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| Ural Plant Miass 2004 |
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I started this site in 2003, at this time there was little information on Russian Trucks in English. Due to my engineering background and working at a off-road vehicle test center, I was asked to work for Nour USA LTD & Anham JV, as a Vehicle Specialist, working on US Government Tenders for Iraq. I was responsible for evaluating vehicles and ensuring they met required specifications.
The contract enabled me to visit the Plants of Kraz - Zil - Kamaz - Ural - Krasz. This gave a great insight to the manufacturing Plants.
ZIL Plant Moscow, surprisingly uses the latest Production & Assembly Techniques.
URAL Plant Miass, has invested in a Toyota Licensed Production Control Process, still labour intensive. 100% Off Road ( "All Roads "as they like to call it ") Miass Plant dates back to 1941 where they originally made USA type Trucks under the Lend Lease Program, later built ZIS, Ural 's first truck made its appearance around 1960. Miass is one of those Cities which only recently became published on maps, Miass is also famed for missile manufacture.
KAMAZ Plant Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan. Probably the worlds Largest Plant , a 1km x 1km Complex, only 6% are Off Road Type.
KRAZ Kremenchuk Ukraine, dates back to the 1950's with modernization in the 1970's it is renowned for 200 series Heavy All Roads Trucks. The 255b 6x6 set the standard.
KRASZ Plant Kremenchuk Ukraine, relatively new Factory. Produced the first diesel engine Uaz jeep, which they engineered specifically for this Iraq Contract.
After the Evaluation Process, the US Gov' produced a list of " Favoured Nations" , Russia was out, Ukraine was in.Transport to Iraq, went via Port Nicholyav, Black Sea - Turkey - Syria - Iraq.
After winning the Iraqi Army Truck Contract, the USA Gov; purchased almost 3500 vehicles, 1600 Kraz 6322 6x6, the balance, Uaz 465 Jeeps + Trailers & Spares for all vehicles. All these items I had to inspect & sign the " Letter Of Credit " . During the last two & half years of travel & living in Ukraine & Russia, I have formed extremely useful contacts, and gained knowledge of Transport & Export within this region.
Sean Reynolds
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