Anvar Vakhitov: “We are more inferior to our Western counterparts in subjective assessments of consumers, thanks to the stereotypes embedded in their minds, than in objective parameters”
“IT HAD TO BE SAVED TIRE PRODUCTION OF TATARSTAN”Anvar Fasikhovich, why at some stage was it necessary to transfer the tire complex to Tatneft, because under the USSR tire factories flourished, products were bought “off the shelf”? What changed?
After the collapse of economic ties of the USSR, serious problems began in the tire industry of Russia and the CIS countries - in fact, it collapsed. There were questions regarding the provision of raw materials and the marketing of products. The purchasing power of enterprises and the population fell, many car factories reduced production and had large debts to the budget. It was necessary to save the tire production of Tatarstan! And at the proposal of the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev, in 2000 it was decided to transfer a controlling stake in OAO Nizhnekamskshina to Tatneft. This became a turning point in the development of the republic’s tire complex in a positive direction.
How did the “new era” of tire production in Tatarstan begin - with modernization, with the restoration of partnerships?
First, we did an analysis of the state, and then we built a policy on how to continue working. Serious funds have been invested in the modernization of tire factories, that is, in development. In 2004, Nizhnekamskshina was the first in Russia to introduce the production of radial tires using the technology of the Italian company Pirelli.
- What about sales? Were there any problems with this already?
There has always been demand from the population for our products. When Russian car factories “squatted,” we found additional sales markets in the near and far abroad: in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Cuba, and a small part in European countries. Today we supply our tires to 43 countries around the world.
When and for what purposes was the petrochemical complex management company created? Isn't this an unnecessary add-on?
The management company was created in 2002 to optimize production costs, improve quality and manage tire assets. At that time there were two tire factories and a management superstructure - the Nizhnekamskshina production association. Each plant had its own services: economic, accounting, housekeeping, repair, mechanical, energy and others. First of all, the question arose of systematizing and increasing the efficiency of production services. For this purpose, equipment maintenance services, supply of energy parameters, financial and economic and other services were reorganized. Today the management company Tatneft-Neftekhim manages 10 enterprises.
“In 2016, we sold 12 million tires worth more than 39 billion rubles. The target for 2017 is more than 13 million tires.”
IN 2016, WE SOLD 12 MILLION TIRES FOR 39 BILLION RUBLES
What are the financial indicators of the Tatneft-Neftekhim complex for 2016 and the first quarter of 2017 - revenue and profit?
In 2016, we sold 12 million tires worth more than 39 billion rubles. The growth by 2015 was two percent in sales volume and 8 percent in revenue. The target for EBITDA for 2016 was achieved. The target for 2017 is to produce and sell more than 13 million tires.
- What share does the complex occupy in the total production volume of Tatneft?
In the total consolidated revenue of Tatneft, the share of the tire business is about 7 percent. - What share does Tatneft-Neftekhim have in the GRP of the Nizhnekamsk region, how many taxes does it pay in total to the budget (by the way, which one?)? (Alexey Voevodin) - 10 percent. Total tax and non-tax payments to budgets of all levels for 2016 amounted to 2.8 billion rubles - this is 6.7 percent of sales revenue. Including payments to the budget of the Russian Federation - 1.27 billion rubles, to the consolidated budget of the Republic of Tatarstan - 1.56 billion, of which to the local budget - about 0.2 billion rubles.
“The development strategy for the tire complex until 2025 was developed in 2016 and approved by the board of directors of Tatneft. Nail Ulfatovich Maganov set ambitious goals for us"
24 BILLION RUBLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TIRE COMPLEX
- Does the complex have a developed and recorded development strategy? For how long?(Alexander Zhukov)
The development strategy for the tire complex until 2025 was developed in 2016 and approved by the Board of Directors of Tatneft. General Director Nail Ulfatovich Maganov set ambitious goals for us: to maintain and strengthen our leadership position in the Russian tire market, to develop new market niches, primarily by improving product quality and expanding the range. And, of course, effective marketing. And we have every opportunity to accomplish these tasks.
Today we focus on the production of tires of fundamentally new designs, such as radial passenger tires and all-metal truck tires. By 2025, we plan to increase production to 16 million units per year. At the same time, the production of modern Viatti passenger tires will increase to 6 million units per year, and all-steel metal truck tires - to almost two million. Our scientific and technical center "Kama" is working to improve the consumer properties of tires. It is planned to invest 24 billion rubles in the development of the tire complex until 2025. This will increase the value of our assets for shareholders.
