In 1925, as the Mladá Boleslav-based company Laurin & Klement was celebrating its 30th anniversary and 20 years of automobile production, it joined forces with the Škoda industrial and armaments group. Under the Škoda brand, the strong strategic partner launched an ambitious investment programme, introducing assembly line production, transferring cutting-edge technologies, rolling out a new wave of models, and strengthening the brand’s position at home and abroad. Since 1995, Škoda’s top trim levels have borne the Laurin & Klement designation. The philosophy of Laurin and Klement – built on innovation, precision and passion for mobility – remains an integral part of the brand’s DNA.
The history of the Pilsen-based engineering company dates back to 1859, and ten years later it was acquired by engineer Emil Škoda. Under his leadership, and carrying his name, the company grew into the largest industrial enterprise in Austria-Hungary and even collaborated with the carmaker Laurin & Klement. In the 1920s, both companies faced economic difficulties in the wake of the First World War and the collapse of traditional markets. In 1924, a devastating fire further damaged the L&K factory in Mladá Boleslav. Václav Laurin and Václav Klement therefore decided to seek a strong strategic partner.
At that time, L&K employed 1,125 people, while Škoda Plzeň had more than 30,000 employees. However, its automotive output was limited, focusing mainly on the licensed production of British Sentinel steam lorries and Hispano-Suiza luxury cars. Unlike other options considered, the merger with Škoda Plzeň guaranteed the continuation of independent automotive development and production in Mladá Boleslav.
On 20 July 1925, the general meetings of both companies approved the merger, with shares exchanged at a ratio of 2:1 (L&K/Škoda). The decisive date came on 12 September 1925, when the Ministry of the Interior granted its approval. Laurin & Klement was formally removed from the Commercial Register on 29 December, but its traditional logo continued to appear alongside the Škoda name on models introduced up to August 1925. The Mladá Boleslav carmaker emerged from the merger significantly stronger – a resilience soon put to the test by the looming global economic crisis. The link with the Pilsen headquarters was forcibly severed by nationalisation in 1945.
Laurin & Klement today
Although Laurin & Klement was officially taken off the Commercial Register as an independent manufacturer, the rights to the legendary brand – including its iconic Art Nouveau logo – remain with Škoda Auto. Customers will find it on Škoda’s highest trim levels, a tradition that began in 1995 with the Škoda Felicia Laurin & Klement, featuring leather upholstery, pearl-effect dark blue paintwork, 13-inch retro-style alloy wheels and more. Key models from the L&K era continue to inspire Škoda Auto’s designers, while Škoda Motorsport has proudly built on racing successes dating back to 1901. Also the company’s new office complex bears the name Laurin & Klement Kampus. The numbers tell the story: a century ago, 1,800 employees produced 833 cars. In 1991, 16,974 Škoda staff built 172,074 cars. Last year, Škoda, with a global workforce of around 40,000, delivered more than 926,000 vehicles to customers worldwide. This year, students at the Škoda Auto Vocational School modified a Škoda Superb Combi into an escort vehicle for cycling races. Its name, L&K 130, and special design also commemorate Škoda Auto’s 130-year history.
Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com