Bustypeoversigt:

"Pawlowskij Avtobus", Pawlow (RUS)

Nationalitet:

Koncern: "RusPromAuto"

Firmaet grundlagt: 1932

Produktion 1998: 8.503 busser

Internetadresse: www.paz.nnov.ru

Firmaets postadresse: AOOT "Pawlowskij Avtobus" (PAZ - JSC "Pavlovo Bus"), ul. Suworowa 1, - Nizhny Novgorod region, RU-606130 Pawlow, Rusland, tlf. 007 - 83171 - 6-88-82 + 6-13-96

Pavlovsky Bus Plant - History and the Present Day

In 1930 along with the decision on Gorkovsky Automotive Plant construction, Soviet Government decided to establish a plant in Pavlovo-on-Oka city, which would provide the Gorky Giant and other Soviet automotive enterprises with driver's tool kit and body structures. Enthusiastic construction was finished in 1932, and at the same very year the Plant's output came to 1,900,000 roubles. This year is now considered the year of the Plant commissioning.

Driver's tool kit was the major product of the Plant till 1952, short of 1941 - 1945 break, during which the Plant, as all the other national facilities, was engaged in military production. The Plant was producing ammunition supplies during war period.

Post World War II years were notorious for extreme shortage of public transport means, particularly in rural areas, so the Plant Management submitted a proposal to the Government, where it suggested that ZATI Driver's Tool Kit Production Plant was conversed into small size bus manufacturing plant. On April 24, 1952, following USSR Government Resolution, the tool production plant was renamed into Pavlovsky Avtobusny Zavod (PAZ). First five PAZ - 651 buses (the first make) left the Plant gates on August 5, 1952. This first make was far from being ideal, and GAZ - 51-truck accent was pretty heavy. However, second PAZ-652 wagon-type make turned to be so good, that it was being manufactured as long as 1968, until a better PAZ - 672 bus replaced it. Due to universal design of that make, the bus could fit various weather and road conditions.

On November 12, 1968, for the first time in domestic bus production history, the Plant launched a new PAZ - 672 bus in mainline non-stop mode. The new bus became the basic Plant's make, and was being manufactured till 1989. Those were the years of major production concept formation. This concept means satisfaction of extremely broad customer groups by producing as many versions of the basic make as possible. 1960-s were the first time when the Plant started to take part in international shows.

At Nice 1967 Automobile Show PAZ - 665T bus received a Distinctive Prize and Big Silver Medal awarded by Tourism Commissariat of France. At 1969 International Automotive Show, which was held in France, PAZ "Tourist de Luxe" was awarded Honor Prize of ?I? International Contest, Grand Cup and "Golden Nike" Prize for participating in International Rally.

In 1971 Pavlovsky Bus Plant was awarded Decoration of Labor Red Banner, and in 1982 it received "Honor Badge" Decoration. These rewards were given for substantial contribution to domestic bus production industry. In 1980-s annual production volume came to 15,500 - 16,500 vehicles.

December 1, 1989 saw a new PAZ -3205 bus. This, nowadays, basic bus make was, also, introduced to production in a mainline non-stop mode. Over thirty various purposes and weather conditions make versions has been developed, since the launch of this bus, about ten of which are mass manufactured. These vehicles are reliable in operating; they are multipurpose due to their universal design, and are successfully used in rural areas and for urban commercial transportation.

Being a member of "Peace Convoy", PAZ - 3205 successfully covered 10,000 kilometers of Poland - Czechoslovakia - Germany - Denmark - Switzerland - France march.

On July 30, 1998 the Plant manufactured its 500,000s PAZ bus. On July 4, 2001 the Plant celebrated manufacture of 100,000s PAZ- 3205 basic make of the bus. Production volume of this bus make in 2002 is going to make 10,350 vehicles.

2000 -2001 period was especially successful for the Plant. New production facilities for city and intercity big and medium size PAZ - 5272 and PAZ - 4230 "Avrora" bus makes production were commissioned in 2000.

In 2001 commercial production of PAZ - 4230 was launched. "Avrora" bus is, currently, represented by three versions.

"Pavlovsky Avtobus" OAO was awarded Special Prize for PAZ - 5271 and PAZ - 5272 city bus makes, and PAZ- 4230 "Avrora" make at International "Avtosalon-99" held in Russia. The Prize was assigned by "Za Rulyom" magazine.

"Indivisible Russia" Scientific and Industrial Forum - 2000 granted I and II degree Diploma to the Company for development and manufacture of PAZ - 5272 and PAZ - 4230 basic makes of intercity buses, which fall into prospective lineup.

