Rustam Minnikhanov: implementation of lean production is important in order to be competitive

Implementation of lean production principles is important for Tatarstan enterprises to maintain competitiveness, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov stated at a plenary session of VI International lean-forum «Efficient processes – high productivity» in Kazan.

Attendees of the event were President of JSC “United aircraft corporation” Mikhail Pogosyan, Director-general of JSC “OPK “Oboronprom” Andrey Reus, officials of other Russian and Western companies.

Opening the session Tatarstan President highlighted republican enterprises cannot stay competitive without systemic work on developing labour productivity and implementing new technologies, in particular after entering WTO. Rustam Minnikhanov believes the forum is an important event aimed at teaching leaders new principles of industrial engineering.


According to RT President leaders of many enterprises in Tatarstan are interested in ideas of lean production. Much work is being accomplished by the Ministry of industry and trade and it brings results.

Rustam Minnikhanov stressed principles of lean production can be used not only in industry, but in construction sector, housing and communal services, health care. Lean technologies are being implemented in all mentioned sectors in Tatarstan.

Vice-President of RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vadim Chubarov welcomed attendees of the forum. He highlighted Tatarstan achievements in implementing technologies of lean production and suggested active cooperation between Russian and Tatarstan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in this area.

President of JSC “United aircraft corporation” Mikhail Pogosyan told about tasks of the company and implementation of principles of lean production. He also informed about the strategy of developing Kazan aircraft production association.

Thus, the output production of special-purpose aviation is expected to increase 2,3 times by 2020. Mikhail Pogosyan supposes the set tasks cannot be solved without adopting advanced technologies. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare professional personnel. In this issue the company intends to rely on KNITU-KAI (Kazan national research institute – Kazan aviation institute).

Deputy director-general of KAMAZ Yury Klochkov made report about adoption of technologies of lean production in the company. Commenting on his speech, Rustam Minnikhanov said the process was not so easy for the plant. “It is much more difficult to implement innovations at a big plant than at a small enterprise. Nevertheless, results are impressive, - 364 thousand m² of area was cleared, economic effect made 16 bln roubles”, Head of Republic said.

Upon finishing the session Rustam Minnikhanov granted several letters of gratitude. Besides, on behalf of RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry a honorable cup was granted to Tatarstan President for work on implementation and development of advanced production technologies.

Agreement on staffing the aviation industry was also signed by Tatarstan Ministry of industry and trade, KNITU-KAI and JSC “United aircraft corporation” in presence of Rustam Minnikhanov.