We are traditional and stable Czech company since 1939
The roots of our company were established in 1939 by J. E. Solman, a former representative of Swedish company SKF and Swiss company SRO.
The bearings had been produced under trade mark ZKL from 1953. In the year of 2010, we changed our strategy and since then our products have been manufactured under new trade mark VRL.
Primary assortment
Standardized single row deep groove ball bearings and several types of double row self-aligning ball bearings with bore diameter from 3 to 12 mm and with outer diameter from 10 to 32 mm can be found in our standard product catalogue.
Our main specialization is the production of special modifications of small ball bearings (special ball bearings with outer diameter up to D = 60 mm) and precise machining of rotation parts (precise machined rotating parts.)
Mechanical equipment
The variability of the machinery and equipment allows us to also produce special bearings (e.g. traveling rollers) of various sizes and shapes according to customer requirements. Our special single-row and double-row ball bearings (bearing rollers of various shapes and profiles) are used, for example, in fireplace inserts, in transport equipment carriages, in wirehouses for guiding wires of various diameters, in the aviation industry (flaps for buoyancy control), as guide rolls different profiles, etc. We will be happy to help you choose a suitable design solution. We are able to manufacture some types of special bearings (pulleys) with an outer diameter of up to 100 mm.
Rotating parts
We produce accurate rotating parts according to customers request. We manufacture finished products or we do only required technology processes (hardening, grinding, super finishing, washing, etc.) on parts delivered by customer.
Factory shop
In our Rokytnice factory shop, we produce various rotating parts, such as for connections (flow screws), threaded plugs, necks, fittings, nuts, bolts and pins.
History of the company
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Establishment of the company by Mr. Jan Evzen Solman, the former business agent of Swedish company SKF and Swiss company SRO.
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Production progamme focuses on single-row ball bearings, for whose different parts are purchased from and delivered by German company STAR located in Schweinfurt (balls, cages, rivets). The first ball bearing produced by the Czech firm is a model 6205 under the trademark JES (Jan Evzen Solman).
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Expansion of range of products (spherical plain bearings and other turned, alter. grinded motor parts, e.g. distance rings, pins, studs. The bearings are marked by company's mark JES.
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The organization is governed by national administration. The purchase of cages ends and therefore own first press tools are put in place.
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ONV in Říčany decide to confiscate the company's property.
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Abolition of national administration and incorporation of the company into Zbrojovka Brno n.p. (national enterprise).
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Foundation of a stand-alone enterprise for the bearing production. It becomes a subsidiary of ZPS Závody přesného strojírenství Brno – Líšeň within the re-organization of the whole Czechoslovakian industry.
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Joining of business premises n. p. Zona Hloubětín in Dolní Měcholupy. A new control method of statistical regulation in the production of bearings.
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The company gains an independence and changes its name into n. p. Valivá ložiska Dolní Měcholupy (abbr. VLM) and begins to produce bearings under the trademark ZKL.
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Replacement of turret lathes by more productive single- spindle and five-spindle automated lathes.
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Assignemnt of new business premises in Prague 4, former place n.p. Tesla Hloubětín.
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Assignement of business premises of Grafotechna company in Dolní Měcholupy where the workshop for overhauling of machines takes place.
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Purchase of the first foreign grinding machines - grinding machines for bore grinding Woumard. The production of bearings EL 3 (new designation 623).
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The company loses its autonomy and is incorporated into the concern ZPS Líšeň (by the decision of ministry).
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The plant VLM is repeatedly set up as a company and subordinates to ZKL Brno. The new name: ZKL, Závody na valivá ložiska, národní podnik, Dolní Měcholupy.
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The bearings with cages from TEXTGUMOID. Ultrasound cleaning device in use.
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Sequential switchover from the production of one-piece sheet cages to two-piece sheet cages.
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Developement of first sealed bearings.
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The other rearrangement of Czechoslovakian industry. The organizations which are producing bearings are concentrated in the newly-emerged trust ZVL – Závody na výrobu ložísk headquartered in Považská Bystrica (SK). An assortment of single-row and double-row ball bearings with the outer diamater up to 35 mm is set to be produced in Prague company. The evaluation of noise level of bearings and a measuring laboratory are put in place in our production.
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The construction of new shop floor begins in Prague.
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The new shop floor gets going.
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Ball bearings with plastic cage.
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The beginning of the production of ball bearings with metal shields Z and sealings RS (a vulcanized rubber on metallic stiffener).
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Extension of production hall.
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Opening of the extended production hall for turning operations and new hardening room.
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Completion of company quarters.
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Purchase of gas hardening line Safed.
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Implementation of bearing shields ZR.
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Implementation of bearing sealings RSR.
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Origin of stand-alone national enterprise ZKL Praha.
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Foundation of joint-stock company ZKL Praha a.s.
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Partial change in the production: rings for spherical plain bearings for SKF company.
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More special ball bearings has begun to be implemented in our production. Several types of double-row ball bearings for automotive are first.
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New special bearings has begun to be marked by single type symbol VLM (Valivé Ložisko Měcholupy), original ones are still in force under type symbol PLC (plánovací ložiskové číslo).
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We begings to produce complete spherical plain bearings for SKF company.
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The first quality management certificate ISO 9001 for "Design and anufacture of rolling and sliding bearings" and "Machining of metal parts to customer's specifications" and gaining ISO TS/16949 certificate for "Manufacture of rolling and sliding bearings".
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The change of company's name to ZKL-ZRL Praha, a.s.
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Implementation of internal information system.
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The change of company's name to ZKL-VRL Praha a.s.
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New name VRL Praha a.s., trademark ZKL is replaced by new trademark VRL.
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New sealing have been implemented into the production. A bearing with the sealing RZ has its inner parts covered with a double-blade sealing pushing on the ground surface of the inner ring without prestress, which guarantees low friction of the bearing, and the labyrinth-like cutting edge profile guarantees a sufficient sealing ability against not only the leakage of grease but also against the dust penetration into the bearing.