The Contemporary of Donetsk Region

The Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon» is a state unitary enterprise. Its history rises from 1932 when enterprise «Vestochmashpribor» was created, which was in 1975 renamed into Donetsk Plant «Etalon».

In 2007 to State Unitary Enterprise «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon» is fulfilled 75 years.

Trademark of Experimental Plant «Etalon» is well-known not only in Donetsk and Ukraine, but also near and far abroad.

The formation of the plant occurred simultaneously with development of metrological service in the USSR.

The history of the plant begins since 1932, when after the creation of the All-Union Institute of Metrology and Standardization (VIMS) the need for repair of measurement technique as well as metric measures and scales appeared in the Donetsk region.

After that Provincial Administration «Ukrvestochmash» was organised in Donbass. It consisted of 7 offices, located in the cities: Donetsk, Lugansk, Mariupol, Artemovsk, Kadyievka and Lysichansk.

In 1935 during organization of Regional Department of Local Industry (RDLI) of the Donetsk Regional Executive Committee, the «Ukrvestochmash» was passed to the subordination to the RDLI and «Metaltrust» was organized on its base which also entered into «Ukrvestochmash».

The nomenclature of measuring devices was at that time very limited and covered only scales, weights, measures of capacity and length, i.e., those, which adapted mainly in trade.

In 1936 the «Metaltrust» was reorganized, and the Regional Administration «Ukrvestochmash» was restored on the rights of provincial organization.

In the period from 1937 to 1941 the «Ukrvestochmash» was engaged not only in repair of control and measuring devices, but also to the release of consumer goods. War and temporary occupation of Donbass interrupted activity of the «Ukrvestochmash» and the exemplary test equipment was destroyed.

And only in 1944 according to decision of the Executive Committee of the Stalin (Donetsk) Regional Soviets of Deputies of Workers after № 10 from 31.03.44 the Regional Department of Factory Management «Vestochmash» was organized with the interregional offices in the cities: Stalino (Donetsk), Artemovsk, Mariupol and Makeyevka.

In 1956–1958 in the city of Zhdanov (Mariupol) a workshop was organized on production of 10th-ton motor-car scales for industrial and agricultural enterprises.

In 1963 according to the order of the Council of National Economy (Sovnarkhoz) after
№ 872-r from 25.06.63 and to the order of the Regional Soviets of People’s Deputies — the Regional Department of Factory Management «Vestochmash» was included in Association «Metalyst» on rights for branch-factory «Vestochmash».

In 1964 for purposes of enlargement and concentration of homogeneous productions the plant «Vestochmash» was included on rights of workshops as a compound of the Donetsk plant of dies and molds, but actually it continued its activity as an independent legal person.

In 1964 in accordance with the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine and the Council of Ministers of Ukraine «About an improvement in the organization of the repair of equipment in the industry of republic» and according to the order of № 611-r from 26.05.64 of the Council of National Economy (Sovnarkhoz) of Donetsk Economic Region the Trust «Donbassremmashtrest» was formed. And «…the enterprise for the repair of control-measuring and weight instruments «Remvestochmashpribor» entered to new trust.

By decision of the Council of Ministers of USSR № 11 from 07.01.66 the Department of Industry was reorganized. As a result Donetsk enterprise «Remvestochmashpribor» was transferred in the submission of the Committee of Standards, Measures and Measuring Devices with the Council of Ministers of the USSR and it was included to the All-Union Association «Soyuzglavpribororemont».

There were 10 production areas in subordination of «Remvestochmashpribor». The 6 of them were located in Donetsk region and 4 — in Lugansk region. In turn all production areas had 60 workshops in different cities of Donbass.

Since 1966 and until 1970 the «Remvestochmashpribor» increased and developed production capacities. It enlarged the nomenclature of overhauled instruments including the following:

— electrotechnical instruments;
— radio sets;
— linear-angular instruments;
— precision instruments.

By the order of the Council of Ministers of Ukraine № 1530-r from 10.12.1966 and by the resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR № 11–11388 from 07.09.1967 it was begun the development of plans and specifications on building of a new plant for repair of instruments.

During this period the plant «Remvestochmashpribor» was completed by skilled specialists and professionals: V.Solovey, V.Litovchenko, V.Polyakov, V.Klimov, A.Miroshnichenko, A.Savchenko, V.Gubenko, G.Zelenchuk, A.Vasil’yev, T.Ogolobchenko, F.Patrikeeva, I.Rassol, I.Andrianov, Z.Anoricheva, L.Deyneka, G.Prudius and others.

