Company profile
The history of the company is dated from 1951, when the production in Bánovce nad Bebravou began in order to ensure national defense. Arms production was the main production program until 1956 when production of reels, components for ground drilling rigs and spare parts for automobiles started.
In 1958 the plant was integrated into the national company TATRA Kopřivnice- well known manufacturer of trucks and cars “TATRA” and factory in Bánovce Bebravou entered the automobile production.
In 1963 the company successfully began the production of trucks. Factory was producing three-axle and four-axle tractor type vehicles T 141 and tipping trucks T 138, T 148, T813 and T 815. T 815 vehicles were produced in various modifications. A special design of the above mentioned types turned into production of forklift tipping truck with tipping body primarily used for tipping of transported material in railway wagons without necessity of loading ramp usage as well as skip loader and ARKTIKA truck with its double-bottomed hull heated by exhaust gases designed for extreme climate conditions in Siberia.
In addition, the history of car manufacturing in Bánovce nad Bebravou includes also production of engines, chassis, gearboxes and winches. The production program was extended to include the production of light commercial vehicle called MICROCAR which was made in a number of modifications based on the market requirements. MICROCAR was produced as panel van, flatbed vehicle, tipping truck, vehicle for waste disposal and vehicle with isothermal and cooling box.
The plant was excluded from state company TATRA Kopřivnice in 1990 and new independent state enterprise VAB š.p. Bánovce nad Bebravou was created. The process of privatization was completed in 1993 and SIPOX Ltd Bratislava became the majority shareholder.
On 1.4.1998 TATRA SIPOX, a.s was created. Since November 2002 the company’s name has been changed to TANAX, a.s. Bánovce nad Bebravou. Currently, the main shareholder is Vectra Limited, UK with its 100% of shares.