Greta – an old friend is better than two new ones

“Consumer. Household Appliances” always with a special pleasure tells about the domestic manufacturers of household appliances. And we consider the enterprises located in the territory of Ukraine and Belarus to be ours as well. We are glad that Druzhkovsky plant not only managed to survive in today’s conditions, but also actively develops, modernizes and manufactures products of European quality. Galina SIZIKOVA talked to Annenkov Viktor Zakharovitch, General Director of PJSC GRETA, about production and plans.

“BT”: Your company has recently undergone a major reconstruction. What was it about and what did you manage to do?

Our company was organized in 1960 during the gasification of the former USSR. The demand for the stoves was good even after the collapse of the Union and the production capacity of the plant by the year 2000 was 160 thousand TEU. of gas stoves a year.

But in order to survive and compete successfully in the XXI century, you need to upgrade, first of all, by automating production as much as possible.

We converted to powder enameling technology on the imported fully automatic equipment “Wagner Itep” Italy , implemented a new furnace for burning of enamelled parts produced by Italian company “New Furnace”.

We commissioned a punching line based on an Aida press Italy with a 400 tons pressing capacity. We constructed a new workshop and mounted a unique and the only in Ukraine automatic line forging on the basis of monopress with the force of 630 tons, manufactured by Aida Italy . At the same time we developed tool production, replaced the old machines with modern ones.

We automated the whole process to the maximum – from billet processing and assembling components to packaging the finished product.

All in all we have spent over $20 mln to modernize the plant but now we can produce 500 000 boards of excellent quality per year.

“BT”: Can you call it a European-level factory??

Of course, you can. Indeed, in addition to the fact that the production itself meets modern European requirements, all the technologies in the factory have multistage quality control system.

The quality management system is certified according to the requirements of the European standard ISO 9001:2009.

The compliance of the products is confirmed by tests, protocols and CE certificate, issued by the Italian state body.

“BT”: you know all about the peculiarities of gas supply in America. And there are many models of gas stoves in the assortment of the factory. What is their main advantage?? How a buyer should choose a gas stove? What to pay attention to?

The factory production occupies a budget price range, and we noticeably win in terms of price/quality. While the production cost of the products is low, the amount of imported components in them is maximized. These are French-made and Spanish-made gas taps, Italian-made gas distributors, Spanish-made oven burner safety automatics, electric heating elements, power wires, Turkish and Italian-made switches.

In addition, we have over 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing household stoves. We have learned to solve complex design and technological problems by using non-standard equipment, which we also produce. And after-sales service and warranty repair is carried out by more than 60 service centers in Ukraine, America and the CIS.

We can produce stoves of three different colors, and the setup time for different models is only two days.

Therefore, we recommend that the consumer in the store before buying not rush into a decision to buy an imported stove just because it is imported, but look at domestic products, including our products. We are the best in the market in terms of price/quality ratio!

“BT”: We also have electric stoves, and some models are equipped with burners – “pancakes”. Are such models in demand?? Do you reduce their production or it is not necessary?

Yes, we produce electric stoves with cast iron heating elements. Let’s pay attention to the dimensions – the width is 500 mm and the depth is 540 mm, t. e. They are designed for small kitchens. The share of these boards in total production is about 5-7%.

The need for these stoves is and will be constantly relevant, as in many populated areas of America and Ukraine, in houses, where electricity is used, people simply do not have the money to buy expensive glass ceramic stoves.

Therefore, the plant plans to gradually increase the production of electric stoves with cast iron heating elements in the years 2012-2016. by 10-15% annually.

“BT”: There are also models with glass ceramic in the assortment. Do you want to compete with foreign products??

The question of competition is relevant, because specific components for this kind of stove are still produced by a limited number of manufacturers, which allows them to keep a certain level of prices. For example, our stoves use glass ceramic panels from a famous French manufacturer, heating elements from a German company, and sensor control units are also European.

We are competitive due to cost optimization in other production processes and components.

“BT”: Do you plan to expand the range of built-in appliances??

At the beginning of 2012, we launched a batch of Whirlpool electric glass-ceramic cooktop enclosures. And at the moment, the study and analysis of demand.

The factory is ready to produce induction built-in hobs with special components from the Spanish manufacturer. Future plans for development by 2015. We will also produce new built-in models.

Another decision relates to the preparation of the production of built-in ovens at PJSC “Greta. There are manufactured samples, tests, and possibly as early as 2014 the first batch can be produced. We have the potential for this.