Former Cuba has taken hold in the world of textiles, producing work clothes<

Former Cuba has taken hold in the world of textiles, producing work clothes

"After last year's parliamentary elections, I started my business in full. I'm not the type to expect a newsagent or a lasso from a friend. I've always been used to taking care of myself, I like to create something and solve problems. I've always enjoyed doing business, even before joining the ministry, I ran a bakery in České Budějovice, among other things, "said Práva Kuba.

Although his original profession is a doctor, his business steps were not directed to healthcare, but surprisingly to the textile field.

Together with their long-term collaborator and partner Adam Kotalík, they set out to save the Strakonice company, which produces work clothes. But otherwise it's a business like any other. You need to have a quality product and be able to sell it.

We reorganized and streamlined production, increased its output and managed to convince traditional customers that production will work as before, "Kuba described the first year of work.

New generation bathrobes

Today, thirty women work in Fiantex in Strakonice, and two other workshops operate in České Budějovice and Lhenice. "I appreciate that we managed to keep jobs in Strakonice and add some in other workshops. We export almost ninety percent of our production to Germany, where there is enormous pressure on quality, and so far customers are satisfied, "added Kuba.

Thanks to the successful rescue of one company, Kub's textile group soon expanded to include another company. "It simply came to our notice then. Through a mutual acquaintance, Mr. Šrajer, the owner of Texsr, who, due to his age, wanted to leave the business, approached us with an offer if we would like to continue what he built. The company is engaged in the production of hotel textiles, which fit into our business plan quite well, "Kuba described.

Texsr holds a patent for Prowell fabric, from which it manufactures functional bathrobes of a new generation. "It is a unique fabric that can very quickly drain water from the skin into the top layer of the bathrobe, so you are always dry and warm," explained Texas co-owner Kotalík.

In cooperation with Jitex in Písek, they are developing a knitwear with similar properties, which would significantly expand the use of prowell and as a functional material would be well usable, for example, in sports.

"We definitely do not want to go the way of producing cheap goods at the expense of quality. We want the customer to receive goods made of quality material and well-tailored. Foreign customers, today not only in Germany, but also in Italy, appreciate that, "said Petr Maroš, CFO.

Texsr works very closely with the leading Czech fashion salon, which designed the collection for the Czech team for the 2012 Olympics in London, where it became famous for its boots.

They go to Milan with E. Daniela

"Together with E. Daniel, we succeeded in the competition for designs for hostess costumes in the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan, which will start on May 1. We are really happy about that, it is a very prestigious thing, "Kuba is satisfied.

His words are also confirmed by Eva Janoušková and Eva Flejšarová from E. Daniela. "I am always happy when someone new enters the industry who brings new stimuli, ideas and energy. I think that our cooperation will continue to develop. The material is very interesting and we can very well imagine its use in practice, "said Janoušková.

But Cuba did not completely betray politics. He remained the head of the South Bohemian regional association ODS and a member of the executive board. Unlike business, however, politics no longer makes him so happy.

"I have a view on current developments in our company, and I admit a bit pessimistic. The perception of company policy and the media has shifted terribly. Until a few years ago, it would have been absolutely unthinkable for the Minister of Finance to be the owner of companies that draw money from subsidies. Neither the company nor the media front would allow that, "says Kuba.

"Suddenly it doesn't matter and on the contrary it is the most popular politician. The ODS has to succeed in time, it will not work out in a few weeks, as someone still thinks, "he added. Business brings him much greater satisfaction.

"Putting a job and feeding almost seventy people every month will give an awful lot of work, but I enjoy it. And I often wonder with a bitter smile how such an experience would benefit some politicians who have strangely survived in various positions for many years, have never actually done anything proper, and we feed them from our taxes, "the former minister intends.