Interruption in the factory’s development due to war
Show more
1930
1914
1930
The factory acquired the status of the company of national standing
Show more
1941
1930
July 10
1941
Ukrcable factory was evacuated to the Urals
Show more
1942
1941
1942
German company Siemens-Schuckert settled in the factory’s premises
Show more
60-s
1942
60-s
Renewal of the factory
Show more
1994
60-s
1994
International Gold Star award for quality
Show more
2000
1994
2000
Loss of share on domestic market and decline in production
Show more
2012
2000
2012
Ukrcable Trading House was established
Show more
2017
2012
2017
One more resurgence of the factory
Show more
1900
1914
1930
1941
1942
60-s
1994
2000
2012
2017
1900
Establishment of Ukrcable factory
1900 – the year when Ukrcable factory was established by the founders Genchke, Oislander, Polit and Straus. They decided to pool a part of their capital totalling 150,000 roubles, which was used for establishment of the first Ukrainian factory for making electrical conductors. In 1902 when the number of shareholders increased, Trust Company was officially renamed into Joint-Stock Company of Kiev Cable Factory. Range of products was greatly increased in the next 4 years. There were already 2 factory shops: wiredrawing shop and winding shop.
1914
Interruption in the factory’s development due to war
In the 1920-s after the Russian revolution the plan of the State Commission for Electrification of Russia was adopted. It was a big push towards development of those industries, which were involved here. But that was later. In the early 1920-s the factory was in disrepair, dilapidated and obsolete, because the young Soviet regime suspected many experts of having antirevolutionary sentiments and didn’t trust them. Reconstruction of the cable factory started in 1926, its pace increasing upon adoption of the five-year plan. Shops were laid out for the first time, high-performance machinery was brought from abroad, technological processes became motorized. Kiev factory of local importance quickly turned into the nation-wide enterprise. Its gross output grew from 1.2 million roubles in 1926/27 to 8 million roubles in 1929-30, and according to the plan for 1931 gross output was to be 17.5 million roubles. However, after inspection of the factory in 1931 special commission of the Supreme Council of the National Economy of the USSR made a decision about additional appropriations for reconstruction totalling 4.5 million roubles. Most of these funds the factory, which was named Ukrcable (it was the only factory in the Ukrainian Republic), spent within the first five-year plan. In 1932 the average daily output of the factory was the same as the output in the entire 1913.
1930
The factory acquired the status of the company of national standing
At the end of 1920-s Ukrcable factory successfully manufactured flexible cab-tire cables used in coal mines, mostly in Donbas mines. At the zenith of socialist competitions the factory was developing, and since there was no more vacant space in the premises, a new building was erected to replace the old one, without stoppage in production. New walls were built around the old building. In 1930 the factory was awarded the title of the factory “operating at full tilt” and the status of the nation-wide enterprise.
July 10
1941
Ukrcable factory was evacuated to the Urals
Shortly after the start of the WWII Ukrcable factory was evacuated to the Urals following the official order on July 10, 1941. Factory workers devoted all their energies to produce materials necessary for support of front lines. That is why despite everything the factory kept producing a large scope of products, which it was awarded for. In 1942-1943 Ural Cable Factory got firmly established, with new shops that came in handy, a new large canteen, and more people being accommodated in residential buildings.
1942
German company Siemens-Schuckert settled in the factory’s premises
Ukrcable workers took almost all equipment when they left Kiev, not wanting to leave it behind for the invaders. But it didn’t stop the Germans who established Siemens-Schuckert company in the factory’s premises and set up their own cable production. But product release was interrupted by constant lack of materials and workers’ sabotage. In 1943 Siemens-Schuckert company disassembled its machinery and moved it to the West. When the workers returned to the factory, they witnessed a lamentable scene, demolished shops, destroyed utilities and the like. And their first task to complete at the renewed factory was manufacture of 10,000 bolts for an engineer combat unit. Nearby women working literally barehanded made the first kilometres of the cable. Old machinery parts were used to make wire insulation units.
60-s
Renewal of the factory
In the early 1960-s the factory experienced a resurgence. Ukrcable produced almost all brands of cables and conductors for various use, many of which were up to world standards. The factory actively cooperated with 32 countries of the world.
1994
International Gold Star award for quality
After collapse of the USSR Ukrcable factory was reorganized into Ukrcable Factory PJSC. Almost half of its output was exported to Austria, Italy, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and others. In 1994 the factory received international Gold Star award for quality.
2000
Loss of share on domestic market and decline in production
In 2000 the company experienced a dramatic decline in production and was losing its share on domestic market, which was 8% at the time. So a decision worthy of Solomon was made: to seek for more rational ways of using 11 ha of lands in one of the prestigious districts of the capital. In 2007 shareholders resolved to repurpose the company and to establish commercial, office and hotel facilities in its premises.
2012
Ukrcable Trading House was established
Ukrcable Trading House was established in 2012.Under the direction of V. V. Dovbenko and O. V. Melnyk and total dedication of employees the company dominates in sales of cables and conductors. And yet the main strategic goal is to recover a measure of Ukrcable factory’s strength and fame. During these years Ukrcable trademark was registered and customer confidence in the brand was restored.
2017
One more resurgence of the factory
Ukrcable Trading House is reorganized into Ukrcable Industrial Enterprise. Under the efficient management and assistance from Gal-Kat Company Group the enterprise completed renovation of fixed assets, increase in the number of employees and certification of production. Ukrcable produces cables again. Today it is a modern behemoth ready to work for the people for more centuries to come!
Credits:
Photos posted on the website:
Materials from Ukrcable Factory History Museum
and essays by M. M. Borisov and O. V. Kurkotov
from history of Ukrcable Factory Ltd.