Izhevsk is a city located in the Urals, a large industrial, cultural and administrative center of the region. The population of the city exceeds 650 thousand people, and it occupies an area of more than 300 square kilometers. The history of Izhevsk is inextricably linked with the development of Russian and Soviet industry. Having emerged as a settlement at the factory, in the 20th century the city turned into the largest factory site on the map of the country.
Izhevsk factory
The city was founded on April 21, 1760, three years after the decree on the construction of three ironworks on the banks of the Izh River. A large pond was dug for industrial needs, around which a new settlement began to form. Three years later, the company earned at full capacity, releasing the first critical iron.
However, the main plant, which brought the city world fame, was founded after 44 years. It was located on the site of the old ironworks and was focused on the production of weapons products. Since the end of the 19th century, hunting rifles have been produced here, and after that rifles. The legendary Mosin rifle was produced at the Izhevsk arms factory. Izhevsk weapons played a huge role in the Patriotic War of 1812, the Crimean War, as well as local conflicts. The value of this famous product is hard to overestimate.
Unfortunately, cataclysms did not bypass the industry of Izhevsk. The plant was looted by Pugachev’s detachments in 1774 and ended up in the abyss of the Izhevsk-Votkinsk uprising in 1918, after which many prominent gunsmiths left the country.
Soviet time
In Soviet times, Izhevsk developed at a rapid pace. This growth provided an increase in industry. The city is overgrown with new microdistricts, appearing as peculiar settlements at factories.
In 1942, the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant was opened , focused on the production of weapons products. Later motorcycles were assembled here. Already in the 90s, the plant became diversified, producing a large assortment of various products. Today it provides jobs for more than seven thousand people.
Even earlier, in 1933, a motor plant was opened, on which Izh motorcycles were originally produced. Two decades later, the enterprise was completely reoriented to the defense industry: complex scientific and technical instruments and space communications were produced here. Like almost all plants in the country, in the 90s the motor plant was forced to switch to the production of civilian products, which today make up a significant part of everything produced here.
The main growth of industry occurred at the end of the 50-60s. At this time, new plants were opened every two to three years. So, in 1956 Izhneftemash was built, producing products for oil production. Two years later, a radio factory opened. A year later, the Izhevsk Heavy Paper Machine Plant was opened, abbreviated as Bummash. In the mid-60s, an automobile plant was opened in Izhevsk, producing up to 185 thousand cars annually.
With the opening of new factories, the city's infrastructure also developed - new houses and hospitals, kindergartens and schools were built. During the years of Soviet power, the population of Izhevsk increased by 21.2 times - from 40 thousand to 650.
Factory "Dome"
The Kupol plant in Izhevsk was founded in 1957 and is located on the banks of the Izhevsk Pond. The actual address of the plant is Pesochnaya street, house 3. Like most objects of Izhevsk industry, the plant is focused on the defense industry: Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems are assembled here. In addition to military products, Kupol produces both equipment for the food and liquor industry, as well as equipment used for civilian purposes.
Factory "Reducer"
The enterprise grew up on the basis of a private factory of the Berezins brothers, who, after the revolution, moved to the city’s treasury. Initially, pig iron was smelted here, and the object acquired its modern appearance during the Great Patriotic War, when the evacuated Kharkov plant of lifting and handling equipment was included in its composition. Since 1960, the plant has been collecting exclusively gearboxes, which is reflected in its name. Its products have been exported to 49 countries around the world. Address of the enterprise: 172 Kirova street.