SVERMA'S IRON FACTORY AT PODBRESOVA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R005400500005-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 31, 2000
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: August 9, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION WO, /GtT1 TRROL - U?S. OFFICi max CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For R 4OW6 GbM4ZOA'6457R005 -6a rm. t INFORMATION REPORT' CD NO.
CMJNTRY Czechoslovakia
` ?E ECT Sverma's Iron Factory at Podbrezova
PLACE
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DATE DISTR..
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NO. OF ENCLS.
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SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.,
9 i-"UG 50
3vex n IVs Iron Works is the latest official name for this national enterprise
at Podbrezova (Q49/)? Previous names were Zelezarny Fodbrezova (Iron Works
at Podbrezova) and 3tredoslovenske Zelezarny (Central. Slovakian Iron Works)
2. This enterprise is a small iron works to which a foundry was added and
enlarged, particularly during the war, to include the production of the
fa-Uawingm structural steel for bridges,, machine tools for the processing
of wood, agricultural machinery, gasoline barrels, shell casings, riveted
and welded products, iron goods, and gun-stocks for the German navy.
3. The management of the plant at Podbrezova also controls the operations of
plants in the following cities: Piesok (Pb9/TO2), Hronec (Q1~9/D06), Brezno
(Q49/Dl6), ?Cteovice (Q49/D34), Chvatiny (believed to be Chvatintech (Q49/D06),
in addition to a small plant for the electrolysis of copper at Banska
Bystrica (Q49/C76). Until 1949, factories in Bohemia and Moravia producing
woodmrking machines were also managed from Podbrezova.
.. The plant at Podbrezova employs 1600 workers, The buildings and
equipment are antiquated. During the years 1918 to 1938 the factory was
state-owned and operated at an average loss of thirty million crowns a year.
At times it was more economical to shut down the plant and pay the
workers their minimum wage. The reconstruction of the steel works was
begun during the war. A gas generator was added and a small scrimp pile
(srotove pole) was started. During the Two Year Plan (1947 ? 1948),
reconstruction of the Martin furnaces was begun.
At present there are four Martin furnaces, one of which is always held in
reserve or is being repaired. Each furnace has the capacity for a forty
metric ton charge, and each charge lasts five to seven hours. On the basis
of this, the rated capacity of the Podbrezova plant is 140,000 tons of
steel per year.. However, the actual capacity may be said to be 120,000 tons
per year. Present steel output is 85,000 tons. The plant is known for
careful planning and its ability to complete its yearly production quota
in spite of low worker efficiency,,
6. In the Podbrezova plant the raw steel was formerly cast into 350 mm x
400 mm ingots for rolling on a rough mill (hrube trati) into raw rolled
pieces,. (predvalky, eagle). However, a new method has been successful
whereby the steel is cast into ingots 90 to 100 millimeters thick which
This document Is hereby regraded to
CONFIDENTIAL In accordance with the
letter of 16 October 1978 from the
Director of Central intelligence to the
Archivist of the United State.
Next ftVoy aefd F28elease 2000
 OOC/.06J26 (v'IA}R11P92 R'b*b400500005-6
can be processed directly di the fine ::fill into steel rods for reinforcing
concrete) and pipe, thus e1i Tinting the rough aiii step.-',c By eliminating
the -ough which was installed. in 1852) and the t.renty-five pen
necessary to operate it, the plant is able to save approximately 25
million crowns per year. The rolling m :ill used to produce steel A os was
built in 1930 by the Vittcovice Iron .'orks (P50/058) -and has a capacity of
70,000 tons. Rods for reinforcing concrete are made by twisting two rods
together thus forming a spiral with a large pitch. These, however, are
not as good as the r-erjc~n--made rods. The universal rolling sill for
pro 1 ucing steel plates can roll sheets to a riininaun thickness of three to
four millimeters. The shears attached to this mill are in good condition.
Smaller medium : dills for making particular ;profiles and I-beams are being
installed but are not yet in used The pipe shop has a single '_sanesman
LAU ('Manes:nanova trat) rich is about 40 years old and very. ineffici:.nt?
T Ids mill is capable of producing pipe of 90 to 100 mm diameter which is
later drar.-zi to pipe of smaller dimensions. The pipe shop has a capacity of
about 15*OO0 tons, but is now producing only 12,000 tons per year.
7 If the Pcdbrezova steel plant .-;ere operating at its capacity, the plant
could produce 12,000 .- 15,000 tons of pipe.. 45:000 tons of sheet steel,
and 60,00) tons of rods, Although there is a magnetic crane and a press
fo:^ tide handling of scrap, the equiprient used in charging the Martin furnaces
is primitive and slows down their oper