In Lepel, CSK LLC has established the production of metal profiles and metal tiles
Abandoned and dilapidated buildings on an 8-hectare site on Partizanskaya Street in the district center had long been a stumbling block. Everyone passing by noticed the semi-ruined structures that did not adorn the city.
Everything began to change with the acquisition of the abandoned territory in 2020. Moscow businessman Igor Solomakho, a native of Lepel, decided to invest in the production of construction and component materials, providing his fellow countrymen with opportunities to work and earn.
For these purposes, he chose the premises of the former repair and excavator plant (later the repair and mechanical plant), whose dilapidated buildings were slated for demolition. Yet, in the 1970s, this enterprise was renowned throughout the former Soviet Union. Powerful agricultural and construction machinery was repaired here, along with major overhauls of various engines. There were even rumors, spread by the ubiquitous Americans, that tanks were being repaired in Lepel.
Did Igor Solomakho know about this fact? Most likely, yes. And he probably wanted to revive the former glory of the enterprise, albeit with a different focus.
A task was set, a team was assembled. And they began to "get the job done," carrying out reconstruction – now there are many facilities where work is underway.
“We started with the road, which can be used in any season to reach the metal profile and metal tile production workshop. It’s not asphalted yet, but it’s still better than impassable terrain,” says production manager Vladimir Pochkay.
– At the same time, modernization was carried out in the workshop. When I came to work, the 6,000 sq. m premises were a dilapidated shed: no walls, no windows, no roof, no floor, – says foreman Ivan Churo, joining the conversation. – In three months, almost 800 cubic meters of concrete were poured here! To keep the huge building warm, the window openings were sealed, leaving a few for natural lighting, and artificial lighting was also installed.
The workshop is equipped with 7 lines for cold profiling of rolled metal. Currently, two types of profiled sheeting, one type of metal tile, three types of profiles for drywall, as well as additional elements for roofing are produced.
A trial batch of materials in demand in construction has been sent to Moscow. Currently, the workshop produces products to order for both Moscow and Minsk consumers, and does not refuse local ones either.
– We have ambitious plans. There are many projects in progress, and we are afraid of spreading ourselves too thin. Once we finish the administrative wing on the second floor of the workshop building, we will immediately start working on the store where we can display our products. So far, the sales logistics are not as well-established as we would like. And consumers like to see the goods with their own eyes, – Vladimir Pochkay informs us.
We were also interested to see how a smooth metal sheet is unrolled from a 5-ton roll in the workshop, passes through a press, and the corrugated metal profile is met by operators Sergey Moiseenko and Sergey Gross. All operations are carried out automatically.
A trial batch of materials in demand in construction has been sent to Moscow. Currently, the workshop produces products to order for both Moscow and Minsk consumers, and does not refuse local ones either.
– The railway line that runs through our territory is a great help to us, – continues Vladimir Konstantinovich. – Over time, product shipment will be carried out by railcars.
– And do you believe that it will be so? – I express doubt.
– If they didn't believe, they wouldn't be working here, – he replies. – And in a short time, they've done the impossible. The metal structures workshop is practically completed, the administrative and хозяйственный building, the main production building, and the crane runway building are under repair. A warehouse for related building materials has appeared, which we sell to the public. The entire territory is being developed. We are getting rid of construction waste, which is in high demand among forestry and utility workers. If you've noticed, the concrete mixing plant is waiting for completion on the territory. This is a plant with a capacity of 30 cubic meters of concrete per hour, which is so necessary, first of all, for our own needs. We expect to receive another 8 lines for the metal structures workshop in the third quarter. An additional line for the production of corrugated sheeting will be installed, three for the production of profiles for drywall, and a line for longitudinal metal cutting… A total of 15 lines. The additional investment volume will be about 7 million rubles, and this will create about 55 additional jobs.
There are no personnel problems here. Those involved in the lines undergo training courses.
In addition to production, they plan to focus on recreation and tourism facilities here. There is another abandoned place in Lepel, where a flax mill used to be located on 10 hectares. The place is very attractive, not far from the lake, so if the plans are realized, everything here will be transformed, attracting vacationers and tourists.
– We have no turning back. Only forward, – Vladimir Pochkay said in conclusion.
– Investment contributes to the development of our region. We support such initiatives because they attract young people to the production sector and create additional jobs. This production is focused on import substitution in the production of building materials with an emphasis on export, – emphasized the Deputy Chairman of the Lepel District Executive Committee, Oksana Tereshkova.