The Welding Research Institute (VúZ) was founded in 1949 by Dr.h.c. Jozef ?abelka as a research and development centre for welding. VúZ has been a member of the IIW since 1956 and since 1992 also a member of the EWF. At present, VúZ operates as a production, research and development organization in the field of welding and soldering. It provides education and certification services and is a leader in welding in Slovakia.