The purchasing power of the population has been falling for several years now, the car market has only just begun to revive after another recession... Are market fluctuations taken into account in the strategy? Isn't this the strategy of dreamers?
The strategy of the tire complex was formed taking into account market trends and envisages an increase in production volumes to 16 million tires by 2025. And last year we produced 11.5 million, the plan for this year is 13.3 million tires. Agree, 16 million in 7 years is a feasible task. Although today we are already considering an option that would involve increasing production volumes to 18 million tires.
- What will the 24 billion rubles of investment be used for?
The rubber mixing project, which began last year, is coming to an end, providing for the expansion of the production of high-quality rubber compounds for Viatti tires and solid steel tires. Today we do not have enough capacity to produce rubber compounds for Viatti tires, but the brand has become recognizable and demand has increased. The project envisages the production of 30 thousand tons of mixtures per year. Our partners are leading European equipment manufacturers. Today, commissioning work is being completed, and the installed equipment will be put into operation in September. This will increase the production volume of Viatti tires.
And just a month ago, we approved a program for the further development of the production of all-metal steel tires, which will be implemented on the territory of the truck tire plant. It will increase their production by 300 thousand units per year. Composite tires are slowly disappearing from the market, so we must prepare a replacement for them. The program provides for an increase in the capacity of the steel mill plant by 2020. We have already held tenders for the purchase of vulcanizers, metal cord cutting machines, and wing production lines.
- This is all an organic growth strategy. Are there any plans to take over competitors?
We are not currently considering this option. We have enough space and opportunities for expansion. And we have our own specialists. Why did the TsMK plant become so successful? Because the best personnel were selected for this project, not from outside, but from within.
A special economic zone “Alabuga-2” is being created for petrochemical enterprises. Is it likely that any of your new industries will also be residents of this SEZ? (Elena Ivanova)
We are monitoring the progress of this project; participation in PJSC Tatneft is possible.
“Today we do not have enough capacity to produce rubber compounds for Viatti tires, but the brand has become recognizable and demand has increased”
“EQUIPMENT FOR TIRE ENTERPRISES IS NOT PRODUCED IN RUSSIA AT ALL!”
Do you have a lot of modern domestic equipment? Who produces it today? Are you satisfied with the quality? (Denmark Bumarakshina)
Equipment for tire factories is not produced in Russia at all! The exception is equipment - these are mainly molds and other types of equipment. Therefore, we purchase almost 100 percent of our equipment abroad. And in Soviet times, rubber mixers and other large-tonnage units were manufactured in Kyiv, formers-vulcanizers were manufactured in Tambov and Bakhmach, and assembly equipment was manufactured in Yaroslavl. These productions still exist today, but not in the same volume and not at the proper technical level. Today in Russia attempts are being made to develop the production of molds, and we give them recommendations. But, unfortunately, no one makes basic equipment for tire manufacturers yet.
- What raw materials are used in your enterprise and where do you purchase them?(Arthur)
The main supplier of synthetic rubbers is PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim - this is our time-tested partner. Butylstyrene rubbers are purchased from other Russian manufacturers. We purchase natural rubbers from Asian companies through the exchange. Suppliers of metal, textile and polyester cords are mainly domestic and Belarusian factories. One of the main components of tire products is carbon black, or as it is commonly called, soot. We produce almost all the soot, which is 14 grades of competitive carbon black, ourselves - at Nizhnekamsktekhuglerod JSC. Anide and partially polyester cords are purchased from European manufacturers. Chemicals are purchased only from foreign manufacturers - in Europe, China, the USA, since there are no domestic manufacturers.
You have to buy abroad for dollars and euros, but they are expensive today - all this ultimately leads to an increase in the price of your final product... They talk so much about import substitution, but in practice is there any progress in your industry?
In this regard, there is some progress in Tatarstan - this is low-tonnage chemistry. Tatneftekhiminvest-Holding, under the leadership of Rafinat Samatovich Yarullin, is currently considering issues related to the production, for example, of the same chemicals.
In addition, we hold events with other Russian manufacturers to organize import substitution.
- What does your scientific and technical center “Kama” do?
