GOZ "Obukhov Plant", St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a wizarding city, where history paces along wide avenues, huddles in wells, and captivates everyone who follows it. Here, salon conversations are intertwined, the roar of the revolutionary proletarian crowd, the whisper of an unbroken siege, and memory and love for the city are circling around - inspiring, each personal. The first factories, once hidden in the outskirts of Petrova capital, today have become part of urban architecture. GOZ "Obukhov Plant" is already counting the second century of its history and on its example it is possible to trace the stages of Russia's industrialization.

Construction and start of business

The founders of the plant, Obukhov PM, Kudryavtsev S.G. and Putilov NI, on May 4, in 1863, concluded a contractual agreement with the Marine Ministry on the construction of an enterprise for the production of cast steel. The place for the future giant was identified with the village of Aleksandrovskoye on the Shlisselburgsky tract. Emperor Alexander II had a state interest in the enterprise and gave part of the lands of the Alexandrovskaya Manufactory. The objectives of the production partnership were the production of new weapons for fortresses, the construction of ships and independence from foreign arms deliveries.

PM Obukhov was the inventor of a new method for the production of cast steel, which was planned to be used at a newly-built defense enterprise, and therefore the plant was named in his honor. In addition to the opportunity to innovate in the technological process, state interests demanded the rearmament of the army, which became clear after the defeat in the Crimean campaign. Have built and have started the enterprise quickly, the first melting has taken place on April, 17th, 1864. Emperor Alexander II was present at the plant on April 30 when casting a steel bar for a future gun at eight pounds.

Transitional period

The founders' association of the plant did not have sufficient capital for further development of the enterprise, so it was decided to take a large loan in the bank to purchase foreign equipment. The loan was taken under state guarantees, the Marine Ministry acted as the guarantor. To control the use of funds and debt repayment, the board and the post of the plant's chief were created, and the captain-leyantin AA Kolokoltsov was appointed to it.

In addition to military weapons, the factory mastered the production of axles and wheels for railways, high-quality surgical, locksmith's, drawing tools. Steel was supplied to England, Germany, where it was bought with pleasure because of high quality and lower cost than in local production. The plant successfully repaid debts and was to return to private hands.

In state ownership

It was not in the interests of the state to give up a strategic and profitable enterprise. By the decree of Alexander II the plant was transferred to the state property, the shares from the owners were redeemed. The process took place in 1886, by this time the following shops worked at the plant:

• Steel casting.
• Crucible.
• Cast-iron foundry.
• Hammer.
• Cannon-finishing.
• Forge.

To ensure production processes, a laboratory, a wood drier and a gas plant were established. Workers consisted of artel Zlatoust steelmakers and craftsmen of the Urals, who worked in a blacksmith, weapons workshop.

GOZ "Obukhov Plant" (St. Petersburg), being in the state possession, had commercial freedom, did not subsidize from the treasury, and developed at its own expense. The management of the enterprise constantly engaged in the reconstruction of the plant, purchasing new foreign-made equipment, the operating shops were expanded, new ones were equipped. Specialists always went abroad on business trips, mastering new technologies of steel smelting, getting acquainted with the latest samples of weapons, machine tools and tools.

To expand capabilities, a test site was required. For its foundation in 1898, on the right bank of the Neva, land was purchased from the Prince of Oldenburg PG. During the following years, the plant's capacities increased. In 1904, the Alexander Steel and Rail Plant were attached to the Obukhov Plant, and in 1905 the company founded an optical and mechanical industrial workshop. In 1906, the optical products of NEO won the Gold Medal at the World Optical Exhibition (France, Bordeaux).

By the new, 20th century, it became clear that the plant had become one of the leaders of Russian industry. The number of workers was about 4 thousand people, and already in 1914 the figure increased to 10 266 employees, to ensure the normal and full life of which much has been done. A church was built in honor of the apostle Paul, a school and a school for children of workers were working, a hospital with an outpatient clinic provided medical services, a library, a "Consumer Society", lodges for workers' families were built.

