LENAM – the Laboratory of Experimental, Numerical and Analytical Mechanics – is a purely Czech engineering and development company based in Liberec. For more than 30 years, it has ranked among the leaders in simulation methods and experimental mechanics. We spoke with Radek Jelínek, owner and CEO of the company, about how LENAM was founded, why virtual methods are so important today, and where the company is heading next.
Mr. Jelínek, LENAM has more than thirty years of history. How did the company begin?
At the beginning, there were five of us – university academics from the Technical University of Liberec. We worked together in a laboratory and wanted to cooperate with industry. In the early 1990s, however, university–industry collaboration was not as straightforward as it is today. Processes were slow and limited. We wanted to do things differently – and above all, faster. So, we decided to establish our own company: LENAM.
Simulation methods were still in their infancy, and the university was not ready to invest in what we would now call a technology park. Founding our own company was the only way for us to fully dedicate ourselves to these methods.
Where did you obtain the know-how when simulation methods were barely used?
We worked with software that already existed at the time, but its industrial application was far from common. It was expensive, and only a handful of specialists knew how to use it. We were true enthusiasts. We had strong academic foundations and, most importantly, the desire to grow. The knowledge and experience we gained from academia were essential for us – and they remain so to this day.
What milestones were key in the company’s development?
The beginnings were very informal. For a long time, the five founders operated on a purely collegial basis. The turning point came when we hired our first employee. That was the moment when a group of enthusiasts began transforming into a structured company with responsibility and a clear direction.
Our first customer was Škoda Auto, with whom we have cooperated for more than 30 years – a partnership we truly value. Over time, we expanded from traditional mechanical engineering projects toward large plastic components such as instrument panels and bumpers. A major milestone came in 2018, when AUREL became a shareholder in LENAM and we joined Colegium Holding. Today, LENAM employs around 30 people. From the original founders, only myself and Associate Professor Potěšil remain in the company’s leadership.
What does your role as CEO involve?
As we are not a large company, I manage the company’s overall operations, but I also remain deeply involved in technical work. I am pleased that I can still do what I enjoy most – leading calculations and technical development. Our work is largely project-based. I personally lead some of them, while others are led by my colleague Associate Professor Potěšil, who is more involved in grant projects and cooperation with the Technical University of Liberec, with which we continue to collaborate closely.
The abbreviation LENAM stands for the Laboratory of Experimental, Numerical and Analytical Mechanics. What exactly do you focus on?
Simply put, we focus on three main areas: simulation methods, an experimental laboratory, and energy consulting. At the core of everything we do are advanced Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation methods and virtual product development. Through precise numerical analyses and simulation-driven design, we support innovation across a wide range of technical fields.
However, simulations must always be confronted with reality – which is why we have our own experimental laboratory, where we obtain high-quality input data for our calculations. Energy consulting was added later in response to the needs of Czech industry. They are based on the same foundation – simulations that we use to better map the current state and conduct optimisations. In the energy sector as well, simulation methods can significantly help companies reduce energy consumption and thus lower costs. That was the main reason why we included this area in our portfolio.
What are CAE simulations used for?
CAE simulations allow virtual investigation of product, structural, and process behaviour – often before physical realisation. They significantly reduce the number of physical tests, accelerate development, and lower costs. They can also replace tests that are dangerous, difficult to perform, or excessively expensive.
One major advantage of simulations over experiments is that simulations provide information from the entire volume of a structure. Experiments typically show the behaviour of specific points or areas. Simulations can therefore better reveal the operating principles of a mechanism and predict potential failure points. At LENAM, we perform structural, multibody (MBS), Multiphysics simulations, and CFD simulations.
What role does optimisation play at LENAM?
Optimisation is central to our work. We focus on increasing efficiency, strength, and functionality of components. We use advanced methods based on genetic algorithms, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to find optimal solutions even for highly complex tasks.
Why is the experimental laboratory so important to you?