LLC "NTC "Kama"" carries out design and engineering work - on the design of tires, the creation of formulations of rubber compounds, as well as on production and reconstruction technology.
- Does your research and development center develop the technology itself or do you still purchase it?
We develop tires and technology mainly in-house. There were projects in which foreign partners took part. For example, in 2007 we began to build a central steel plant for the production of solid steel cord tires. The plant was designed and built jointly with a well-known German company.
- Did you buy a license from her?
We bought know-how. Together we chose the most modern equipment for the plant at that time, and already in 2010 we launched a steel mill tire plant and began producing tires for sale. Our German partners said then: “We haven’t worked at such a pace and results for a long time.” Today at this plant we produce tires not only under the Kama brand, but also under the world's leading brands. Quality control is carried out according to international standards, so I can say with confidence: the quality of these products meets the highest international requirements.
“In Russia, only molds and other types of equipment are produced from equipment. Therefore, we purchase almost 100 percent of our equipment abroad.”
“THERE ALREADY ARE TIRES THAT HAVE RAN MORE THAN 500 THOUSAND KILOMETERS”
- What tires and how many does the complex produce today? What is the reason for this set?(Ivanova)
We produce passenger cars, light trucks, all-steel trucks, combined trucks, industrial and agricultural tires. In total, today we produce 376 tire sizes, and the range of products continues to expand. This is caused, firstly, by the wide geography of the company’s activities, and each region of the Russian Federation and each country in the world has its own vehicle fleet structure; secondly, the constant development of the automotive industry and new requirements for tire products. PJSC Nizhnekamskshina produces 255 standard sizes, mainly passenger and light truck tires - Viatti, Kama and Kama Euro. The truck tire plant produces 40 standard sizes of tires - these are truck combination tires, all-terrain tires with adjustable pressure, agricultural tires and tires for loaders. The TsMK plant produces 81 standard sizes of tires of a new all-steel cord design, of which 23 sizes are based on the off take system.
- Are your own developments protected by patents?
Certainly! We issue patents for the design and treads to those enterprises where these tires are produced. Patents are also registered in those countries where our products are sold, for example in Brazil.
- What is your share in the Russian market?
At the end of 2016, the share of our complex’s products on the Russian market was 21 percent. For comparison: the market share of the three largest manufacturers - Cordiant, Nokian, Amtel/Pirelli - has a market share of 10 - 12 percent. The distribution network of the Kama trading house, which is part of the tire complex, covers all regions of Russia and has more than 100 counterparties. The main sales of tire products are in the regions of the Volga and Central Federal Districts: at the end of 2016, this is 56 percent of total sales in the secondary market.
- How have your foreign markets changed compared to the early 2000s?
Markets today are only expanding. Germany, Italy, and England were added to the CIS countries. Last year, 3.2 million tires were exported, or 26 percent of total sales. 90 percent of exports fell to the CIS countries, the key ones being Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine. The remaining 10 percent are from non-CIS countries, primarily Europe. The main markets are Serbia, Romania, Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria. Tires are also supplied to countries in Asia, South America, and Africa.
Last year, we launched a joint plant with the Italian company Marangoni to retread solid steel cord tires. This project is being implemented to expand services and promote our all-steel cord tires on the market - this is evidence that our solid steel cord tires operate 250 thousand kilometers today. The tire carcass can withstand double retreading. After the first restoration we give a guarantee for 100 thousand kilometers, after the second - for another 100 thousand. There are already tires that have run more than 500 thousand kilometers.
- Do you retread only your own tires?
Not only that, we also take frames from the world’s leading brands (except Chinese) for restoration, which meet a high level of quality.
- Are customers asking for tire restoration? It's still cheaper than buying new ones.
Unfortunately, the tire operating culture in Russia lags behind. Tires are worn to the point of exhaustion (and in vain!), and it may be impossible to restore them. The quality of the roads, of course, also affects. But this is a long-term question. It is necessary to teach the client that tires can be retreaded and that for 65 - 70 percent of the cost he gets the same tire, which is not inferior in quality and mileage to a new one.
- Retreading a tire is also an environmental issue! There is less waste.
Undoubtedly! And we hope that the government and relevant government agencies will pay attention to this.
“Unfortunately, the tire operating culture in Russia is lagging behind. Tires can be retreaded, and for 65-70 percent of the cost you can get the same tire, which is not inferior in quality and mileage to a new one.”
