LLC "Ogneuporkoksservis" – 20th ANNIVERSARY
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY "OGNEUPORKOKSSERVIS " – 20th ANNIVERSARY
He says: "Vladimir Ivanovich, finish your business and return back as soon as possible, otherwise you will be back at the bottom of the ladder". "Valentin Aleksandrovich briefly outlined the situation in “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” as well as current events in the country. In early December, I returned to the alien country. Complete breakdown of national economy, the “raucous 1990s” as they are called now.
In 1991, in connection with the liquidation and reorganization of ministries and departments ceased to exist the Coordinating Council of the Ministry of Iron-And-Steel Industry of USSR which combined organizations of various ministries on technical re-equipment of coke production plants. The Council of Ministers of USSR Decree №П.П. - 17715 of 04.06.1991 "On measures for securement of steady work of coking industry within the period of 1991-1995" remained unrealised. As a result tried and tested system of manufacture and supply of refractories and equipment for coke oven batteries and other units under construction, reconstruction and repair was violated.
In September 1992, successor of Ministry of Iron-And-Steel Industry of USSR - Department of Metallurgy of the Ministry of Industry of the Russian Federation jointly with concern "Metallurgprom" and CJSC “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” developed "Proposals for rebricking and construction of coke oven batteries (Russia , Kazakhstan)" for the coming years. CJSC “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” decides to create a subsidiary. The purpose of creation – increasing of efficiency of construction, reconstruction and repair of coke oven batteries in Russia and abroad.
Limited liability partnership LLC “Ogneuporkoksservis”, later LLC “OKOS” was established in April 15, 1993 V.I. -Korchagin being Director General. Main directions of activity were determined as follows:
- implementation of field survey & design works in the sphere of reconstruction of coke oven batteries and units of by-product and coke oven industry;
- manufacture and assembly of construction materials, including refractory products;
- development of technology and schedules of brickwork laying, organization of special construction works, including works on brickwork laying;
- introduction of new refractory materials and involvement of advanced technologies;
- fulfillment of export-import operations in the field of construction, reconstruction and repair of coke oven batteries in accordance with the concluded contracts.
It should be noted that refractory brick makes about 90% of the total mass of coke oven batteries brickwork laying. Moreover, different types of coke oven batteries make use of 500 to 700 different brick shapes with different groups of their manufacture complexity.
Full and complete preparation of refractories for 1, 2 zones of brickwork laying – is one of the basic conditions of beginning of brick laying for coke oven battery under construction. The rest of refractories are supplied additionally in the course of bricklaying, which lasts from three to six months, depending on the type of coke oven battery. Approximately 22000 tons of refractory materials are to be produced and delivered to the place of coke oven battery brick laying consisting of 71 oven with the height of chambers 7m.
In contexts of originating market relations in Russia – LLC “Ogneuporkoksservis” exercised its first independent steps - complete supply of refractories for the reconstruction of Coke Oven Battery № 1, 2 of Karaganda Integrated Iron-and-Steel Works, Kemerovo By-Product Coke Plant, and Coke Oven Battery №2, Gubaha By-Product Coke Plant, Coke Oven Battery №5, Novolipetsk Integrated Iron-and-Steel Works. Export of refractories for the reconstruction of Coke Oven Batteries №1 and 2 in Algeria and Coke Oven Battery № 1 in Egypt was also realised.
Personal participation of the following executive heads promoted successful beginning of LLC "OKOS"’ activity: “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” – V.A. Fufaev; Giprokoks – S.K. Uspensky, V.I. Rudyka, Siberian Branch of Giprokoks – V.F. Gashinova, refractory plants: Pervouralsk – E.M. Grishpun; Semiluki – V.I. Entin ; Snegirev – V.F. Constantinov ; Bogdanovichy – E.P. Abramov ; Borovichi – V.A. Mozhzherina.
