< Previous| 8 | Manufacturing-Journal OverviewThe Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained au-tonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria be-came independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People’s Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving to-ward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.EconomyBulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demon-strated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy im-ports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions. The government un-dertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the eco-nomy from a centralized, planned eco-nomy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included pri-vatization of state-owned enterprises, li-beralization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improve-ments to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained ro-bust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production Sofia, Capital city of BulgariaBulgariaCOUNTRY PROFILE | Manufacturing-Journal | 9 |to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annual-ly - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, bo-osted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combi-ned with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s econo-mic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017. Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a parti-cipant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provi-ded funding to Bulgaria’s National Elec-tric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroy-export for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrec-ting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bul-gargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government esta-blished the State eGovernment Agen-cy. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordina-ting national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity. Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, signi-ficant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country’s investment climate and economic prospects.InfrastructureTelephone services are widely available, and a central digital trunk line connects most regions. Vivacom (BTC) serves more than 90% of fixed lines and is one of the three operators providing mobile services, along with A1 and Telenor. In-ternet penetration stood at 61.9% of the population aged 16–74, in 2017. Bulga-ria’s strategic geographic location and well-developed energy sector make it a key European energy centre despite its lack of significant fossil fuel deposits. Thermal power plants generate 48.9% of electricity, followed by nuclear power from the Kozloduy reactors (34.8%) and renewable sources (16.3%). Equipment for a second nuclear power station at Belene has been acquired, but the fate of the project remains uncertain. Instal-led capacity amounts to 12,668 MW, allowing Bulgaria to exceed domestic demand and export energy. The natio-nal road network has a total length of 19,512 kilometres, of which 19,235 kilo-metres are paved. Railroads are a major mode of freight transportation, altho-ugh highways carry a progressively lar-ger share of freight. Bulgaria has 6,238 kilometres of railway track and currently a total of 81 kilometres of high-speed li-nes are in operation.The Pirin range west of Bansko ski resortGolden Sands resort in Bulgaria| 10 | Manufacturing-Journal SPLAT todaySPLAT is the leading developer and manufacturer of professional solutions in the categories of oral care, household eco products and children’s cosmetics in Russia. For the past two years, the com-pany has entered new markets, now SPLAT products are available in more than 70 countries around the world. Its representative offices in China and Tur-key are actively increasing their presence in all sales channels. The company is also actively developing the base of import-ers (distributors) in two macro-regions: Southeast Asia and MENA (Middle East North Africa). SPLAT’s range of products has expanded due to new items and cat-egories –company has released several new products for the care of sensitive teeth (SPLAT Sensitive Ultra and SPLAT Sensitive White toothpastes), a new Black Lotus bleaching black paste, com-pletely renewed the series of children’s oral care products - now it has pastes for any age from 0 years. The best-selling products company processes with the consideration of new technologies and the emergence of new, more efficient and modern components. So, in 2018 we are completing a complete update of the most popular SPLAT Special series. The black and gold colors, with chili and ginger, etc., which have been used by many customers throughout the world, will come out in new, more attractive packages, as well as with updated for-mulas - without parabens, SLS, PEG, sac-charin, and also without