The Škoda Tradition Runs in the Vlk Family
Gabriela Vlková comes from a family that has been connected to Škoda Auto for several generations. Her grandparents, father and other relatives all worked for the carmaker. Today, her children are also continuing the family tradition. How have the company and her role there changed over more than 30 years, and why did she finally choose logistics?
Gabriela Vlková
Our Children are Continuing the Škoda Tadition
Her grandparents, father, sister and other relatives all worked at the carmaker. Today, Gabriela Vlková, her husband and her children are continuing the family tradition. She herself joined Škoda Auto straight after grammar school and over more than thirty years has worked in Technical Development and logistics, as well as at the VW Group in Germany.
Gabriela Vlková
PL – Brand Logistics
Straight after finishing grammar school in 1993, she joined Škoda Auto in the design and pre-development department. Between 1997 and 2006 she lived in Germany and worked in development for the Volkswagen brand. Since 2011 she has worked in logistics, where she is involved in organising workshops and training, HR topics and communication with Group logistics.
How far back does your family's history at Škoda Auto go?
Back to my grandparents. My grandfather Antonín Křížek worked as a foreman in the Body Shop, and my grandmother Věra drove a forklift truck. My father Ladislav Fišera joined the company in 1972 and worked, among other things, in supply at Kosmonosy. I joined in 1993, and later so did my sister. My uncle worked at the carmaker, my cousin still works here, and since last year so does my son, who trained as a bodyshop fitter at Škoda Auto. My brother-in-law and my husband are also employed here, and my husband's son trained here too. My daughter, who is currently on maternity leave, is also employed here. So we really are a Škoda family.
I always say that I didn't choose logistics, logistics chose me.
So each generation was, or is, part of a different period in the carmaker's development…
Yes, my father experienced the modernisation of production processes and the arrival of new models such as the Škoda Favorit, and he also experienced Škoda Auto's merger with the VW Group, which moved it among the most successful European carmakers. My grandfather was there for the production of all the models before 1988 – the 100, 110, 105, 120, 130, Rapid, Garde, and perhaps even the first Favorit model.
Was it clear to you from an early age that you would work here too?
Not at all. After grammar school, an acquaintance who already worked at the carmaker called me and offered me a position. Since I had been learning German since primary school, it was a good fit. In the summer of 1993, I joined the design and pre-development department. And I've stayed here ever since.
In a Favorit all the way to Monaco
"After the revolution we got a Favorit, and in the summer of 1990 we set off in it through Austria and the Alps to France and Monaco. I still fondly remember that trip today."
Best on a bike
"My husband and I go cycling, we ski in winter, and we also look after our house and garden. We also enjoy travelling and discovering beautiful places both in the Czech Republic and around the world. And we try to spend as much time as possible with our family and our two grandchildren."
How do you remember Technical Development back then?
It was much smaller than today, basically it was the old 'Česana'. Everyone knew each other, and it felt almost like one big family. Some colleagues from that time still work here today, including my sister. It was an environment where I felt good.
You also spent part of your career in Germany.
Yes, between 1997 and 2006 I lived in Germany and worked in development for the Volkswagen brand. It was a good life experience. After returning, I continued at Škoda Auto, and in 2011 I was offered the chance to move into logistics. I always say that I didn't choose logistics, logistics chose me.
What do you do today?
My job has a partly assistant-like character, but I also organise workshops and training, deal with HR topics, communication with Group logistics, and prepare materials for various committees. This also includes business trips and everything that needs to be arranged around them. It's very varied. Logistics really is unpredictable, and since 2020, when we were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, we've been dealing with all kinds of challenges. And that's what I enjoy about it, something is happening every day and we try to solve it. Sometimes it's really demanding, but we have a great team that can handle any challenge.
The Kodiaq is the best
"I like classic combustion engines. My car is currently a Karoq, but if I could choose without any limits, I'd go for a Kodiaq."
A Modern Cookbook
"One of my great passions is good food. I enjoy cooking, like trying new recipes, and I even test recipes for a food processor manufacturer. I also bake my own sourdough bread. I care about what we eat, so I try to make sure we eat healthily and sustainably."
When are you most proud of the Škoda brand?
Always when I'm travelling and come across one of our cars far from home. For instance, when I see an Octavia on the other side of the world, I think to myself: look, Škoda cars are driven here too. That always makes me happy.
What do you think Škoda Auto should preserve for the future?
Practicality, reliability and affordability, but also the ability to innovate. I'd like it to remain a symbol of quality Czech industry with a global reach, as well as one of the best employers. If future generations of our family are also interested in working at the carmaker, I'll be glad. Not for the sake of tradition itself, but because here they have the chance to develop and work on interesting projects.
The Š Generation