Recently, during celebrations in Kyiv marking the 20th anniversary of Metinvest Group, employees whose professionalism, leadership and daily commitment have set an example for the entire company were honoured. The Company’s highest corporate award, the Metinvest Gold Star, was presented to 18 employees. Among the recipients was Vitalii Strilets, Head of the Equipment Repair and Maintenance Section at Zaporizhzhia Refractories Service Centre.

The Metinvest Gold Star is more than a gold badge and a cash award. It is recognition of individuals who transform their enterprises through their work, find solutions where others see only challenges, and demonstrate every day that professionalism is measured not by words, but by actions. For them, their work is more than a profession; it is a lifelong calling.

A Profession That Became a Lifelong Calling

Vitalii was born and raised in Zaporizhzhia. He says that choosing his profession was almost inevitable: in a city where the metallurgical industry shapes its rhythm and character, it is difficult to remain on the sidelines.

“I was born in Zaporizhzhia and have lived here all my life. It is one of the country’s major industrial centres, so after leaving school I decided to dedicate my career to the steel industry. I have never regretted that decision,” he says.

Vitalii began his professional career in 2016 as a maintenance fitter in Zaporizhstal’s Metallurgical Furnaces Repair Shop. Just six months later, he was promoted to Mechanical Equipment Repair Supervisor. In 2018, following the establishment of the Service Centre within Zaporizhzhia Refractories, he was appointed Head of the Equipment Repair and Maintenance Section.

Year by year, his experience and professional knowledge continued to expand, accompanied by an increasing level of responsibility.

“At first, you are responsible for your own work. Then for the equipment. Later, for people, for organising processes, for safety, and for the final outcome. Responsibility is what changes a person the most. It instils discipline, builds character, and drives you to keep improving,” says Vitalii STRILETS.

Keeping Operations Running Behind Every Repair

The stability of production processes depends on the work of Vitalii and his team. They are responsible for ensuring the reliability of equipment that determines whether the open-hearth furnaces can withstand production loads, whether units operate without unplanned shutdowns, and whether the plant is able to meet its production targets.

Over the years, Vitalii became involved in the implementation of dozens of technical projects aimed at improving the Company's operational efficiency. One of the most significant was the project to procure a modern tilting stand valued at more than UAH 28 million. Vitalii played a key role in preparing the technical inquiry specification, taking into account the specific requirements and complexities of carrying out work on Zaporizhstal’s open-hearth furnaces and twin-hearth steelmaking unit.

Together with his team, he carried out major repair projects on the hot-blast stove and blast furnace at Zaporizhstal, the coke oven battery at Zaporizhzhia Coke, and also took part in the restoration of the rotary kiln at the aluminosilicate shop of Zaporizhzhia Refractories.

Under his leadership, a number of technical solutions were implemented that helped reduce water supply and wastewater disposal costs. The team also developed a repair kit for a pneumatic hammer, significantly improving the efficiency of maintenance and repair operations.

The Team Behind Production Success

Despite the complex technical challenges, people have always remained Vitalii’s greatest priority. He places particular emphasis on developing young employees, sharing knowledge and experience, and fostering a working environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow professionally and feel responsible for the collective result.

“A strong leader is not someone who knows how to do everything themselves. A strong leader is someone who can bring together a team of professionals, provide guidance and support, and ensure that every team member feels involved and recognises their contribution to achieving a common goal,” he says.

His colleagues describe Vitalii simply as a person they can always rely on.

“We work side by side. He is an exceptionally reliable colleague and a highly competent, responsible professional. He immerses himself fully in every task, regardless of how challenging it may be. It is people like him who keep our operations running,” says Maksym PYLYPENKO, Head of the Steel Ladle and Trough Repair Section at Zaporizhzhia Refractories’ Service Centre.

Challenges That Forge Character

The full-scale war changed the company's usual rhythm of operations, but it did not change Vitalii's commitment to his work. Under wartime conditions, he led his team in mastering new types of work, helping to preserve employment for the workforce while ensuring the fulfilment of production targets.

At the same time, under his leadership, the team produced wood-burning stoves, brackets for dugouts, rigid tow bars, recovery slings for vehicle evacuation, and other essential items for Ukraine’s defenders.

“When you realise that the work of the enterprise today contributes to the country's resilience, it gives you an entirely different sense of motivation. We are not working solely for production. We are working for victory,” says Vitalii.

Recognition Earned Through Years of Dedication

For Vitalii, the Metinvest Gold Star is, above all, a recognition of the entire team’s contribution.

“For me, this is a great honour. However, I see this award as recognition of the work of the entire team. Every day, we work together to find solutions, support one another, and do everything we can to keep the enterprise operating. That is why this Gold Star belongs to all of us,” he says.

Today, Vitalii Strilets and his team continue to ensure the reliable operation of equipment, the successful delivery of maintenance programmes, and the ongoing development of the Company’s production processes. According to Viktor HRYN, Service Director of Zaporizhzhia Refractories, this award is a well-deserved recognition of Vitalii’s professionalism:

“Receiving an award of this level is a well-deserved recognition of professionalism, responsibility and dedication. Over the years, Vitalii has consistently achieved excellent results, setting an example for others through his hard work and commitment, while making a valuable contribution to the Company's development. We are proud of people like him, as our shared success is built on their perseverance, expertise and initiative.”