The modernization of the paper mill in Chashniki district has allowed to increase the volume of exports to Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia
This has made it possible to significantly increase the volume of manufactured products (by more than 160% compared to last year's level) (the production capacity of the paper machine increased from 33 to 80 tons per day), improve its quality, save energy resources, present a product competitive in price and quality on the market, and increase revenue by 1.5 times.
– We are achieving the operating parameters we have long dreamed of, – says **Alexander Svilovich, director of the branch**. – In July, we paid 403 million rubles in profit tax and produced almost 16 billion rubles worth of products. This is far from the limit, but the only thing holding us back today is the shortage of raw materials. The performance of the state order for the supply of waste paper to processing enterprises was discussed at a recent meeting of the regional executive committee. The governor set serious tasks for procurement and other organizations, so I think the situation will change.
Our goal is efficient economic activity, thanks to which the enterprise will be able to fulfill all its financial obligations: to employees, suppliers, banks, and the tax inspectorate. And most importantly, to improve the well-being of the staff, which is directly related to the results of work. The ratio of labor productivity growth to wages is 1.3. Revenue per employee for the first half of the year amounted to 168.4 million rubles (growth rate of 143.6%). The average salary is growing month by month, albeit slowly. By the way, in July, we exceeded 6 million rubles.
The products of the paper mill are in demand. If previously warehouse stocks reached 60-80%, today they are less than 15% of the average monthly production volume and are already paid for by about half. Products are sold at profitable prices. Exports for six months amounted to 1,581 thousand dollars (156.7% compared to the same period last year). Active
work and market diversification: if earlier 95% of products were supplied to the Russian Federation, then today this figure has decreased to 73%. At the same time, the share of exports to Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia has increased. Trade with these countries is also beneficial for the factory because it is carried out in euros, and since loans for modernization were taken in the same currency, the availability of own funds for settlements with the bank reduces the enterprise's losses from currency purchases and exchange rate fluctuations. Agreements have been reached with the Polish side to increase turnover, although this requires improving logistics.– We are a state-owned enterprise and we count money even more scrupulously than private businesses. We have highly qualified economists, accountants, and programmers – they calculate in advance where we can save money, – emphasizes Alexander Egorovich. – To reduce costs, both our own and those of our partners, we have moved the customs warehouse to Chashniki – now there is no need to rent premises in Lepel and transport products there for customs clearance. Since October last year, we have abandoned natural gas in favor of fuel oil and, thanks to this, have saved more than 8.8 billion rubles in seven months. The total savings for this period amounted to over 20 billion. We have closely approached the task set by the President – reducing costs by 25%. This year, we plan to reduce costs by 35.5 billion rubles. For six months, the reduction in the cost of production was 21%. All this significantly affects the financial result. The main reserve remains the increase in production volumes.
“Krasnaya Zvezda” is also awaiting the adoption of a decree prohibiting the export of waste paper from the country. Without it, as soon as there is a shortage in the raw material market, the quality of waste paper supplied to the enterprise for processing immediately decreases. That is, all the most valuable goes abroad. However, the factory has learned to produce high-quality and in-demand products even from not the best raw materials, but in this case, the equipment wear is much higher.
By the way, thanks to modernization, working conditions have noticeably improved, and care for people was and remains a priority.
Elena Telyatko, photo
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