Processing of raw materials increased by 10 percent at the Southern Meat Processing Plant

Yuzhny MEAT Processing Plant, which is part of the Progress Agro Group of Companies, is increasing production volumes every year. Where you can try meat delicacies from Ust-Labinsk, how they comply with GOST standards and what prospects the enterprise faces, its DIRECTOR Vladimir Kovalev told.

- Vladimir Nikolayevich, with what production indicators did the meat processing plant finish last year, what are your plans for this year?

– Not without pride, I note that last year the team exceeded the business plan. So, according to the production norm, in 2021 we needed to process 9,300 tons of raw materials, at the end of the year we managed to increase this figure by 10 percent. Sales of finished products increased by 3 percent, amounting to 12,100 tons. The company's revenue increased by 30 percent - from 1.5 billion rubles to almost 2 billion rubles.

Of course, such indicators are the merit of not only the staff of the meat processing plant, but also the Progress Agro Group of Companies. Employees of Rassvet JSC approached the matter responsibly and provided raw materials for processing on time. We received healthy and well-fed animals just in time. For 2022, we set a goal to increase meat processing by another 10 percent and the sale of finished products by six percent.

- What is the mission of the company?

- it is to provide consumers with high-quality and tasty products. After all, by choosing goods produced by the Southern Meat Processing Plant, they form its further development. Delicious and safe meat products under the Moya Stanitsa brand of consistently high quality, worthy of the trust of customers. Our production is based on the best traditions and experience using advanced technologies and innovations.

- Where can I buy meat processing products?

– We sell more than 50 percent of products through federal retail chains. We also sell it to large and small wholesale consumers in the Krasnodar Territory, the Rostov Region, and so on. Now there is an active promotion of our goods in Moscow. The remaining 50 percent are sold in their own chain of stores "My Stanitsa", located in the Ust-Labinsky district, along the entire coast of the Black Sea, in Moscow.

– How is the production process?

- Selected raw materials from our own farms, getting to our plant, go through a rigorous quality selection and several stages of the technological cycle of processing, so that high-quality products under the My Stanitsa brand are always on the tables of consumers.

- What would you take for an appointment with the president from the products of the meat processing plant?

- I would take any product. For example, boiled-smoked sausages, deli group, sausages and so on. By the way, everything is produced in accordance with GOST and is worthy of the highest-ranking receptions.
Thus, the Moskovskaya sausage is 100 percent made from top-grade beef, grown on Rassvet JSC's own farms and carefully prepared by highly qualified specialists. This is consistent quality and compliance with high standards. Now, during the picnic season, I especially like kebab, shish kebab, grilled sausages.

- Do the requests and requirements for the products of the meat processing plant from the chains change? What is the most popular among buyers now?

– Three main points of sale of products are important for retail chains: an increase in shelf life, packaging volume and a fixed weight. These requirements do not always meet our goals, but we try to find compromises between the needs of retail chains and customers so as not to harm the quality of meat products.

- What's new this year? 

– Among the new products there is the Varshavskaya sausage, which is already loved by customers. In addition, salted bacon, Sandwich and boiled Firmnnaya sausages, Nuremberg sausages, Firmnye sausages, ham for breakfast, boiled sausages, rustic brawn in polyamide packaging.

This year we are focusing on the implementation of the project on "fattening cattle". We are talking about the meat of gobies. Already in September, classic beef mince, several different types of beef kebab, beef stroganoff, marinades, goulash and other cattle meat products will go on sale. There is a request for lumpy beef from retail chains, restaurateurs of the Black Sea coast. This is a very promising direction. We plan to produce about 50-70 tons of beef per month.

- What are the strengths of the meat processing plant?

– Of course, this is our professional team. Also, our strong feature is the technical equipment of the enterprise with modern and advanced equipment and technologies. For example, the plant is equipped with equipment from Bertsch-Laska (Austria), the main supplier for food industry enterprises. The technological line for the meat processing plant was developed by the leading Russian and European bureaus Falkenstein and Libner.

- What are the prospects for the meat processing plant? What will you focus on?

The CORONAVIRUS pandemic has taught us a lot. First of all, you always need to be prepared for all sorts of cataclysms, so my main goal is to bring the organization to stable work so that no troubles can shake it.

We plan to pay much attention to sausage production, we would like to raise the output of finished products to a new qualitative level. We develop new types of sausages and improve those already loved by the consumer.
As for new directions in production, we are fully prepared to implement two major projects for the production of pet food and the production of collagen. So, we plan to open a collagen production workshop by 2023. The construction and engineering documentation has already been prepared, the purchase of equipment and the installation of the building, engineering communications have been calculated. In addition, we are working on the production of slaughter waste processing using waste-free technologies. This will make it possible to maximize the extraction of all valuable components of raw materials, turning them into useful products and thereby increasing the profitability of production. All waste will be processed into meat and bone and blood meal, which is rich in trace elements and so on. Today we spend 9 million rubles a year on waste disposal. The new production will bring a considerable economic effect.

One of the current trends is a healthy lifestyle. Consumers count calories, choose healthy products. How is your industry reacting to this?

– Yes, there are requests from retail chains to supply certain products, for example, products with a low fat or high protein content. By the way, the products of the meat processing plant are not only tasty and healthy, but also environmentally friendly. Personally, I adhere to a healthy and active lifestyle.

- What is the state of the meat processing plant today, is there a shortage of personnel?

– The number of employees is about 230 people. There is practically no staff turnover. Many have been working since the founding of the meat processing plant, there are also labor dynasties. Motivational components of labor productivity increase are developed. A mentoring system for newly hired employees has been effectively established, which allows training a specialist in the shortest possible time.

– What tasks do you set for yourself and your colleagues?

- The main requirements are diligence and professionalism.

As a leader, I try to create even more comfortable working conditions for specialists, because if a person goes to work with joy, then the job goes faster, which means that the plant has more prospects.

Do you have your own leadership secret?

- It is very simple - it is the ability to listen and hear. It is necessary to appreciate, respect and notice each employee.

The talent of a leader and the art of management lies in the efficient use of human resources, that is, in organizing work so that everyone does what he does best.
At the same time, I do not tolerate violations of labor discipline, non-fulfillment of production targets and indicators, I say goodbye to employees who are not able to organize themselves and their team.

My father became a role model for me as the HEAD of the enterprise. He was the deputy director of the Krasnodar hippodrome. After all, our first teachers are our own parents, it is they who form the character.