Obukhov Plant. History of development

The Obukhov plant is one of the leading enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.

Along with the manufacture and design of civilian products, nuclear power, shipbuilding and other industries, the plant manufactures, designs and maintains weapons systems and military equipment.

Plant Formation

After the defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856 it became clear that the Russian army and navy needed to be rearmed. For these purposes, we decided to build a factory. The erection was very rapid, and a year after the construction was started, the first melting of steel was made.

The plant received its name in honor of the famous scientist in the field of metallurgy Obukhov. By the way, there is another one-time plant in Ukraine - Obukhov brick factory.

The construction of the Obukhov plant was completed in May 1863. After the opening, the factory began to produce artillery weapons. In the 80-90s of the 19th century, armored plates and armament for ships were manufactured here.

The tsar's decrees at the plant had its own flag, which he received for his contribution to the development of the fleet.

Before the Revolution

At the Obukhov plant, a modern production and laboratory base was created, and afterwards a well-known scientist and metallurgist Chernova was invited to cooperate.

By 1886 the plant was considered the most advanced enterprise in Russia. A huge variety of products was produced - from spare parts to ships to surgical instruments. From the wheels for the rolling stock of railways to mines and shells.

Not without the discontent of the workers. In May 1901 there was a major strike, which ended in a clash with the police and troops.

The plant actively participated in foreign exhibitions. By the beginning of the First World War, the enterprise had become one of the largest steel mills, not only in the Russian Empire, but also in Europe.

In 1904, the Obukhov Plant was connected to the Alexandrovsky Steel Plant. The following year, he created a workshop for the production of optical instruments.

Before the revolution, almost all weapons for the fleet and half of the weapons for the ground forces were manufactured by the Obukhov plant.

St. Petersburg after its construction has overtaken the Urals in the production of steel products. Many specialists were invited to work from all over the country. The factory employed about 4 thousand people. By 1914, the number of workers was more than 10 thousand.

After the revolution

After the Bolsheviks seized power in the country, the plant was renamed the Petrogradsky factory "Bolshevik". This name existed until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Only after the formation of the Russian Federation was it returned to its original name.

In February 1918 and until 1920 the plant was started to manage a specially created commission, and the previous chief was sent into retirement.

But in December 1917 production was stopped, and in January 1918 all workers were calculated. The plant was idle for three months, after it began production again.

In the twenties, not only weapons were produced on it. It was here that the first domestic tractor and aircraft engine was manufactured.

The Design Bureau of the plant created several dozen artillery systems and the first serial tank MC-1.

During the Great Patriotic War

In the war years, the Obukhov factory produced weapons, railway artillery installations, and carried out repairs of military equipment.

In the first months of the war, almost women, old men and adolescents worked at the plant - all capable men left to fight at the front. Work did not stop even at night.

When the Germans took Leningrad to the blockade ring, the Obukhov defense plant did not stop its activities even despite the famine, intense bombardments and bombardments.

Due to lack of fuel and almost complete power outage, it was necessary to repair the equipment coming from the front manually.

In 41-42 the workers of the plant worked and serviced the Road of Life, they converted the fifth hydroelectric power station.

On the instructions of the headquarters of the Leningrad Front, the Obukhov Plant produced not only weapons, but also to the friend products, for example, construction and demining tools.

For the great contribution to the victory the enterprise was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

Postwar years

The destruction after the war and the blockade were enormous. Within a few years, major repairs were carried out to restore workshops and production.

Restoration began during the war, in 1943. And for seven years the plant was fully restored to its pre-war condition.

The design department began actively to develop new types of weapons.

In the 60-70s the plant produced launchers for anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. In addition to military equipment, they used equipment for nuclear power plants.

In the 80s the plant continued to produce its products and almost did not design anything new.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and in our days

Since 2002 JSC "GOZ Obukhov Plant" became a part of the Almaz Concern and was included in the list of enterprises of strategic importance. To date, more than 70 percent of air defense technology is manufactured here, about a quarter of the equipment for the navy.

Now the Obukhov plant is actively replacing the construction of machinery to a more modern one, new technological processes are being introduced, new workshops are being built.

After the renovation of the material and technical base and the construction of new workshops, it is planned to manufacture GLONASS systems, create products for the armed forces, and the space industry.