A new enterprise of the "Vitebsk" FEZ resident, manufacturing shoe soles according to European standards, has been opened in Vitebsk.
– The decision to establish "EuroPressForm" LLC, which is 100% import-substituting, was made a little over a year ago. All equipment and exclusive specialists came to us from Italy, – noted Eduard Dubrovin, Director of "EuroPressForm" LLC.
The enterprise produces aluminium moulds for footwear according to European standards: for summer, winter, sports, military footwear, as well as footwear for hunters and fishermen. The current production volume is 75 to 85 moulds of various modifications per month. Sales markets are Belarus and Russia.
– We have already held negotiations with Chinese manufacturers, and in the next two to three months, deliveries of at least two CNC machines are planned to increase production volumes. Then we will be able to meet 90% of the demand of the footwear industry not only in Belarus but also in the post-Soviet space, – emphasized Eduard Dubrovin. – Representatives of major Russian footwear companies have also visited us repeatedly, highly appreciating the quality of the manufactured moulds. There are no analogues to this production in the post-Soviet space. We have signed contracts with more than 20 different companies, including "Belwest", Lidskoe and Baranovichi footwear factories, "Pskov-Polymer", and others.
In just nine months, the building of an old abandoned sawmill has been transformed into a new production facility. 12 people work here, including five Italian specialists.
According to Mikhail Skurat, Head of the Administration of the "Vitebsk" FEZ, this enterprise has many orders. This indicates that the products are in high demand.
– The "Vitebsk" FEZ is actively developing. Today, the most important thing for us is not the quantity but the quality of these enterprises, which should feature high technologies, implement import substitution programmes, and offer decent wages to retain jobs and ensure people work in their native land, – noted Mikhail Skurat.