Machine-building plant "Arsenal": main activities

The economic development of the country, its independence largely depends on the complex of industrial enterprises. If the plant for several centuries produces the demanded products of the defense complex and besides it constantly learns new technologies, its importance can not be estimated only by financial indicators. The St. Petersburg machine-building plant Arsenal has been producing strategic military products for several centuries, but now it produces equipment for the space industry and does not neglect civilian needs.

Child of Peter I

JSC "Machine Building Plant Arsenal" (St. Petersburg) founded Peter I. more than three hundred years ago. Then it was called "Cannon Foundry", from that moment the history of artillery weapons began in Russia. At the enterprise besides cannon tools ammunition, shells were cast. Armament was required to strengthen Russian positions at sea, it was expensive to acquire foreign ones, but building our own foundry industry promised great prospects, which were fully justified.

For several centuries the company has accumulated vast experience in the production of not only weapons. Specialists MZ "Arsenal" were called upon to perform the work demanding an individual approach, special accuracy and sharpness. To the memorable event - the capture of Berlin - in 1760 the masters of foundry affairs created a chariot wheeled chariot designed by B. Rastrelli. It was intended for the ceremonial removal of the victorious banner and traveled not one kilometer of the front. Richly decorated with gold, sculptures with a unique design of a brilliant architect, it is a bright exhibit exhibited in the Military History Museum of Artillery. The whole world was famous for the bells cast at the foundry, they can still be heard in the existing temples, for example on Athos.

High tech

Since its inception, the Arsenal engineering plant has been a leader in its industry, throughout the entire time of its existence, it has held advanced positions in the equipment, technology and quality of its products. During the war years of 1941-1945, despite the blockade, the plant continued to work, supplying defenders of the city with weapons. New technologies came to the plant during the reconstruction: in the sixties of the last century Arsenalians began to produce equipment for the space industry.

Today JSC "Machine Building Plant Arsenal" is a high-tech enterprise that produces demanded products for its country and foreign customers.

Nuclear Developments for Space

At the end of the sixties of the last century, there arose the need to create the first spacecraft capable of conducting space reconnaissance and navigating targets at sea. This task was entrusted to specialists of such enterprise, as the machine-building plant "Arsenal". In a short time, the plant underwent reconstruction and launched lines for the production of multi-purpose spacecraft. The issue amounted to more than seventy units of equipment.

Since the eighties, the company has mastered the production of space vehicles with an energy installation on nuclear fuel. The development and production of a unique plant ensured the world superiority in the use of nuclear power in outer space. In the same period, several new technological innovations were created, which have become progressive innovations for spacecraft and satellites. In the development of innovative technologies and production of machinery, the Arsenal engineering plant relies on the scientific and working personnel of its enterprise.

Apparatus for observation

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Arsenal company set up capsules, the main task of which is the prompt delivery of photographic material from near-earth orbit. Currently, the plant is developing new types of space technology. At the stage of development is a spacecraft, intended for radiophysical studies of the surface of our planet.

Also, the technology of the device is being mastered, which makes it possible to scan, carry out round-the-clock observations and monitor the state of the ice cover in the Arctic and Antarctic. The same apparatus will make it possible to observe the surface covered with dense vegetation and will allow us to find minerals.

Directions of production for space

At the enterprise there is a lot of research, pursuing the purpose of creation of the best devices. They are produced by the Arsenal engineering plant.

The production of space technology is developing in the following areas:

• The MKRC apparatus (marine space reconnaissance and target designation).
• Apparatus "Cobalt" (designed to monitor the earth's surface with detailed photography).
• Descent capsule (delivers from the orbit the results of experiments, photography materials).
• Steering gears for space orbital rocket-carriers.

Installations for the Navy

The enterprise mastered not only the production of space technology. Launchers for anti-aircraft missile systems were first manufactured at the facilities of the Arsenal MZ. The company received the order for the manufacture of artillery equipment during the Great Patriotic War, when the country was in urgent need to restore the lost fleet during the first hostilities, as well as to strengthen the presence of the Soviet fleet in the oceans.

In the postwar years, based on the experience gained, the Arsenal engineering plant in the laboratories and in the industry developed and produced more than 20 modifications of launchers for the fleet, as well as anti-aircraft missile systems for the Navy. In addition to supplies for the domestic military industry, the enterprise imports equipment to such countries as Algeria, Indonesia, China, India and many others.

Assortment of artillery products:

• Artillery installations of several modifications (AK-100, -130, -176M, A-192, -220M, -190 (in two versions)).
• Launchers (ZIF-122, -121-02).
• Starting systems of rocket launchers (MS-73M, -227).
• Devices for the supply and storage of depth charges in specialized installations (RBU-6000, -1000).

Civil products

In recent years, not only the production of space technology has been carried out at the Arsenal MZ. Cryogenic technology is also one of the company's achievements. The plant's subsidiary produces civilian products. The assortment includes:

• Cryogenic equipment. MZ "Arsenal" is the only domestic enterprise that produces a cryogenic plant for the production of liquid nitrogen of high quality. The equipment is used in the oil refining and gas industries, in medical institutions, in the food industry, in the agrochemical complex.
• Twin-screw extruders. They are used in the food industry, where they make pelmeni, sweet straws, cereal flakes and much more with their help. In agriculture, extruder plants produce feed for livestock, pet food.
• Water treatment equipment (scrapers). The project was developed jointly with the services of the St. Petersburg Vodokanal.
• Compressor stations for various purposes (modular, mine, electric, diesel).

Working conditions

No matter how good the technique, the main achievements are made by people. This is the resource that allows you to achieve goals, make plans. The company employs about 1700 people. The machine-building plant "Arsenal" (St. Petersburg) values its employees. The human resources department of the company promises decent wages, good working conditions, material incentives in the form of premiums, surcharges, lifting.

Competitive in the labor market MZ Arsenal make state orders for military and space equipment, as well as a large portfolio of foreign contracts. Offers to work at the enterprise can get students and young people without experience. Do not disregard leisure, provide preferential accommodation at the factory recreation center, if you want, you can get an education in a profile university due to the enterprise JSC "Machine Building Plant Arsenal."

Employee feedback

Employee feedback can hardly be called enthusiastic or extremely positive. The majority agree that after the sale of the enterprise in 2011 the situation deteriorated sharply. There is an outflow of qualified personnel, especially the incompetence of top management. Many people note frequent deliberate violations of the Labor Code, cutbacks in wages.

Positively evaluated labor team, the opportunity to gain experience in the student's bench. Also there is a timely payment of wages. Many employees consider the experience of the enterprise to be invaluable. The level of the obtained qualification allows subsequently without difficulty to find work on the profile at any enterprise of the country.