artificial colors. SPLAT also conducted several success-ful charity projects, whose goal was to show that helping others is easy - just like brushing your teeth. They were flash SPLAT: Choose healthSPLAT products are made from the best components of the world’s leading manufacturers at its own modern eco-factory located in the ecologically clean area of Valday. Company has 16.9 % of Russian market according to AC Nielsen for November-December 2016 in the category of toothpastes (in monetary terms). What is the company’s secret of success – read further in the article.General Director Evgeny DeminARTICLES | Cosmetics IndustrySPLATPECHATNYA. Printing solutions has more 18 years of unique experience in the field of card board packagingState-of-the-art equipment from leading European manufacturers featuring automatic quality control systems In-house design office developing unique packaging for any productsDirect contracts with major suppliers of cardboard, inks and other consumablesOur products are completely safe and environmentally-friendly (FSC and PEFC certificates)The quality management system is confirmed by the ISO:9001:2015, 22000:2005, BRC IOP Issue 5 (grade 5) international standardsOn- time printing and delivery of products, warehousing technical support for our customersSales offices in St. Petersburg and MoscowPRINTING MACHINESFOLDING AND GLUING MACHINESCUTTING PRESSESFOIL STAMPING PRESSESACCUCHEK MODULESSAINT PETERSBURG Kolpino, ul. Zagorodnaya 11, Liter A Tel: +7 (812) 327-76-41RUSSIAMOSCOWul. 1-ua Dubrovskaya 13A, bld. 2, Office 406 Tel: +7 (499) 750-16-70RUSSIACARDBOARD PACKAGING INSTRUCTIONS SELF-ADHESIVE LABELS TUBE LAMINATE PRINTING| 12 | Manufacturing-Journal mobs in social networks to which any-one could join. Company’s actions were supported by celebrities, sportsmen and businessmen. And as a result, more than 1 600 000 rubles were collected, which were sent to funds to help children with serious illnesses. Now SPLAT is carrying another flashmob, the funds from which will be directed to the charity competi-tions of the Winners’ Games.New products and facilitiesIn 2010, SPLAT completely transferred its production to the new Organic Phar-maceuticals factory located in Okulovka, Novgorod Region. The new production is organized according to the principle of environmental consciousness and corresponds to the highest internation-al standards of the quality management system, which is confirmed by the cer-tificates ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and GMP Cosmetics. The main rule is: maximum cleaning of incoming raw materials (air and water, compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in the work of employees, etc.), minimization and utili-zation of waste. Today, the factory pro-duces more than 200 products, among which, in addition to innovative oral care products for children and adults, an ecological line of BioMio for home care, natural cosmetics with organic ingredi-ents for babies and moms LALLUM Baby and a series of natural remedies for hair care HEYA. All products include unique components of the world’s best manu-facturers, they are safe and recommend-ed for daily use.Excellent production technologiesTo save energy, all rooms are equipped with LED lighting, and heat recovery is used in ventilation systems. As men-tioned above, an environmental man-agement system has been built in ac-cordance with the ISO 14001 standard, which allows managing environmental risks (minimizing all negative environ-mental impacts). Also, the factory in-stalled a multi-stage system for cleaning air emissions and 3 water purification systems - storm, industrial and domes-tic. To produce toothpaste, Organic Pharmaceuticals uses the most modern reactors with a unique triple mixing sys-Manufacturing-Journal | 13 |We allow to save our Customer’s time and moneyz-media.plpart of z-media:www.manufacturing-journal.netwww.mirbiznesa.netwww.businesspl.comwww.digi-pub.netmanufacturing-journal.netFounded in 1999, and for many years the leading supplier of tube packaging to the CIS market, LEANGROUP has developed specialist skills and technology to produce and supply more than 30 million tubes per month to the toothpaste, cosmetic and food industries. Having two plants in the CIS region, the company plans to expand to the European market with a potential growth in sales. The quality management standards referred to are ISO, BRC (food-level safety and quality) and the production process has a three-stage quality control system. The company can offer “one-stop-shop” for several packaging types under one roof and produced in one technology to prove the quality and same identity through several products.Minsk, 220075, Belarus, 25A, Promyshlennaya str. tel: + 375 (17) 345-53-77,fax: 345-53-78e-mail: info@leangroup.bywww.leangroup.byIWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH, headquartered in Stutensee, a company of the