ORGANIZATION OF OMNIPOL; PURCHASES MADE BY CZECH INDUSTRY OF FOREIGN MACHINERY; GERMAN FIRMS WILLING TO DELIVER MACHINERY TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
7
Document Creation Date: 
November 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
March 8, 1999
Sequence Number: 
8
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 20, 1950
Content Type: 
REPORT
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PDF icon CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4.pdf680.93 KB
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CLASSIFICATION S /C07.713.0i., TI. iFFICIATV, 01TIY Approved For Releaseomeivrt.aft?w2Aaiwo050006Atw NO. INTELLVAi 12 INFORMATION REPORT COUNTRY Czechoslovakia CONFIVEITIAIL SUBJECT Organization of Omnipol; Purchases Made by Czech Industry of Foreign Machinery; German, Firms Uill- ing to Deliver Machinery to Czechoslovakia PLACE ACQUIRED DATE OF' Prior to September 1949 INFO. CD NO. DATE DISTR. 20 JUN 50 NO.. OF PAGES 7 NO. OF ENCLS. (LISTED BELOW) SUPPLEMENT TO REPORT NO. 25X1A 25X1X I. Organization of Omnipol 1. The official name of the organization in Novo joinbstock corroration, Omnipol trading company. Its address is Na Pernstyne 12, Prague Ip Czechoslovakia. 2. The general management of Omnipol is as follows: a. Managing Directors Ing. Pospisill a Communist since 1945, but not in the confidence of the Party. Only through 'his personal connections with some influential persons does he retain his present position. b. Deputy Managing Directors Ing. Shenal, an ardent Communist since the Februr- ary1948 putsch. He was previously erployed at CND. The former deputy director, Dr. Pstross, was transferred to the central offices of Novo. c. Political AdministratortReichl? a Communist, was transferred to this post from CND. He is in quite good standing with the Party. d. Chief of Administration: Chief of Finance: f. Chief of Personnel: g. Chief of Treasury: STATE ARMY NAVY ing. Havel, a strongly convinced Communist.* His deputy is Ing. Cerny, an anti?Communist and former member of the National Socialist Party. Doubrava? an anti-Communist. The whole depart- ment is anti-Communist. Zeman, an ardent Communist and dangerous. The former chief was a Mr. Heinz, an anti-Communist, who was removed. Stary? a Communist through roar. Otherwise, the entire department is strongly anti-Communist. CLASSIFIbATION SEC /CONTROL - U.S '1FF ISTRIBUTION MR au CONIFIRINTIAL CIAT_SAM Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-0045 ?4C ocontn o No thong') In Clam El flj Doelosefed Nan. Ckanre To: TS SO AuthA NB 78- i IRMO B y : At! Approved For Release 1999/0 41.)1161iar4M05000620008-4 nEckbouTRoL - U.S. FFICIALS 011LY CWTRAL ILIGENCE AGENCY -2- h, Chief of Trans- portation: L Chief of Planning: j. Chief for Compen- sations k. Harker& qouncil: , Departmental heads in the a, Chief of the "ales Division: b, lianager of the Sales Department for ltachinery: eQ Sales Department for Enamelware; 25X1A Ing. Vanacek, a Comnunist since February 194g, who was recently dismissed from the Party. This department is being liquidated, and the employees will be transferred to various other departments of Omnipol. Ing. Urbanek, a Connunist.** nis deputy, Ambroz, Is an ardent Comrunist who has a special office and handles all confidential cases for the Ministry of National Defense? Ingo Tonacek, a convinced anti-Communist. He is in contact primarily with factories in the East Zone of Germany. Ing. Urban, a Communist. Ing. Urbenek? a Comnunist. Ins. Cerny, a former National Socialist. Ing, Vanacek, a Communist who has been dismissed from the Party but Whose present status is un- determinable. Poneeny, an ardent Communist, formerly a chauffeur. He is the most dangerous man at Omnipol.*** Ins. Rehorik, a Communist by compulsion only. 'ales Division are as follows: Ins. Rehorik, a Communist since February 1940.- His deputy is Ins. Kolar, also a Communist-sir:be February l948, Director navlicek, an anti-Conmunist. His deputy is Kucera, also an anti-Communist. The department Is being liquidated. Manager and rersonnel of this new department are not known. Its offices are in the Piri (Prague ramples.F4r) Building. d. Chief for Compensation Director Vanik, an anti-Comunist. in the FlalesDivision: 4, Dapatmedaheads in the Purchasing Division are as follows: a. b. co Chief of the Purchas- Ins. Sehnal? a Communist Tile deruty is Zdenek lag Divisions Polak, a Connuniet, who 'as formerly a f7oc5al Democrat. Chief of Purchasing Zdenok Polak. The address of this depart-ant is Department for "achinery: Pytirska 24, Traeue II. The deeuty is Vevoda, an anti-Communist. The bookkeeper is Josef Polak, en anti-Communist. Financial affairs aee handled by Aulehle, an anti-Comnuniet. Import permits eere obtained by art Reif until lertenber 1949. He was also an anti-Communist. Negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Trade are handled by a Th.'s. riskeva, an anti-Communist. Ing. Ur'etn, a Comnunist.