After World War II Vulkan became the “Vulkan State Foundry and Marine Mechanic Workshop” in Sušak, owned by NR Croatia, and on September 10 1946 Vulkan the workshop became Vulkan the company.
In 1947, by order of the Main Directorate of Metal Industry in Zagreb, the reconstruction of building of the former company “Tranzitno-prometno d.d. for the shipment” has begun, in the place where the former famous Lead smelter was located.
Until 1948 the activity was repairs and maintenance of ships and equipment on them as well as maintenance of industrial plants but soon Vulkan started their own production.
In 1948, Vulkan moved from Ruziceva Street to the place called Plumbum (named after the former Lead smelter). After the resettlement, existing buildings were upgraded and new ones were built.
At that time, the factory produces: handwheel wagons, motor cargo wagons, handwheels for the desensed bridge, chain hoists and ropes, handwheel winches, electric winches, bilge pumps, braking equipment and so on.
Prior to 1950, while the construction department was in “Vila Olga”, many products were made for the shipbuilding industry. Some of them were: motorized winches, steam anchor windlasses, steam locks, electric windlasses, mining winches, manual windlasses etc.
The boat program was: hand winches, machine winches, hydraulic winches, steering gears, ship cranes and more.
In addition to the standard program, a variety of specialized products were made in agreement with the customer.
In the photograph: the inside of Lead smelter (the place where Vulkan will move in 1948).
Sources:
- Latkovic, B. (1985). Vulkan-Rijeka – kronika najvaznijih zbivanja 1929. do 1985.. Rijeka: Radna organizacija Vulkan.
- Website of VULKAN-NOVA (https://www.vulkan-nova.hr/en/o-nama/)
- Website of Rijeka Heritage (https://rijekaheritage.org/hr/kj/plumbumvulkan)
- Website of Lokalpatrioti Rijeka (http://www.lokalpatrioti-rijeka.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=2231)
