Bars, electric chargers, carpets: which Vitebsk enterprises are vying for the "Leader of the Year - 2023" award

Next week, the winners of the Grand Prix of the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023" will be announced. The expert council of the prestigious award continues to get acquainted with the nominees. This time, the experts visited the northern capital of Belarus - Vitebsk , where they got acquainted with the work of JSC "Vityaz", the confectionery factory "Vitba", and JSC "Vitebsk Carpets". We tell you what surprised the nominees from Vitebsk.

Televisions under the brand "Vityaz" are probably familiar to every Belarusian. The enterprise, founded in 1976, has experienced many different periods in its history. In the last few years, thanks to competent management, the company has been able to significantly increase production volumes - both televisions and other products that have proven themselves in the domestic and foreign markets. This is not the first time that the enterprise has participated in the International Business Award "Leader of the Year".

- Today, JSC Vityaz is one of the largest industrial multi-profile enterprises in Belarus, - says Gennady Azarov, General DIRECTOR of JSC Vityaz, as we get up to speed. - We specialize in various areas. Among them, our traditional production of television equipment, household and medical devices, and plastic products. I would like to point out that the enterprise has created a developed technological base, a high-tech science-intensive production with its own powerful tool and mechanical base, special equipment, and tooling.

In recent years, the number of TV sets of various modifications has grown especially. If two years ago the enterprise produced about 300 thousand units, then by the end of this year the figure will closely approach a million. And, according to our management's calculations, demand will continue to grow. TV sets are supplied to the domestic and foreign markets. Of course, the main partner outside Belarus is the Russian Federation.

- This market has become more capacious due to various socio-political events in 2022. In addition, our products are in no way inferior in quality to foreign analogues. The modern consumer is quite demanding of the product. We cooperate with various online services, pre-install their software. In fact, today it is not just a TV, but a multimedia platform that combines a large number of functions, - said the HEAD of JSC Vityaz.

It is important to note that JSC Vityaz is in line with modern economic and social trends. Thus, the company is actively developing the direction of manufacturing electric filling stations. Approximately every second such point in Belarus is equipped with equipment manufactured in Vitebsk. This industry has proven to be in high demand. Currently, the management of JSC Vityaz is developing new models of electric filling stations of various capacities. Some of them will allow electric cars to be charged almost completely in a matter of minutes.

- Since the beginning of the year, more than 200 charging stations have already been produced. In total, the plans are to increase the volume to 300 units by the end of 2023. This will be approximately one and a half times more than a year earlier. Today, the range of charging stations is wide, more than 20 modifications. At the same time, we manufacture models of various devices: ground and wall mounting, fast and super-fast models. Today, our priority is the production of super-fast charging products with a maximum power of 120 to 350 kW and even more. At such stations, you can charge not only cars, but also electric buses, - noted Gennady Azarov.

By the way, Vityaz has its own network of electric filling stations in Vitebsk. The company has also mastered the production of electric bicycles of various configurations, certified medical devices and other consumer goods.

The General Director of JSC Vityaz also spoke about the social characteristics of the team. The plant is trying to attract more and more young personnel. The organization actively cooperates with universities and other educational institutions.

- We understand that the team is first and foremost. Thanks to specialists and their competencies, it is possible and necessary to move forward and develop. For its part, the company provides a good social package, competitive wages. There is its own dormitory. And most importantly, the opportunity for career growth and personal development. Together, these aspirations, as well as the great technical and intellectual potential of the organization will allow us to reach an even higher quality level, - concluded Gennady Azarov.

The word "Vitba" is associated with sweets for almost every one of our compatriots. And this is not surprising. Over its almost 35-year history, the confectionery factory "Vitba" has managed to firmly enter the Belarusian culture of consumption.

- Our company is the leader of the Belarusian market of dry breakfasts and one of the leaders in Belarus in the confectionery industry, - says the general director of the confectionery factory "Vitba" Alexander Gidranovich. - First of all, "Vitba" is a brand that is trusted. Quality, assortment, price, attention to consumer needs - it is difficult to single out one key factor, thanks to which our products have been chosen for more than 30 years.

Thus, in the production of dry breakfasts we use modern extrusion technology, thanks to which the beneficial properties of cereals are preserved in the products even after exposure to high temperatures.

Preservation of traditions plays an important role in production. For more than 20 years, the company's calling card has been the wafer bar "Vitba", which has become a classic. Its original recipe is kept in the strictest confidence, and no one has been able to replicate the taste.

In total, the Vitba confectionery factory produces more than 100 types of products.

Flexibility in work and emphasis on the quality of manufactured products help the Vitba confectionery factory maintain consumer interest not only in the domestic market but also abroad. The company's product range is constantly updated according to market requirements and customer preferences.

In 2023, we began producing Vitba cookies with different flavors - classic, with peanuts, ginger. More recently, children's cookies have appeared on sale. The product is manufactured in accordance with the requirements for the nutrition of preschool and school-age children and is recommended for their nutrition. Another new product of ours, colored wafers "Tutti Frutti", is in high demand among customers.

In October 2023, the Vitba confectionery factory developed a special series of products with an increased MILK content in the composition - Vitba Super Milk . In total, there are four products in the milk line - tubes, pillows, wafers and dragees. The main difference of the new products is an increased (from 20 to 46 percent) amount of dry milk.