** He was formerly head of the entire Purchasing Division, but was de- noted to his present rest by Ing. Pospisil (nee para. 2 a). The address of this rlopartnent is Havlickovo "snare, Prague IT. Bolouhoubek, an ardent Connueist and a former Freedom Party leader. Chief of Purchasing Department for Ball Bearings: . Chief of Purchasing Department for Electrical Material: ApprcnitEhfo6pittRma13.19W09/09i/CIA-RIN8a21218740051)00620008i ot n o Aan Department for I7,etals 311 SEyET/bONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALa ONLY Approved For Release 1999eppliLcifiirpApdfLipw9Itioo62000s-4 -3- 25X1A f. Chief of Purchasing Department for Ores: Chief of Purchasing Department for Automobiles: Ing. Eichler, an anti-Communist. Trio deruty is Ina. Kautsky, also an anti-Communist. Corey, an anti-Communist and former merber of the National Socialist Iarty. 5. Firms in Europe with -which Omnipol is in contact: a. Switzerland The general acency of Omnipol is Greek, Zuridh? Emadk (Emil Ackermann), Prague-Karlin, Acted as general agency of the most prominent factories in Switzerland until his death in July 1949. Some of the major Swiss companies with Which Omnipol deals are: 1) SIP - Soci6t6 Genevoiso? Geneva, manufactures coordinate boring machines. 2) Scintiln, Zurich and Basel, manufactures equipment for the automobile industry. 3) Georg Fischer, -chaffhausen? manufactures pantographic and copying nachinen, -thoelabrators aid other foundry equipment. Georg Fischer2s agent in Czechoslovakia is reedac, Prague. 4.) Nicafil, Zurich? manufactures special winding machines. 5) Micro Maag? Zurich, manufactures precision measuring instruments. 6) Delta, Solothurn, manufactures fittings and semis. 7) Osuna and Stamm, Schaffhausen, exports measuring instruments. 8) Autark? Zurich, is the general agency for several factories manufacturing eeasering instruments. 9) Oerlikon? Zurich, manufactures automatic lathes. 10) Maag? Zurich, manufactures machines to make gears and cogwheels. The General agency for Oerlikon and riaag in Czechoslovakia is indusera, Prague. Omack is the agency for all other Swiss factories. France The most important concern with which Omnipol deals in France is Oh. Berthiez, Faris, which produces planing machines and lathes with horizontal templates (carussels). Borthiez is reputed to be the only supplier of each egaipnent for Czechoslovakia. Al]. business natters are handled through Onnipol, Paris. C. Poland Polimex, Uarsaw- is the only contracting firm in Poland. d. In all other countries in Europe and America the interests of Omnipol are- repreeented by the general aeencies named above. In special cases Czech customers may be in direct contact with the manufacturer, but the purchas- ing transactiono must be handled by Omnipol. II. Purchases of foreien machinery made by Czech industry 1. The Kovosmalt Enamel 'Jerks at Caslav received in August 1949 two import eermits for electric furnaces. The price of these furnaces is132,000 in U.S. currency and the manufacturer is Nedro-Chemie (sic), in the United States. The date of delivery is to be &lout November 1950. These furnaces have been paid for lee a rlyricouTnoL - U.S. OF7ICIALS INLY Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4 rIL'Edril0 " " ROL - U.3. lTFICIAtr ONLY f0.1011011111r1M1 Approved For Reie e 969/09/09 : CIA'-RDP82-00457R00500 6200084 C3ITTPAL IUTELLIGSECE AGMOY 25X1A transferrable letter of credit in U.S. dollars opened in favor of an unknown !'wiss firm? and an export permit appears certain to be granted. This firm is able to pay promptly for the furnaces and after delivery will forward them to the :Enamel 'Iorks. Other similar cases have, been reported. In one instance the customer tried to acquire machinery through an interrediagy in Austria. 2. Machinery imported during 1949: a. Zbrojovka Brno In November 1948, Zbrojqvka ordered several special machines destined for its secret ball bearing program. The total amount of the order eas 35,000,000 Kea (700,000), one-third 'sayable in advance. The necessary import permit has been granted; time of delivery is 1949 - 1950. The bearings will be 50 mm in diameter. The suppliers are: 1) nhag, Zurich, supplying machines for the manufacture of cogwheels. 2) Uickmann, Znglandl through Industra, Prague has received a 97,000 order for automatic lathes. Part of this order has been delivered, and final delivery will be made during 1949 - 1950. 3) Herbert, England, supplying automatic lathes. 