SHARE IN THE TOTAL VOLUME OF EMISSIONS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE - 3%
Speaking of ecology, there is a question: “Will Nizhnekamskshina create its own capacity for processing tires?” (Mirikhanov N.M.)
Today there is enough capacity on the market to recycle tires at very reasonable prices. We have concluded agreements with processors, so we do not need to invest in this area. We'd rather make good quality tires and make money from it.
When will the smell stop spreading from factories, especially in the evenings and at night, when management has already gone home? (Eugene)
At all three tire plants - at Nizhnekamskshina, the truck tire plant and the Nizhnekamsk TsMK tire plant - an environmental management system has been introduced and is effectively functioning in accordance with the requirements of MS ISO 14001:2004. The share of our factories in the total volume of emissions into the atmosphere from all enterprises of the industrial hub of Nizhnekamsk is 3 percent. Is it a lot or a little? On the scale of the entire industrial hub of our city, this is, of course, a rather insignificant indicator. One of the priority activities of the complex is the implementation of an environmental protection program aimed at improving the environmental situation in the Nizhnekamsk industrial hub.
In the production of carbon black, various types of raw materials are used, both petrochemical and coke-based. All of them belong to aromatic hydrocarbons. When raw materials are discharged from railway tanks, the smell of aromatic hydrocarbons can spread into the environment. To eliminate this smell, the plant plans to implement a project to seal the discharge from railway tanks in 2017. The deadline for entry is December 2017.
When producing carbon black, raw materials and components that emit hydrogen sulfide or foul-smelling gases are not used at the plant.
The environmental activities of our enterprises do not go unnoticed by the public. For example, based on the results of 2016, our Nizhnekamskshina was recognized as the “Leader of environmental activities in Russia.” This once again confirms the status of an environmentally responsible enterprise. At the end of 2016, the tire complex's expenses for environmental protection activities amounted to more than 260 million rubles (in 2015 - more than 256 million rubles).
Who calculated that the share of your factories in total emissions is 3 percent? Was there an environmental audit?
The last scheduled inspection of compliance with environmental legislation was carried out by the Kazan Interdistrict Prosecutor's Office on July 28, 2016.
“We have normal business relations with KAMAZ. Yes, there have been and probably will be questions between us, but we regularly meet with the leadership of the relevant services and resolve the problems.”
“KAMAZ HAS NO CLAIM TO OUR TIRES TODAY”
Who are your main competitors in terms of price and quality - domestic and foreign? And how are our tires inferior to Western ones? (Albert Nurullin)
I cannot agree with this formulation of the question, and here’s why. Our products are in demand by consumers, today the Tatneft tire complex is the largest player in the market, because Nizhnekamsk tires are supplied to the assembly lines of not only domestic automakers such as AvtoVAZ, UAZ, KAMAZ, but also the world's leading automakers - Volkswagen and Ford. Today the homologation of products ( checking product compliance with market requirements - approx. edit.) without confirmation of the high quality of tires based on the results of numerous tests and trials is simply impossible.
So, in terms of quality, our tires are in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts and even in some respects are superior to competitors’ products, and are cheaper. The range we offer may not be as extensive as that of premium brands. But you need to understand that all Tatneft tires are produced only in Nizhnekamsk, and premium brand products can be manufactured at several factories scattered around the world.
We are more inferior to our Western counterparts in terms of subjective assessments of consumers due to the stereotypes embedded in their minds, rather than in terms of objective parameters. This is something we still have to work on.
Each group and brand of our tires has its own price positioning. For example, KAMA’s product portfolio of passenger and light truck tires consists of standard sizes intended for domestic cars, respectively, and they have to compete with manufacturers in Russia and the CIS countries (Belshina, Cordiant). But the product portfolio of Viatti tires is formed primarily for modern cars of foreign brands, which, combined with the high consumer properties of the tires, allows them to compete in price with European (Matador, Tigar, Sava, Formula) and Asian (Hankook, Kumho, Yokohama) analogues . The situation is similar with Kama solid steel tires, which are on the same quality level as products from such brands as Matador, Hankook, Kormoran.
- Do you sell your tires abroad much cheaper than those from local manufacturers?
