A Career Rooted in Industry
František comes from Senice na Hané and completed his training as a metal machinist at Sigma Lutín. At some point, however, working on a conventional lathe was no longer enough for him. “I eventually got tired of constantly turning the handle on the lathe,” he says with a smile. So he decided to continue his education, completed his secondary school diploma alongside his job, and made the move into what was then more advanced CNC technology.
His career took him through several different areas at Sigma Lutín, from the foundry and non-ferrous foundry to cutting operations. Later, he also worked for John Crane and Edwards at the same site. Over the years, he built up a great deal of hands-on experience.
When František talks about his time at Sigma Lutín, it quickly becomes clear just how large the operation once was. At times, up to 4,500 people worked at the site. “There were so many buses bringing employees in,” he recalls with a laugh. Early shift, late shift, night shift, the plant was always in motion. Today, the former industrial complex is divided among several companies and parts of the site are used very differently.
Warehouse Work at weba Is Anything but Monotonous
Since around 2022, František has been working at weba Olomouc in warehouse operations and material logistics. His responsibilities are varied and range from goods receiving, incoming inspections for series-production projects, and material entry in the system to warehouse issues, inventories, preparing delivery notes, and loading and unloading trucks.
What may sound like a typical warehouse job from the outside can be quite demanding in practice. At weba, it is not just about small packages or standard materials. Some tools and equipment weigh several tonnes and require careful handling.
When Logistics Becomes Precision Work
Some tools are so large that every centimetre counts when loading or unloading them. Lifting equipment and cranes are used to pick up, move, and position the parts safely. This requires not only technical understanding, but also experience and a good sense of dimensions, weight, and available space. For tasks like these, František works closely with his colleagues in logistics. That is exactly what he values about his working environment. For him, a strong team is one where people can rely on each other, find solutions together, and learn from one another.
Experience Can’t Be Learned from a Textbook
Many of the things that matter in warehouse operations are learned over time. What is the best way to move an unusual load? Which sequence makes the most sense? What needs to be considered when space is tight during loading? Decisions like these are often shaped by hands-on experience.
Accuracy is just as important when checking incoming goods. Standard parts and other materials need to be inspected, assigned to the correct orders, and recorded properly in the system. Even a small mistake can cause bigger problems later on. František’s strength is therefore not just getting tasks done. He brings a calm approach and the experience to stay focused, even when several things are happening at once.
What František Values at weba
When František talks about weba, the conversation quickly turns to the people. He values colleagues who bring experience to the table, share their knowledge, and work together to find solutions, even when the task is challenging.
He also appreciates the variety in his day-to-day work. No two days are exactly the same. One day may focus on incoming goods, another on inventory, and another on a delivery that requires a particularly careful approach. It is this mix that keeps the job interesting and shows that good logistics is about much more than simply moving things from A to B.
Advice from Many Years of Experience
When asked what advice he would give to young people, František does not need long to think about his answer.
“The most important thing is simply to show up for work!”
It is a line that gets a laugh at first, but there is a serious message behind it. Reliability is something František has valued throughout his working life. Being part of a team means taking responsibility not only for your own tasks. When someone is absent, others often have to step in. František even remembers a time when good attendance was specifically rewarded. The world of work may have changed, but his basic principle remains the same. When people can rely on each other, teamwork simply works better.
After Work, Tonnes Turn into Millimetres
Today, František’s children are grown up and he is now a grandfather, which gives him more time again for family, gardening, and of course his hobby. After work, he swaps the warehouse and cranes for trains, tracks, and miniature landscapes. His passion for model railways has been with him since childhood. And for František, it is about much more than simply running a train around a track. He creates complete miniature worlds with buildings, terrain, vegetation, and countless small details. Some of his models are already more than 40 years old.
300 Hours for a Model? Completely Normal.
When you look at a finished model railway landscape, you mainly see the final result. What you do not see are the many hours of work behind it. Even a smaller project can take between 100 and 150 hours, while more complex models can easily require up to 300 hours. And model building is not something that can simply be rushed. Glue needs time to dry. Paint takes time. Some steps can only begin once others are complete. That is exactly what František enjoys about it. A model is not created in a single afternoon. It grows piece by piece.
From Passion to Commitment
František’s enthusiasm for model railways goes far beyond his own workbench. He is the chairman of the Lutín Model Railway Club, which has around ten members. After the pandemic, the club went through a difficult period, but the members stuck together and kept it going. Since then, they have even managed to attract new and younger members. That is especially important to František because a hobby like this can only stay alive if knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm are passed on.
The club members invest their free time voluntarily. They build models, organise exhibitions, and show visitors just how much work and dedication goes into the hobby.
For František, the best moment is not necessarily seeing a perfectly finished model. It is seeing the reaction of the visitors, especially the children. “When you see the children standing in front of the layout in amazement, that is probably the best reward of all.”
The club has already presented its models at several events, including exhibitions at the Flora exhibition centre in Olomouc, For Model, and the auditorium of the primary school in Lutín. The club also works together with model railway enthusiasts from Hlubočky – Mariánské Údolí. Together, they organise exhibitions, exchange ideas and experience, and try to inspire even more people to take an interest in model building.
Two Worlds, One Common Thread
At first glance, František’s job and his hobby could hardly be more different. In the warehouse, he deals with multi-tonne tools, large dimensions, and complex logistics. In model building, it is all about tiny buildings, railway tracks, and intricate details. Yet both worlds have a surprising amount in common, including planning, experience, patience, and a good sense of what needs to happen next. In the warehouse, centimetres can make all the difference. In model building, it is often millimetres.
František has seen and learned a great deal throughout his working life. Today, he brings that experience to weba with a calm, reliable approach and a clear focus on the task at hand. After work, he carries that same attention to detail into a completely different world. And perhaps that is what makes his story so special. Whether he is working with a multi-tonne tool or a miniature model building, František approaches what he does with patience, experience, and genuine enthusiasm.
