Mark Pimenovich Sedov (25 March 1923, Nizhny Novgorod — 1 August 1988, Dzerzhinsk) — director of the Dzerzhinsk production association "Kaprolaktam" of the USSR Ministry of the Chemical Industry (1970–1984), Hero of Socialist Labor (1976), Candidate of Technical Sciences. One of the key managers of the chemical industry in Gorky Oblast during the Soviet period.[1][2]

Career in Industry

From 1941 to 1948 he served in the Navy and was a The Great Patriotic War. During his years of service, Sedov rose to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class; in March 1946 he was awarded the medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945."[3][2] After demobilization he returned to his hometown and in 1948 joined the Dzerzhinsk plant "Kaprolaktam" as a process operator. At the time the enterprise was known as "Zavodstroy No. 96" and was only later reorganized into the production association "Kaprolaktam."[4] While continuing to work, he completed the Dzerzhinsk Chemical and Mechanical Technical College in 1951 and the evening division of the Gorky Polytechnic Institute in 1958.[1] He successively held the positions of shift supervisor, head of Workshop No. 6, and head of production. In 1966 he became chief engineer of the enterprise, and in 1970 he was appointed director of the production association "Kaprolaktam" by order of the Ministry of the Chemical Industry.[1]

On 12 February 1960 an explosion occurred in Workshop No. 6: the building was completely destroyed, burying 24 shift workers under the rubble. Sedov, who was at the plant in his capacity as head of production, was among the first on the scene and promptly ordered the isolation valves separating the destroyed workshop from the plant's gas-holder facilities to be shut off, thereby preventing an even larger catastrophe.[1]

Running the Association

Over fourteen years as director (1970–1984), under Sedov's leadership the "Kaprolaktam" association constructed and commissioned polyvinyl chloride and ethylene oxide production facilities using imported equipment, launched the world's only large-tonnage chlorine installation operating in the open air at northern latitudes, and introduced an automated production management system.[1] In 1975 he was awarded the academic degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences.[1]

For many years he was a member of the Gorky Oblast Committee and the Dzerzhinsky City Committee of the CPSU, was repeatedly elected as a deputy to the Oblast and City Soviets of People's Deputies, and served as a delegate to the 25th Congress of the CPSU (1976).[1]

Awards

By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated 5 March 1976, for outstanding achievements in fulfilling the assignments of the Ninth Five-Year Plan and for services to the development of the chemical industry, Sedov was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor along with the Order of Lenin (Hammer and Sickle medal No. 17415, Order of Lenin No. 423753). He was also awarded a second Order of Lenin (1971), the Orders of the Badge of Honor (1968) and People's Friendship (1983), the badge of "Excellent Worker of the Chemical Industry," and a number of medals.[1][2]

Legacy

He is buried in Dzerzhinsk at the new city cemetery. On the 90th anniversary of his birth, a memorial plaque was installed on the building where he lived in Dzerzhinsk.[1] Sedov's name is included among the Dzerzhinsk residents recognized by the city newspaper "Dzerzhinskoye Vedomosti" as those who "left a bright mark on the history of the city in the field of production."[2]

Sources

  1. warheroes.ru — Sedov Mark Pimenovich (archive)
  2. d-ved.ru — The Fusion of Science and Industry (archive)
  3. pamyat-naroda.ru — Sedov Mark Pimenovich. War participant documents. — During his years of naval service Sedov rose to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class; in March 1946 he was awarded the medal "For…
  4. names52.ru — Sedov Mark Pimenovich — The enterprise where Sedov began his working career in 1948 was then known as "Zavodstroy No. 96" — it was subsequently reorganized into… (archive)