18 August 2014
In the Palace of Culture of “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” a solemn assembly of the working personnel took place on the occasion of the enterprise’s anniversary. 81 years ago the Blast Furnace No. 1 produced its first cast iron, and “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” went on stream along with the acting metallurgical giants.
Nowadays “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” is the flagship enterprise of the Ukrainian steel-making industry issuing almost 16% of the overall cast iron, steel and rolled production. All the Ukrainian rail tracks are laid exclusively with the use of rails produced by “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS”. 640 000 km of rails have been manufactured throughout the whole history of the Rail and Beam Shop – a length that is enough for encircling the Equator 16 times. The quality of “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” production is recognized within 70 countries of the world, moreover, the fact mentioned above is confirmed by certificates of 30 world-known classification societies.
During the official meeting the employees of the enterprise were greeted by the CEOs of “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS”, Metinvest Group, as well as the representatives of the municipal authorities. It is worth noting that Azovstal veterans who were and still keep being reliable professional examples for the metallurgists of the current generation were also invited for the celebration.
A lot of acknowledgements were addressed to the metallurgists of “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” during the festive evening. However, most of the thankful words were told for the continuing peace. Workers of this “fiery” profession managed to support their native town at the most complicated moment when volleys of automatic gunfire were permanently heard in the streets and wreckers acted with impudence everywhere. The voluntary people’s guards reestablished peace and order in Mariupol, furthermore, they brought a stop to the wave of violence and anarchy. Their bold move has consolidated all the citizens of Mariupol who joined in with patrolling around the city in the framework of Voluntary Citizen Patrol.
On this solemn occasion the Azovstal workers were decorated with Certificates of Honour and a lot of grateful words were directed to them for their selfless labour and career achievements. In addition to this, results were reviewed within labour competitions. So, the best electricians, welding operators, mechanics and genuine professionals of other specialties gained prizes. The final part of the celebration was marked with an impressive concert program with the participation of on-stage performance groups of the city.
Enver Tskitishvili, Director General of PJSC "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS":
- I would like to thank the entire work personnel for valorous labour. We are holding high the bar of “Azovstal” and we keep on redounding worldwide to the fame of our enterprise. The modernization of production is being implemented more and more actively, the environmental situation is being improved according to a plan, the social assistance to municipal hospitals, schools and kindergartens has been increased, roads and ambulances are under repair, the enterprises help to develop public transport. In brief, even in this grave period we are moving forward into our future with confidence. We have demonstrated to everybody that we possess not only the ability to make steel and iron, to produce coke and rolled production. The Azovstal workers have proved their patriotic feelings and love to their native city by means of real deeds. We have acted like true peacemakers. Metallurgists showed their civil courage and matureness on the days when even the militia were afraid of going outside to inspect the city. People’s guards involving metallurgists have become a stronghold of peace and stability in Mariupol. The Azovstal workers have always been notable for solidarity and consistency of aim, as well as for significant level of professional qualities. We altogether have splendid perspectives ahead of us. We have made our choice directed towards leadership and we will never abandon this route.
Alexander Krivun, Deputy Chairman of Trade Union Committee of PJSC "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS":
- Being our common working house, PJSC "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS" has become much closer and dearer to all of us for the last year. As a matter of fact, the year is complicated indeed. However, we continue to produce metal for the country, people are getting salaries on a regular basis, while the state and the city are gaining taxes. The enterprise is continuously expressing the extent to which it evaluates the employees. The average salary has already overcome the rate of six thousand grivnas. It is the next higher index than the equivalent one branch-wise and citywide. And all the above mentioned have become possible in the very period when the countrywide crisis and military activities are actually leading to shutdowns of industrial enterprises.
Yuri Khotlubei, Major of Mariupol:
- In such complicated conditions that our region and our country are experiencing today the working personnel of “PJSC “AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS” has undertaken an extremely difficult mission of retaining peace and order in our city. Hence, on behalf of all the citizens of our city I am uttering words of profound gratitude to you. You have preserved the city, you have experienced serious obstacles and you have convinced people in that we should keep together in the boundaries of our unitary and indivisible Ukraine. Fortunately, we succeeded in this effort as we have united with each other. You have saved Mariupol from destruction and chaos. In the end, namely you are building the future of our city with your efficiency.
- For editors:
PJSC "AZOVSTAL IRON & STEEL WORKS" is a modern high-technology enterprise manufacturing wide range of steel products: slabs, bars, shapes, railway rails, rail fasteners, square billets, plates and products of metallurgical slag.
Production capacities of the enterprise allow to produce annually over 5.5 million tons of iron, over 6.2 million tons of steel (aim is to achieve 7 million tons of steel per year) and over 4.4 million tons of rolled products. Design capacities for rail fasteners production is 285 thousand tons per year, grinding balls 170 thousand tons per year.Metinvest is a vertically integrated mining and metallurgical group of companies that manages assets in each segment of production chain, from extraction of iron ore raw materials and coal, as well as coke production up to manufacture of steel semi-finished and finished products, pipes and coils and also manufacture of other high-value-added products. The Group incorporates mining and metallurgical enterprises located in Ukraine, Europe and USA and has sales network covering all global key markets. Metinvest Group incorporates Metallurgical and Mining Divisions. According to the strategic vision of Group it is aimed to become the leading European vertically integrated steel manufacturer with sustained growth and profitability, despite the cyclical nature of markets, and provide investment yield above the industry standards. For the first three months of 2014 ended March 31, 2014, the Group received a US $ 2.9 billion in revenue, EBITDA profitability was 30%.
The key shareholders of METINVEST B.V. (Holding Company of Metinvest Group) are SCM Group (71.25%) and SMART Group (23.75%) that take part in the Group administration on a partnership basis.
"METINVEST HOLDING" LLC is the managing company of Metinvest Group.
Additional information is available at site: www.metinvestholding.com