Vitebsk Carpets OJSC intends to produce over 17 million square meters of carpets in 2023
In 2023, Vitebsk Carpets OJSC intends to increase the production of carpet products to over 17 million square meters, conclude new contracts, and expand sales markets. The enterprise, 75 percent of whose products go to the Russian Federation, pays special attention to import substitution. Work is currently underway on a project to install its own technological equipment for the production of backing fabric. This will be a novelty not only for Belarus but also for Russia, where the combine has good growth points: since the beginning of the year alone, contracts have been concluded with ten new business partners, from Moscow to Yekaterinburg. And the capacity of the Russian carpet market allows for further expansion of sales geography. We discussed the plans with the new head of the enterprise, who once began his career here after graduating from the Vitebsk State Technological University.
Operator Ruslan Fyodorov.
— I came to the Brest division during a difficult period for it. The employees were worried about what awaited them as part of their former competitor. Various versions circulated, including that the equipment would be taken away and people would be thrown out onto the street. Pessimistic forecasts did not come true. Instead of collapse, new prospects opened up for the enterprise. Last year, the branch operated with a net profit, — the young manager is pleased.
Today, the enterprise produces luxury segment products. There is and always will be demand for elite goods. As well as for other products of the combine that meet global trends. Among the popular new products of last year are carpets with a non-slip backing. A line for applying such a coating was purchased in China.
Artyom Lokhankin.
Modernization of production is the best investment in the future, they rightly believe at the combine. At the end of last year, a modern carpet weaving loom and a new stitching machine were installed here. Among the most important acquisitions of the lastyears — an extruder. Now carpet yarns are produced in-house, rather than imported from abroad. There are no problems with raw materials for the extruder: about 90 percent are purchased in the Russian Federation, the rest — in Turkey and other countries.
Nadezhda Medvedeva.
The mood is positive, shares Artem Lohankin:
— Geopolitics affects the economy, we have lost part of the European and Ukrainian markets. To develop and live, not just survive, we cannot do without expanding the product range and business contacts. We expect to increase our presence and sales in Russia.
— My ancestors lived in the village of Kovrovoe in the Dubrovensky district. Once, almost every yard there kept sheep, and therefore, they wove carpets – an essential attribute of coziness in a village house. My grandmother was famous for her rugs woven on a loom that my grandfather made for her. They are original, somewhat resembling jacquard products. This is our family heirloom.
Vladimir, Tamara, and Sergey Mironov.
Vladimir Mironov has been at the enterprise for 35 years. His wife, Tamara Pavlovna, also has one entry in her work record book. Having earned preferential seniority as a weaver, she could have retired, but she decided otherwise. Now she works as a storekeeper in the workshop where thin but very strong threads, which form the basis of carpets, are born from the smallest polypropylene granules. Tamara Pavlovna smiles:
— My husband and I are also connected by the strongest thread. We met at our home enterprise. We are glad that there is someone to continue the family business. The elder son, Dmitry, recently moved to Zhlobin; before that, he was the head of the weaving workshop. The younger one, Sergey, is the shift supervisor in the finishing workshop of the tufted carpet factory.
Sergey Mironov, 26, manages 50 people. Like his brother, he is a graduate of the Vitebsk Technological University:
— I like it at the plant. My eyes are burning, my hands are working, I want to develop, to move forward in my field. It is important that the management sees and supports this.
We visit the workshops with the Mironov family. The looms beat rhythmically, threads buzz, winding onto hundreds of bobbins... In one of the sections, we are shown a European Alpha 500 loom. It was purchased before the sanctions hit and launched in January 2022. Vladimir Mironov notes:
— The landscapes are created on tufted carpets using the printing method on a monochrome canvas; the size of the works is 80 by 120 centimeters. This series is our declaration of love for our hometown and a fresh look at exclusive souvenirs.
"SB"
Operator Ruslan Fyodorov.
There is demand
Artyom Lokhankin, a native of Vitebsk, became the General Director of Vitebsk Carpets OJSC in February, having worked here for 10 years, and for the last three years as the head of the new Brest Carpets branch.— I came to the Brest division during a difficult period for it. The employees were worried about what awaited them as part of their former competitor. Various versions circulated, including that the equipment would be taken away and people would be thrown out onto the street. Pessimistic forecasts did not come true. Instead of collapse, new prospects opened up for the enterprise. Last year, the branch operated with a net profit, — the young manager is pleased.
Today, the enterprise produces luxury segment products. There is and always will be demand for elite goods. As well as for other products of the combine that meet global trends. Among the popular new products of last year are carpets with a non-slip backing. A line for applying such a coating was purchased in China.
