30 years of CeramTec's Šumperk site - a great anniversary!
It is with pride and great appreciation that we congratulate our Czech colleagues on this significant milestone. The Šumperk site can look back on an impressive development - a history full of change, innovation and constant growth.
From its roots in powder metallurgy to high-tech ceramics
The origins of the site date back to 1973, when the Research Institute for Powder Metallurgy was founded. At that time, carbide tools and grinding wheels made of synthetic diamond were produced under the name ‘Pramet’ - with around 2,400 employees.
After the political change in 1989 - the ‘Velvet Revolution’ - the site underwent profound changes. In 1994, CeramTec and Pramet founded the joint venture CerPram, and just one year later a new chapter was started with CerTec. What officially began with a single employee grew rapidly: by 1996, 131 people were already working on site. In close cooperation with the CeramTec plant in Lauf, Šumperk established itself as one of the leading centres for ceramic sealing discs in Europe.
With the construction of a new production hall in 2000, the portfolio was expanded to include new products such as sealing discs and matrices, spray nozzles, bushings and structural ceramic components.
Three strong pillars for the future
Today, the Šumperk site is focussed on three central areas:
- Semiconductor industry- a rapidly growing business area that ranges from the production of wafer chuck blanks to complex structural ceramics.
- PVS (pumps, valves, seals) - with highly specialised, large-format components up to one metre in diameter. Thanks to our technical expertise, we successfully occupy an attractive niche here.
- Machinery - with high-quality ceramic parts for a wide range of industrial applications.
Šumperk's development from a pure production site to an active product development centre is particularly noteworthy.
A celebration for the people - and for the future
The anniversary was duly celebrated on 23 August 2025: Employees, their families and representatives of the town, including the mayor and his deputy, came together in glorious weather. The celebrations were exuberant with delicious food, cool drinks, music and a children's programme.
At the opening, Vladimir Šamšula, Managing Director CeramTec Šumperk, addressed words of thanks and appreciation to the team and conveyed greetings from Germany - CEO Dr Hadi Saleh, CEO-Elect Dr Carla Kriwet, Horst Garbrecht (President Industrial) and Laura Görich (Vice President Global Human Resources) congratulated them on their anniversary via video message.
Thank you, Šumperk!
A big thank you goes to the entire team in Šumperk - for 30 years of commitment, expertise and team spirit. Together we have achieved a lot - and we look forward to many more successful years!
You can find out more about our location in Šumperk on our Czech website