In the Nizhny Novgorod region there are eight own enterprises engaged in hot-dip galvanizing. It seems strange to transport metal structures over two thousand kilometers to the Belarusian city of Lidov. But Nizhny Novgorod residents do go. Not only them – about one hundred Russian enterprises also choose the Belarusian state enterprise "Konus" as their partner.

Why does this happen, explained Andrey Zamyoda, a member of the Permanent Commission of the Republic Council on Legislation and State Construction, director of the state enterprise "Konus" RUP "NPC NAN Belarus" for mechanization of agriculture.

"Why they choose it"

The meeting between lidzhan (residents of Lidov) and the Nizhny Novgorod LLC "Mashinery Group" began in 2022 at the Moscow exhibition "Metal-Expo". At that time, Russians brought a trial batch of complex products for the country's energy system for hot-dip galvanizing to Lidov. Four years later they returned to resume work and signed a framework agreement at the II International Exhibition "INNOPROM. Belarus", which takes place in Minsk.

"For quality and attitude"

The interaction between locals and the Nizhny Novgorod LLC "Mashinery Group" started in 2022 at the Moscow exhibition "Metal-Expo". Then Russians brought a trial batch of complex products for the country's energy system for hot-dip galvanizing to Lidov. Four years later they came back to restart operations and signed a framework agreement at the II International Exhibition "INNOPROM. Belarus", held in Minsk.

"At all responsible objects in the energy sector, oil refining, gas pipelines and nuclear construction, they indeed use cable-sheathing metal structures that are hot-dip galvanized at our enterprise," proudly notes the director. "Many Belarusians and about a hundred enterprises of the Russian Federation choose 'Konus' as partners precisely because of its quality and reliability. We accompany partners from the moment the contract is signed until packaging and shipment of the product. We solve logistics issues as well."

It is not surprising that the share of exporting hot-dip galvanizing services to "Konus" remains above 50 percent per year. The main partner is the Russian Federation.

"The main raw material is Russian, the technology is ours, the quality is Belarusian," explains Andrey Zamyoda. "The hot-dip galvanization technology was developed jointly with the Academy of Sciences, thanks to which we obtain high-efficiency materials that protect metal structures from corrosion for decades."

In 2024 the enterprise launched a new service – protection of metal by thermo-diffusion galvanizing. The coatings match hot-dip galvanizing in terms of corrosion resistance, and the process allowed removing small details and fasteners from the main production line, which previously had to be tied manually thousands of times onto wires. Twenty people received new jobs, and clients have no objection whatsoever.

– It is an import‑substituting technology, – says Andrei Petrovich. – Scientists and manufacturers have joined forces and created a unique installation that has no analogues in the CIS. The project was developed and implemented by the chief technologist’s department together with BNTU and the Academy of Sciences.

‘INNOPROM’: grand and logical

The exhibition itself makes a strong impression even on an experienced industrialist.

– Grand! – shares his impressions Andrei Zhomayda. – The event brings together representatives of forty countries, dozens of regions and hundreds of companies. The main theme is digitalization, robotization of production, new materials and logistics. The exhibition area is more than 20,000 square meters in the MVEЦ ‘BelExpo’, and about three thousand square meters is occupied by the outdoor area with heavy machinery. I have extensive experience visiting international exhibitions, I can say that this exhibition complex is one of the best in the world. The exhibition is designed logically and sensibly so that each participant can present themselves as effectively and impressively as possible.

The key focus is on real cooperative projects of the Union State. On the very first day, Russian and Belarusian developers signed a strategic agreement on the ‘Union Machine’ project for import substitution in the field of titanium and aluminum processing. Industrial robotics and the implementation of artificial intelligence are actively being discussed.

– The exhibition is, above all, an ideal venue for useful contacts, – emphasizes the senator. – It is a unique opportunity in one place to see what the world’s leading countries are producing, to communicate, exchange experience and contacts. We are particularly interested in enterprises engaged in metalworking, supplying machine tools, software, and raw materials.

Driver for moving forward

At ‘Konus’ they are confident: participation in the exhibition and signing an agreement with another Russian partner is an important step in strengthening industrial cooperation between the countries and a driver for moving forward for the team.

• We see great potential in developing mutually beneficial

– At the exhibition we had close contact with representatives of the Academy of Sciences, got acquainted with their new developments, and therefore we will develop, — concludes the conversation Andrei Petrovich.

Behind the dry words about “hot galvanizing,” “import-substituting technologies,” and the new contract lies a simple thing: people in Lida work in such a way that they are willing to travel two thousand kilometers to reach them, because they are the best. The team of one of the most effective enterprises in the post‑Soviet space conducts business with a “human face,” putting quality, constructive relations, and care for people at the forefront. And its manager, грамо