A metal structures plant, with no analogues in Belarus, has been established near Polotsk

The Novopolotsk Technological Metal Structures Plant, established in the shortest possible time on the basis of the former rural housing construction plant in the village of Farinovo, Polotsk district, began producing its first trial products. The construction of this unique enterprise is included in the list of facilities of decisive importance for the innovative development of Belarus.

Three years ago, the site of the former Farinovo RHC was in disrepair, with trees growing on the roofs of dilapidated buildings. Now, this rural corner has been transformed: life is bustling here, and the most modern technological solutions are being implemented.

The initiators of the plant's construction were its current General Director Igor Shurpakov and Chief Engineer Ivan Svirko. Previously, they held management positions at OJSC "NefteZavodMontazh".

First, the initiators stopped the destruction of the buildings and structures purchased at auction, with a total area of about 40 thousand sq. m. They carried out repairs that did not affect the load-bearing structures, in parallel with the development of design and estimate documentation.

The investor's funds were insufficient to restore the buildings and structures, and additional sources of financing had to be urgently found. The Novopolotsk team attracted credit resources from BPS-Sberbank, as well as funds from the regional executive committee's innovation fund, as winners of the innovation project competition.

To reduce costs and improve the quality of work, equipment was purchased, and their own construction department was created. Simultaneously, contracts were concluded for the supply of technological equipment of Italian and Dutch production. Representatives of foreign companies were surprised by the rapid pace of plant construction and highly appreciated the level of work organization and the training of our specialists.

- Practically without altering the spatial planning solutions of the existing buildings, we were able to harmoniously accommodate a modern metal structure production facility, which has no analogues in Belarus, - says Ivan Svirko during a tour of the plant.

Comfortable conditions have been created for the staff in the administrative building. Designers develop detailed drawings of metal structures of any complexity, including fulfilling orders for third-party organizations. Engineers create 3D models of objects. Technologists process information and issue tasks for production. All processes are maximally automated, and an integrated production management system has been implemented.

If, in the old way, manufactured drawings had to be carried to the workshop to the foreman, now all the parameters set for the products are transmitted to the machines almost instantly via modern software, and the parts are printed as if on a printer.

The reconstruction of the main production building, according to Ivan Svirko, is divided into eight start-up complexes. The first stage is already nearing completion.

With the participation of foreign chief engineers, the installation of the main technological equipment has been completed, commissioning work has been carried out, and personnel have been trained.

Comprehensive testing of the units is being completed. A business-like atmosphere prevails in the huge fabrication and assembly shop. The automated systems installed here for processing sheet and profile metal allow for the production of products of the highest quality of any size and configuration.

The human factor is minimized – feeding the initial rolled metal to the roller conveyors. And all operations for its marking, scribing, drilling, moving, and unloading are performed by smart machines. The proposed innovative technology allows for a 3-4 fold reduction in labor costs and ensures a high level of added value. In addition, it allows for an individual approach in working with customers, producing non-standard unique products.

As part of import substitution, the production of welded I-beams used in the building structures of frames for buildings and structures has been mastered. They will be significantly cheaper compared to Russian rolled profiles that are imported into our republic.

The energy-saving policy at the enterprise is also the most effective. For example, gas ribbon infrared heaters are used in the assembly shops, which allow heating the workplaces of specialists only during working hours. Four mini-boiler rooms are used for heating, ventilation, and hot water supply of built-in and administrative and utility rooms.

The current product samples will be used for the plant's own needs in the further stages of reconstruction.

In the future, as noted by Ivan Svirko, it is planned to master other types of products. In particular, to open a new production of welded grating for Belarus, which is used as a working surface for service platforms, overlaps, transitions, and other engineering structures. It is planned to organize the production of non-standardized equipment and pipelines. All this will increase the enterprise's capacity from 12 to 18 thousand tons of products per year.

The staff will double. Today, the enterprise has 200 employees. 73 of them have higher education, including 23 workers, one person has a candidate degree, and four have a master's degree in technical sciences.

Many specialists travel to the plant from Polotsk and Novopolotsk; a special bus has been purchased to transport them. People are attracted by high-tech production, good salaries, and growth prospects. Local residents who were looking for work in the city after the closure of the Farinovsky MDSK also got the opportunity for employment.

The construction of the new plant gives a powerful impetus to the development of the region, allowing the introduction of unused state property into circulation and involving a wide range of partners in economic activities, creating decent working conditions for people.

In their activities, the enterprise managers, in particular, are guided by one of the slogans of the famous American industrialist Henry Ford: "Everything can be done better than it has been done so far."

Larisa Malashenya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"