Two brands from this country, Rako and Object, currently offer excellent quality, diverse stylistics and affordable prices.
The beginning of ceramic tile production in the Czech Republic dates back to 1883, when the buildings of one of the mines of the Moravia coal mining company were equipped with clay processing machines, presses and furnaces in the Rakovnik area. This led to the creation of a factory that was then engaged in the production of unglazed tiles and refractory bricks, which later led to the creation of the first Czech ceramic finishing company, Rako.
Already in 1898, the company developed significantly, as one of its owners was E. Somersh, the son of a well-known ceramics and tile kiln manufacturer from Prague. The abilities and knowledge of the new owner greatly affected the assortment – faience ceramics, mosaics in the style of Persian carpets, tiled stoves, garden ceramics, facade tiles and relief elements appeared. The factory began cooperation with high-level artists, which increased the attractiveness of the products. Consumer demand has grown strongly. The company has also attracted attention at international exhibitions.
Over the next century, the company only expanded – first it merged with another ceramic factory located in Poshtorn, and after the end of World War II, the company was nationalized, after which seventeen more Czech factories were added to it. In the late nineties, due to changes in the country's politics and economy, Rako became a joint-stock company.
Today's collections of the company largely continue the classical traditions laid down here in the 19th century. Of course, Czech ceramic tiles have their own characteristics, but at the same time they contain qualitative characteristics comparable to those of Italian and Spanish products. As before, the manufacturer pays a significant share of attention to design, creating interesting series in different styles.
A significant place in the model range is given to collections presented in a modern way. There are also those designed under the influence of nature – they use natural shades or there is an imitation of stone. In short, the Rako brand firmly occupies its own niche in the European market.
In 2002, Rako became part of the Austrian Lasselsberger Ceramics group, as the latter became the majority owner of the company's shares. There is also another Czech brand, Object, whose activities are focused on the production of finishing products for public institutions, commercial centers, and industrial facilities. An important feature of this brand is the production of plain floor and wall tiles. Of course, the products are characterized by high quality and are often used in the creation of large industrial enterprises.
In general, taking into account the annual production volume of the Austrian group, which is forty million square meters, Lasselsberger, which unites several European plants, is considered a fairly large manufacturer on the market. The latter circumstance indicates good prospects for Czech ceramics. Explore Matchbook and find your next favourite game.