TECHO, a.s. is one of the leading companies in Central and Eastern Europe providing comprehensive services in the area of fitting out commercial interiors, and is also a major producer of office furniture in the Czech Republic. Its customers include major banks, financial institutions, international companies and public sector organisations.
The history of furniture production at the Hostivař site of TECHO, a.s. dates back to the nineteen fifties when the first production facility of the state wood processing company Dřevozpracující podnik (DZP) opened. TECHO, which originally manufactured light fittings and office accessories, has been active on this site since 1991.
Shortly after it was established the company responded to other gaps in the market and started manufacturing office furniture. Later it moved into the comprehensive fit-out of commercial and public sector interiors.
An important moment in the company's history came in 2005 when the three-year business partnership with the Dutch group Royal Ahrend NV, one of the five largest office furniture producers in Europe, culminated in this company taking a 75% controlling stake in TECHO. The acquisition was completed in the spring of 2008 when Ahrend became the 100% owner of TECHO.
Starting in 1993 TECHO has expanded its operations to cover a large part of Europe. Today it has branches in Great Britain, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.
TECHO has won and successfully completed hundreds of projects in the Czech Republic and abroad. It works for clients in a wide range of sectors - for example, healthcare, education, finance and banking, and state administration. The most important orders delivered in the Czech Republic include fitting out the headquarters of Komerční banka on Václavské náměstí, and deliveries for the Czech National Bank, ČEZ, Česká spořitelna, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Philip Morris, the financial group PPF and the furnishing of the O2 Arena before the World Ice Hockey Championships in 2004. Outside the Czech Republic our major projects have included Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Queen Mary University London, ERSTE GROUP and hospitals in Gabon and Ghana.
In addition to large orders, TECHO has also worked on many smaller projects that were interesting from a commercial, architectural or design perspective. These include cooperation with Eva Jiricna on furnishing the Dancing Building and British Council as well as furnishing pharmaceutical company Bristol Meyers Squibb, several Czech embassies and consulates, e.g. in Tel Aviv, Munich, the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic at the EU in Brussels, the ministry of Finance in Alma-Ata, offices at Buckingham Palace and the Office of the President of the Czech Republic.
Establishing close ties with renowned architects has always been a priority for TECHO. These include British architect of Czech origin Eva Jiricna, leading Czech designer Jiří Pelcl, Dutch designer Hans Verboom, British architect Francis Duffy and Czech architectural studio ADR, established by architects Petr Kolář and Aleš Lapka.
TECHO, a.s. has been a long-term sponsor and supporter of the Czech foundation Prostor - architecture, interior, design. This foundation promotes Czech architecture and interior design and compliments the activities of TECHO. In doing this it address both the architecture and design community, and the general public.