Martin Minařík:
Investment and modernization of the Joint-stock Brewery in Smíchov in the years 1869–1918

Abstract

This study analyzes investment and modernization strategy of the management in the rapidly expanding company. The Joint-stock in Smíchov underwent a massive expansion in the period from its establishment until the beginning of the First World War. Especially after the 1890, the brewery management was constantly preoccupied with the problem of insufficient production capacity. The popularity of beer from Smíchov grew at such a high pace that, despite large investment, demand permanently exceeded production. The technological innovations that appeared in the brewing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries made the management’s complicated situation more difficult. Not all innovations have proven to be beneficial. Insufficiently time-tested technology could deteriorate the quality of the beer or bring about a manufacturing problem and cause a drop in profits or even jeopardize the existence of the brewery. Mastering a wide range of managerial problems by implementing investment and modernizing existing equipment, fully tested the skills and competency of the management of Smíchov brewery and enabled the company to successfully operate today.

Language: czech

Keywords: Joint-stock Brewery in Smíchov; beer; business strategy