No, not by much. For example, we sell solid steel tires at prices of secondary brands from the world's leading manufacturers. As customers became more familiar with our Kama solid steel cord tires, they became more willing to buy them.
- I remember that earlier KAMAZ was not satisfied with the quality of Nizhnekamskshina tires. Do you have any complaints today?
We have normal business relations with KAMAZ. There are no complaints about our tires today. Yes, there have been and probably will be issues between us, but we regularly meet with the leadership of the relevant services and resolve the problems. For example, they have a surge in production, and they ask us to find an opportunity to supply them with additional volume of tires. And we always find such an opportunity! And it happens that they do not have orders, and they do not select the planned volume of tires.
- And you don’t fine them for this?
No. I think we should live together with our neighbors. In addition, KAMAZ is our strategic partner, and we are building long-term cooperation.
- Are you the only supplier of tires for KAMAZ?
No, KAMAZ also equips Belshina and Cordiant.
- You don’t produce this type of tires?
We don’t produce today, but we will produce tomorrow. We reconstructed the production, and literally in July we vulcanized a trial version of the 16.00 tire. Now we are finishing the installation of the assembly complex; we purchased two former-vulcanizers from our long-time partners - the German company Herbert. In September we will produce the first tires for sale. There is a need in the market for these tires today.
- Do you have the same good relations with TAIF regarding the supply of rubber as with KAMAZ?
About the same. We meet with the management of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, talk, argue, find a common language and work.
“Today they say that the tires of the Finnish brand are one of the best winter tires. But the results of tests conducted by independent experts show that our winter tires are in no way inferior, and the price is 1.5 - 2 times lower"
KAMA EURO BRAND WILL BE DISCONTINUED
- Which market is more marginal - passenger or truck tires?(Imamov)
Now the truck tire market is somewhat more marginal, but it all depends on the price segment in which these tires are sold.
- Is this related to the price of tires? Trucks are still more expensive.
Freight carriers always count tons and kilometers, and those who drive passenger cars look at brands. Today they say that the tires of the Finnish brand are one of the best winter tires. But the results of tests conducted by independent experts show that our winter tires are in no way inferior, and the price is 1.5 - 2 times lower.
- The Viatti brand was a great success, it did well in the Russian market...
The quality of Viatti tires is much better than Kama Euro. Over time, we will discontinue the Kama Euro brand.
- If you replace a Kama tire with a premium brand, will you have a new premium brand?
As previously mentioned, today we produce Kama, Kama Euro and Viatti passenger tires. Kama can still be used on budget car brands. The emergence of a new brand and its price positioning are under discussion.
Tatneft CEO Nail Maganov once said that Viatti tires are undervalued and should cost more on the shelf than they do now. Why is that? Tell us about the prices: how much does a pair of Kama tires cost and how much does a pair of Viatti tires cost? Are they more expensive or cheaper than their competitors? (Mark)
At the Kama Trade House conference in Korston, tire dealers asked Tatneft management many questions about marketing policy - promoting tires on television and on the Internet
ONLINE TIRE SALES WILL START IN 2018
Today, some tire manufacturers practice online sales, and there are dynamic pricing systems, where the price depends not only on the season, but also on the demand for a certain size. Are you planning to implement a similar system?
Online sales, practiced by some global tire manufacturers, are planned to be implemented as part of the online store of the tire complex in 2018. This year, a search engine for sales points of Kama tires will be launched on the Kama-Tyres website in relation to the consumer’s region, which will allow end customers to find our product in their locality at the best price.
Dynamic pricing for end consumers has not yet become a practice in retail sales in the Russian Federation. But within the framework of existing programs for our dealers, dynamic pricing is provided, depending on the type and timing of payment, month of shipment of goods, and the like. We are planning to develop tools that will allow us to monitor demand for a certain model or size of tires in order to form a competitive price, but this is a prospect, albeit not distant, but of the future.
- Is the application site still being planned or is it already operational?
Since the establishment of TD Kama LLC, applications from wholesale buyers were generated electronically (Excel, Word) and provided to TD Kama by fax or e-mail; subsequently, these applications were entered manually into the accounting system, which took quite a lot of time time. Therefore, in 2008, a convenient tool for submitting applications was developed based on the application platform, which was synchronized with the accounting system. Through the resources of this site, buyers can, in a convenient place, at any time and in detail, receive operational information about the execution of their orders (annual, quarterly, monthly, updated) up to the date of shipment, assortment and vehicle data. At the same time, complete security and confidentiality is maintained for buyers regarding the information stored on the application site. The system for receiving applications from buyers is constantly being improved.