Started from 13.01.70 the «Remvestochmashpribor» was renamed to Donetsk Plant for Repair of Instruments («Donetskiy pribororemontniy zavod»).
By resolution of the Donetsk City Executive Committee № 14/214–3 from 25.06.70 the land section under building of the plant was selected to the address: 29, Zhdanovskaya str. (now: 88, Leninskii Av.).
The building of the plant lasted in a period from 1975 until 1979 inclusively.
Active participation in building of plant assumed workers of all subdivisions of the plant: they worked on decoration and installation works, on harvesting and improvement of territory, etc. Till now many of them continue to work at the plant: E.Orel, A.Prudnikov, S.Evseenkova, V.Sazanova, L.Khimichuk, A.Vasil’yev, E.Fedan, A.Farina and others.

On January 19, 1980 all subdivisions of the plant set to work on new areas. Large-scale measures were carried out in this connections.
In 1975 All-Union Association «Soyuzglavpribororemont» was reorganized to the All-Union Association «Etalon» and from this point on, the plant began to be named as
DONETSK PLANT «ETALON»
And since August 25, 1981 as
DONETSK EXPERIMENTAL PLANT «ETALON»

Becoming of plant occurred simultaneously with development of metrological service in the country, when appeared sharply need in especially exact means of measuring. From this time the production of model control and measuring equipment of pressure began in close cooperation with All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Metrology named Dmitry Mendeleyev (VNIIM). Since 1981 by forces of its specialists the plant started works on creation of new model means of measurements as well as consumer goods.

They stood at the beginning of creation of new instruments: G.Olifirenko, A.Vasil’yev, N.Manilenko, I.Dinius, I.Pozhidaev, V.Lysakov, T.Samokhvalova, M.Galburt, G.Arabadzhi, P.Degtyarenko, V.Mazalov, S.Galinskiy, I.Rassol and others.

The enumeration list of produced devices broadened annually and today it composes the wide nomenclature of separately precise means for calibration and verification of instruments working on excess and differential pressure with a wide range of measurements.

All the products are well-known and widely used in many branches of economy both in our country and abroad.

The basic principle for each employee in daily work is the motto:
«The guarantee of stability — in returning of client, but not products!»

Since 1978 the delivery of products for export is performed. In the period since 1978 until 1990 the products of the plant were supplied to 22 countries of the world such as: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Cuba, India, Bulgaria, Syria and many others.

After disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 the plant passed to the jurisdiction order of the State Standard of Ukraine (Gosstandart). As a result of general economic situation in Ukraine as well as economic instability, the product output fell down, the need for consumer goods produced by the plant decreased. In spite of difficulties mentioned above the plant preserved the backbone of the specialists and they did everything so that the plant would withstand. Already in 1999 jointly with NPO «Metrologiya» (Kharkov) the plant specialists developed engineering specifications and manufactured the State primary standard of pressure for excess pressures. In its creation they participated: M.Galburt, L.Khimichuk, T.Tcherabay, (see a photo), V.Shamray, L.Gladkov, N.Manilenko and others.

State primary standard of pressure, testing: L.Khimitchuk, T.Tcherabay, M.Galburt S.Tchernous, the first director of the plant (1971-1987) Mikhael Polyakov, director (1987-2002)

In 2003 by the order of Gospotrebstandart Ukraine № 253 from 22.12.03 the plant was renamed into the State Unitary Enterprise «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon».

In 2004 in accordance with the order of Gospotrebstandart Ukraine № 192 from 31.08.04 the State Unitary Enterprise «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon» was reorganized in the branch of State Enterprise «Donetsk regional scientific and industrial center of standardization, metrology and certification»
(GP «Donetskstandartmetrologiya») — «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon». After that by the order of the GP «Donetskstandartmetrologiya» № 260 from 28.04.05 — the plant was reorganized to Production Department «Etalon». Working as a part of «Donetskstandartmetrologiya» the plant did not cease production of instruments.