Artyom Lokhankin.Modernization of production is the best investment in the future, they rightly believe at the combine. At the end of last year, a modern carpet weaving loom and a new stitching machine were installed here. Among the most important acquisitions of the lastyears — an extruder. Now carpet yarns are produced in-house, rather than imported from abroad. There are no problems with raw materials for the extruder: about 90 percent are purchased in the Russian Federation, the rest — in Turkey and other countries.
Import substitution is given special attention at the enterprise. Work is currently underway on a project to install its own technological equipment for the production of backing fabric. This will be a novelty not only for Belarus but also for Russia. And the idea of replacing jute from Bangladesh with a Belarusian alternative has already been implemented. An alternative was found in a similar, but synthetic, yarn from SvetlogorskKhimvolokno.
New Opportunities
The combine supplies up to 1.7 million square meters of products to the domestic market annually. More than 75 percent of the manufactured products go to the Russian Federation. Belarusian carpets are also known in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan — in the last three months alone, the combine has concluded several new contracts with clients from these countries.Nadezhda Medvedeva.The mood is positive, shares Artem Lohankin:
— Geopolitics affects the economy, we have lost part of the European and Ukrainian markets. To develop and live, not just survive, we cannot do without expanding the product range and business contacts. We expect to increase our presence and sales in Russia.
We are heading for new sales markets. We are negotiating with the Tajik OJSC "Kovry Kayrakkum". Representatives of the company have already visited Vitebsk. There is an option to create a joint venture.Another promising direction is the Azerbaijani market, where carpets are more than just an interior element. In February, a delegation from the Belarusian enterprise flew to Baku — representatives of local businesses were interested in the proposals from Vitebsk residents, noting that they had not heard about carpets from Belarus before. This is a green light and an opportunity to occupy their niche.
Eyes are burning, hands are d
Dogs
Behind the success of the enterprise are people – both experienced employees and promising youth. There are many dynasties at the plant. One of the most prominent is the Mironovs. The head of the family, Vladimir Alexandrovich, head of the production of woven carpets, is surprised by the coincidence:— My ancestors lived in the village of Kovrovoe in the Dubrovensky district. Once, almost every yard there kept sheep, and therefore, they wove carpets – an essential attribute of coziness in a village house. My grandmother was famous for her rugs woven on a loom that my grandfather made for her. They are original, somewhat resembling jacquard products. This is our family heirloom.
Vladimir, Tamara, and Sergey Mironov.Vladimir Mironov has been at the enterprise for 35 years. His wife, Tamara Pavlovna, also has one entry in her work record book. Having earned preferential seniority as a weaver, she could have retired, but she decided otherwise. Now she works as a storekeeper in the workshop where thin but very strong threads, which form the basis of carpets, are born from the smallest polypropylene granules. Tamara Pavlovna smiles:
— My husband and I are also connected by the strongest thread. We met at our home enterprise. We are glad that there is someone to continue the family business. The elder son, Dmitry, recently moved to Zhlobin; before that, he was the head of the weaving workshop. The younger one, Sergey, is the shift supervisor in the finishing workshop of the tufted carpet factory.
Sergey Mironov, 26, manages 50 people. Like his brother, he is a graduate of the Vitebsk Technological University:
— I like it at the plant. My eyes are burning, my hands are working, I want to develop, to move forward in my field. It is important that the management sees and supports this.
We visit the workshops with the Mironov family. The looms beat rhythmically, threads buzz, winding onto hundreds of bobbins... In one of the sections, we are shown a European Alpha 500 loom. It was purchased before the sanctions hit and launched in January 2022. Vladimir Mironov notes:
— Such equipment is designed for the production of modern coatings, including double-sided ones.. But even a smart machine will fall silent without professionals. This one is serviced by three weavers, and the work of each is, in essence, jewelry. The slightest malfunction means a defect, so without knowledge, a keen eye, and quick reactions – you can’t get anywhere.A Tribute to Our HometownThe technological capabilities of the combine allow for weaving works of any complexity. An inspiring example is a new collection dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Vitebsk region. The carpet-paintings feature recognizable landmarks of the city on the Dvina: the Town Hall, the "Three Bayonets," the domes of the Assumption Cathedral, the Summer Amphitheatre… Lyubov Mikhailova, head of the carpet design bureau, under whose supervision the sketches were developed, clarifies:
— The landscapes are created on tufted carpets using the printing method on a monochrome canvas; the size of the works is 80 by 120 centimeters. This series is our declaration of love for our hometown and a fresh look at exclusive souvenirs.
"SB"