ROB CAMERON

The global financial crisis has forced companies around the world to make difficult decisions, and many have gone under. In Hradec Králové, the leading Czech piano manufacturer Petrof (founded in 1864) has developed a new sideline in luxury fitted kitchens, as demand for baby grands and uprights falls. But the company was confident it can survive this latest crisis.

The Czech town of Loděnice just to the south of Prague has become the global capital of vinyl, thanks to some canny business decisions made in the 1990s. Vinyl is back, and it’s big business – and there’s a good chance your limited edition Coldplay or U2 disc was made at the GZ media company. Last year made it made some 20 million records.

Tomáš Baťa built the world’s greatest shoe empire out of a tiny family workshop by using revolutionary methods that still find application today. From his high-rise, red-brick headquarters in Zlín, Baťa oversaw an empire of 1,825 outlets in Czechoslovakia and another 660 across the globe. Entire towns – in Europe, India and South America – are still named after him.

Czech voters are likely to hand power to controversial billionaire Andrej Babiš, the country’s second-richest man who ran on an anti-corruption platform but is himself under investigation. The campaign has been dominated by big themes including euro adoption, immigration and the relationship with Russia, but also some more obscure ones, such as the price of butter.

Billionaire Andrej Babis has been appointed as the Czech Republic’s new prime minister, with his full cabinet expected to take office within days. His appointment followed a key demand from President Petr Pavel – a public pledge by Babis to relinquish control over his vast food-processing, agriculture and chemicals conglomerate Agrofert.