OREANDA-NEWS. December 20, 2007. Novosibirsk Metallurgical Plant named after Kuzmin announces a large-scale reconstruction program. Owners of the enterprise plan to invest over 4 bln rubles in the project. In the next 5 years an arc furnace shop will appear at the plant, the rolling mill will be replaced and new tube production will be developed. That means new working places and a need in highly qualified professionals. The plant has secured the governor’s support for the production upgrade. Anton Zaytsev has told us the details.

Viktor Tolokonsky, head of the regional administration, visited the enterprise last Friday. He was shown a recently purchased slitting line produced in Czech Republic, told about the installation of an electric welding mill produced in Italy for manufacturing of water and gas pipes. Viktor Tolokonsky also visited the hot rolling shop. The equipment operating there was installed over 60 years ago and requires replacement. After a small excursion the head of the regional administration was told about the reconstruction plans for the plant named after Kuzmin. The reconstruction is to take several years without stopping the production. After its accomplishment the commercial output of the NMP named after Kuzmin will grow three-fold.

As Alexey Safronov, managing director of the NMP named after Kuzmin, said, the first reconstruction stage envisages the construction of an arc furnace shop that will be the plant’s own shop. That will make the enterprise independent from the supplies of blanks for the rolling mill.

At the second stage the plant will construct a new broadsheet rolling mill instead of the old mill that has been operating since the 40ies. Finally, it is planned to develop the production of a new pipe range for oil production.

The company’s managers emphasize the fact that the new steel-making production will in no way deteriorate the city’s environmental situation. Modern technologies allow “clean” work, without harmful emissions and discharges. The new shop will also take into account all the requirements of the nature conservation authorities.

The metallurgical plant is part of the ESTAR Group that has already invested over 500 mln rubles in the upgrade and this time the investments are planned to be many  times larger. According to the preliminary calculations, the amount is 4 bln rubles. The ESTAR Group has a track record of implementing such large-scale projects. Recently the company managed to construct "from scratch” and launch in just 2.5 years an electrical metallurgical plant near Rostov.

The governor, Viktor Tolokonsky, promised to uphold the idea of the plant's reconstruction. The project will be discussed at the meeting of the regional Investment Council. Besides, the NMP will also be supported by tax benefits and subsidies from the regional budget.

Another suggestion of the governor arose much interest with the management of the plant and the Group:

The governor noted that it is extremely important to take special measures to prepare young professionals for the new production. He suggested creating a resource centre using the potential of Novosibirsk State Technical University and one of the technical vocational schools that will train the future staff.  The governor also expressed his readiness to co-finance the project.

It is time both for the students and for those who are leaving the school and choosing their future career to think about the future prospects. Production development means new working places and a chance to make a quick career. The plant named after Kuzmin needs new engineers and professionals and each year the demand will grow. Now the enterprise pursues the policy of staff renovation. The plant invites the students of technical specializations for work and internships. The plant’s human resources department can provide more information on the vacant positions and opportunities.