Martin Wichterle is a graduated geologist, Czech industrialist and owner of the Wikov Industry engineering group, Bomma and Rückl glassworks. After the Velvet Revolution, he founded a geology company with a partner, which he sold to American investors in 2001. In the same year, he bought the ČKD Hronov engineering plant and later added Škoda Gear, which formed the basis of the current Wikov Industry holding. The company is the largest Czech manufacturer of industrial gearboxes with an annual turnover of CZK 2.5 billion. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of UMPRUM and Chairman of the Association of Czech Industrial Design.