Away from the occupiers. As a company from Melitopol resumed production in Lviv region

The occupation of part of Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions painfully hit the economy of Ukraine and, of course, the condition of quite real producers, who understood that there are no prospects of stable work provided that Russian occupation should be expected. So, many entrepreneurs have made a logical decision: to leave the occupation and start working in a safe region. Usually, the regions of the western part of Ukraine choose to move (relax).

According to the Ministry of Economy, the largest enterprises were relocated to Lviv (24%), Transcarpathian (14. 5%), Chernivtsi (9. 8%), Ivano-Frankivsk (8. 3%), Khmelnitsky (7. 3%) and Ternopil) (6. 3%) areas. Some enterprises use the state program, but many people resolve all issues of moving. "Since the beginning of the war, 800 enterprises have been relocated from dangerous regions with the support of the state. Today, 623 enterprises are already working in a new place.

Another 239 is searching for a suitable location or mode of transportation," - said Deputy Minister of Economy Tatiana Berezhna. Focus tells the history of Relocation of the Melitopol enterprise for the production of special transport of Citius S, which moved to Lviv region last spring, and the first finished products in the new production of special vehicles appeared in October 2022. Citius S was established in 1991 in Crimea. But in 2014, the company moved to Melitopol.

"In Crimea, the main direction of work was the manufacture of safe glass for cars. Started from different types of Triplex glass - a safe glass that does not break up into debris when collided, for example. We just went to re -equipment - we started producing armored glass. In Crimea we had our own. The territory, workshops, only had time to make some boxes for the conversion of cars, " - said Citius S lawyer Anastasia Serov.

In the new place in Melitopol in 2014, the company started from scratch, but by that time the company managed to relay some equipment, for example, an autoclave weighing 25 tons. Together with the owners and tops, some employees went to Melitopol. "They started again with the manufacture of glass, began to produce more sets of armored glass, because it was increased in demand for it. For eight years in Melitopol from the rented premises moved to their own plant.

Here the business gained development in quality. We received large orders from the largest banks Not only Ukraine. We made armored cars, started producing ambulances. Over 8 years, we had time to buy their own territory and began to expand production on special cars, "Anastasia Serova said. Until February 24, 2022, the company worked steadily by ordering Ukrainian and foreign companies and banks. But Russia's attack instantly changed everything for Citius S.

Melitopol of the Russian Federation was captured on February 25. However, managers, owners and employees managed to leave earlier - February 24. Anastasia says: on the morning of February 24, the director of the enterprise warned the employees that it was necessary to leave. "In total, 8 employees with families and even pets left Melitopol. No one was gathering globally, everyone had things" for a few days "because it just didn't have time.

Unfortunately, everyone has their own sad story In the queue, who came under fire, "says Anastasia Serov. The equipment of the enterprise remained in the occupation, moreover, even important documentation was not fully removed. "The main equipment - the same autoclave - weighs 25 tons. The glass furnace does not disassemble. And there was no time for the removal of something at the time," Anastasia said.

In addition to the cost equipment, there are three emergency vehicles in the plant in Melitopol - finished products produced by the enterprise. "Unfortunately, these cars have been stolen almost immediately. We learned from those who still stay in Melitopol. Also, a lot of raw materials left for the future order," says Citius S. lawyer, however, two cars made At the enterprise, the owners of the company managed to take out - they were evacuated on them.

Initially, the company-owners of the company did not understand how to act whether it was possible to restore the company. But they were not abandoned that the company's products are useful and extremely needed, especially in shelling, cars. "Already in March we were approached by representatives of one of the commercial banks of Ukraine. They showed cars - our cars we once manufactured as collection, which were shot from a tank machine gun.

At the beginning of the invasion, many collection cars were given by the banks, because these are real armored cars. Two such cars rescued civilians in the Kyiv region. They met with a tank column. But . . . they left, all people are alive! The glass that was installed there was not designed for such caliber, for such a density Through-neither the armored capsule nor glass. Then our clients and the clients called and just asked "How are you?".