One of the first board of directors arrived at a decision: "Refer to the first deputy prime minister O. Soskovets requesting for appropriation of funds (preferential credit) for LLC "OKOS" in the amount of value of complete set of refractories for laying of one coke oven battery". Availability of current assets would enable to set timely and complete delivery of refractories for bricklaying of next coke oven battery. Advancing of complete supply of refractories to the customers for the period from 6 to 12 months could possibly accelerate the process of modernization and construction of coke oven batteries.
V.A. Fufaev and I got an admission to O.M. Soskovets. He listened to us and said that the idea is good - wait for a response. Three weeks later we got the answer outlining the timeliness and appropriateness of the proposed measures, though money was not given. We were to count on our own resources. While powerful financial-industrial groups in Russia were being created, we were small-timers and were of no interest for the "the high and mighties".
Currently, this "good idea" is being successful embodied by the Chinese engineering firms which are awarded many "turn-key" projects on terms of partial credit for customers, by supplying of refractory materials and equipment with payment by installments of up to two years.
Initially, directorate consisted of few people: V. I. Korchagin , L.S. Gurova, L.S. Kovalenko, T.A. Kurkotova. Apart from these, there was a part time personnel from “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” E.A. Lebedev, A.V. Vorobyov, T.I. Polyushkin and some specialists of design institutes and refractory plants. Gradually our own key group was formed. In 1994-1999 came O.A. Didenko, A.K. Samarina , F.A. Sivan, N.A. Chemarda , T.I. Korchagina, later I.A. Gumen , A.N. Shmeliov, M.Y. Fadeeva to make up the backbone of the directorate.
Directorate is actively engaged in solving of technical problems: unification of refractories (silica and fireclay brands) for laying of coke oven batteries, introduction of packaging for refractory materials according to German Standard DIN , development of new specifications for silica and fireclay coke products and mortars together with St. Petersburg Institute of Refractories. In addition, other measures are taken aimed at improving the quality of refractory products and prolongation of coke oven batteries service life, uninterrupted supply of refractories at laying of coke oven, coke-pitch batteries, CDCPs and other aggregates.
The production of new types of refractory products is being mastered: perlite-diamide brick, hyperpearlitic products and mortars for coke ovens brickwork instead of sovelite, siliceous-fiber materials instead of asbestos materials, etc. The experience gained in the process of settlement all of these and many other technical tasks and successful accomplishment of contracts as well as harmonious work of directorate allowed to reach a higher level of performance.
April 10, 1996 LLC "OKOS" concluded general contract with OJSC "West Siberian Metallurgical Plant" on designing, construction of Coke Oven Batteries №1, 2 with production capacity of 820 thousand tons of coke per annum on the existing slab of worn out coke oven batteries №1,2 taken out of operation. The contract envisaged designing, civil works , supply of refractory and auxiliary materials, metal fabrication and pipe spools, fulfillment of construction-assembly works.
Zapsib planned to place the order for supply of equipment and coke machines in Germany under the loan of German Development Bank KFW. Directorate of LLC "OKOS" together with Deputy Chief of coke production on reconstruction V.I. Agarkov and other specialists of the plant completed a great job of developing necessary documentation and its validation in the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance , FTB, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, State Expertise Review and other agencies. Unfortunately, ZapSib did not manage to get credit and construction lasted for nine years.
Reconstruction of one coke oven battery lasted for nine years. But what were those years? Lack of monetary funds of Zapsib. Barter in payment for design and supply of refractories. LLC "OKOS" on account for the work performed sold about 20 thousand tons of coke.
Bankruptcy of the plant, introduction of external management, contestation of the largest financial-industrial groups for the plant. Financial crisis of 1998. Reconstruction of Coke Oven Battery №1 was finally organized with the arrival of Evraz Holding. Barter payments passed into "real money". In December 2005, Coke-Oven Battery №1 has been successfully commissioned .
LLC «OKOS» was awarded the certificate of honour of Kemerovo region "For organization of design, development and successful implementation of projects on reconstruction of Coke Oven Battery №1 complex".