4) Georg Fischer of Schaffhausen, supplying foundry equipment. 5) flicafill Zurich, Supplying winding machines. 6) 0AEI0 Brussels, Belgium, through General Agency Ing. Bohm in Prague, supplying electric furnaces. b. Skoda tJorks (\ 1) For the mass manufacture of electric motors at its Pilsen plant, the following orders have been placea a) Miceli:, Zurich, has received an order for minding machines at a total price of 6,000,000 Kos (120,000), to be delivefed during the first part of 1950. An advance payment of one-third has been made. b) An unlinown manufacturer in Belgium will deliver a testing machine for electric motorsat a price of 67,000,000 Kos (11,340,000). The impert permit has been granted, and delivery will be made in 1950-1951. Payment is to be made at the rate of 5,C)00000 Kc s per month, an amount Which will exhaust almost the entire Czech supply of Belgian currency for 1950. c) Maxel? France, has received an order for a special testing machine to be delivered during 1950, and for which an advance payment of one-third has been made. 2) For other Skoda plants, the following orders have been placed: a) Haag of Zurich mill deliver, beto.leen 1949 and 1951, numerous plenum; and 57rinders includine, a heavy planer, model IISSM b) 7tarrag, Suiarlando through the Ackermann General Agency in Praaue, has been approached to surply a special machine for the manufacture of turbo-rotors, Skoda is trying to obtain the necessary import - - rormits for this. its most imaortant investment in 1949. The total amount of the order will be 9,000,000 Kc (1800000). An import permit has been obtained for a cutting machine costing 10500,000 Kos (130,000), to be delivered in December 1949. e) Berthiez, Paris, will deliver daring 1950 and 1951 a 100,000,000 Kea (T2,000,000) order for lathes with horizontal faceplates. ECCf/Cair ROL - U.r. OFFICIALS ONLY Approved For Release 1999/09/000OMINNIA100620008-4 ,/bourro/ - U.-. nFFICILLS ODLY. Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005000 CEDTRAL Immumna: AGMCY -5- 25X1A d) Hydroblast Co. (sic), in the United States, has already delivered a cleansine machine for castings. Skoda is now trying to get a U.S. export permit for a second rachine. CKD, Prague For its electretechnical work, CKD'has obtained import permits for Micafil winding machines amounting to 4,000,000 Kea W80,000). These are to be delivered during 1950 - 195/ and an advance payment of one-third has been made, MEZ0 Olomouc The Moravian Electrotechnical 'Jerks has purchased from: 1) Miceli., Zurich, a number of special presses. 2) Berthioz0 Paris, three lathes with horizontal faeeplates. e. Maeda Doleslav Auto lorks This company has arranged for the purchase or melding presses0 welding machines and spot welding machines from ASEA0 Sweden. These purchases are to be delivered in 1950 and a payment of one-third has been nade. f. Tatra Auto Uorks ? For the manufacture of its vehicles, the Tatra "arks has ordered several welding and spot welding macines from ASZA, Sweden. These are to be delivered during 1950 and payment of one-third has been nade. From England, Tatra purchased a large Clearing press costing at 90,000 tcebe delivered in 1950-1951. 7. Auto-Pram, Trague The Pram Automobile T?Torks has purchased from England a large Clearing press costing it 900000. Delivery will be nada in 1950-1951. h. lloravia, Marianske Udoli From 71Yssen,- Switzerland, transport eqeiement costing 3,000,000 Kcs (660,000) has been purchased for a new foundry. Advance eaynent of one- third has been made and deliver,* is scheduled for 1950. 3. Kablo, '71ratis1ava Kablo has placed in the western zones of Germany orders for mVeral special machines for the manufacture of cable. Vitkovice Iron 'Orks This plant has Purchased heavy foundry and forge machinery, primarily in the -western zones of Germaey. The necessary import permits have been obtained* k. PALI Prague PAL has purchased in Switzerland several special machines used in the manufacture of equipment for the airplane industry. Formerly about 80 percent of its output went to the Ministry of Defense. 