Meet Pavel Čulík
Not every career path is a straight line – and Pavel Čulík’s story proves why that can be a good thing. What started with a small detour turned into a long-term journey at delfort, filled with learning, teamwork, and a few unexpected moments along the way. Today, he brings both technical know-how and a strong customer focus to his role at OP papírna in Olšany – always with a practical mindset and a touch of humor.
Curious where a small detour can lead over 20 years at delfort? Let’s take a closer look.
Name
Pavel Čulík
Position
technical customer service
Location
OP papírna
team delfort since
2000
Dream job status
wouldn’t trade it
Where it started
paper pulp studies
Do you remember your very first day here?
Absolutely – and in a way, it wasn’t just one “first day,” but a journey that led me here. After studying paper and pulp production at the University of Pardubice, OP papírna in Olšany felt like a natural fit. It was close to home and aligned with my passion.
But my path wasn’t completely straightforward. When I first applied in 1997, I unknowingly signed with MORPA just as the company was transitioning. That detour led me to Jindřichov, where I spent 19 months gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Looking back, that time shaped my technical foundation and resilience.
When I finally arrived in OP papírna, I immediately felt the energy of a place driven by expertise and teamwork. Being introduced directly to leadership and stepping into the role of Assistant Production Manager set the tone: here, performance matters – but so do people.
My role allows me to connect technical expertise with customer needs, and that’s exactly where I want to be.
Who inspired you along the way?
I’ve been fortunate to work with people who genuinely care – about the product, the customer, and each other. Early on, colleagues like Jan Horký, Petr Brzobohatý and Naďa Ťupová showed me what strong collaboration looks like across functions.
At the group level, I learned a lot from experts such as Heinz Saxl and Franz Muigg. They didn’t just share knowledge – they encouraged curiosity and creativity. In addition, through collaboration with customers including Rudolf Eder and partners such as Walter Niedermann, I’ve learned to truly understand their needs and turn that insight into solutions that perform in real-world conditions.
What has been the most exciting challenge?
One of the most defining moments in my career was working on the development of LIP cigarette paper – the self-extinguishing paper that is mandatory in many countries around the world.
I led one of the project teams, and it was a complex, multi-year effort involving different technologies across the group. In the end, another solution was chosen, but that’s not the point. What mattered was the process: intense collaboration, innovation, and the drive to solve a real-world challenge.
That experience pushed me to grow – not just technically, but also in how I work with others and approach problems creatively while staying focused on performance.
What is your favorite or funny memory?
There are many, but one story my Austrian colleagues especially enjoy involves a place in Traun called Napoleonhof.
I had visited it before with colleagues, so during a family trip in 2005, I thought it would be a great idea to take my wife and our two young daughters there for lunch. What I didn’t know? It had turned into a nightclub.
So yes, I ended up bringing my family to a nightclub for lunch. Explaining that at home was… memorable. Let’s just say it required a bit of creativity!
What advice would you give to someone starting at delfort?
Watch and listen.
It sounds simple, but it’s the fastest way to learn – from your colleagues, from the machines, and from the customers we serve. Be curious and ask questions. That’s how you grow – and how you contribute to the team.
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