In structural calculations, I always say that they are only as good as their input data. That is precisely why the experimental laboratory is essential for us. It fulfils two main tasks. The first is testing real components, which allows us to compare simulation results with reality. The second task is material testing, primarily of polymer materials. Their mechanical properties vary significantly depending on temperature, the type and rate of loading, and the manufacturing technology. If we want to create high-quality and dependable simulation models, we need high-quality input data – and you simply cannot obtain that without experiments.
In the laboratory, we perform mechanical and material tests, measure deformations, temperatures, and stresses, and test material properties. At the same time, we design and conduct special tests and measurements tailored precisely to our customers – not only in our laboratory, but also directly at their facilities.
How many similarly specialised companies like LENAM are there in the Czech Republic?
There are only a handful of such narrowly specialised companies in the Czech Republic. Even fewer have such a long history. In the early 1990s, virtual methods were not common at all. They were used only in aerospace, nuclear energy, heavy engineering, or the automotive industry – in sectors that could afford them and where high development costs were spread over large production series. Today, these methods are incomparably more accessible and efficient, which means that even smaller companies can use them.
Is it still true that simulations should be carried out by specialists?
Absolutely. Today, simulation tools are part of standard CAD software and are used by almost every company with its own development department. The method itself is powerful – but the crucial difference lies in who uses it. The person managing the calculation must know exactly what they are doing and have the appropriate experience. And that is not always common in practice today. It often happens that simulations are performed by a standard design engineer without deeper practical experience, which can lead to incorrect results. That is why simulations should only be conducted by people and companies with the necessary education, deep understanding of the methods, and long-term practical experience across multiple customers.
And how does LENAM ensure that it has such highly qualified specialists?
We strive for growth and good working conditions for our employees – because only then can they deliver high-quality results. The academic spirit has been present in our company from the very beginning, and we consider education a fundamental part of how we operate. We enable our employees to continue their studies, including doctoral programmes. We have never been afraid to hire graduates straight out of university. We know we have to teach them a lot, but expertise is an absolutely essential condition for the company’s functioning. The most important thing for us is that calculations are always in professional hands – a person must know exactly what they are doing.
How do you view the rise of artificial intelligence? Are you concerned that it might replace your methods one day?
We certainly are not standing still, and we try to make use of it. Artificial intelligence can significantly shorten computation times for certain tasks. However, I would not be concerned that it will replace us. Development tasks are often unique and non-repetitive. AI needs large amounts of similar cases in order to learn. It will therefore be effective where the same type of calculation is repeated. But our methods will serve more as a source of data for AI rather than something it would replace.
Can you share some insights about your cooperation with Colegium Holding and with AUREL, which has been a shareholder in your company since 2018?
AUREL was originally our customer. We immediately connected well, and over time it developed into a very natural partnership. We complement each other perfectly – AUREL focuses on experiments and testing and operates its own AUREL Proving Ground, while we focus on simulations and virtual testing. For customers, this is a major advantage, as they receive comprehensive solutions in one place. We also jointly participate in the development of our own innovative technologies, such as the TorqGuardPro product.
We highly value our connection with Colegium Holding, as a large part of the agenda is shared. It saves us a great deal of work and significantly helps reduce administrative burden. It also greatly supported us in obtaining TISAX and ISO certifications, which are essential for cooperation in the automotive sector.
Who are your customers, and do you operate internationally?
Thanks to our long-term cooperation with Škoda Auto, we previously grew mainly based on references. However, our cooperation with AUREL and involvement in Colegium Holding opened the door to international markets. We use joint business activities and have a number of international projects, including cooperation in the aerospace industry. Today, we collaborate with customers from Germany, Switzerland, France, and China.
Where does LENAM want to head in the coming years?
We want to expand beyond the automotive sector. We already cooperate with companies in fields such as HVAC and the glass industry, and we are opening the door to the space industry as well. We also want to further develop cooperation in the field of energy, as energy savings are a key societal topic. Our vision is to expand our reach and promote simulation methods more broadly as a tool that can move Czech industry forward.
I wish you continued success and thank you for the interview.
