IKEA and Middle Eastern partners are interested in cooperating with Vitebskiye Kovyry OJSC

Recently, the plant shipped the first batches of goods to partners from Iraq and Iran, and in October it will begin deliveries to Afghanistan, which is also a new export destination for it.

According to the commercial director of the enterprise, Sergey Kolesnik, along with the development of new sales markets, "Vitebsk Carpets" is strengthening its positions in the Customs Union countries. Thus, cooperation has already been established with Armenia, where the Vitebsk manufacturer successfully competes with Turkish and Belgian companies. The plant constantly pays attention to the development of the sales network. At the end of summer, another branded store opened outside of Belarus, this time in Kaliningrad.

– The share of exports in the total production volume this year is maintained at around 80%, and in the peak season, which for the industry starts in August, this figure exceeds 90%, – noted Sergey Kolesnik.

According to his assessment, by the end of 2016, "Vitebsk Carpets" will produce about 18 million square meters of carpet products. If the forecast becomes a reality, the plant will be able to maintain such a record figure for the second year in a row. This is achieved through the successful promotion of products to promising markets not only in the Customs Union, but also in the Asian and European directions.

The interest of Western partners in the domestic manufacturer is confirmed, in particular, by the recent visit of representatives of the European holding company IKEA, who held another round of negotiations on cooperation at the plant.

The enterprise constantly updates its product range, and design solutions are developed according to the needs and requirements of consumers in a specific market.

– The latest innovations concern design and color solutions. We are currently developing a direction in beige tones, not a beige-brown, but a coffee shade,

what is more in demand in modern interiors, – explained Sergey Kolesnik. – Our specialists take into account fashion trends, which they track when visiting major world exhibitions.

The modernization of the combine is also ongoing. In 2015, 67 billion non-denominated rubles of investment in fixed capital were attracted. Projects for the technical re-equipment of the finishing production of the tufted carpet factory and the expansion of production capacities for woven carpets have been completed.

Thus, an additional automated finishing line, a second "Chromojet" printing unit (only a few manufacturers in the world possess such a unique line and technology besides "Vitebskiye Kovry") and the thirteenth carpet loom have been put into operation.

Today, the agenda includes plans for the renewal and development not of the main stages of the technological process, but of additional areas, in particular, the organization of the production of auxiliary materials (winding cartridges, etc.), and the development of polymer textured yarn production. However, the implementation of the plans will also depend on the developing market conditions, which are showing signs of revival after two very difficult years.

Sergey Antonov. Photos by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye vesti".