Shortly afterwards, the company owners made a loan to Savings Bank. At that time, the company had nothing that could be pledged except the car where they left the occupation. But the bank has agreed to issue a loan for recovery. It was decided to settle and restore production in the Lviv region. "Oschad's representatives were invited to Lviv, but we decided to stay a little further from the big city. We chose an industrial town where there are enough experts who can work at the factory.

The main idea is to be located close to the western border, because raw materials were introduced from abroad But later we plan to sell finished products there, "Anastasia Serov explained. Representatives of the Savings Bank, as well as the city administration, assisted the production of armored vehicles in Lviv region. It was possible to find the shop of the right area (600 squares), but the autoclave was ordered in China - it was made in two months, and then for another 1.

5 months went to delivery of the order. "The furnaces for melting were made on their own with the help of those employees who left us. Some of them have been working at the factory for over 10 years. The autoclave cabinet was also produced independent Collected all over the country. Because most suppliers either stopped working or they had to be found, "says Anastasia Serov. Of course, investments were needed to restore the work of the enterprise.

Some of the funds of the entrepreneurs were, also one of the cars where they left the occupation, was sell, and the other car became a pledge for a bank loan. The help of the bank and the Lviv OVA was important in the restoration of special transport production. Gradually, the enterprise began to offer irreversible assistance (grants). The first grant in the amount of 100 thousand UAH came from the Lviv Regional Administration.

Subsequently, at the end of the summer, the administration advised the production of WNISEF, which provided another 100 thousand UAH. "We started contacting all the funds and searched for grant opportunities. We won the UNDP grant of 148 thousand UAH. Grant for our own business of 250 thousand UAH we received at the end of 2022. . We have received 20 thousand euros from IOM - an International Organization for Migration. We are currently implementing this project, "Anastasia Serov said.

The company also recently signed a grant agreement for 40 thousand euros. Some grant programs are still under the agreement, but if you consider both those already provided and subsequent grants, the amount of 4. 8 million UAH will be obtained. All these funds are directed to the restoration of the enterprise and its work. In addition to grants, there are loans. "We received a total of 4 loans for the restoration of the enterprise. Credit for the main equipment with a amount Anastasia Serov.

"Why did we really need this additional credit for the generator? Production of glass is associated with complex and long -lasting processes - glass melting in furnaces, the process in roasted cabinets and, most importantly - the last and most important process in the autoclave, where Sandwich From several layers of glass and PVB film it is converted to the properties of transparency into safe glass. Each of these processes lasts from four to ten. The finished product.

In addition, one workpiece is not loaded into the autoclave. There are up to 16 sets of glass at the same time. Therefore, the continuity of electricity supply in our production is extremely important, "Anastasia explained. In the new production in the Lviv region, Citius S has already produced more than 250 sets of armored glass. "As for cars - we already produce a batch of 43 cars, without taking into account those produced alone. In a year we plan to make about 120 cars," says Anastasia Serov.

Legally, the enterprise relaxation took place in May 2022, the first products made the company in the summer, and the first armored cars - in October last year. One of the main issues other than the need for financing, provided relaxation, is staff. Anastasia Serov explains - the company was lucky, because the main experts have left Melitopol, and now work in the company. The local employment center is used to attract employees.

"We turned there, explained who we were, and were surprised how open and sincerely they treat us. They were also surprised that at this time someone works and still hire people. We now turned 8 workers. We are looking for the necessary ones. experts, "says Anastasia. In her opinion, for successful business relaxation, you need to actively communicate. "We joined the Lviv Regulatory Hub, the Club of Business People.

Thanks to the attendance of seminars, we found suppliers of seats, handles, cutting small elements of metal, carriers and so on. The fact is that we have lost not only chains of supply of raw materials, but also these little things . So now everything is from scratch. These activities help, "says the lawyer of the enterprise. Anastasia Serov considers grants and loans another factor in success. This is exactly what helps and solve financial issues and gain professional knowledge at the same time.