ATS Group with around 3,500 employees worldwide at 23 international locations, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of packaging machines. Sophisticated packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry are developed and built here. Our tube fillers and cartoners are used by customers worldwide. Per-manent innovation, high reliability and strict quality awareness have strengthened our leading international market position.www.iwk.de| 14 | Manufacturing-Journal tem to achieve excellent homogeniza-tion. The microclimate control system of production and warehouses allows maintaining the necessary humidity and temperature. The accredited microbio-logical laboratory carries out all neces-sary spectrum of microbiological stud-ies of incoming raw materials, internal production environment and finished products.From Russia with SPLATThe main capital and development re-source of SPLATis their team of profes-sionals. In total, the company employs more than 1,000 people. Of these, more than 100 are in the Moscow office, 400 are in production, and the rest are re-gional employees and colleagues from other countries. Company continues to improve its efficiency and profes-sionalism - strengthen the team with competent and responsible people, provide opportunities for training and development of employees. Secondly, SPLAT annually expand its assortment by launching new categories and ex-panding existing lines. Thirdly, this is an international development - SPLAT products are already represented in more than 70 countries of the world and company plans to continue to increase exports, enter new markets and expand the range in those countries where it is already present. For example, the share of export sales is now 23%. The main volume falls on the CIS countries, but also company’s products can be found in Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Turkey, China, etc. In 2015 the company carried out the first delivery to the Mid-dle East, and today, buyers can find their favorite pasta SPLAT in 15 countries of the region. Company’s trading teams in Europe, Turkey and China are engaged in expanding the “coverage zone”, try-ing to better understand what the “con-sumer” wants in these countries, build-ing loyal relations with retail partners. SPLAT is preparing to work actively in new markets - Scandinavian countries, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America. These markets, as you know, can not be called stable, but company is not afraid of serious challenges.Mission, vision and valuesSPLAT’s mission is to help people to be healthy, beautiful and successful. Our values are to be real, open and honest. All products of SPLAT help people to be healthy, confident and happy. Natural-ness in everything – company’s life posi-tion. To be creative, inquisitive, passion-ate: manufacturing of unique products –company’s favorite task. Be responsi-ble, persistent and result-oriented, lov-ing your business and being the bestin it. Company develops, improves andopens up to some new things. In thecenter of creating the products are 4principles: idea, quality, environmentalfriendliness and result. Therefore, thevalue of any product under the SPLATbrand is always higher than its price, that is, the customer receives an excel-lent innovative product of really high quality at an affordable price. Company’s prideCustomers. SPLAT produces a product for active, ambitious, inquisitive, open to everything new customers. And there are more and more of them: already more than 10 million families choose SPLAT products and know that the value of these products is much higher than the price. SPLAT appreciates the oppor-tunity to preserve the ecology of our planet, therefore, there are no ingredi-ents harmful to human health and the planet in the products. SPLAT minimizes its impact on the environment through the introduction and continuous im-provement of the environmental man-agement system. In the composition of its products only modern and safe com-ponents are used. Company does not test products on animals. Written by Anna PrudnikovaFACT BOXFULL NAME: DIRECTOR: INDUSTRY: ESTABLISHED: EMPLOYEES: MARKET SHARE: SPLATEvgeny DeminCosmetics, Oral care goods 2001about 1000 people17%www.splat.ruManufacturing-Journal | 15 |Pharmstandard-UfaVITA (Ufa)Pharmstandard-UfaVITA accounts for almost 15% of the total production of the Group (or over 90 million packages of medical products). This company em-ploys more than 1,700 people and pro-duces more than 100 different products. The company has 19 production lines, the total production capacity of which exceeds 170 million packages per year. Pharmstandard-UfaVITA has all the ca-pacity necessary to ensure production: operating production workshops, stor-age facilities necessary for storing raw materials, materials and finished prod-ucts, laboratories of the quality control department performing