9/23/2009
NEWS BRIEFS
Collapsed Auto Demand Pushes BelZAN Into Construction Fasteners

Russian hardware association RosMetiz reports that BelZAN, the main automotive fastener supplier to the deeply troubled AvtoVAZ Lada plant in Russia, is switching its attention to “fasteners with protective coatings for metal structures” as a result of the fall in demand from Lada.

BelZAN’s general director Sergey Oychinnikov told a conference led by the prime minister of the Republic of Bashkortostan that requirements for appropriate certification to enter the construction sector “will be resolved in the autumn.”

AvtoVAZ, which manufactures the Lada car, is currently considering laying off 27,000 from its 103,000 strong workforce. The plant is renowned as the least efficient car factory in the world. Demand has been decimated by the recession and consumers turning to higher specification, reliable European, US and Japanese models assembled around the western Russian city of St Petersburg.

Three years ago BelZAN, base in the Urals south east of Moscow, told Fastener+Fixing Magazine that it employed 6500 people to produce less than 50,000 tonnes of fasteners annually.

BelZAN produces more than 3,500 types of bolts, nuts, washers, springs, screws and ball studs. The company is located in Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan 1-A, Syrtlanova Str., Belebey 452005. Tel: +7 (34716) 6-15-34 Fax +7 (34716) 3-01-90 ©2009 GlobalFastenerNews.com and Fastener+Fixing Magazine

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