How does material get from our warehouse all the way to the workshop floor? Take a look behind the scenes of our logistics (Part 1)

Just like it has been for several years, my alarm goes off early this morning. I get up quietly so as not to wake anyone. I prepare my coffee and head to the car. Today's plan: the Czech Republic. I’ll be away from home for 3 days. I’m going to miss them dearly….

 

The car is already prepared. It’s full of orders from the last few days, plus, of course, a little something extra. The guys always remember they need to restock something at the last minute. Milos and Katka helped me get the car ready before the trip. All the essential goods are loaded. Certainly not everything, though—that’s just not realistic. We have over 2,500 items in stock. Carrying them all with me isn't possible. But that’s what colleagues are for. If needed, they prepare, pack, and ship the goods immediately. Often, the package is on the craftsman's desk within 24 hours.

 

 

 

I start the engine and hit the road. About 90 minutes of driving and I’m at the gates of a stonemason's workshop. Or rather, a company premises.

A handshake, greetings with the masters, and a chat about what’s new. I know many little details about these men. Who served where in the army, who is renovating their home, and even that after X years, someone's wife decided to move on and go her own way. I’ve listened to many interesting stories and always look forward to new ones.

 

But I didn’t come here just to drink coffee and keep the guys from their work. I unload the packages with the ordered goods and open the cargo area filled with tools. The guys always pick out a few extra small items that help them solve complicated technical tasks or just a fine tool for detailed finishing.

We carry the items into the workshop, I get ready to fill out the paperwork, but first, the guys show me the project they are currently working on.

And let me tell you, they are often inconspicuous stone elements that will stand silently as history is written or presented. Perhaps even these masters, who have honestly studied this "oldest craft," don't realize it.

 

 

 

 

Several quicker meetings in smaller companies follow. I still have a long way to go, and I wouldn't want other masters to have to wait for me.

These workshops are smaller in size, perhaps in turnover, but certainly not in humanity. It has happened that I heard loud laughter from the workshop even as I was getting into my car. It’s a truly great feeling that makes the day and sticks with you for years. Just like now.

 

I get into the car and dial the next phone number:

 

At the site, the masters are already waiting for me with a list of missing tools. One is holding a blade from another manufacturer and needs to replace it. We look for a solution and, of course, we found it.

 

It's approaching 3 PM, the time when masters usually leave their workshops, and I head to my pre-arranged accommodation. Tonight, a stay in a very nice place near the Orlické Mountains awaits me. I’ve been coming here for years. It’s beautiful.

 

By the end of the day, I’ve had enough. I want to be quiet and alone for a while, not solve anything, not talk, not make calls. Just soak in the peace.

I sit in my favorite spot in the restaurant, have a rather late lunch, and a glass of wine.

In this atmosphere, I turn off my phone, put on my headphones, open my laptop, and write. There are many topics, and our website visitors love reading them. Today it will be a technical article prompted by an unknown client who used our infoline and professional advisory service.

 

My alarm is set a bit later today. The first client is near the accommodation. On my list are the most renowned names in Czech stonemasonry. I head towards Prague and then the beautiful South Bohemia.

 

I have a long day ahead of me. Many visits, many dialogues. When you add constant business calls while driving, it’s perhaps easier to understand why I don’t have much energy for conversation by the evening. But still, I look forward to every single meeting and every call. This is the sixteenth year in a row, yet still with the same passion. I guess that’s why they say: "Do what you love and do it as best as you can; the results will come on their own."

 

 

 

 

It’s nearing 1 PM, and I see Prague fading in the rearview mirror. I’m heading according to plan. Always in a good mood, because in every company, there’s a "crazy person" just like me working there, if not the whole crew.

I contact the following clients with estimated arrival times. I’m just a short distance from the finish line.

 

Once, this destination was a beautiful hotel in a gorgeous historical town between Tábor and České Budějovice. I visited this place for several years until fate placed a life-changing, certainly positive, turn in my path.

I don’t stay at that hotel anymore. But I had my wedding there, as well as the christening of our beautiful son. Besides family, I found a second home and friends in this town.

 

After the previous lines, you might be wondering, where is home? It is exactly where my family is right now. This time, it’s an address in Žilina.

 

I drive through South Bohemia, South Moravia, and head towards Slovakia via Uherské Hradiště.

The car is almost empty, no goods left. Whatever I didn't have with me, my colleagues sent out. Everything is settled, and I’m heading home with a good feeling. Mission accomplished; the stonemasons are taken care of for a while.

 

  

 

This time, I’ve covered about 1,300 kilometers and spent 3 days on the road. The last intersection is ahead, just a few more meters. My family is already looking out the window for me. It’s the strongest reason to return home from the road.

 

 

Did these lines interest you, and would you like me to visit your workshop as well?

I would be happy if you get in touch and we arrange a meeting, which is not conditional on a purchase. I regularly travel across the entire Slovak and Czech Republics and can plan a trip to see you too.

 

If you are interested in any product from our offer, let me know. I’ll load it into the car, and you can take a look and try it out.

I would certainly like to meet you, test our products together, and give a brief presentation.