Vitebsk factory Vizas to ship machine tools to Asia

MINSK, 7 October (BelTA) – The Vitebsk-based factory OAO Vizas Plant will deliver the first batch of machine tools to Asia. The contract to supply grinding machine tools accompanied by the full set of accessories has been signed with a specialized Vietnamese supplier, the company’s Marketing Office Head Igor Danilov told BelTA.

The Vitebsk-based company has made two grinding machine tools of the VZ-818 model specifically for operation in complicated climatic conditions. The merchandise will be shipped on 9 October. “The contract’s sum is not so large — ?50,000 — yet it is a landmark event for the company because it will be the first shipment to Vietnam. Asian countries develop fast. Taiwan represents a strong competition on the market of machine tools. The fact that we have managed to penetrate the market testifies to our competitive ability,” noted the executive. It is a test batch of merchandise. If the customer is satisfied with the quality of the Vitebsk-made machine tools, there are plans to raise the shipment volumes up to ten machine tools per annum.

Poland also demonstrates interest in Vizas products. A Polish company that supplies equipment to small and medium business intends to buy batch-produced equipment from Vizas, including the VZ-818 model. “Representatives of a European Union certification center visited the company in late September. They carried out tests and the results allow us to use CE labels. We are also certified to ship merchandise to Poland. We plan to present our products at a specialized expo in Krakow on 14-16 October,” said Igor Danilov.

The company exports merchandise primarily to ex-USSR countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Estonia. The company works harder in the Customs Union states. There are plans to establish cooperation with Uzbekistan. On the domestic market the Vitebsk-based manufacturer of machine tools has won a tender to supply numerically controlled machine tools for MTZ and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

“The company used to make only grinding equipment or machine tools for auxiliary manufacturing divisions in other words. But about ten years ago the company chose to diversify the product range and started making numerically controlled grinding machines. Only Europe makes such equipment. The demand for the machine tools is solid. Thanks to our proprietary software the products boast a high added value,” noted the Head of the Marketing Office.

The Vitebsk factory of grinding machines (now OAO Vizas Plant) was founded in 1897. The company has been making grinding equipment since 1940. It is the CIS’ only manufacturer of machine tools for making and sharpening any cutting instruments. The company’s products are in use in over 60 countries.