In 2011, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) delivered 461,000 tons of metal goods to Russia-based car manufacturers, which was 13.5% more than a year earlier (406,000 tons). All in all, the share of goods the company ships to the automobile industry enterprises rose from 6.4% in 2010 to 7% in 2011, MMK reports. The company’s key car-making customers are AvtoVAZ, KamAZ, and GAZ Group.

One of MMK’s current strategic goals is turning the company into the leading metal goods supplier for the Russian automobile industry. To achieve this, the enterprise is about to launch the modern cold-roll facility which comprises Mill 2000. The facility, capable of producing 2m tons of goods a year, will provide the carmakers with good quality cold-rolled and galvanized sheets, including those made of highly durable steels. In July 2011, the first section of the facility, Mill 2000 combined with an etching line, was launched. In the summer of 2012, the company expects to launch the second section of the facility.

At the moment, MMK is actively developing some new kinds of products for the automobile industry. The enterprise has adopted and implemented the program for getting its metal goods approved by both Russian and foreign carmakers, which means its technical processes and produce get certified by the world (Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Volkswagen Renault-Nissan, and Huindai-Kia) and Russia’s (AvtoVAZ) leading car manufacturers. What is more, the certification program involves spare parts manufacturers operating within Russia.