Kamensky Cannery CJSC is not just one of the most significant enterprises in Pridnestrovie northern region, but is also targeted for increased attention of local authorities and the leadership of the republic. Acting General Director of Kamensky Cannery CJSC, Ruslan Spatar, told us about what is important for production that day, about the results of last year and plans for the current one.
There are several indicators that characterize the activity of any enterprise - this is the level of production and sales. In 2018, Kamensky cannery workers increased their production volumes in physical terms by 3.5 times compared with the previous year. This, as noted by Ruslan Spatar, was contributed, in particular, by the fruitful year in the horticulture industry and the substantial assistance of the State Management Company OJSC in obtaining a loan for the purchase of raw materials.
It should be noted that the plant is ahead of similar enterprises in Moldova in its equipment. Suffice to say about modern lines for the production of green peas, sugar corn and concentrated juices. That is, there is the potential and real opportunity to significantly increase the volume. However, factory workers are forced to draw up production plans with reference to the implementation, which is the main problem there. Pricing policy is one of the negative factors hindering a more substantial supply abroad. For example, canned foods of the same types are cheaper to the buyer in Russia.
“Compared to Russian processors, we have to work in slightly different conditions. Yes, I can say without fear of contradiction, that Kamensky canned food is natural, without preservatives and dyes, high-quality and tasty. But in order to produce and implement them, say, in Russia, we have to overcome several barriers, each of which directly affects the cost of production. For example, in the can of green peas, there are only peas and water that are ours. The rest - the container, the lid, the ingredients of the formulation - are imported from outside the republic. The energy is a separate topic. There are also costs of delivery and customs clearance of finished products ... In addition, unfortunately, due to the complex demographics and migration processes, we are losing consumers even in the domestic market,” Ruslan Ivanovich explains.
We must pay tribute to the factory workers - they do not lose their hearts. The management company and the enterprise leadership are working on solving the problem. In particular, the issue of acquiring new modern equipment is being considered, which will reduce energy costs in the implementation of technological processes, which will have a positive impact on the cost of canned food, and hence on its implementation.
Measures are being taken to increase the recognizability of the local brand and the attractiveness of products. The range is being increased. Much is being done to improve technological processes. There is a constant work on improving the quality of products. It should be reminded that there is absolutely no use of any dyes and preservatives in the formulation, which reduce the price of canned food, but have a negative impact on such an indicator as their naturalness. The plant is a regular participant of the Pridnestrovian Quality competition, various exhibitions, including international ones, following which it receives deserved awards. District and republican fairs would not go ahead without factory workers. A modern label design and new types of packaging designed for a wide range of consumers are being developed. Free tastings are held in the republic`s supermarket chains. Kamensky Cannery CJSC has a website. As Ruslan Ivanovich noted, the main goal is to expand the possibilities of implementation, which will automatically allow for an increase in volumes.
Some positive developments have been outlined this year: since the beginning of 2019, the company has increased its sales revenues by several times. Products are supplied to the trade network and to the budget organizations of the republic. 1,500 tons of apple juice concentrate was sent to Germany, Russia and Poland. They sell canned green peas and canned sugar corn, apple juices to neighboring countries.
The preliminary results of the first quarter show an increase in output. Compared with the corresponding period last year, an increase of 30% is expected. Speaking specifically on January and February, the growth is 25%. Factory workers deal with apple semi-finished product, which is stored and allows to significantly expand the time frame of the processing season. Also since 2019, the company has mastered the production of new types of canned tomato groups, which are in demand in the local market. These are spicy tomato sauce, barbecue tomato sauce and appetizing tomato sauce. Some new items have already appeared in the trade network of the republic. Labor productivity increased by 1.5 times, there is an increase in the number of workers.
As Ruslan Spatar said, according to the plan, in general for the year, compared to 2018, production will increase by 20%, amounting to more than 30 million equivalent cans of canned food. After examining the needs of the market, they are actively working on the range. Over the past two years, a number of new products have been developed, in particular, nectar of grapes, beans in tomato sauce and natural beans, three types of tomato sauces. In addition to innovations that are included in the approved production plan for 2019, conservators predict a further expansion of the range. Therefore, it is possible that already this year they will pleasantly surprise us with Bulgarian eggplants, gogoshary in tomato sauce, sliced pickled pumpkin, pickled beetroot ... Yet they will not give up traditional, stably in demand canned food. Among them there are juices with pulp, marmalade, tomato products, squash caviar, green peas, sugar corn ...
Currently, the cannery is preparing for the new season. Equipment and premises are being renovated. The commercial service is working to ensure the production of packaging, the necessary materials and spare parts. Raw materials are special case. Some of the products here are planned to be grown on their own lands, the areas of which, according to preliminary data, will be increased starting from this year. Negotiations are also under way to conclude contracts with local agricultural producers. Recall that last year the company actively cooperated with the peasant farms and Put Lenina collective farm of the village Hrustovaya. Attention is paid to the training of new workers in mass professions - sterilizers, apparatchiks, laboratory technicians and operators. The certification board operates at the enterprise.
Generally speaking, to a large extent, the processing industry is a complex industry. Of the 28 canneries that operated in the former MSSR during the Soviet period, only 12 remained, 6 of which are engaged in conservation. Why? There has to be an explanation, associated primarily with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rupture of established ties. But not just that …
“The plant is a seasonal enterprise. Here we have to wait rot the results more than one month. For example, today the vegetable peas have already been sown, we will receive the finished products in August, yet the implementation will start only in October. During this time, much can make its own adjustments to the plans, and not always positive ones, given the unpredictability of the agricultural industry, from which we are directly dependent. It is impossible to throw off the scales and the fact that nowadays competitors of processors have enterprises that use new technologies. I am talking about freezing vegetables and fruits. Secondly, the consumption culture has changed somewhat. It is no secret now many people prefer a slightly different diet,” - Ruslan Ivanovich shares the acute issues, but ends the conversation optimistically – “We are working on solving existing problems. Both the collective and the management of the cannery believe in the future of their enterprise.”
Source: Pridnestrovie Newspaper. Author: Lyudmila Malyuta, Kamenka