- I wonder if you have such an ambitious task as supplying your tires to Formula 1?
Currently we do not set such a task.
The head of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, in his book on Industry 4.0, mentioned fundamentally new materials - self-joining plastics. In the future, these materials will become a replacement for all plastic products in global industry. What specific actions is your company taking to ensure that it remains an independent player in the future? Are you studying promising markets, materials, technologies? And if so, what exactly will your company promote on the Russian and global markets over the next five, ten, or twenty years? (Mansur Safiullin)
We have a scientific and technical center “Kama”, which checks the raw materials we receive, looks for new raw materials, tests them and offers its own recipe to improve the quality of products. Work is underway in this direction. Another thing is replacing rubber with plastic or something else. This is the future for now. Today there are changes in tire design that increase, for example, the wear resistance of the carcass and tread. We quickly respond to all new products and conduct a comprehensive analysis.
Do you have any fear that a completely different technology will appear that will bury the modern tire industry?
Firstly, new technology does not appear overnight, and secondly, we will be the first to know about it. Today there are different ideas, even such as, for example, a tire in the form of a ball attached to the car not with bolts and nuts through the hub, but through a magnetic field. Then the car will be able to move not only back and forth, but also to the sides, which will allow it to maneuver in confined spaces. Several years ago I saw a test sample of a transparent polyurethane tire, but scientists have not yet been able to make it durable. The search is always on: what if some idea takes off? But, of course, experts all walk the earth: if they do something, they base it on test results.
Today, the automobile factories that we supply have begun to impose much more stringent requirements on tires. If you change at least one component in the rubber or structure, even to an equivalent one, you must confirm this with tests.
“The average level of wages for the complex’s employees corresponds to the average level of wages at enterprises in Nizhnekamsk and the region”
“PRACTICALLY NO VACANCIES”
- How many people work in your management company?
A total of 469 people are production management, accounting, economic and legal services, personnel management, property management, office management and others, providing services to all managed enterprises.
- How many people work at the enterprises of the complex? What is the average age?
Today there are about 8.3 thousand people working, the average age is approximately 40 years.
- Are there any vacancies?
There are practically no vacancies as such today. The staff is complete.
- Probably, the size of wages plays a role. What is the average salary?
The average level of wages for the complex's employees corresponds to the average level of wages at enterprises in Nizhnekamsk and the Nizhnekamsk region, providing a sufficient balance between the level of personnel costs in production. Wages are indexed annually. The average salary growth over the last two years was 10 percent.
- Do you have a social package at your enterprises?
Like Tatneft, the petrochemical complex is socially oriented, we have a collective agreement. One of the priority areas is improving the living conditions of workers under the republican social mortgage program. Since 2005, more than 2.5 thousand employees have received housing, and in 2017 we plan to provide apartments for another 200 people. Last year, they launched a program for social rental housing, and the apartments offered for rent are furnished and equipped with household appliances. And the scientific and technical center was allocated 10 apartments so that they could invite the best specialists from other regions.
Do those who receive housing through a social mortgage pay on a general basis, or do you provide any additional benefits?
- We pay a down payment for them.
Free of charge?! - We don’t just give it away, but we say: if you took a loan for the down payment from us, then work at our enterprises, if you quit, pay everything. After five years of work, half of the amount is written off, and after another five years, the second half. This is both a measure of employee support and staff retention.
- What else is included in the social package?
Full quality meals in our canteen for 50 percent of the cost. After reconstruction, the dining rooms were transformed, and all household premises were renovated. Workers are transported free of charge by bus to and from their place of work. We provide voluntary medical insurance, organize regular preventive medical examinations, and allocate targeted funds to provide sanatorium and resort treatment. The children of our employees have the opportunity to relax in the Chaika health camp, which at the end of 2016 was recognized as the best camp in the republic. During the summer there are four shifts of 450 places. Children of employees of other Nizhnekamsk organizations also vacation there. And in winter, this camp is open for family recreation. Last year they opened a new building with a swimming pool and a gym, this year they built a GTO stadium with a covered landing area for a thousand seats. There is a ski base and a trail. Employees and their families have the opportunity to improve their health in our sports complex.
