In celebration of the Metallurgist and Miner’s Day, employees of Zaporizhstal were honoured with awards and bonuses.
The company’s highest award, the Golden Star of Metinvest, was personally presented by Metinvest Group CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov to the most outstanding production workers. Among those, who received the award, was Sergei Sidorenko, a senior foreman of the gas facilities in Zaporizhstal's Blast Furnace Shop.
Serhiy proudly accepted the award, as he continues his family tradition.
"My family has a history in industry: my father, grandfather, and uncle were all miners. I love my profession; metallurgy has always been honourable and important to me. Awards like this motivate me to work harder and achieve better results. I always strive to pass on my knowledge and passion for the profession to the young people who join our team," says Serhiy SYDORЕNKO.
The blast furnace specialist has over 20 years of experience at the enterprise. During this time, Serhiy has mentored more than 20 young gas specialists and even personally helped develop a simulator for their training.
Serhiy not only eagerly shares his invaluable experience with the new generation of blast furnace operators but also actively participates in improving and enhancing production efficiency. The senior foreman was at the origin of developing and implementing a system for visualizing and predicting the operating modes of Zaporizhstal's blast furnace air heaters to reduce blast furnace gas consumption. This has allowed the plant to maintain the highest average hot blast temperature in Ukraine – at 1170 ℃. Every additional 10 ℃ of blast results in coke savings of about 1.2 kg per ton of iron.
"I'm responsible for gas facilities and maintaining the temperature-blast regime. Our plant maintains one of the highest temperatures, which allows us to save on expensive coke, affecting the cost of our products. I guess that's why I'm receiving the Golden Star," says Serhiy Sydorenko, a senior foreman of the Blast Furnace Shop's gas facilities.
Serhiy also participated in developing energy and operational efficiency programs for the shop. The annual economic effect from the implemented measures amounted to $2.3 million.
Colleagues value him for his competence, experience, and personal qualities.
"Serhiy is a highly professional and responsible employee who always works for results. You can always rely on Serhiy in both work matters and team issues. It's a pleasure to work and communicate with such people because you feel their sincerity, reliability, sharp mind, and motivation to do their job excellently. Serhiy is an example of a true metallurgist – resilient, dedicated to work, strong, and kind," noted Oleksandr HOLOBORODKO, a deputy head of Zaporizhstal's Blast Furnace Shop for production.
Serhiy has also been actively helping Ukrainians since the first day of the full-scale invasion. From February 2022, he volunteered at Zaporizhstal's humanitarian aid headquarters, which aided those affected by Russian aggression. He was also involved in constructing defensive structures to protect Zaporizhzhia.
The Zaporizhstal employee actively participates in organizing humanitarian aid for displaced persons and donates his own money to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and animal shelters.
As a reminder, the Metinvest Golden Star is awarded to the company's best workers on Metallurgist and Miner's Day. Over the past 10 years, 277 employees from Ukrainian and foreign enterprises of the Group, as well as the management company, have received this prestigious gold award and a substantial bonus.
