SM-Detal, a company known for manufacturing pipeline components for the oil and gas sector, has expanded its operations to include equipment and parts for the nuclear and thermal power industries. As part of an aggressive import substitution strategy, the firm developed its own software for machine tools, enabling more autonomous production capabilities and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
Computer numerical control is now a central feature of SM-Detal’s workflow. The team explains that programs can generate precise chamfers automatically, a capability that was difficult to achieve with prior equipment. This advancement allows the company to provide chamfer specifications exactly as requested by customers, improving efficiency and consistency across orders.
Located in Aramil, the production of pipeline components has continued for more than five years. The facility is capable of producing up to six thousand tons of products annually, a throughput that supports both domestic demand and export opportunities. The steady output underscores the plant’s role in strengthening regional manufacturing resilience.
Managing the transition to domestic software and equipment has been a key focus. The leadership notes that cost pressures drive the shift toward locally sourced components, aiming to identify and integrate in-house equipment, modules, and parts that can operate within existing systems. This approach fosters greater self-sufficiency and reduces exposure to international supply chain disruptions.
Alongside technological modernization, the workforce has grown. In the last six months, the number of jobs at the enterprise increased by about a quarter, reflecting the expansion into new product lines and the need for skilled personnel to operate advanced machinery and manage expanded operations. The company is committed to training and retaining talent to sustain growth while maintaining quality standards.
Looking ahead, SM-Detal plans to establish two additional production facilities in the region. The first project involves a 1,500 square meter production workshop equipped for heat treatment and a dedicated heat treatment room. The second project envisions a warehouse complex to store finished products and materials, ensuring smoother logistics and faster delivery times for customers.
The expansion is supported by the Sverdlovsk Regional Entrepreneurship Support Fund, which provides guidance and financial tools to growing businesses. This assistance includes microloans with flexible terms and guarantees that help the company finance new equipment and facilities while preserving working capital for ongoing operations.
Specifically, the fund offers microloans up to 5 million rubles with a three-year term, backed by favorable central bank rates. In addition to direct lending, the program facilitates access to bank guarantees that enable entrepreneurs to secure loans from participating financial institutions. The combination of loans and guarantees has proven instrumental in enabling local manufacturers to scale their operations and invest in modernization without overextending their balance sheets.
The impact of these measures is evident in the broader regional economy, where the fund reports that Sverdlovsk enterprises have accessed more than 6 billion rubles in loans during the year. To obtain a guarantee, businesses typically work through one of the fund’s 37 partner banks, streamlining the process and linking manufacturers with financial resources tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises. The outcome is a more resilient, capable manufacturing base that supports regional energy projects and infrastructure development.