Particular attention is paid to social support for young people, who make up 40 percent of the team. Financial assistance is paid in connection with the first marriage, at the birth of a child, and when being sent to the armed forces. Non-working pensioners of the enterprises of the complex are also socially protected; more than 7 thousand former employees are registered. The collective agreement provides a special section dedicated to supporting production veterans.
The social package is great, but all these expenses fall on the cost of production. Do you think it's worth it?
Yes, it’s not cheap, but we believe that if a person works and devotes himself entirely to production, then his life should be at the proper level, and his children should be well-fed and well-groomed.
- It turns out that an employee’s rest is part of his job?
I’m not calling for a return to socialism, but the company’s employees should have a social package, this is our additional advantage! These are the social guarantees that are provided to each of our employees.
- Are you satisfied with the quality of training of young specialists?
In Nizhnekamsk there was a vocational school that trained tire workers, today it has been transformed into the Nizhnekamsk Industrial College. And we invest serious funds there and provide comprehensive assistance. Students undergo practical training in our resource center, using new equipment. This joint work is producing positive results. Plus, we agreed with petrochemists to create a general engineering center on the territory of the KNRTU-KAI branch, where we will train personnel. I think this will help keep young people in the city. In general, in recent years, a lot has been done in Nizhnekamsk to improve the comfort of living.
“Once my grandson and I went fishing and caught a carp weighing 6 kilograms! There are very good places on Kama and Vyatka"
“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN ANY WORK”
For almost 40 years you managed real production, and here you are a management company... Isn’t it boring? Do you have real levers of influence on the production situation at your factories? What is your personal mission? (Gusev)
Responsibility for organizing work and achieving target indicators of managed enterprises lies with me. The executive directors of all enterprises are on the staff of the management company. The director of the Scientific and Technical Center is my deputy for research work. There is no question of boredom! I'm interested. Any work has always been interesting to me. Before the army, he was an apprentice mechanic and turner, after the army he worked as a turner and reached the fifth category level. I was a foreman, a site manager, a workshop manager, a chief engineer, a plant director - and I was interested in working in all areas. I always strive to unite the team into a single team, in which I value competence, responsibility and readiness for dedication.
You have progressed in your career - from a turner to a director. And today, very young people, with no work experience, are immediately appointed directors. Do you think this is acceptable?
Today the world is changing! Today's youth are more advanced. Perhaps there is no need to appoint immediately to the highest positions, but there should be promotion. If by the age of 35 a person has formed and gained some life experience, has the appropriate education, then he can already manage a fairly serious enterprise. It’s another matter if someone is appointed based on patronage, and not on the basis of knowledge and abilities.
- You have been involved in tires all your life! What about the soul? What do you enjoy in your free time from work?(Julia K.)
I love sports, I go skiing. And not only me, but my wife too. In winter, I don’t take my skis out of the car at all - we run every weekend. By the way, together with my daughters and grandchildren.
- What about in the summer?
We live outside the city, so in the summer we have a vegetable garden. When you dig into the ground, you think well. But my main hobby in the summer is fishing.
- Which trophies were the most impressive?
Once my grandson and I went fishing and caught a carp weighing 6 kilograms! There are very good places on the Kama and Vyatka.
- Do you read the newspaper “BUSINESS Online”?
Certainly! Every day early in the morning. Very good newspaper, I like it. You illuminate everything correctly, neatly. You follow everything, all the news can be found here. By the way, your wife constantly reads your newspaper. I think you have successfully integrated into the information field.
- Anvar Fasikhovich, thank you for the interesting conversation. Good luck to you and your entire team!
Success stories
The story of how to double the productivity of specialists using a trading platform
September 3, 2015Customer: Trading house "KAMA"
Developer:
Website: http://www.td-kama.com/ru/
Guess the company: exports goods to more than 80 countries, has a 36% market share, is related to cars... and is located in Russia. Are you giving up? This is the KAMA Trading House, which sells car tires from the Nizhnekamsk Tire Complex, part of Tatneft.
