Russians on fact-finding visit to glass firm

Vladimir Razdukhov, trade representative of the Russian Federation in the UK, and Valery Groshikov, head of the commercial section at the federation's embassy in London, visited the headquarters of Pilkington for a series of meetings with senior directors.They were also taken on a guided tour of some of the company's manufacturing operations in the town.The visit comes at a time when civil engineering work at Pilkington's newest float glass operation, currently being built in the Ramenskoye district of Moscow and scheduled to come on line later this year, is well under way.The new plant, which is a joint venture with Emerging Markets Partnership, is Pilkington's first float glass facility in Russia.When completed, it will have a capacity of around 240,000 tonnes per year and will be Russia's most modern float glass manufacturing plant.The £165m plant will employ about 200 people directly as well as providing important contracts with local service providers.Two senior trade representatives from the Russian Federation based in the UK have paid a fact-finding visit to St Helens.

Vladimir Razdukhov, trade representative of the Russian Federation in the UK, and Valery Groshikov, head of the commercial section at the federation's embassy in London, visited the headquarters of Pilkington for a series of meetings with senior directors.

They were also taken on a guided tour of some of the company's manufacturing operations in the town.

The visit comes at a time when civil engineering work at Pilkington's newest float glass operation, currently being built in the Ramenskoye district of Moscow and scheduled to come on line later this year, is well under way.

The new plant, which is a joint venture with Emerging Markets Partnership, is Pilkington's first float glass facility in Russia.

When completed, it will have a capacity of around 240,000 tonnes per year and will be Russia's most modern float glass manufacturing plant.

The £165m plant will employ about 200 people directly as well as providing important contracts with local service providers.