e.g. milling cutters with internal cooling.

Cooperation with specialized educational institutions: One of the key components of research activities of ZPS - FRÉZOVACÍ NÁSTROJE a.s. is close cooperation with the staff and students of the Engineering Faculty of the Czech Technical University in Prague where tests of special milling cutters made of high-speed steels for titanium machining are taking place currently.

Export: The priority objective in the direction towards foreign customers is, besides the above mentioned, to offer high-quality services in the field of so called “private label”. The goal here is to increase efficiency of supplies of milling cutters with marking and packing in accordance with requirements of the customers.

Internet: Our both existing and future customers obtain the possibility to utilize e-shop for purchase of milling cutters and other new services by launching a new website.