The Vyksa Metallurgical Plant (VMZ) is a Russian ferrous metallurgy enterprise founded in 1757.[1] It is located in the city of Vyksa in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The plant specializes in the production of large-diameter pipes and railway wheels and is a member of the "Big Eight" pipe manufacturers. The plant is part of the United Metallurgical Company (UMC).[2][1]

Production

The plant manufactures large-diameter pipes and railway wheels — products in demand in pipeline construction and the rail industry. As of 2017, VMZ's capacity exceeded 3 million tonnes of pipe products per year; the wheel-rolling shop had a capacity of 850,000 wheels per year and was oriented toward supplying Russian Railways and international partners. In 2017, the plant planned to shut down its outdated open-hearth production in 2018.[2] By virtue of its specialization, VMZ is counted among the largest pipe-making enterprises in the country, grouped under the name "Big Eight."[1]

Role in the Life of Vyksa

The plant has historically shaped the economy and human capital of the city. A number of well-known Nizhny Novgorod politicians and administrators began their careers at VMZ. Anatoly Kozeradsky worked at the plant from 1979 to 1983 as a roller, senior engineer of the central laboratory, and trade union committee chairman, after which he moved to the Vyksa City Executive Committee and later became Regional Legislative Assembly. In 1973, the first railway wheel was rolled at VMZ.[2] Sergey Naumov worked at the plant from 1980 to 1987 (with a break for work at Artek) as a fifth-grade electrician, then became secretary of the VMZ Komsomol committee, and later was appointed Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region.[3] Alexey Sokolov worked from 1976 to 1990 successively in the sheet-rolling and electric-welded pipe shops, served as secretary of the Komsomol committee, assistant director for youth affairs, head of the human resources department, and head of the plant's housing and utilities department, before moving into municipal service.

In May 2025, an industrial accident occurred at the plant: a pipe press operator died while replacing a sealing sleeve on a hydraulic press. By court order, the enterprise was required to pay five relatives of the deceased a total of 10 million rubles in moral damages — 2 million rubles each.[3]

Sources

  1. Kommersant (Volga Region) — As of 2017, VMZ's capacity exceeded 3 million tonnes of pipe products per year; the wheel-rolling shop had a capacity of 850,000 wheels per year and was oriented (archive)
  2. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — In May 2025, an industrial accident occurred at the plant: a pipe press operator died while replacing a sealing sleeve on a hydraulic press. By court order, the enterprise was oblig (archive)
  1. Wikipedia (ru) — Vyksa Metallurgical Plant (archive)
Materials from articles used (3)

, Anatoly Kozeradsky, Sergey Vasilyevich Naumov, Alexey Stepanovich Sokolov