UK-Russia Closed Nuclear Cities Partnership
United Kingdom - Russia
Closed Nuclear Cities Partnership

Sarov
Production of electric power modules

 

Title

Serial production of electric power modules (for supply to a British medical equipment company).

Objectives

  • Establish serial production of electric power modules based upon high power to weight ratio drive train components and related control systems designed by ex-VNIIEF staff.
  • Provide foreign companies with these modules, to enhance the market share of those companies.
  • Establish a sales, cash flow and guarantee facility through intermediaries that allows the start-up company Electromachina to gain access to European markets.
  • Create around 35 new, high technology jobs in Sarov.
  • Raise the profitability of the existing company ZAO Titan and secure several additional jobs by making better use of existing manufacturing capacity.

The project should enable Electromachina reliably to produce 200 modules/month, creating significant annual revenue. If the product is quickly accepted in the market, this revenue could easily treble, creating further highly skilled jobs. Later production could be expanded to 500 modules/month.

Summary

This is a key project under the 'partnering' theme of CNCP activities. It involves production of high technology components in Sarov, wholly for export (initially to a British medical equipment company). The Russian firm has key intellectual property, specialist titanium processing facilities and skilled workers, which were formerly engaged on weapons programmes (specifically to design and build low weight casings and drive systems for missiles and other armaments). The British firm is a market leader in provision of medical equipment for people with mobility impairments. This equipment is mostly exported to Western Europe and the USA thereby creating export earnings for Britain. The collaboration opportunity was initially identified on a CNCP partnering road-show in October 2003. It has been further developed through a small brokering contract let to FSU Services, through a CNCP inward mission in October 2004 and through various supplementary missions to and from Russia undertaken by the project promoters. Trust has grown between the prospective partners over this period, during which the British firm has shared intellectual property and specifications with the Russian firm, which has in turn developed several prototype devices that far surpass the capabilities of current devices on the international market. A large, international market opportunity beckons if a commercial partnership can be implemented successfully between these companies. To do so, the partners need CNCP facilitation and grant support.

Cost

Total cost of the project is £600,900. The DTI is funding a contribution of £200,000.

Duration

10 months, August 2005 - May 2006

Beneficiary

Electromachina Ltd., Sarov

Project Consultant

Mark Allington, AEA Technology

Project Director

Greg Kaser, HTSPE Ltd.

Project Manager

Viktor Aronov, Electromachina Ltd.

Partners\Subcontractors

FSU Services Ltd.