“I Was in Awe of My First Semester at VSB-TUO,” Says a Graduate from the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology and Entrepreneur Jan Hrubeš

How did Honza get into foundry, how long does the production of cast iron pots take, and what are his plans for the future? He answered in the interview.

How did you get into foundry?

I chose foundry as a field of study at secondary school. Initially, I wanted to study artistic blacksmithing, but they did not have sufficient capacity there, so the school offered me artistic foundry as an alternative, which I accepted.

How do you remember your studies at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava?

I spent the first three years in the dorms with a friend from Brno, and we helped each other a lot during our studies. You enjoy studying more if you do not have to go through it alone. It was nice that almost all the students were in one place – the Poruba dormitory. Thanks to this high concentration of people, there was usually not much room for boredom. Often we used to go barbecue behind the campus or play some sport. In the last two years, I started working full-time and finished my studies in a combined form.

You came to Ostrava from Brno. Did you have any expectations from the city?

I did not think about the city so much. The key for me was to get out of Brno and try what it was like to live alone. More important to me were the reviews of students on the Internet and the fact that I could continue in the field I started studying at secondary school.

What did you think of the University? Was it a pleasant surprise for you?

Despite reading that VSB-TUO was not one of the most challenging universities, I was in awe of the first semester. Many people dropped out during the first year, and I did not want to be one of them. At the end of my first year, I decided to switch from art foundry to foundry technology. I wanted to immerse myself in the field more on the technical side than the artistic side. I appreciate the teachers and professors for their individual approach. For example, when I was interested in using the school facilities within a course, arrangements could usually be made so I could go to the university foundry to cast my smaller private projects.

You got an internship in the USA. Was it challenging?

It was challenging. Americans have a slightly different mindset at work. You are expected to give your best effort but are also paid differently. To sum it up, it gave me a great experience in project management, from design to final production.

What specifically did you do during your internship?

I was learning to design steel moulds for low-pressure casting of aluminium chassis components (uprights). I used the 3D program Siemens NX and the simulation software MAGMASOFT. I also inputted into the actual casting design. It was cool to hand in my first 3D mould design after six months of work, costing about USD 200,000 to produce.

When did you decide to start Litináč?

In my sophomore year, I attended the GREENLIGHT programme, which supports young entrepreneurs. I tried to figure out what I could do for a business. But I got the final idea in 2019 while interning in America when I discovered French pots from Staub and Le Creuset. It was something that I saw potential in and also believed I could design and produce.

How long does it take to make such cast iron cookware?

First, you need to design a 3D model, ideally have it printed on a 3D printer and “feel” it a bit and incorporate some ergonomics. Once you have the final 3D model, you must make a model device. This usually takes two to three months. The production of the cast iron blanks, including enamelling, then takes about a month.

What products do you offer?

We started with a frying pan, our only product for over a year. As interest increased, we became more confident and decided to buy a model device for three more pots. We would like to expand our product range again in the next year.

Is there a lot of interest in the cookware?

When I look at the sales curve, it is going up exponentially. But we are still learning a lot. Every time the company is doing well, we try to come up with some facilitation that makes it more self-sustaining. For example, we are now handing over our inventory and logistics to a fulfilment centre, which will make our job easier, especially around Christmas.

What are your plans for the future?

Our main goal is to expand our portfolio with new products and enamel colours. We would also like to add other kitchen utensils, such as ceramics, gradually.

What would you recommend to current students of art foundry, your field of study?

It always helped me see the practical application of the course I was studying. I recommend taking part in excursions or fairs, which can make the course more interesting. It also allows you to broaden your horizons again. If you want to do something on your own and try to make something in the University workshops, do not be afraid to ask, the teachers will usually agree. They will certainly be happy that you are interested in studying beyond the teaching hours.

Text: Ing. Barbora Urbanovská

Photo: Jan Hrubeš’s archive