Hutnictví železa, a.s.

Hutnictví železa, a.s. (HŽ) is a steel-making association that unifies firms in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Its members are prominent Czech and Slovak steel-making firms and firms whose business activities are directly connected with steel-making. Membership in HŽ reflects the need for cooperation among firms in the era of a global economy.

Main functions of the firm

• the presentation and support of members’ interests
• to serve as a platform for the exchange of information among members
• to collect, process, analyze, and transfer information from the metallurgical industry to customers, institutions, and administrations
• to mediate contacts with foreign associations and chambers

The Czech and Slovak metallurgical industry

Metallurgy is the traditional center of Czech and Slovak heavy industry. In years past it has proven its solid and high-quality foundation in the course of the transformation from state-controlled management to a market economy.

www.hz.cz

The Czech Association of Steel Construction (ČAOK) is:

• a Czech organization whose purpose is to develop the field of steel construction
• a Czech organization concerned with steel construction issues
• a Czech organization promoting the awareness of architects, designers, engineers, and all interested parties in the field including steel producers, manufacturers of steel constructions, investors, surfacing suppliers, welding and handling equipment, connecting materials, and further organizations whose activities are essential for steel constructions.
• cooperating actively with professional institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad
• a member of the ECCS (European Convention for Constructional Steelwork), which has its headquarters in Brussels
• participating actively in solving development programs in the areas of research, development, and standardization (activities of experts in technical, consulting, and work groups)
• participating actively in public relations for the industry
• collecting information and arranging consultation and advisory activities for the needs of its members, cooperating organizations, and professionals
• cooperating in organizing professional events (work meetings, seminars, conferences)
• following the design and execution of steel constructions, initiating and cooperating in providing measures intended to increase quality
• cooperating with organizations representing the steel-making industry (Hutnictví železa, a.s.)
• participating in the publishing and distribution of professional and promotional publications
• solving specific tasks requested by its members

www.CAOK.cz

Association of Metallurgy Material Dealers - SOHM

• organizes practical cooperation between suppliers in the fields of metallurgy industry, secondary metallurgy producers, and non-ferrous metals concerning trade policies and services.
• collects information concerning the manufacture and import of products which are a subject of trade
• gives notice of innovations and proven procedures in storage and logistics
• cooperates with professional authorities in the area of quality certification
• looks for opportunities to meet with foreign businesses in the trade by using its membership in the EUROMETAL Brussels organization.
• through collective membership in the Czech Confederation of Commerce, takes advantage of educational programs, and above all the advocacy of common trade interests, as well as social interests, particularly in creating better conditions for small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of economics, financing, and credit policies.

www.SOHM.cz

Association of Trade Wholesalers

The Association of Trade Wholesalers was established in 1993 for the purpose of implementing a three-level distribution path of producer (importer) - trade wholesaler – assembly firm (tradesman) in the field of technical equipment. Over the years the Association has increased from its eight founding members to a current membership of around 50. The Association has earned a firm position in the trade and is composed of strong wholesalers who are the backbone of the Czech market.

The Association is a member of the Czech Confederation of Commerce (SOČR) and was the first in Eastern Europe to be accepted as a member of the European Federation of Heating and Sanitary Product Wholesalers (FEST). Since its establishment it has cooperated closely with the Czech Association for Technical Equipment (whose members are thirteen trade societies covering the entire technical equipment implementation spectrum).

www.AOV.cz