In different years its leaders introduced large contribution to development of the plant:
Since 1971 until 1987 Svyatoslav Tchernous managed a plant. On his shoulders all troubles lay down on building of the plant, his becoming and development. Under his management the plant mastered output of the first standard instruments, such as:
— load-piston manometer MP-60 M, accuracy ratings 0.02 and 0.05;
— micromanometers MKM -4, PMKM, PMKM-1;
— working standards REMP-60, RED-6;
— sets of weights MGO, RMGO, SGCHO, GO;
— wide variety of consumer goods:
tip clamp tire NZSH;
compressmeter KD-2;
mount with the certified beating;
balancing adaptation UBP-1.

Since 1987 until 2002 Mikhail Polyakov headed the plant. Within this period the plant continued to be developed. 20 types of competitive model means of measurings were developed, such as:
— manometers MP-600, accuracy rating 0,02 and MP-600, accuracy rating 0,05; MP-6; MGP-100; MHZ -100; MPD -100; MPDG-80;
— instrument PPKM-250 for checking oxygen manometers;
— gas calibrator portable KGP-1.

The system of quality ISO 9001–94 was inculcated. The plant took active part in the international exhibitions, repeatedly being conqueror and prize-winner what deeds and diplomas testify to:
-Prize of the quality «Global Quality Managment LTD»;
-Diploma of Donetsk Regional Soviet of Deputies in connection with conducting of European and World Days of Quality;
-The regional reward «Gold Mercury " for high quality of products and service of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
-Gold medal of the International Havana Exhibition-2000;
-Diploma of a participant in the World Exhibition «Expo 2000» in Hannover;
-Diploma of Fund «Gold Scythian» in a nomination «For high quality and the competitiveness of products and services»;
-Medal «Guarantee of quality and safety» of international competition-exhibition «National security», Moscow;
-Diploma of International exhibition «Production and Defence», Kiev, 2002.

Map of export of products

This period is characterized by wide expansion to foreign markets.

The plant obtains the deserved acknowledgement. And herein the big merit of all subdivisions of the plant:
technical department (M.Galburt — Head of department), assembly shop (E.Mazalov — General foreman), energy-mechanical workshop (Ya. Levin — Chief of workshop), bookkeeping of the plant (E.Obraztsova — Chief bookkeeper), technical control department (N.Manilenko — Chief of department), commercial department (V.Levterova — Chief of department).

Vladimir Shteingart, director (2002-2004)

From August 2002 for 2004 Vladimir Shteingart led the plant.

In the heavy years of slump of economy the enterprise continued to work, to improve quality level of production and to create new models of instruments. Among them were:

— manometers MP-600, accuracy ratings 0.02 and 0.05;
— gas manometer MGP-100;
— liquid manometer up to 1000 bars, accuracy rating 0,01 and others.

In 2006 by the order of Gospotrebstandart Ukraine after № 45 from 21.02.06 the State Unitary Enterprise «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon» was created and Yuri Evko led the plant.

Since June, 2006 a new modern stage of production activity of State Unitary Enterprise «Donetsk Experimental Plant «Etalon» was begun.

On results of work for 7 months of 2006 the collective of plant in sequential time confirmed its fitness for work, aspiration and desire to use the experience, knowledges and qualification for development of the plant which became for many employees as native one.

Today the veterans-patriots of the plant work selflessly and efficiently. They overcame all economic difficulties and nowadays they strengthen the glory of plant, ensuring its further development and prosperity.

These are our professionals — the masters «able fingers» and highly-skilled specialists: V.Shamray, A.Andryakov, V.Pavlushenko, P.Zhitnikov, S.Kuternin, V.Khrenov, L.Krat, A.Kulikov, V.Kornienko, Yu. Morozov, I.Ponomarenko, A.Serbul, S.Tikhonov, S.Galinskiy, V.Shapovalov, I.Kovresiev, V.Troshkin, Yu. Tskhe, A.Prudnikov, L.Khimichuk, Ya. Levin, A.Kaplun, A.Litvishko, L.Goryatchih, L.Demyanenko, E.Levterova, V.Sazanova, N.Apukhtina and others.

Having such reliable basis, as skilled and devoted to the matter personnel, the management began to work on the new serious program of development and reequipping of the plant.

This program will be directed toward a considerable increase of production volumes, creation of new work sites, brining in of specialists of new contemporary professions. The conducted marketing researches indicate the need for mastering of domestic measuring means on an electronic base. This is the basic trend in development of the plant, which was selected with present management.