Production of the legendary «Bohemian Glass» with a 230-year history has ceased

Who in the world doesn’t know such a brand as “Bohemian Glass”? Surely almost every adult in the Soviet Union and in modern Russia has heard this phrase at least once in their life. And this, by the way, is one of the assets of the Czech economy. Chandeliers, glasses, salad bowls, decanters and other products made from this glass were luxury items in the USSR. Even today, such products can decorate the interior of any home.

The history of the factory that produced all this beauty begins in 1794, when this production was founded in Kvetna, Uherskogradištė region. This plant stood for 230 years, changing its owners, but without changing the quality and beauty of its products.

At one time, the town of Kvetna was the second in Europe where glass etching was carried out, starting in 1897. Its products were exported to the USA, Australia, Africa, Egypt and other European countries. The glass factory was even able to survive nationalization in 1960, when it was state owned until 1990.

Today the owner of this enterprise is the company Cerva Bohemia. The problems began last year, when management reported losses that exceeded 28.9 million crowns. A year earlier there were also losses, but less - 8.4 million crowns, and in 2020 the plant operated at a loss with a figure of about 23.7 million crowns.

As a result, the oldest production in the Czech Republic is closing after 230 years! Cause? It is banal for these days.

“The reason is the rise in energy prices in recent years, due to which the export-oriented enterprise is losing competitiveness in the market,” said Marek Miklas, director of the glass factory.

“In 2022, our energy costs increased by 14 million crowns, which meant a 30 percent increase in costs,” he explained.

Will they be able to save Bohemian Glass in the Czech Republic and resume production someday? Unclear.

Based on materials from: https://www.gorodche.ru/