Currently, TH "KAMA" offers passenger tires of the KAMA and KAMA EURO brands, as well as truck, light truck and agricultural tires. In addition, the company sells carbon black and numerous rubber products - from roofing sheets to polyethylene.
about the project
Products from TD "KAMA" can be purchased at 1000 points throughout Russia - from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, and even abroad. Sales are carried out by the central office, 19 branches, a huge dealer network and numerous wholesale buyers.With the expansion of the number of partners who placed orders from points in a range of 9 time zones, it became clear that the format of work via e-mail could no longer ensure high-quality processing of requests. Due to the time difference, office managers could not promptly respond to customer emails, and processing requests over the phone was also problematic. To make the process work like clockwork, it was decided to create a universal trading platform with which dealers could work, regardless of the time of day, from anywhere in Russia and abroad.
Elena Sokolova, head of the Internet Solutions Department at SoftService:
“The company needed to create a tool for round-the-clock support of the dealer network, wholesale buyers, as well as retail clients. It was necessary to implement a system that would allow us to manage sales, information about stock availability, and customer complaints throughout the country.”
Selecting a platform and artist
The new order acceptance system had to not only collect orders, but also be able to analyze sales and control how much product was left with dealers and wholesale buyers. All these processes had to take place at maximum speed. In addition, the collected information had to be reliably protected, and access to it had to be provided to a limited circle of people. In addition, they wanted to integrate the platform with the 1C:Enterprise 8 product, and then move to the 1C:Manufacturing Enterprise Management 8 base.As a result of the analysis, it became obvious that the 1C-Bitrix: Site Management platform best suited all the criteria, on the basis of which they decided to create a new application platform.
To implement this project, it was necessary to find a company with extensive experience in working with the 1C and 1C-Bitrix platforms. Therefore, the branch of the 1C-Rarus company in Kazan was chosen as an automation partner, and the SoftService center became a subcontractor for working with the 1C-Bitrix platform.
Development and results
The application platform was created separately from the main website of the KAMA Trade House on the td-kama.biz domain. On it, a set of B2B services was created for all authorized users, including the functionality of submitting an application, sales reports, and control of balances. In addition, through the platform you can submit complaints (information about defective goods), obtain information about the extended warranty, and view your purchase history.
Thanks to the unique integration of the accounting system and the corporate portal, it has become possible to automatically determine overdue debt, register unscheduled requests and distribute balances among existing orders. The new platform also received functions for collecting information on prices from retail and wholesale suppliers and managing the customer base.
The td-kama.biz website was designed in the style of the corporate portal of the KAMA Trading House, which brings uniformity to the company’s online representation.
As a result, after the launch of the new site, the distributor completely abandoned processing applications by phone and email. The number of orders through the website has increased 10 times.
The convenience of working with the new platform was especially appreciated by representatives in the regions, who now do not have to adapt to the working day of the head office, the time difference from which can be several hours. Thus, one of the main problems of communication with partners was solved.
After the launch of td-kama.biz, it was possible to optimize logistics: now, already at the order stage, it is calculated how many trucks are needed to deliver the specified amount of goods, and the partner can pre-order them for delivery. Using a flexible reporting system, it was possible to make interaction with wholesale buyers more efficient: now you can analyze the sales structure, control warehouse balances and plan marketing campaigns based on this information.
Deputy Head of the Secondary Market Department of the KAMA Trade House R.N. Gilmanov:
“The results of the platform’s implementation became noticeable already in the first months of its operation. The productivity of the trading house's specialists has more than doubled, and the speed of processing applications has increased significantly. The new site made it possible to attract new customer segments, which made it possible to significantly expand the sales market. With the help of automation and a convenient interface, it is possible to sell more than 14 million tires produced by the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant per year, worth over 40 billion rubles.”
The work is not finished yet: the company, together with its contractors, plans to add new opportunities for providing information to dealers and wholesale buyers in order to make their work with the KAMA Trade House even more efficient and transparent.
Technical information
- Product "1C-Bitrix. Site management. Small business"
- Apache + Nginx server
- MySQL Database
About the customer
The KAMA trading house is the general distributor of automobile tires of the Nizhnekamsk Tire Complex. For 15 years, the company has been successfully selling the plant’s products on the Russian and world markets. It conducts research, on the basis of which it forms an assortment of tire products, and also organizes the promotion of the KAMA and KAMA EURO brands sold in Russia and abroad. About the developer
The SoftService Center has been automating business processes for large, medium and small businesses for 10 years. His portfolio includes more than 3 thousand successful implementations and more than 100 large corporate projects.