Continuing decline in industrial production, including steel industry, as well as minimum funding of measures for maintenance of coke production facilities in working condition and their modernization by owners of integrated iron-and-steel works, absence of industry development strategy forced the producers to look for new ways aimed at prolongation of the service life of existing coke oven batteries.
One of the schemes of LLC "OKOS" refractories supply for 2000-2010 determines one of the priority directions of its activity -performance of "hot" and "cold" repairs of coke ovens brickwork. On the basis of previous experience of Russian and world companies in this area LLC «OKOS» develops engineering for "hot" and "cold" repair of coke ovens brickwork, as well as methods of preventive and reconditioning repairs.
In 1999 - 2000 in India, at Bhilai and Visakhapatnam Steel Plants and "Nova Huta" Steel Plant in Czech Republic "hot" repairs of heating walls of 7 meter coke ovens’ to the depth of 4-6 vertical flues, as well as complete rebricking of heating walls began. Coke Oven Battery №9 with the height of chambers 7 m, Bhilai Steel Plant was repaired by the same method of hot repair.
At Visakhapatnam Steel Plant the works were conducted at three 7 meter coke oven batteries simultaneously. On the first and third coke oven batteries all coke ovens were repaired by method of hot rebricking to the depth of 4-8 heating flues, and (optionally) – by method of complete rebricking. Coke Oven Battery № 2 was rebricked by method of "cold" repair within 9 months from the gun flue zone and was commissioned after 11 months of shut down.
For five years work at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant LLC «OKOS» have restored all ovens, coke production in the design scope, receiving a positive review from the official heads of the plant and commendation of the Ministry of Steel of India.
The first contracts for repair of coke oven batteries were concluded in India through VO "Tyazhpromexport" and in Czech Republic - through Czech company "FAMO -Service". Experience of participation in international tenders and signing of direct contracts with customers was gained with the formation of the External Economic Relations Department.
During this period we had rather perturbed relationships with V.A. Fufaev as he did not want to put up with our independence. Directorate moved from the building of “Trust Koksokhimmontazh” to a small private office intended for representation of LLC "OKOS". Things did not come round as they were expected with the new chairman of VO "Tyazhpromexport" N. Ulyanov who stipulated a condition of 25 % payment of the income from any contract. Though the duties of the VO "Tyazhpromexport" were limited to procurement of visas, providing bank guarantee and a meeting (seeing off) specialists in India only. "Walk and ye shall reach" - and we continued our way on our own.
The most difficult task for us was obtaining bank guarantees. In addition, the contracts provide for coke oven battery warranty period from 5 to 10 years depending on the type of repair. These conditions impose special responsibility for the quality of work within the contract terms. It is clear that to win tenders and to be able to perform such the company must have corresponding intellectual potential and adequate number of highly qualified specialists.
LLC «OKOS» successfully continues to develop the markets of India, Egypt, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China and other countries. The scope of hot repairs performed at coke oven batteries of different types and height of oven chambers from 4.3 to 7 m is:
- 363 heating walls to the depth of 4-8 heating flues;
- 198 heating walls entirely rebricked.
Executed technical assistance in supervision over construction (reconstruction) of seven coke oven batteries with top stamp charging. Resuscitated (after a long cold shutdown) and commissioned two coke oven batteries. Completed warming up of nine coke oven batteries with coke, natural and LPG (propane and butane gas). Implemented technical assistance in operation of twenty coke oven batteries.
The work in China in 2003-2013A played for us a special role (I would say, stabilizing). We did not work in Russia during this period. The crisis in Chinese ("veytszi") consists of two hieroglyphic symbols - risk and opportunity. Chinese steel industry used a favourable opportunity for restructuring the industry, upgrading the old coke plants and building new ones being one of the main objectives. Since 2003 LLC «OKOS» executed hot repairs at Chinese steel plants in the following cities:
Jiuquan - Coke Oven Batteries №1, 2 - 2003 - 2008; Xiangtan - Coke Oven Batteries №1, 2, - 2006-2009; Handan - Coke Oven Batteries №2, 3, 4 - 2007-2011; Hangzhou - Coke Oven Battery №2 - 2008-2010; Tangshan - Coke Oven Batteries №1, 2, - 2009-2012; Sanming - Coke Oven Battery №1 - 2010-2011; Syuanhua - Coke Oven Batteries №1, 2 - 2012-2013 years. All in all 108 heating walls were renovated by complete rebricking, 220 heating walls were rebricked to the depth of 4-8 heating flues and 14 heating walls to the depth of 10-14 heating flues.