In 2003 "Pavlovsky Avtobus" OAO manufactured 11,323 buses, of which 10,249 were PAZ - 32053 buses, 360 were PAZ - 4230 "Avrora" buses, 709 were PAZ - 4234, and 5 were big city PAZ - 5272 buses. Even compared to successful 2002, Company's results for 2003 are significant. These results can be regarded record high. Last time the Plant manufactured over 11,000 buses annually, was as far back as in 1989. That was the last production year for PAZ - 672 make. These results can't but prove the fact that the development programs, and business concept set by "RusPromAuto" Managing Company back in 2000, turned to be right. The Plant proved its market-maker leading position on the Russian bus manufacturing market.

Time has proved that the market niche is friendly open not only for mass manufactured "old-timer" makes, but for new bus makes, as well. No doubt that "Avrora" well secured its position on the market. This year "Avrora" output almost doubled compared to 2002. PAZ - 4234 bus appeared one year back only, however, over 700 vehicles were successfully marketed. Development of new bus makes is on the way, now. By mid-January of the next year two pilot versions of a conceptually new front-engined multifunctional make will have been introduced to the market. This bus make will be extremely well tailored to city traffic environment. Another new PAZ - 3237 city bus make with improved environmental standard performance is on its way, along with the other bus makes.

Nowadays, we continue to adhere to further development of our manufacturing potential, our corporate management, and our financial policies. At the beginning of the year major projects, set on production optimization, restructuring, resource and energy saving, and cost reduction, were defined. Supply Service spent much effort on purchase optimization: it held tenders for the Company Suppliers, and, ultimately, considerably decreased its stock and inventory supplies. This year we went on figuring out in terms "what we have and what we can do with it". Notwithstanding that social and sports facilities are segregated into independent non-profit partnerships, we continue to support them managerially and financially. We have a clear vision and understanding that we should only deal with what we can do better and more efficient than the others, and all the rest should do the others based on the idea of cost efficiency, durability, and perspectivity. Based on that we chose our partners.

In January 2004 construction of the first line of high-pressure gas pipeline was completed. This let us employ direct gas burning technology for technological process and heating, and, at the same time, cut the cost. Investment projects on internal water supply and water purification, as well as on decentralization of compressed air supply were signed.

However, bus manufacturing, for sure, remains the main business activity. This very business undergoes the most dramatic improvements, in the first place. In 2003 welding and painting, press, and blanking workshops were integrated into a single building. Though, the most impressive production optimization project under "Toyota" know how is, currently, effected in assembly workshop. The following results are currently achieved: arrangement of the first line of assembly conveyer is completed. It is well designed for comfortable and efficient work, and ensures safety working procedures and high quality of manufactured products. We got foot on the ladder, so to speak, and this first step turned successful. The plan for 2004 provides for reengineering of the main assembly line on the "just-in-time" basis. We are going to have a unified conveyer, which completely differs from the previous one, and operates in a new fashion. This will motivate the employees to shed the old stereotypes off. By employing a new assembly line, as well as new business approach and management organization we expect reduction in inventory volumes, which means recovery of "dead" money so badly needed for further development.

Production facilities reengineering and optimization launched in 2000, became clear and well defined in 2003, and is now going to be comprehensive and continuous.

Efficient sales management greatly contributed to the Company's peak success of this year. Our buses are marketed in every Russian region; moreover export numbers have been growing steadily. This year export share is going to make 20%. The Company won a tender for shipment of 350 buses to Uzbekistan. After a long break we succeeded in signing a contract with Georgia. 200 buses were shipped to Viet Nam. Next year we are planning to deliver 500 vehicles.

Further financial improvements enabled us not only to catch up with tax payment schedule and to accurately service our restructured debt of the past years; it, also, let us pay off our main debt, European loan, this year. Financial solvency of the Company significantly raised its business reputation. The Company continues to be the biggest taxpayer to budgets of all levels and extra-budgetary funds in the city and in the rion. It is the leading company in terms of wages and salary.

An average monthly pay with regard to the total number of personnel for 2003 made 4,928 roubles. Average wages of the production personnel made 4,964 roubles. Annual wage hike made 17 percent compared to the previous year. Decent level of compensation is a key principle of social policy of the Company. The Company implements various social programs, stipulated by labor contract and allocates significant part of its profits for such programs.

The Company pays great attention to comfortable working conditions of its employees. It provides various training and education programs aimed at rising professional level of the personnel. Professional skills and loyalty to the Company make the formula of success. (kilde: PAZ)