For the period from 1867 to 1908, the Obukhov Plant, thanks to its high-quality and innovative products, won more than 10 awards at prestigious international and domestic exhibitions. As a sign of special merit before the state railways in supplying quality wheels, axles and other, the plant was awarded the right to put the state emblem on products and signboards. Since 1908 the enterprise has received the right to have its own flag. In 1913, the results of half a century of activity were summed up. By the fiftieth anniversary the plant became one of the largest factories in Russia, gained fame abroad, successfully competed with the German company Krupp and the British company Armstrong.

After the revolution

After 1917 and until 1920, the enterprise was confused, the situation stabilized with the arrival of the director Serov V.D. In connection with the Civil War, in 1918, the Obukhov Plant (St. Petersburg) was cut off from orders, supplies of raw materials, workers were reckoned and fired (12,000 people). The decision on the re-profiling of the enterprise for the production of caterpillar tractors was made at the end of 1918. From the previous production process, railroad products remained in demand, repair of freight cars, steam locomotives, production of springs, bearings was required. For civil purposes, in terms of work, it was planned to make plows, parts for threshing machines. 4,000 workers, engineers, technicians and craftsmen were employed to carry out the state order for work.

The first caterpillar tractors were modernized American cars of the brand "Holt". The first three tractors were sent to the front to transport heavy guns in 1919. After the Civil War, the industry of Petrograd began to revive. In 1921, one of the largest open-hearth furnaces (5000 tons) was commissioned at the plant, the tractor-building industry received a second wind. GOZ Obukhov Plant is an enterprise that initiated the mass production of tractors.

In 1922, the plant was renamed the Petrograd State Steel Plant "Bolshevik" (the historical name was returned in 1992). In the same year the enterprise was placed state. Order for the production of aircraft engines. The first products were produced by November 7, 1923, and in 1925 aircraft with engines of the Bolshevik plant flew Moscow-Beijing-Tokyo.

In subsequent years, the enterprise produced products in demand for the construction of a number of industrial facilities (Magnitogorsk, Kuznetsk Combines), the Moscow Metro, Volkhov Power Plant and many others. Particularly proud is the production of the "Hammer and Sickle" emblem for the first series of Kremlin stars and steel frameworks for the Kremlin's ruby stars.

In 1927 the enterprise started producing serial tanks MC-1 (T-18), later the division became a separate enterprise (Voroshilov tank plant, now Zvezda OJSC). The design team of the GOZ "Obukhov Plant" designed artillery systems of large caliber. The greatest pre-war flourishing of the enterprise was achieved during the period of the Directorate of Ustinov DF, from 1938 to 1941.

The Great Patriotic War

The war and the blockade of Leningrad that started soon significantly reduced the number of employees of the Obukhov plant, but the enterprise continued to issue the products necessary for the front. Some workshops were mothballed, work continued in workshops oriented to the issue of military order. During the war the plant gave to the front:

• Armored and high-explosive shells (more than 20 thousand units).
• Details for the missile system "Katyusha" (90 thousand).
• Details for the machine guns "Maxim" (11 thousand).
• Mines (125 thousand).
• New artillery batteries, adapted for the railway. Platforms (30 pieces).
• The serial production of an anti-tank gun was set up.

Sapper and construction tools, personal protective equipment for pilots, sapper sledges were also produced. During the war years the enterprise lost more than 4 thousand employees, some of them died of hunger, some - at the front. Heroic work of the plant employees deserved the Order of the Red Banner.

Peaceful time

The damage to the Obukhov plant during the war years was estimated at 60 million rubles. Restorative work began in 1943, the main forces were abandoned for repair of open-hearth furnaces. Since 1945 the enterprise has begun reconstruction. The first postwar peace order for the production of agricultural machinery was received .

The full production cycle was restored by the end of 1948. The memory worked and this time - the management refused from the state subsidies, the enterprise mastered the production of the demanded products. It became oil spills for the chemical industry, tube for the subway, the rate of production of agricultural machinery increased, standard orders were fulfilled. In 1957, all open-hearth furnaces were automated, which increased the number of issued products and secured the work of steelmakers.

