© Thomas Schneider originalundmodell.de 2014 V1.12
© Thomas Schneider - originalundmodell.de
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originalundmodell.de
By Konrad Schmittlein
For quite a long time I kept in the back of my mind the desire
to get to know the firm Special Hobby, which enriches our hobby
again and again with interesting kits and detail sets.
Mr. Thomas Schneider and I were quite delighted, as the possibility for
originalundmodell.de arose to combine a visit with a portrait of Special Hobby
during a discussion at the Nuremberg Toy Fair.
On Friday the 10th of April we took off for Czechia, more precise to Horní Počernice, a part in the east of the town Praha. After a three hours drive
we stood a bit baffled in front of the firm Special Hobby, a four-sided building complex, where Mr. Peter Herrmann, chief of marketing, already waited
for us.
Already on the way to Peters office became obvious that the only
thing that counted was modelling and nothing else. Wherever you
looked there were glass cabinets with show models or shelves
stuffed with aeronautical literature, kit boxes, which surrounded the
working places.
Having coffee and sweets Peter explained the program of the visit
and we were very surprised that we should also see the area of
product development. And so we could get over to interview Mr. Jiri
Shilhanek personally, because he was
unable to come for reasons of business dates. But he answered all
our questions by e-mail very careful.
Toy Fair 2015 (Nuremberg) with an awarding for innovative product development.
Peter Herrmann, chief of marketing, Volker Helms IPMS Germany and
company founder Jiri Silhanek.
At the first stations Mr. Alfred Riedel, chief of product development
already waited for us. On several computer work places originate
all essential elements from the construction to the instructions and
the decal drawings, which finally comprehend the complete kit.
But here reigns not only modern CAD-technology, but also the
traditional master modelling has its place. So it was especially
fascinating to watch a master modeler working out details on the
master of a Hawker Tempest in 1:32 scale. Also the owner of
Special hobby still has his working place here where he relaxes
while modelling if the business allows it.
Klick to enlarge
On our way to the production facilities we passed a room, where we could
watch 4 computer aided milling machines generating aluminium moulds. It
was as far impressive as no persons were present and solely the sonorous
sound of the machine was recognizable, which found its way through the
material as if by magic.
In a part of the building complex in the ground floor the injecting of the kits
is effected by 6 machines with two of them in the latest technology. In an
adjacent room, the so called treasure room, all not used moulds are
stowed, a value worth round a million Euros as Peter remarked.
This sterile machine world is made less monotonous by the military collectibles of
the owner as there are prop blades, pilot seats and a lot more.
After a walk around through the astonishing big
warehouse and distribution center we refreshed
in a nearby restaurant with regional food and
excellent beer for the second stage of our visit.
Before the visit progressed, Mr. Riedel gave us to our surprise an insight in the projects currently under planning and development.
After a certainly not unintentional and critical discussion we went in an elated mood to the “devils workshop” or rather the resin manufacturing, which is also
housed in a separate building complex. That means more accurate, that here besides the resin injection also the parts separation from the moulds, the sorting
the packing and the storage is combined.
On the way back to Peters office we got an idea of the e-shop and the tendering
of account and here finally became obvious that Special Hobby
with more than 2500 different products reaches the limits of the
available space.
Quite impressed of the potential we saw and inspired in the whole
we took place in the former seats of a Tupolew airliner in the
meeting room in order to end the visit by exchanging ideas.
Though we were already overloaded with all kinds of impressions
the statement of Peter that until autumn the whole computer
system will be renewed by an appropriate investment,
something like the mood of emergence into the future
could be felt.
With that all our questions were answered for the
moment except the one about the history of the firm.
But therefore the already mentioned interview
with Mr. Silhanek took care.
Mr. Silhanek: When did you start modelling and what was your
first model?
“I started building models in the age of thirteen. My own first model
was a Spad VII from Airfix in 1:72 scale and immediately afterwards a
Me 109 in 1:72 also from Airfix.”
What did you cause to make a profession out of modelling?
“The way from modelling to a profession has to be understood as the
composition of several circumstances. There were not many kits on
the market and for a modeler in the then communist Czechoslovakia
western models were almost unreachable. You had to become creative
if you wanted to build a model of a certain type. So I carved two
master models from lime wood, the Bolchvitinov Bi-1 and the Jak-23,
which I casted then in resin. Afterwards I sent some photos with
respective comments to a foreign modelling magazine. After that so
many letters and inquiries followed, that I decided to start a series
production in resin. It therefore was the pleasant interest of other
modelers and the pleasure about the successful work, which led me to
become a professional modeler.”
When and how the foundation of the firm happened?
“Officially the firm was founded in 1989, as the circumstances after the
political change in Czechoslovakia made it possible. Unofficially the
firm existed since about 1978. So I execute an illegal activity, which
was not always simple, because contacts to the West were concerned
as possible espionage or activity hostile to the state, which could have
consequences, which would have made no pleasure to anybody in the
world.”
What size has the firm today?
“The buildings include 1400 square meters and at moment we work with
35 permanent employees. But as you have already seen, free space is
rare and that`s why we strive since quite a long time to move into more
modern production facilities.”
Where is the main market for Special Hobby?
“A clear classification is impossible here, because every market is
important. Certainly the markets of the USA and Great Britain and Japan
play an important role.”
What influence will Rapid Prototyping have on modelling in the
future?
“This technology means two different things. On one side there is
achievable a higher level of quality and accuracy on the other side it
means rising prices, because the increase of quality and the cost of
procuring influence the prices.
Moreover the overhead expenses are not insignificant!”
How do you see the future of modelling?
“Though I always was an optimist I will keep optimistic in the future and
That`s the reason why I`m convinced, that active and flexible firms,
which react to the demand accordingly and have an interesting range of
products will have always their fans and customers.”
Mr. Silhanek we thank you for the interview.
The walk around Special Hobby, the explanations of Mr. Jirci Silhanek and Peter Herrmann showed clearly, that the signs of the present were interpreted in
the right way and one is willing to react as well technically as commercially. So the already existing potential will be optimized and adapted to the challenges
of the future in every respect.
For this extremely interesting day we cordially thank Mr. Jirci Silhanek, Mr. Peter Herrmann and Mr. Alfred Riedel and wish you and all employees the most
possible success.
Konrad Schmittlein
May 2015
Text:
Konrad Schmittlein
Pictures:
Thomas Schneider
Pictures/Toy Fair:
Special Hobby
