VITEBSK, 26 December (BelTA) – SOOO Belwest intends to install robotized systems for die-cutting and treating leather in Q1 2020, BelTA learned from the company's Director General Yuri Sumaneyev.
The enterprise is preparing the infrastructure for the deployment of the robotized systems, which are supposed to be commissioned and trialed through 2020 in order to reach their full designed output capacity in Q1 2021. The robotized systems will use unique effectors, machine vision technologies, and self-learning control technologies. The robots are expected to improve the quality of leather die-cutting and treatment in addition to reducing the cost of components and materials. The project was approved by the expert council of the State Science and Technology Committee of Belarus in summer 2019.
The robotized solutions will allow the company to enhance the performance of the manufacturing division as one of the main commitments in the course of creating the holding company Belwest. On the whole, efforts to redesign the manufacturing process are expected to allow the company to make custom-made footwear for every consumer in the future. “It may sound like science fiction for now, but it is the vector of development of the company we aim for. For instance, it was difficult to imagine robots working as part of the footwear assembly line but today we are about to accomplish that,” Yuri Sumaneyev noted.
Apart from that, the holding company will develop manufacturing sites in Gorodok and Beshenkovichi, Vitebsk Oblast. The practice of outsourcing the production of components and intermediate parts to enterprises in Vitebsk Oblast and some other regions will remain in place. The possibility of manufacturing cooperation with Russian companies is under consideration.
“We are now looking for opportunities for cooperation with any manufacturers inside the country and abroad. Partners just have to match the philosophy of our brand, take into account all the hygienic parameters, which can be achieved only if the quality of components is verified,” Yuri Sumaneyev said. The company will continue interacting with partners from Spain, Portugal, and Italy for the sake of footwear production. It is now necessary to invest inside the holding company, Yuri Sumaneyev said. Instead of becoming a shareholder in subordinate companies SOOO Belwest will remain their manager and will outsource manufacturing jobs to them, provide them with materials in addition to overseeing sales.
Shareholders of the holding company Belwest include the managing company OOO Belwest Group, SOOO Belwest, 27 retail organizations, and OOO LACIT. In line with Belarus president decree No.278 OOO Belwest Group has undertaken to keep the company's focus on footwear manufacturing and increase output to at least 3 million pairs. At least Br30 million will have to be invested in the fixed capital of SOOO Belwest by 31 December 2023 for the sake of modernizing existing facilities and creating new ones. The average number of employees will have to remain at least as high as the figure registered in January 2019 till 1 January 2021.
