OREANDA-NEWS. March 19, 2008. Representatives of SKF, Sweden, (world's leading producer of bearings) delivered to Shchelkovo Steel Works (SSW, part of OMK) certificates confirming that SSW production process and quality management system comply with SKF quality standards for suppliers.

"SKF audit consists of two stages, and we’ve passed the first one – we’ve received a conformity certificate for production process", says Shchelmet Managing Director Vyacheslav Khryakov. "Now we’re in for the second audit stage – certification of the product itself". 

Within the second stage, Shchelmet will send a test coil of 0.4 mm cold-rolled steel band to an SKF plant in Bulgaria one of these days.

"During the next month SKF specialists will be testing our product and then will give their opinion", goes on Vyacheslav Khryakov.

According to SKF representative for CIS Sergey Shikin, once the approval process is over, the volume of orders from SKF Group may reach 1,000 tonnes in 2009.   "Shchelmet is not a short-term project for us", underscored Sergey Shikin. "Advanced equipment and technologies plus efficient teamwork of all the plant units will make Shchelmet our reliable partner for many years to come".

Bengt Lindahl, SKF Director for New Supplier Development, Purchasing Group, and David Quach, SKF Purchasing Group Manager, emphasized the fact that Shchelkovo Steel Works is capable of manufacturing high quality products.

The company’s successful business was appreciated by the municipal authorities of Shchelokovo. "SKF’s orders will allow Shchelmet to approach overseas markets", said Arutyun Lobyan, Deputy Head of Administration of Shchelokovo Area. "You can’t help feeling happy because of that, as the plant is a major tax payer".