| History |
Nowadays the company Fruko-Schulz s.r.o. Jindrichuv Hradec belongs to the five largest producers of spirits and syrups in the Czech Republic. This company continued the tradition of the original producer - Moritz Schulz who established the factory in 1898, which was the first company in Austria-Hungary producing fruit dessert wines.
With the increasing production Mr. Schulz built a new pressing factory and vaults for fruits. At that time about 30 employees were working for the company. The popularity of wines enabled Mr. Schulz to buy a brewery in Kardasova Recice where the pressing factory was moved later.
There was no development of the company during the World War I and II. Only dessert wines (e.g. apple, currant, blackberry) and fruit syrups were manufactured. During that time Mr. Schulzs’ sons emigrated to England and he stayed alone with his wife, daughter and granddaughter in Czechoslovakia.
After the nationalization in 1948 the government assumed the factory and the development was stagnating again. The firm was incorporated to the company Jihoceska Fruta (Southbohemian Fruta) with its residence in Ceske Budejovice which consisted of 6 factories with different production orientation (ketchup, tins, pastries etc.). The people started to be aware of the factory in Jindrichuv Hradec due to a product called "Jindrichohradecky RUM" which became very popular thanks to its great quality and taste. This product is well-known as "RUM with the yacht" and that is the reason why the company protects the yacht by a trademark. The factory in Jindrichuv Hradec set out on its way towards independence and finally managed that. The pressing factory and the distillery in Kardasova Recice were built up again and the first mentioned became the largest in the Czech Republic.
In 1990 FRUKO Jindrichuv Hradec finally reached absolute independence. In 1993 Mr. Schulz’s son received the factory in restitution back and the new company called Fruko-Schulz was established. The company was gradually leaving premises in Komenská Street in centre of Jindrichuv Hradec and moved into new premises in Jiraskovo predmesti (Jiraskovo suburb). The first aim was to install a racking unit and new distillery equipment. After that all alcoholic beverages could be produced in the new area. The racking unit for bottles (0,2 l volume) was installed in the next phase.
The reasons of the decision to build up a new independent racking unit of vinegar were high popularity and a big demand for this kind product during the summer months. In connection with that for the first time plastic bottles were introduced as a form of package.
The effort to leave old inappropriate areas in Komenská Street and the old brewery compelled further investments into the distillation equipment, in the sugar stock and many other parts of the company. After these improvements there was no more need of relocation of the semi products. The whole process took part in the main plant in Jiraskovo predmesti and became much more effective.
Immediately after the foundation the company became well-known and recognised due to a broad offer of syrups which was modified according to costumer’s wishes. Also the offer of spirits was quite broad and the already mentioned Jindrichohradecky RUM" together with Vodka "Kaiser Franz Joseph" started to play the main role. These products are protected against falsification with a hologram which is placed on the etiquette. In 1999 the company introduced a completely new output a mystical spirit - ABSINTH, and is the only in the world producing its weaker variant - ABSINTH Liqueur.
In 2000 in co-operation with the Pushkin family was installed original classical Russian distillery equipment for the production of Vodka Pushkin. The production process is controled by a Russian expert which results in extra smoothness and quality of Vodka Alexander Pushkin.
Nowadays’ production portfolio contains more that 50 kinds of products.
In year 2003 Mr. Josef Nejedly and Mr. Vladislav Blecha bought 30% share from the descendant of Rudolf Schulz. By this the company is in possession of only Czech capital. In 2007 achieved Fruko-Schulz turn over of 602 mil. Czech Crowns (approx. 23 mil. Euro). This result ranks Fruko-Schulz among five largest Czech producers of alcoholic beverages.