Personnel policy of LLC «OKOS» on operating personnel is based on the maximum attraction of experts working on coke chemical plants with higher technical education and ¬ rich production experience, retired (age 50-55 years) and capable to work efficiently for another 10-15 years.
Over the years, we created a resilient group of main experts (team leaders), medium-level specialists (shift-in-charge specialists, gas men) and supervisors (refractory men 5-6 categories), providing supervision over construction, carrying out start-up activities, "hot" and "cold" repairs.
I especially want to distinguish and thank for the excellent work A.A. Vinnikov, V.F. Bogdanov, A.M. Pos, V.A. Kurmaev, A.A. Levchenko, N.I. Bulyga, Y.N. Kuznetsov, L.S. Roizen, V.P. Petryakov, S.N. Chebykin, Y.P. Murashov, V.P. Loshilov, S.V. Zhilnikov, R.V. Samsonov, A.N. Terentiev, I.V. Ronzhin, N.V. Grechko, A.M. Lei shovnik, B.U. Miroshnichenko, G.D. Rasulov, N.V. Berdnikov, G.G. Bakhtin, V.A. Kurnosenkov, S.Y. Ermil, A.V. Klimenko, V.V. Kohuta for excellent work.
Worthy contribution to the establishment and further development of LLC "OKOS" was made by the workers of directorate: N.A. Chemarda, A.K. Samarina, O.A. Didenko, L.S. Gurova, T.I. Korchagina, L.E. Kovalenko, I.A. Gumen, F.A. Sivan, A.N. Shmelev, M.Y. Fadeeva.
For many years of dedicated work in LLC "OKOS" the following persons were honored with state awards:
V.I. Korchagin was given the title of "Honorary Constructor of Russia" (2009), "Honorary Erector" (2009);
N.A. Chemarda was awarded the title of "Honorary Metallurgist" (2011);
V.F. Bogdanov was awarded an honorary certificate of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation (2011), lapel badge "Honored Constructor of Russia" (2011);
V.P. Petryakov was awarded an honorary certificate of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation (2012).
Also awards were received from All-Russia Intersectoral Association of Employers "Russian Union of Constructors":
LLC "OKOS" - was awarded a plaque " Constructional Glory"
- V.I. Korchagin - the order "For Merit in Construction";
- L.S. Roizen, V.F. Bogdanov, A.M. Pos, S.V. Zhilnikov, V.A. Kurmaev - were awarded a plaque "Building Glory";
- N.V. Grechko, V.V. Kogut, A.M. Leyshovnik, I.V. Ronzhi, A.N. Terentiev, I.A. Gumen, O.A. Didenko, M.Y. Fadeeva - were awarded honorary certificates.
In addition, V.F. Bogdanov was awarded the honorary award of Liaoning Province for a worthy contribution to the economic and social development of Liaoning province (China, 2010).
Directorate was enlarged by the young graduates of institutes: A.V. Melnik, N. A. Novikov, which today have become heads of External Economic Relations Department and Industrial Engineering Department. A.V. Melnik and N.A. Novikov get a second higher education in Russian Academy of Foreign Trade and Russian Chemical-Technological University of D.I. Mendeleev respectively. E.V. Polyakov – Head of Maintenance Department - studies at the Academy under the President of the Russian Federation. I.A. Gumen, A.V. Melnick, N.A. Novikov and other employees of the directorate are mastering professional English. All our employees including directorate annually undergo advanced vocational training.
