Sergey Mikrukov, Kumertau Aircraft Production Enterprise - ОАО "Кумертауское авиационное производственное предприятие"
Release Date: 2009-06-05
Kumertau Plant is part of the Russian Helicopters holding, but what is its specialty?Yes, it is one of the serial production plants of Russian Helicopters, with a monopoly in production of coaxial rotor helicopters for the Navy.
Which products do you produce at your factory in particular?
Our production range starts with different modifications of light multipurpose helicopters K-226 that are applied in medicine and in search-and-rescue operations, as well as for the purposes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. The helicopters are easy to operate, do not require special landing spaces; their maximum speed is 200 km/h. Some of the products are antisubmarine helicopters like K-27 that is being exported to China as K-28.
When did you sign the contract with the Chinese for K-28?
The supply contract was signed last year. Assembly of three helicopters is almost finished; helicopters will be delivered in the third quarter of 2009. К-31 is also assembled at the Kumertau Plant. K-31 has been on export to India since 2004; the feedback and comments of our customers have always been very positive.
Why would you say that certain models of Russian helicopters are more suitable for countries like China or India, instead of Bell choppers, for example?
As we say here in Russia, ‘the costumer is always right!’ If our partners are interested in our products, we are happy to cooperate. Moreover, Kamov’s famous coaxial rotor construction is highly valued by our customers and makes them most competitive in the world markets.
Is the current financial and economic crisis in any way affecting your business operations, as it is affecting other Russian manufacturing sectors? What is the situation like in Kumertau Plant?
When I took office in December last year, the previous managers planned to reduce the plant’s staff due to the crisis and financial problems. Nevertheless, I refused to do it. The only problem caused by the current crisis has been the deficiency of operating assets.
Are you then working at full capacity now?
I would say the plant works at almost 100% of its capacity. But in some sectors the capacity is insufficient and facilities require upgrading.
That’s unusually good given the current climate…
Yes, the situation is stable. I expect the plant to double the results against 2008.
As you have mentioned before, some operating assets were deficient… What kind of investments do you need to, say, buy new equipment, or even hire more people, in view of increased book orders. Or is it all self-financed?
We have developed, in cooperation with Russian Helicopters, a plan for re-equipment? Core activities of the plant are aimed at increasing the production capacity. The resources are there. We cooperate with 150 other supplier plants and companies who we need to pay to receive the products and assembly helicopters. It’s always a bit difficult at the initial stage, but once we sell the first few helicopters to China, with nearly a 7 billion rubles credit we took from Sberbank , I’m sure it will all progress smoothly and we’ll manage to cape the storm.
How much independence do you have in your work with your partners in China and India?
We work as one team with Russian Helicopters and Rosoboronexport that deal with our foreign customers from a unified position on price, terms and quantity of the supplied equipment.
What has been the outcome so far of Kumertau Plant’s participation in the international helicopter trade fair HeliRussia 2009, held here in Moscow?
It is here, at the exhibition, that we discussing some current issues for the existing contracts and arrange preliminary negotiations for contracts that we plan to launch shortly.
Thank you for the interview!
| Company: | Kumertau Aircraft Production Enterprise - ОАО "Кумертауское авиационное производственное предприятие" |
| Position: | Managing Director |
| Country: | Russian Federation |