The strategic goals of the enterprise development are the production of import-substituting products and expansion of EXPORT deliveries, which we successfully implement. The enterprise supplies products to the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan , CHINA , Uzbekistan , Armenia, Tajikistan, Vietnam , Latvia, Estonia. Since 2023, export volumes to the EAEU countries have increased significantly, but the most dynamically growing market is China . The first deliveries to China began in 2016, and today the Chinese market accounts for 20% of the total export volume of Vitba.

Last year we lost several traditional large markets, but we were able to quickly restructure without harming the team. Today we employ more than a thousand people. The average salary is about 1.6 thousand rubles. The employees have one of the best social packages in the city, all the conditions for development have been created. It is important that the team is always looking for new solutions and striving forward. With such people, we can handle any task, - summarized Alexander Gidranovich.

We probably won't be wrong if we assume that almost every Belarusian apartment has at least one carpet or rug. Almost certainly, most of them were produced in Vitebsk at JSC "Vitebsk Carpets". The company has been successfully satisfying the demand for these products both in Belarus and abroad for over a hundred years.

- If we delve into history, our enterprise has Belgian roots, - Artem Lokhankin, General Director of JSC "Vitebsk Carpets", surprises from the first minute. - In 1898, a joint Russian-Belgian joint-stock company concluded an agreement to establish a flax spinning factory in Vitebsk. A year later, Emperor Nicholas II issued a corresponding imperial decree. And already at the end of 1900, the factory produced its first products.

Since then, of course, "Vitebsk Carpets" have experienced many transformations. Serious trials came during the Great Patriotic War: the enterprise's buildings were damaged by military actions. After the liberation of the city, production began to actively develop. The turning point in modern history can be considered 1998, when two-piece carpet weaving was chosen as a priority direction for development. Thus, OAO "Vitebsk Carpets" turned into one of the largest manufacturers of specialized products in the post-Soviet space.

- Over the past few years, the enterprise has undergone several stages of significant modernization. Modern equipment has been purchased, including carpet weaving machines, equipment for the production of polypropylene thread, stitching and printing machines. In fact, a huge amount of work has been done, - emphasized Artem Lokhankin.

Thanks to modernization, JSC "Vitebsk Carpets" was able to significantly expand the range of manufactured products. These are two-piece carpets with polypropylene pile, carpets with combined pile, as well as those combining different types of pile base weaves... And this is far from a complete list.

- Our production facilities allow us to make a carpet of almost any form factor or color. This approach is beneficial for the consumer. Our specialists will always be able to find a solution to even the most difficult task. Today, Vitebsk carpets can be found not only in ordinary apartments, but also in administrative and government institutions, - added the general director of the enterprise.

What is noteworthy is that about 80% of all production is exported . The largest part, logically, is to the Russian Federation, where it is popular in almost every region and occupies about a quarter of the entire carpet market of our eastern neighbor. Vitebsk carpets are also loved in the countries of Central Asia, even in Mongolia. The list of buyers also includes representatives of the European Union. And this speaks volumes about the high quality of the products.

- Generally speaking, we are an export-oriented organization. Approximately 87% of the production volume, or approximately 12.9 million square meters of carpets for the period January-October, goes to foreign markets. The amount of deliveries is equivalent to 33 million US dollars . In physical terms, export figures increased by 16.7% compared to the same period in 2022, - added the head of the enterprise.

Today, JSC "Vitebsk Carpets" unites more than a thousand workers. The team here is well-coordinated, there are even family dynasties. The average salary by the end of the year has closely approached the mark of 1.45 thousand rubles. And there are all economic grounds for its growth.

- We have many plans for the future and certain developments for further modernization of capacities. We understand the importance of investments. Active work in this direction, improving the quality of products, constantly updating the range allow us to take a worthy place in the consumer market. All our efforts are aimed at ensuring that the word "carpets" is associated with our enterprise, - concluded Artem Lokhankin.

This year, the expert council visited the northern capital of Belarus for the first time. All experts were impressed by what they saw. Deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Svetlana Bartosh commented on the visit to JSC "Vitebsk Carpets".

- To my regret, I have never been to this production facility before. The emotions are just super! Thanks to competent management, the management was able to carry out large-scale modernization and make the enterprise competitive, including in foreign markets. I really liked the design solutions. Vitebsk Carpets, this is my firm opinion, has a great future, - said the parliamentarian.

Deputy Lyudmila Podluzhnaya noted the diversity of products from the Vitba confectionery factory.

- I have noticed more than once that the products of this particular company are in school cafeterias and canteens. This speaks of its high quality and safety. Today we saw with our own eyes how the famous tubes and rolls are made. The production culture is at its best, the quality is beyond praise. It is clear that the management has a strategic vision for several years ahead and strictly follows the chosen plan, - the interviewee shared her impressions.

Chairman of the expert council, deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Petr Vabishchevich drew attention to the innovative solutions of JSC Vityaz.

- Of course, we are talking about electric filling stations. Today, the country has created all the conditions for the development of electric transport, including public transport. Of course, we do not forget about the traditional specialization - televisions. The company keeps up with the times, offering consumers modern models. Summarizing the entire trip, it is worth paying attention to the focus of each enterprise on the result. The management is sensitive to all changes in the market situation, offering high-quality and competitive products, - concluded Petr Vabishchevich.

The winners of the Grand Prix of the International Business Award "Leader of the Year - 2023" will be announced next week. On Friday, December 15, the Astoria Riverside restaurant complex will host a grand ceremony summing up the results. Follow our updates.