50 years of passionate craftsmanship

He is a plumber, an all-rounder, a trade unionist, and a family man. For 50 years, he has been an integral part of the plant, which is more than just a workplace to him; it's a second home.

Jan Čep was born on May 5, 1960, in Konice and grew up in the small village of Měrotín near Olomouc. Though his childhood was marked by the early death of his father, the comfort of his family and the security of rural life made it a carefree time. “We had little, but we didn't miss anything,” Jan recalls. In his free time, he was active in the volunteer fire department and Sokol, a gymnastics movement with strong patriotic roots that played a significant role in Czech history. Sokol was not only a place for sports, but also for community and cultural identity.

Jan began training as a plumber at the age of 15 — a solid trade with a future in socialist Czechoslovakia at the time. During his training, he was sent to the salt mill in Olomouc, a place that would never let him go. Today, five decades later, he still works there and probably knows every corner of the plant, every pipe, pump, and conveyor belt.

Founded in 1924, the salt mill symbolized new beginnings and economic strength in the newly formed Czechoslovakia, which had just broken away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Olomouc, once a royal city and Habsburg fortress, had developed into a regional center. During the socialist era, the salt mill was a large-scale enterprise with over 150 employees and was overstaffed. Like many industrial enterprises of that time, it was characterized by central planning and fulfilling quotas.

The turning point came in 1989, marking a significant shift in both politics and economics. There were privatizations, changes in ownership, and layoffs. For Jan and his colleagues, the 2007 takeover by EQUUS was a low point. Fear and uncertainty dominated their days. Stability only returned with the K+S takeover in 2012, when the workforce was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Today, around 60 employees work in the salt mill, many of whom have worked there for decades. There is a strong sense of solidarity, thanks in large part to people like Jan Čep.

What does Jan love about his job? "Everything." "It's the variety," he says, and you immediately believe him. His responsibilities include heating, water supply, ventilation, conveyor belt maintenance, pump operation, as well as loading and unloading. The day starts at 6 a.m. and sometimes doesn't end until 8 p.m. in the winter. On top of that, he volunteers for the union, where he is chairman. There, he campaigns for fair working conditions and the well-being of his colleagues. He organizes company outings and reunions for former employees. He doesn't just work; he helps shape the company.

Jan and his wife, Jitka, who has worked at the salt mill since 2020, live in Olomouc, just a five-minute walk from the factory. They raised two children together, and Jan is now the proud grandfather of three. However, he rarely gets a chance to relax. A nature lover and sports enthusiast, Jan's busy schedule includes cycling, camping, skiing, barbecuing with friends, attending SK Sigma Olomouc soccer games, and watching ice hockey. "Sometimes I hardly have any time for my grandchildren," he says with a laugh.

When Jan talks about his work, it's clear that it's more than just a job to him. It's a sense of responsibility, craftsmanship, and belonging. "I like being needed," he says. And that's exactly what he is. He stands for consistency in a world of constant change. In an industry where technology is evolving, owners are changing, and processes are being digitized, he knows where he comes from and where he belongs.

Although he could easily retire at 65, he has no intention of doing so. "As long as I'm needed, I'll stay," he says. It's not the number of repairs, the tonnes of salt loaded, or his dedicated union work that will make up his legacy, but rather the attitude with which he does it all: quietly, reliably, and passionately.

Thank you for 50 years of loyalty, commitment, and inspiration.