It is necessary to pay tribute to our colleagues, partners and friends for their support and inter beneficial cooperation:
CJSC "Trust Koksokhimmontazh"
V.A. Fufaev, G.N. Lofitsky, A.S. Aleksandrov, B.M. Yudintsev, A.V. Vorobiev, A.I. Sivan, B.A. Ivanov, M.B. Shuhmanu, V.P. Markin and others;
SE "GIPROKOKS"
S. K. Uspensky, V.I Rudyka, Y.E. Zingerman, A.N. Minasov, A.N. Tarakanov, V.B. Kamenyuka, A.F. Kryvtsov, G.A. Kotsyuba and others;
"Sibgiprokoks"
B. F. Gashinov, V.V. Lobanov, L.F. Koksharov;
"Karmetkombinat" –V.A. Mirko, V.S. Shcherba, O. H. Edel, M.H. Suttubaev, A.I. Senchenko, A.A. Trębach, V.M. Galiusov and others;
Kemerovo JSC "Coks"
L.Z. Shlyakin, B.D. Zubitsky, S.D. Tikhov, B.G. Dudarev;
“KHP NLMK”
S.Y. Sobolev, V.Y. Kuznetsov , V.N. Nosov, V.A. Razgonov, A.F. Bolkunov; –R.S. Ayzatulov, A.N. Lavrik, A.N. Patrushev, V.N. Agarkov, V.E. Yahnis, A.B. Yuriev, A. B. Vasiliev and others;
“KHP MMK”
V. N. Egorov, N.A. Tarasov, R.G. Gataullin;
"FAMO"
A. Dlugosh, S. Shuliko;
“Tyazhpromservis”
V.I. Veremenko;
DB "Koksoproekt "
R. Tseslyar, B. Sviboda, S. Tomalu, Z. Figel;
"Hutni Project"
Y. Iwanek, A. Magere, V. Sikora;
"Gosh FOM"
R. Baich, D. Ivanovich, S. Dmitrievich.
Coke Oven Battery No.1 ZSMK
I want to distinguish our colleagues: V.A. Fufaev, V.I. Agarkov, A.I. Sivan, E, P. Abramov, V.I. Shvetsov, V.A. Hrustalev, S.A. Zadorozhny, V.G. Chekurna who provided direct support to LLC "OKOS" in throng time.
Our company is contemporary of modern Russia. Over the years, we have covered a certain development path without losing conquered positions and getting more and more new business partners, colleagues and friends.
LLC "OKOS" pays homage to our customers who have believed in us and entrusted us performance of challenging projects for construction and reconstruction of coke facilities:
Russia - West Siberian and Novolipetsk Steel Plants, Severstal, Ural Steel, Kemerovo, Altai, Moscow -Coke Plants;
Kazakhstan - Karmetkombinat;
India - Visakhapatnam, Bhilai Steel Plants; "MetKok Konark", "Bhushan", "Jindal" companies;
China - "Jeong Hong Xin", "Hua Cheng" companies. Metallurgical Department of Liaoning Province;
"Arcelor Mittal Steel";
"Helwan Coke" and many others.
The main objective of our company is to provide quality engineering services in construction, repair and operation of coke production facilities to the customers.
We aim at developing our company through permanent improvement in the following directions:
- meeting the requirements and expectations of the customer;
- introduction of advanced technologies in the field of activity of our company;
- ensuring quality performance by qualified personnel;
- continuous training of the personnel and promotion of its creative activity;
- development of mutually beneficial relationships with partners.
In 2004 LLC "OKOS" has developed, implemented and annually confirmed the correspondence to international standard ISO 9001 the system of quality management -certification body TÜV eV Tringen.
In the passed years we purchased two offices in Moscow, garages and storages in Khimki. In addition, the company heavily invested in construction of future main office of LLC "OKOS" on Tswetnoy Boulevard.
Created from the ground 20 years back , the group of LLC "OKOS", keeping up the traditions of CJSC "Trust Koksokhimmontazh" and having a great desire to become one of the leading engineering companies in the field of by product coking industry is confident in the future.
Our motto is: "You set us the tasks - we solve them!"