Zaporizhstal's Hot Rolling Shop is one of the core and largest subdivisions of the steelworks, employing over 1,200 professionals. The shop celebrates its anniversary as a united, closely-knit team.
Despite the adversities of wartime, the Hot Rolling Shop continues to operate and meet its production targets. In addition to daily tasks and objectives, the shop is modernising operations, implementing new energy-saving measures, and many more.
Last year, the slab department introduced a machine vision system powered by artificial intelligence. This joint development by Metinvest's steelmakers and IT specialists has enhanced the monitoring and analysis of product quality. AI now helps operators of the 1150 Slabbing Mill detect defects more quickly during slab cutting in the Hot Rolling Shop. Currently, the shop is developing measures to increase output of hot-rolled products, including plans to modernise its continuous furnaces.
Employees say the secret to the shop's effectiveness is simple: a united, friendly team and an understanding of the importance of steelmakers' work for the country.
“Genuine professionals work here. We maintain high standards of professionalism, competence, and knowledge in the shop. Everyone here strives to match the best and never fall behind. We know well why our work and the enterprise's work are so important for Ukraine today. We are contributing to maintaining the sustainability of the Ukrainian economy and society,” says Dmytro LIASHENKO, a mill operator at the Hot Rolling Shop.
The Hot Rolling Shop runs a complex and extensive process. The slab department produces semi-finished products – slabs – and is responsible for their proper heating, rolling, and cutting at the 1150 Slabbing Mill, as well as processing in the finishing area. From there, slabs are either shipped to consumers, including Metinvest’s European companies, or sent for further processing at Zaporizhstal’s 1680 sheet rolling mill, where they are transformed into thin-gauge steel, compactly wound into coils under rigorous operator control. In the next stage, the steel undergoes final processing and packaging before being dispatched to the neighbouring Cold Rolling Shop or directly to customers. This department ships close to two thousand tonnes of products daily.
“Thanks to the professional and diligent work of our team, we maintain high production levels even in the most difficult times. This is only possible, among other reasons, thanks to those defending our country on the front lines. More than 150 of our colleagues from the rolling team are now serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces – we are proud of them, and we work under their protection, waiting for their return to their family at the steelworks. I believe that together we will overcome all challenges. I sincerely thank everyone on the team for their daily work, for their courage, and for their faith in our common cause,” says Semen SVYRYDOV, shop manager, in his greetings to the team.