quality control of raw materials, packaging materials, intermediate products purchased and finished products. To provide energy re-FACT BOXLooking to the future – creating the presentPharmstandard is one of the leaders in the pharmaceutical industry in Russia. The Group is developing and producing modern, high-quality and affordable medical products. Today, the most well-known medicines manufactured by Pharmstandard Group are Arbidol®, Com-plivit®, Pentalgin®, Flucostat®, Phosphogliv®, Amiksin®, Afobazol®, Kombilipen®, Octolipen®. In total, Pharmstandard Group produces more than 300 types of medicines, including products for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, gastroenterologi-cal, neurological, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer and other diseases. Collective production facilities of the Pharmstandard Group allow to produce more than 1 billion packages per year. Production facilities are provided by modern plants that meet all the requirements of Russian standards: Pharmstandard-Leksredstva, Pharmstandard-UfaVITA, Pharmstandard-Tomskkhimpharm, “Biomed” I.I. Mechnikova, “Lekko” and “TZMOI” Medical Equipment Factory. According to the results of 2017, the Group produced 0.625 billion packages of medicines and 832 units of medical equipment. Pharmstandard’s consolidated revenue for 2017 amounted to 70 bil-lion rubles. EBITDA amounted to 15.3 billion rubles in 2017. Net profit amounted to 11.3 billion rubles. The total number of employees is more than 6.5 thousand.FULL NAME: General Director of Pharmstandard--UfaVITA: INDUSTRY: ESTABLISHED: EMPLOYEES: TURNOVER: Pharmstandard-UfaVITA OJSC Vladimir KreymanPharmaceutical1941 (joined the Pharmstandard Group in 2003)1967 (2017)16,4 billion rubleshttps://pharmstd.com/page_18.htmlGeneral Director of Pharmstandard UfaVITA:Vladimir KreymanARTICLES | Pharmaceutical IndustryPharmstandard| 16 | Manufacturing-Journal sources, the company is equipped with: a gasified boiler house, two independ-ent power inputs, oxygen and nitrogen generators, and a compressor room for producing compressed air. Production sites are equipped with systems for ob-taining purified water and water for in-jection.The company organized the following production:•solid non-sterile dosage forms: tab-lets and coated tablets (includingfilm-coated), pills, capsules;•liquid and lyophilized sterile dos-age forms: injection preparations inampoules, vials, cartridges, prefilledsyringes.All production lines of capsules, tablets, injectables are created in accordance with the requirements of GMP and are full cycle production, which includes all stages, ranging from the preparation of raw materials to the storage of products. Pharmstandard-UfaVITA is one of the largest Russian pharmaceutical manu-facturers. The company is a leader in the production of mono- and multi-vitamin preparations; also, the plant produces antiallergic, cough and cold, anti-inflammatory, antiviral (HIV), antitu-berculosis, antitumor, hepaprotective, immunomodulatory, immunosuppres-sive, nootropic, metabolic, analeptic, hypoglycemic and other products. The plant joined the Pharmstandard Group of companies in 2003. Over the past 12 years, there has been a continuous process of modernizing the plant and launching new lines. More than 15 pro-jects for the reconstruction of existing industries were implemented, 12 new modern sites were put into operation that fully comply with the EU and Rus-sian GMP requirements:•Workshop No.4 for injectables —manufacturing of injactables in am-poules with terminal sterilisation;•Workshop No.4 for insulin products–aseptic manufacturing of prod-ucts in vials and cartridges;•Workshop No.1 for multivitamins— manufacturing of film-coatedtablets;•Workshop No.4 for lyophilized prod-ucts — manufacturing of lyophili-sates for injection solutions;•Workshop No.5 for injectables —Manufacturing-Journal | 17 |The leading solutionfor taste, flavor, andsweetener improvementFor more information about Magnasweet®, visit us online at www.magnasweet.comMAFCO Global OfficesAmericas (Global Headquarters)Camden, NJ, USALee CollisonPhone: +1 856-968-4019E-mail: lcollison@mafcolicorice.comAsiaShanghai, ChinaRay ChenPhone: + 86 21 5237 1702E-mail: raychen@mafco-china.com•For over 150 years, Mafco has been the top manufacturer of natural licorice products.•Mafco Worldwide LLC is the world’s leading producer oflicorice extract and derivatives.• After 40 years of research, Mafco developed proprietarytechniques to isolate the active ingredient in licorice,Glycyrrhizic Acid, to unprecedented levels of purity.• These high-level licorice derivatives are collectively calledMagnasweet®.•Magnasweet® is the product improvement solution forCPG companies and flavor houses around the world.•Today, Magnasweet® is in demand by businesses largeand small, across every industry with an application forlicorice derivatives.manufacturing-journal.netNext >