Janyška & Cie. Visit to Factory Location, Historical Information, September 9, 2019

[habigman]

Janyška & Cie. was started in the 1920s in Valašské Meziříčí – Krásno about 25 km from Nový Jičín.   Janyška & Cie. was a Czech company based on Austrian hat tradition.

Here is a brief history of the company.

Janyška was a hat production company founded in 1921 in Valašské Meziříčí .  At the birth of the company were mostly natives of Valasske Mezirici and the surrounding area, the main representative was Ludwig Janyška originally authorized signatory of the company Schlessinger Valasske Mezirici. The company immediately after its foundation quickly developed a promising and already in the 20s of the 20th century has become a strong competitor for companies that in millinery act much longer. Even because the company wanted to continue to develop, in 1928 the company was commissioned to "Janyška a spol., A joint-stock company for production of hats in Valašské Meziříčí".

The period of the joint stock company was the period of the greatest development of the company. Factory managed to export to almost all world markets, not only to America , but also to Asia and Indonesia . Export was the main item for the company and by the mid-1930s the company exported around 85% of the produced goods.

Like the rest of the industry, the factory was hit by the global economic crisis , but due to good leadership, it did not sign up more than the move to lay off several employees and reduce production. Fortunately, the factory stayed in order to grow even further from 1934 . Production and export have been rising rapidly, new and additional workers have been recruited and employees have been able to raise wages. The factory has participated in several world exhibitions and has almost always brought some price. At the end of 1938 , a major reconstruction of the factory was also carried out, when new dining rooms were set up for staff, new showers, dressing rooms and toilets were built.

In 1939 came the German occupation of Czechoslovakia . Although Janska managed to maintain the existence of the company, though at the price of small concessions. The factory was not only producing hats and caps, but also arms production and state orders for the production of military socks. By the end of the war , this production had prevailed.

After World War II, the company worked for a while, but after nationalizing in 1945 , it was then transferred to Tonak together with other Novojičín factories in December 1946 . In 1961 , the race was canceled.

https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janyška_a_spol.

I will was very fortunate to meet Peter Janyška and his wife Mirka.  Peter's grandfather was the technical director of Janyška and early post WWII Tonak.

I will start with historical Janyška & Cie. photos from Peter's personal collection, followed by a visit to the old factory location.  Many of buildings are still intact but are being used for other purposes.

Janyška & Cie. Hair Cutting Room Staff (1936)

Tonak / Janyška & Cie. Parade Float (late 1940s early 1950s)

Tonak / Janyška & Cie. Parade Members (late 1940s early 1950s)

Tonak / Janyška & Cie. Parade Members (late 1940s early 1950s)

Felt Stump / Hood Inspection (possibly late 1930s)

Janyška & Cie.Front Gate

Fur Pelt / Skin Delivery

Factory Buildings

 

 

Continued.

[habigman]

Visit to former location of Janyška & Cie. in Valašské Meziříčí September 9, 2019.  You can contrast with historical photos above.

Janyška Villa

Factory Entrance

Plaque to WWII terror victums.

Former Factory Buildings

I would like to thank Peter and Mirka Janyška for bringing me to the former site of Janyška & Cie. factory Valašské Meziříčí.  Also for sharing their historical information.