Obukhov Plant is one of the leading enterprises in the Russian defense industry.
Along with the manufacture and design of civilian products, nuclear energy, shipbuilding and other industries, the plant manufactures, designs and maintains weapons systems and military equipment.
Factory Formation
After the defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856, it became clear that the Russian army and navy needed to be re-equipped. For these purposes, they decided to build a plant. The construction was very quick, and a year after the start of construction, the first steel smelting was carried out.
The plant got its name in honor of the famous scientist in the field of metallurgy Obukhov. By the way, there is another plant of the same name in Ukraine - the Obukhov brick factory.
The construction of the Obukhov plant was completed in May 1863. After the opening of the plant began to produce artillery weapons. In the 80-90s of the 19th century, armor plates and weapons for ships began to be made here.
By decree of the king, the plant got its own flag, which he received for his contribution to the development of the fleet.
Before the revolution
At the Obukhov plant they created a modern production and laboratory base, and after that they invited the famous metallurgical scientist Chernov to collaborate.
By 1886, the plant was considered the most advanced enterprise in Russia. A huge variety of products was manufactured - from spare parts to ships to surgical instruments. From wheels for rolling stock of railways to mines and shells.
Not without discontent of the workers. In May 1901, a major strike took place, which ended in a clash with the police and troops.
The plant actively participated in foreign exhibitions. By the beginning of World War I, the enterprise became one of the largest steel mills, not only in the Russian Empire, but also in Europe.
In 1904, the Obukhov plant was combined with the Aleksandrovsky Steel Plant. The following year, a workshop for the production of optical instruments was created under him.
Before the revolution, almost all weapons for the fleet and half of the weapons for the ground forces were made by the Obukhov plant.
After its construction, St. Petersburg overtook the Urals in the production of steel products. Many experts were invited to work from all over the country. The factory employed about 4 thousand people. By 1914, the number of workers became more than 10 thousand.
After the revolution
After the Bolsheviks seized power in the country, the plant was renamed the Bolshevik Petrograd Plant. This name lasted 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, a specially created commission began to manage the plant, and the previous boss was dismissed.
But back in December 1917, production was halted, and in January 1918 all the workers were calculated. The plant stood idle for three months, after which it began production again.
In the twenties, not only weapons were released on it. It was here that the first domestic tractor and aircraft engine were manufactured.
The design bureau of the plant has created several dozen artillery systems and the first production tank MS-1.
During the Great Patriotic War
During the war, the Obukhov plant manufactured weapons, railway artillery, and carried out repairs of military equipment.
In the very first months of the war, almost only women, old men and teenagers remained at the factory — all capable men left to fight at the front. Work did not stop even at night.
When the Germans took Leningrad into the blockade ring, the Obukhov defense plant did not stop its activity even despite the famine, intensive shelling and bombing.
Due to the lack of fuel and an almost complete blackout, it was necessary to repair the equipment arriving from the front manually.
In 41-42, the factory workers worked and maintained the Life Road, converted the fifth hydroelectric power station.
On the instructions of the headquarters of the Leningrad Front, the Obukhov plant manufactured not only weapons, but also products for a friend, for example, construction and sapper tools.
For its great contribution to the victory, the enterprise was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
Post-war years
The destruction after the war and the blockade was enormous. Over the course of several years, overhauls were underway to restore workshops and production.
Recovery began during the war, in 1943. And in seven years the plant was completely restored to its pre-war state.
The design department began to actively engage in the development of new types of weapons.
In the years 60-70, the plant produced launchers for anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. In addition to military equipment, equipment for nuclear power plants was introduced here.
In the 80s, the plant continued to produce its products and almost did not construct anything new.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union today
Since 2002, OJSC GOZ Obukhov Plant has become part of the Almaz Air Defense Concern and has been included in the list of strategic enterprises. Today, more than 70 percent of air defense equipment is manufactured here, about a quarter of the equipment for the navy.
Now the Obukhov plant is actively replacing the equipment system with a more modern one, new technological processes are being introduced, new workshops are being built.
After updating the material and technical base and building new workshops, it is planned to produce GLONASS systems, create products for the armed forces, the space industry.