Take advantage of the window of opportunity

Export growth rate of 260 percent: the Radiotekhnika enterprise, despite the sanctions policy of the West, increases the range of products and expands supplies to the foreign market

Statistics knows everything! Including the fact that about 11 million passengers pass through the Moscow metro every day. It is unlikely that any of them know that many components — boards, handrails and rollers on steps — are produced in a small regional centre of our country — Oshmyany. And in general, almost 60 percent of the products of Radiotekhnika JSC are sold in the Russian Federation. Today the company stands firmly on its feet, which is confirmed by its economic performance. The proceeds are actively invested in the purchase of machine tools and new equipment. For example, the investment growth rate in the current year has exceeded 200 percent. Export for the first half of the year amounted to 1 million 650 thousand dollars, the growth rate was 260 percent. Let’s go to Oshmyany to find out on the spot how the company achieves high economic results today.

Anna Dervis, a foundry worker at the plastics section, appreciates the confidence in the future 
that comes from working at the enterprise

Against the odds

Radiotekhnika JSC currently employs 240 people. Design engineers, technologists, general machine operators, locksmiths, marketers, CNC machine operators clearly know their tasks in a particular area of work, working for a common result in a difficult time for a production line.
Sanctions and economic pressure on our country have become a challenge and at the same time an opportunity, when an enterprise not only survives, but also develops thanks to non-standard approaches and creativity. It was this path that the team of Radiotekhnika OJSC chose. Its director, Sergei Kontsevoi, says that the sanctions have not affected the company’s competitiveness, “We have never worked just for the stock. Practice shows that when one door closes, another one immediately opens. So our company has widely entered the almost endless expanse of the Russian market, having received a new impetus in development. Even before the sanctions, many of our Western partners went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic, so we had to look for new opportunities for business cooperation. We have staked on cooperation with the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Let me tell you for sure: it justifies itself!”

The operator of CNC machines Yuri Amshey has an important area of work

Sergei Kontsevoi leads us around the plant and, in parallel commenting on the workflow, talks about the tasks of today, “Any production on the conveyor is not done only because the director so wanted or provided drawings or gave a product sample. Preparation of production takes quite a long time. We have created a design department that designs tooling. Then we produce a prototype and give it to the consumer. He studies it carefully. Only after that we produce an experimental batch, which undergoes trials. Sometimes this process takes several months. And if we talk about import substitution, then often the imported analogue has its own electronic ‘stuffing’, so we had to look for and build new supply chains. There are no insignificant elements here, everything is interconnected. Yes, because of the sanctions, competition has become less, but it is still present. In general, the balance is as follows — we send 43 percent of the goods produced to the domestic market, and 57 percent to Russia. Before the sanctions period, this ratio was different: 60 percent went to domestic consumers, 40 percent went to export.”


The Director emphasises, “In addition to automotive components, we produce components for escalator steps, we produce components for tunnel systems. Many people saw on TV how Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin solemnly opened the last metro ring: our steps also go there... There are orders until the end of this year, and there are already a lot of orders for the whole next one. Who are we competing with? With China. However, we try to ensure that we are ahead in terms of the ‘price-quality’ ratio, and the consumer ultimately chooses us. Our most distant deliveries are now to Tyumen and Nizhnevartovsk. A lot is tied to Naberezhnye Chelny, where we work closely with KAMAZ. To be more precise, with those enterprises that make components for KAMAZ. That is, we create a joint product. This is primarily the Technotron and Rostar campaigns. We also supply electrical connectors for ambulances and other special vehicles. We have long and fruitfully cooperated with the Ural plant, which is located in the city of Miass, Chelyabinsk Region. Dump trucks, truck tractors, crew buses…”

Shop manager Olga Zhukovskaya and adjuster Leonid Selyatytsky solve production issues

Sergei Kontsevoi says that the fulfilment of the tasks set would be impossible without the help of the state and local authorities, “Our base, one might say, is Soviet. Production was opened more than half a century ago, in 1969. But we are not standing still. We actively invest in production, in the purchase of new equipment. In particular, the growth rate of investments in the current year has exceeded 200 percent. I would especially like to note the role of financial instruments that our government provides to support exports. Such, for example, as presidential decrees aimed at its development and ensuring the stable functioning of the economy. Thanks to state support, we can not only replenish working capital, but also carry out significant deliveries to the foreign market.”
...The range of products manufactured in Oshmyany is, of course, impressive. From complex automotive and tractor lighting devices to purely household items found in our kitchens: 240 items are produced. The enterprise reacts sensitively to market conditions, promptly adjusting the production conveyor to it. As a result, in the first half of the year, the growth rate of total production exceeded 180 percent, and the share of innovative products amounted to 43 percent.

Personnel are valued here

An important detail: in half a century, only three directors have changed at Radiotekhnika. The current head, 44-year-old Sergei Kontsevoi, took over as head of the enterprise on May 1st, 2016.
One of the young director’s first decisions was very creative. Opposite the checkpoint, a large mirror was installed and a large inscription was made. Or rather, the inscriptions: ‘This person is responsible for your safety’ and ‘They are waiting for you so healthy at home’. And the employees immediately have an idea in their subconscious — safety and security are by no means an empty phrase. Moreover, the production is dangerous, and powerful hydraulic presses do not forgive mistakes and even the slightest negligence.

The enterprise is sensitive to market conditions, quickly adjusting the production line to it

The backbone of a close-knit team has been formed over the years. People value stability and come here to work willingly. And not only the natives of these places. For example, Olga Nelyubina came from distant Kyrgyzstan, “There were circumstances because of which I had to leave Bishkek. I was a florist there. At Radiotekhnika they received me very kindly, they helped me in every possible way with good advice. I work as a coil winder. The computer is to help, so I can cope with the assigned work area without any problems. Working conditions, salary and social package are more than satisfactory. Therefore, I see my future with this enterprise.”


By Vladimir Kozyrev

Photos by Aleksey Bibikov