| Kubíček Factory s.r.o. | |
| Type: | Limited |
| Founder: | Aleš Kubíček |
| Area Served: | Global |
| Industry: | Aircraft industry |
| Products: | Hot-air balloons |
| Owner: | Aleš Kubíček |
| Num Employees: | 139 |
| Homepage: | kubicekballoons.com |
| Foundation: | 1991 |
| Location: | Brno, Czech Republic |
Kubicek Factory was established in 2022 by merging several companies. One of them is Kubíček Balloons (in Czech Balóny Kubíček (pronounced Koo-bee-check), is a Czech manufacturer of hot-air balloons, inflatables and airships,[1] the sole such manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the largest in the world. From its factory in Brno the company ships its products worldwide.[2]
BALÓNY KUBÍČEK spol. s r.o. (the complete official old name) was founded in 1989[3] by Aleš Kubíček, the designer of first modern Czech hot-air balloon, made in 1983 in Aviatik club in Brno. Before founding his own company Aleš Kubíček made several balloons under wings of the company Aerotechnik Kunovice. Immediately after the Velvet Revolution he started his own private company to manufacture lighter-than-air aircraft.[4]
On 1 January 2022, the name of the company changed from Kubíček Balloons to Kubíček Factory.[5] Kubicek Balloons is a limited company. The first headquarters was a building at Francouzská 81 in Brno city centre, where balloons were originally made long years. But in 2005 their production moved to a completely new factory facility in Jarní 2a in Brno-Maloměřice, currently the most modern balloon factory in the World. The company has 139 employees (in 31. 12. 2022) and In 2022, the company produced 180 balloons, making it the world's 3rd largest manufacturer of hot air balloons.[6]
As well as producing standard balloon envelopes in 47 types and sizes they also build baskets, burners and a plenty of man carrying specially shaped balloons for advertising purposes e.g. 38-metre tall flying bear, sea container DHL, Abbey of Saint Gall and the green heart of Styria.[7]
Kubicek Balloons holds quality certificates for design, production and maintenance meeting European standards of EASA[8] and was it amongst the first hot-air balloon manufacturers to hold a European type certificate for hot-air balloons.[9]
Kubicek balloons is the only European producer who uses the unique high-tenacity polyester balloon fabric for envelopes,[10] and it is all manufactured 'in house' in Černá Hora near Brno.[11]
Pilot training for its customers is provided by Balónový zámek[12] located in chateau in Radešín.
The company has also produced large inflatables [13] for a variety of purposes under the name Kubicek Visionair for artists, companies and organisations around the world, including inflatable Moons and large inflatable structures for events and other applications.[14]
The company also produces the Kubicek M-2 Scout ultralight and light-sport aircraft, under the name Kubicek Aircraft.[15]
In 2015 the all-metal Kubicek M-4 Irbis[16] first flew, it is a two-seat, high-wing single-engined aircraft.[17]