1. Ministry of Defense The Ministry of Defense placed an order in Canada for a snow plough to be used at the Prague airfield. The import permit has been eranted and delivery is to 'he made in 1950. CSD (Directorate of Czech Railroads) During August 19499 CSD received several import permits for machinery from Switzerland to be used on the pohunin-Kosice railroad. The total price of the order is to be 4,000,000 Kcs (180,000)9 and delivery will be made in 1950. Approved For Release 1999f 0:CMADP82,-004571VM082008-4 fitOlifigraNTIAL SEVLICOTITIZOI, V2ICIALr ONLY Approved ForRelea e 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R00500062 "N? 0002nAL I-TELLIGENCE'AMM -6- n. Central Slovakian Machine 7orks, podbrezova 25X1A Several autogenous cuttinn machines have been purchased from AGA, Vienna. In order has also been placed ,dth an unknown conrany in France for oxyeen extraction eqpiprent. o. Kovo P. Neve has placed orders for several lathes with horizontal faceplates with companies in Canada. Import permits have been granted and an ad- vance payment of one-third has been made. Delivery is to be made in 1950 to several plants of the Novo corporation. Foundries and plants of the non-ferrous metal industry Several orders for foundry eqpipnent have been placed with Georg Fischer, Schaffhausen, Switzerland. This comeany will deliver abrasive discs, of types 'IS 1, !IS 2, NS 3 and 'JD 3, for the cleaning of castings. The price of each piece of egnipment is to be 48,000 - 120,000 Swipe francs (11,600 - 1299000). Several import permits have been obtained for aerate= and Simp- son mixers. 1) Customers for this type of equipment are Zbrojovka, Skoda.'jorks, CKD and the Moravia 'brks in Marianske Udoli. Advance payments of one- third have been eade in all cases and 20 percent of the eachines have already been delivered, with the rest of them duo in 1950. 3. In addition to the nachinaamentioned above, ',Mich are designated al invest- nents, Czech industry must be suprliei with other equipment for the maintenance of production. Czech ranufacture of aveh emnineent es rPrinrtA4 tn he mite in.- adequate Most important of these items are: spare parts for all types of mechines, chucks, revolving centers for lathes, spiral borers, and such measur- ing devices as vernier calipers, rules, !,,auges, levels and micrometers. Prior to June 1949 all orders for this kind (a? equipment were placed in Switzerland, Enelerd and Smeden. Since that date all new orders have been placed in the western zones of Ger any and many of the earlier orders uhich have not been filled have been cancelled and placed in the western zones of Germany. Meaeur- ing instrements from Germany are of first-class quality. Delivery is to be made from stock and at prices below those enoted in Switzerland, Eneland, and Sweden. Import permits anountine to_rany million Czech crowns have been granted for mining egniement. Purchasing priority aeong Czech industries is given in the following order!: a. MAnine h. ninistry of Defense and abrojovka Brno c. Skoda 71orke d. CND, Prague e. Kahl?, Bratislava t. Tatra '.Torks tht. Gorman firms willing todbliver machinery to Czechoslovakia 1. The nanamers of all Gernan firms with which Omnipol is in contact have expressed their willingness to deliver machinery-to Czechoslovakia and were not at all con- cerned about the purposes for which these machines were intended. They were all exrerts and must have understood perfectly 1411 the objectives for which the nachines would be used in Czechoelovakia. Practically all of than complained that their business was being hanperel by the Joint Export and Import Agency and by the American authorities. SEC qoarTROL flIITIGIALS 07LY CD - Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4 ?ci!lcrzrbOUTROL U.3. OFFICl/130 ONIX Approved For Release 199?9109 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4 z5X1 A CZ?P.ALIurILIG3NCE AGENCY 2. The following firma are able to execute short-term deliveries to Czechoslovakia; a, Naxos. Union, Offenbach Grinding machines b. Collet and Englehart, Offenbach U It c. layer and Schmidt, Offenbach d. Friedrich Schmaltz, Offenbach FM, Frankfurt Compressors and rining equipment f. Giesserei und Ilerkzeugmaechinen, Hoechst Foundry equipment go Georg Hermann, flunich Foundry equipment h. Waldrich? Coburg Planing maelines Hurth? Mulch Miscellaneous metevorking nachines j. Fr. Deckel? Munich Miscellaenous metal,qorking machines k. Doehringer, Gooppingen Lathes, automatic lathes 1. Schubr, Goeppingen Preasee m. Schmidt and Schmidt, Stuttgart- Grinding machines Obertrukhelt n, Stotz, Kornvestheim bei Stuttgart Foundry equipment o, Uerner and Pfeideler? Stuttgart- Feuerbach Foundry and special equipment loo Soest-Ferrum, Duesseldorf (former Schiess-Defries) Turret lathes qQ Froriep, nheydt Turret lathes, planing machines r. Zimmermann, Dasseldorf-Rath Foundry equipment Wa-h nctaLgamentg Except as noted in commento, the reports confirm- in a large number of details. Havel is listed as an anti-Communist. UalhirgIcaSs2reat: Pomezny eas listed of Onnipol. as Political Administrator 71612.1AdMSSMAIII: the Chief of Planning is Ing. Urban, While the Chief of the Purchasing Section is Ing. Urbanek. SECITE CTITROT, -U.S. OFFICIAL1 ONLY Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R005000620008-4 25X1X 25X1X 25X1X 25X1X 25X1X 25X1X 25X1X