Welcome to Lipetsk, Russia, the home of our brand new PPG site!
Construction of the plant began in 2014, within Lipetsk’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ), an area created by the Russian government to encourage foreign investment.
June 16th marked the opening of the €45 million paint plant providing in total about 200 positions. The plant will produce about 25 million litres (6.6 million gallons) of coatings at full capacity, producing automotive, packaging, industrial and protective & marine coatings.
Our raw-material suppliers and a large number of our customer sites can be found to the south of Moscow, making Lipetsk – 438 kilometres south-east of the Russian capital – an ideal location.
Overseen by Peter the Great
As well as being a key part of our Russian strategy, Lipetsk is also an important city in its own right.
Varvara Podlesskikh, a HR Generalist who visits Lipetsk regularly, had this to say about the city:
As administrative centre of the surrounding Lipetsk oblast (“state” or “province”), the 500,000-strong city is effectively a regional capital, with lots to offer locals and visitors.
Named after the linden tree, which is also the symbol of the city, Lipetsk straddles the Voronezh river.
People have lived in the Lipetsk area at least as far back as 1283, when historical records describe a fortified Slavic settlement. The city’s industrial heritage stretches back to the beginning of the 18th century, when Peter the Great ordered the construction of a cast iron factory in the area, to supply Russia’s army and navy for their military campaigns.
As a result of this connection, the city’s most eye-catching landmark is a mighty sculpture of the legendary tsar, standing atop a winged column and surrounded by fountains.
Tradition and tranquillity
Other local attractions include the Lipetsk Museum of Folk and Arts and Crafts, the Nizhniy park and the Galichya Gora nature reserve.
For a glimpse into the city’s past, there’s no better place than the Museum of Folk and Arts and Crafts. This large collection of traditional costumes, handicrafts and other objects provides a unique insight into peasant life in the Lipetsk area in years gone by.
The Nizhniy (“Lower”) park is one of two large green spaces in the city and proves that there’s more to Lipetsk than just industry. Nizhniy’s star attraction is a mineral spring opened by Peter the Great, and there’s also a health spa specialising in clay therapy.
Around 50 kilometres west of Lipetsk, Galichya Gora is one of Russia’s oldest and most cherished nature reserves. Its six sections cover an area of 231 hectares and contain 974 different plants, 838 kinds of mushroom, nearly 10,000 kinds of invertebrate, and 296 kinds of vertebrate. Along with wild boar, elk and golden eagles, Galichya Gora is also home to a wide variety of endangered species. There’s also a sanctuary for birds of prey where it’s possible to try your hand at falconry.
Leisure time in Lipetsk
As a fan of live theatre, Varvara’s favourite Lipetsk buildings include two playhouses: the modern Lipetsk Academic Drama Theatre of L.N. Tolstoy building, which sits atop a hill approached by a mighty set of steps, and the Lipetsk Puppet Theatre, a more traditional structure featuring classical-style columns.
When it comes to food, Lipetsk offers excellent traditional Russian cuisine, plus something slightly more unusual: top-class marbled beef, from locally reared Angus bull-calves.
Varvara’s tips: Where to eat and drink in Lipetsk
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Berendey: My favourite, because of its excellent Russian cuisine and high standards of service
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Pub Dublin: A friendly Irish-style bar, with good food and frequent live music
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First Coffee: Good European cuisine plus its own brand of coffee
If you’re searching for a souvenir of Lipetsk, good examples of Russia’s iconic “khokhloma” technique – wooden tableware, hand-painted in black, red and gold – are widely available. Other options include local lace and clay toys.