In the 1980s, the main activities of the Obukhov Plant were:

• Release of steel of different grades.
• Casting of steel and non-ferrous metals.
• Large-sized engineering.
• Details for nuclear power plants.
• Pumps for oil production.
• Details for ships (Navy and civil).
• Details for space communications.
• Ground equipment for the space industry.
• Consumer goods (irons).
• Agricultural machinery.

In the 21st century

In 2002, the enterprise became part of the Almaz-Antey defense concern, and in 2003 the plant changed its ownership form, issuing shares, and was named OAO GOK Obukhov Plant (St. Petersburg). In 2004, by the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the company entered the list of strategic enterprises in Russia. The plant produces products of civil, industrial and military use.

The main customers are the Ministry of Defense, law enforcement agencies. The plant supplies products to foreign countries, such as China, Vietnam, Egypt and others. At the present stage, the plant's shops are reconstructing, installing the latest equipment, introducing innovative technologies. The main task of OJSC Obukhov Plant (St. Petersburg) for the coming years will be the production of high-tech products, the development of high technology, the implementation of military and civilian orders.

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is the leading direction in the activity of the plant and is put into a separate structural unit. The activity is provided by the marketing department, constant updating of the material and technical armament is carried out, the production departments are equipped with modern lines and occupy significant areas, the working and ITR personnel are highly qualified employees.

Joint Stock Company GOZ Obukhov Plant on the basis of machine shops admits an extensive list of products:

• Launchers for missiles.
• Missile defense equipment.
• Ship launch rocket launchers of various purposes.
• Amortization systems for the launch vehicle Energia, the space shuttle Buran, intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Protective equipment for nuclear power plants.
• Machines for transportation and transportation of air defense.
• Devices for space monitoring systems.
• Machines for wood and stone processing.
• Consumer goods, simulators.
• Equipment for theaters, g. Etc. tunnels and much more.

Design department

The experimental design bureau is rightfully a receiver of the traditions laid down by the founders of the plant in 1865. Since 1948 OKB is a separate structural unit of the enterprise. Engineering high-tech development bureau, for all the years of existence of the enterprise, were implemented in the production of military and civilian products:

• Modernization of caterpillar tractors.
• Development of aircraft engines.
• Minnoye, artillery armament for the Navy and the army.
• Tank T-26, flamethrower tank, self-propelled artillery system.
• Anti-missile equipment and installations.
• Launch rocket launchers.
• Civil, industrial and commercial equipment.

Reviews

About 5 thousand employees work at the Obukhov Plant. The feedback left by the staff demonstrates the assessment of a separate production site where they had to work. Positive feedback refers to a stable salary, a full social package, comfortable working conditions, provision with tools and equipment.

Many employees liked the team, in which the working days passed, the opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge. It is noted that all the shops have been repaired, well heated in the winter and ventilated in the summer. For many, the regime of secrecy in the enterprise was a surprise. Exit and go to the defense Obukhov plant GOZ JSC can only by a nominal pass, and in the course of the working day is a permanent video surveillance.

Negative assessments were made to the payroll system, according to which additional funds are charged for overtime work, exits for work on holidays and weekends. This creates an unhealthy phenomenon - everyone is constantly at work, but there is no sense from such pastime, and bonuses are awarded for useless sitting in the workplace. All employees, without exception, note that the data on hiring promises of high salary, career growth, high bonuses are not justified.

Feedback is negative and positive. On closer examination, it becomes clear that work in certain shops does not cause anyone to complain about either part of the payment or in terms of conditions. The amount of wages and additional charges also largely depends on the competence, skill level of the employee applying for a vacancy in the Obukhov Plant.

Address

The enterprise is located in St. Petersburg on Obukhovskoy Oborony Avenue , building 120. The museum has a museum where exhibits are presented that tell the history of the enterprise, a collection of products and samples of military equipment are collected, biographies of outstanding employees of the company are presented.