Orsha Instrument Plant held an Open Day
The event began with a festive concert, after which guests were introduced to the history of the enterprise. The plant began producing metal-cutting tools in April 1974. In 2014-2016, due to a decrease in demand, the production volume of products significantly decreased, which brought the enterprise to the brink of bankruptcy. In the spring of 2017, a decision was made at the highest state level to support the plant. This became a turning point for production and the team. To date, the main production building has been modernized. On February 18 of this year, OJSC "Orsha Tool Plant" became part of the "MTZ-Holding" holding. As noted by the plant director Vitaly Mankevich, the main work on creating a high-tech production is still ahead. Currently, the enterprise is implementing an investment project with a total investment of Br40 million to create a production of modern metal-cutting and auxiliary tools with the introduction of innovative technological processes. The project, designed for 2018-2023, is being implemented in two stages.
"In the first stage, Br10 million was invested last year, and another Br5 million is planned for the current year. 25 different machine tools have been ordered, which are already arriving at the plant. Two milling machines of Gomel production, six compressors, and other equipment have been put into operation. The renewal will allow us to close bottlenecks and increase the output of currently produced tools," says the head of the enterprise.
The second stage will be implemented jointly with a foreign partner company. "We are currently working on a cooperation agreement. They will provide technology, train specialists, and take on other functions, which will allow us to establish the production of the most modern tools.
Currently, about 400 people work at the enterprise. Taking into account the existing plans for modernization and expansion, together with the management company, three more business projects have been developed, which will be financed by the "MTZ-Holding" holding company. The first concerns the creation of a multifunctional service center. It started operating on April 1: the Orsha Tool Plant already services 16 tractors, and their number will grow in the future. The second project is the organization of serial production of hydraulic hoists for the hydraulic hitch system of "Belarus" tractors of series 900, 1000, and 1200. The first prototype of the product has been created, and the technology for its production is being tested; serial production is planned to begin in September. The third project is related to the production of worm cutters and gear hobbers. "And all this requires manpower. First of all, highly qualified personnel. Therefore, we now want to show what is happening here: the plant is changing for the better, both externally and internally, and the production volume has increased since September last year," says the director.
The importance of holding an Open Day was emphasized by the President's Aide - Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Vitaly Vovk. In his opinion, participating in such events allows young people to get acquainted with production and consciously choose their future place of work.
"Regarding the work of the industrial complex, it is important to use the most modern tools. And the role of the Orsha Plant in this is obvious, as it is the main domestic producer of universal tools for machine tool construction enterprises in Belarus. Their active modernization requires a corresponding step from the Orsha residents as well. Therefore, we will create a qualitatively new production here," noted Vitaly Vovk. He also highlighted the special role of MTZ in this process: "This is a partner that owns technologies, including in tool production, and a system of labor organization."
The celebration at the plant gathered hundreds of townspeople.
Roman Tretyakov came with his whole family – his wife and three children. He has been working at the enterprise for the fourteenth year as an automatic and semi-automatic machine setter. He notes with satisfaction the transformations taking place at the plant.
"Life is getting better: you can feel that financial problems are being solved: in addition to a stable salary, there have been additional incentive payments. Now, after the merger with MTZ, I think things will get even better. People are hoping for this because they see progress," he states.
CNC machine operator Kirill Basargin brought his girlfriend Alexandra with him. "I want to show the girl where I work, how the plant has changed, that it has a future, we are moving forward," the interlocutor shares. The young man's work experience is still small – only one and a half years after college, but he sees prospects for growth and is not afraid of difficulties, as there are experienced mentors and a desire to move forward. Plus, an important factor is the salary. On average, it is Br606 at the plant, and for highly qualified workers, it can reach Br1.5 thousand. "There is something to strive for," adds Kirill.
The award ceremony for the best employees, an exhibition of MTZ equipment, an engaging introduction to production, a fair sale, and performances by artists left no one indifferent among those who came.