Linet s.r.o.

Linet of Želevčice u Slaného, a leading hospital and nursing bed manufacturer, has donated 100 000 Czech crowns to sponsor and exhibition entitled “Remarkable Face of Joy”. It is installed in the foyer of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. The series of photographs shows the life of terminally-ill patients. The exhibition photographs are on show until 30 March. Then the exhibition will travel around the country for the next two years.

LINET, a leading hospital and nursing bed manufacturer, will provide long-term financial and professional support to vocational technical schools in the Central Bohemian Region. LINET obtained money from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the State Budget of the Czech Republic for the project entitled “S Programme” which was launched in February 2009. This specifically concerns targeted work with pupils of the Kladno Dubská Secondary Vocational Apprenticeship School, Stochov Secondary Vocational Apprenticeship School of Crafts and the Slaný Integrated Secondary School. A special training centre is being established for apprentices at LINET at a cost of 2 million Czech crowns.

Zbyněk Frolík, the 2003 Winner, originally began as a flower grower and seller, but soon went into a different line of business: the manufacture of hospital beds. Linet, of which he is joint owner, is one of the biggest medical bed manufacturers in the world. The company has concluded large contracts in Cuba and Venezuela, for example. In Želevčice u Slaného, where the company has its head office it also has its own development centre. The company now employs over five hundred people. Today the company is controlled by the Germany holding company Wibo. It exports its beds to seventy countries worldwide. Apart from beds, it also manufactures mattresses and medical furniture. Linet also received the Firm of the Year 2006 award.

Linet, ranked as a leading world hospital and nursing bed manufacturer, participated in the prominent medical technology fair Arab Health in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in January. Linet presented its products from its stand (pictured) at this biggest fair in the Middle East in the prestigious hall number three where it presented its new Eleganza 3 hospital bed, an improved version of the already successful Eleganza Smart model.

As the economic downturn threatens to become a recession in the Czech Republic, the government is re-examining public finances and reform plans that had been put into motion before the crisis hit. To that end, the Industry and Trade Ministry has prepared an amendment to an act that granted incentives to foreign firms and investors. The amendment, to be proposed in Parliament, would shift incentives away from manufacturing industries and, instead, focus financial support to research and development, technology and services centers.