On 21 March 2018, Ivan Belozertsev held a meeting with Nikolay Baulin, Head of Siyazhar Centre for Business and Cultural Cooperation of Mordovia, and Sergey Nikonorov, CEO of Plyterra Private Company.
The parties discussed the prospects for the development of Nizhny Lomov Plywood Factory “Vlast Truda” (Rule of Labour). In 2017, the enterprise became a part of Plyterra holding.
The factory manufactures unique products, i.e. hardly combustible and vibration-absorbing plywood, which is in demand in many industries, primarily in railway carriage building. Over half of enterprise’s products are exported abroad.
In 2017, the factory initiated technological re-equipment. It is planned that modernisation will result in a two-fold increase of plywood production.
“We are ready for further development, the enterprise is export-oriented, and we are determined to keep working in this direction. A part of modern equipment has already been installed, but we plan to purchase additional equipment. However, there is a serious problem in terms of raw materials, as we will not be able to advance without them,” Nikolay Baulin stated.
Production of high-quality goods requires hardwood species, more specifically birch.
The governor requested the Regional Ministry of Forestry to analyse the available resources.
“We should look for ways to support the factory. It is located on the territory of the Penza region, there are jobs, people work there, it is necessary to help them,” Ivan Belozertsev emphasised.
“Prepare proposals for plots, which have free areas where the appropriate species are concentrated. Investors allocate funds for the development of the enterprise, and we should meet this challenge,” the head of the region added.
Sergey Nikonorov specified that the company is ready to supply the unused resources to other enterprises in the region.
“Transportation of raw materials from other regions is costly. We have experience, necessary equipment, and practice of selling all wood derivatives,” CEO of Plyterra Company noted.
The governor stressed that this project can be implemented within industrial cooperation.
“It can be a joint venture, which will be beneficial for other companies that need, for example, coniferous species,” he explained.
Ivan Belozertsev proposed to bring together the representatives of Penza factories and plants interested in such partnership and to discuss opportunities for cooperation.
