At the beginning of every great story, there is often an inconspicuous place that turns out to be crucial in retrospect. For us, this place was the former Litomyšl Radio Communication Center in Pohodli near Litomyšl.
From radio waves to electric motors
In the summer of 2021, we leased part of the premises, which had a long and interesting history, including broadcasting after the occupation by Russian troops in 1968 and the operation of jammers, mainly by Radio Free Europe. Dozens of tall masts once provided shortwave and mediumwave radio broadcasting, until 2011, when the broadcast was terminated. The place where radio waves used to flow to the whole world became the cradle of the first ELO lawn mowers.
Reconstruction and new beginnings
After taking over the premises, we embarked on a partial reconstruction. The old technical rooms were transformed into a welding shop, a material cutting workshop, a warehouse, an electrical assembly workplace, and also a large assembly area where the first prototypes were born. It was a modest but functional base that allowed us to move from ideas to reality.
The cradle of ELO prototypes
It was here that the ELO 1, ELO 2 and ELO 3 prototypes saw the light of day. In these premises, not only were tests and developments carried out, but part of the first production series of the ELO 1 model was also created, which later reached its first customers.
Side projects and experiments
The atmosphere in the workshops was full of energy and a desire to create. It wasn't just about lawnmowers - other projects were also created in Litomyšl that proved our curiosity and technical versatility. Among them, for example, a 3D printer, photo machines for 360° automated product photography or the GolfJet vehicle.
Only for a moment
When we started in 2021, we never imagined that we would have to move somewhere else after the first year. Nevertheless, for us, this space will forever remain the place where the ELO brand tradition was born and where the first ideas were transformed into concrete machines.