This year, a specialist from Zaporizhstal received the company’s highest award, the Metinvest Gold Star.
Sixteen years ago, Artem Kalinevych joined the hot rolling shop at the Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works, marking the beginning of a career filled with experience. As a young rolling specialist who had just graduated from a metallurgical college, he started working as a hot metal marker.
Senior colleagues recall that Artem stood out among newcomers for his constant desire to learn and improve.
"I have been working with Artem for years, and I have seen him develop and grow. He is literally a "self-made man". During every free shift, he came to learn; he wanted to understand how everything works, why things are done a certain way, and how they could be done better. Very quickly, he began to be entrusted with more complex tasks and received development in different directions," said Semen SVYRYDOV, Head of the Hot Rolling Shop at Zaporizhstal.
After his shifts, Artem would hurry to other areas, carefully observing experienced rolling operators at various control posts – from cutting lines to the 1680 sheet rolling mill – communicating with colleagues and immersing himself in the specifics of every production process.
"I have always tried to get the most out of my work. I quickly mastered my profession and then went to other areas to continue learning. I also constantly took part in professional skill competitions," says Artem KALINEVYCH.
Thanks to his perseverance, within eight years Artem advanced to the position of mill foreman and later became senior foreman of the mill and heating furnaces. Due to his initiative, the shop implemented more than fifty technical solutions aimed at boosting the efficiency of work, reducing production losses, and improving workplace safety and conditions.
In particular, with his involvement, projects were implemented to reduce crops by optimising the coiling process for commercial hot-rolled coils. This helped save around 600 tonnes of metal per month, equivalent to more than USD 1.1 million per year.
Furthermore, he took part in improving established rolling processes and in developing new steel grades.
"Today, Artem knows the rolling mill like the back of his hand. He is knowledgeable not only about technical aspects but also about the administration and management of production processes. I am confident that many new experiences and professional achievements still lie ahead for him. And I sincerely wish him not to stop on this path," said Semen Svyrydov.
Alongside his invaluable experience and knowledge gained over the years at the plant, Artem Kalinevych has also earned deep respect from the team. Both newcomers and older colleagues value his advice. He has become a mentor to 18 young employees.
His volunteer work is also worth noting. From the first days of the full-scale war, Artem has been supporting the military, helping families of colleagues affected by shelling, and organising collections of aid for displaced people.
Artem has always been active outside of work as well. He has taken part in the plant's sports competitions and has supported students as a thesis supervisor. He has repeatedly been recognised with honorary awards. This year, he received the highest award – the Metinvest Gold Star.
"Of course, the news that I would receive the Gold Star this year was unexpected. I was even a bit overwhelmed when I first heard it. But then came the realisation: yes, I really have done quite a lot. I have always tried to work honestly and with full dedication. It is gratifying that this has been recognised with such a high award. This reassures me that I am in the right place, that my work matters. And it’s definitely an incentive to keep moving forward. I am grateful to my colleagues, my supervisors, to our entire team – nothing would have been possible without them. And, of course, I am grateful to my family. They are always by my side, supporting me, believing in me. And I know they are proud of me," says Artem Kalinevych.
