Metinvest Eurasia, the wholesale and retail sales channel of Ukrainian integrated mining and steel company Metinvest Group in the Russian Federation, has expanded its distribution network by opening a metal center and sales office in Saratov, one of the largest industrial cities in Volga Federal District.
At present, Metinvest Eurasia's distribution network in Russia includes 24 warehouses in Central, Southern, and Northern Caucasus and, from now, in Volga Federal District. Integration of MMK Illicha products has expanded the range of flat rolled product to be sold (heavy plates as well as hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized coils and plates) in Russia and offered new sales development opportunities. The share of plates in Metinvest Eurasia's sales structure rose from 27 percent in the first half of 2010 up to 45 percent in the first half of 2011.
The product mix at Saratov warehouse includes rebars, wire rod, beams, channels, angles, heavy plates, hot rolled sheets, cold rolled sheets, galvanized plates and coils produced by Azovstal (Mariupol), Yenakievo Steel Works and MMK Illicha, as well as by other steel mills in Ukraine and CIS countries. During the first three months, the level of warehouse inventories will be maintained at 3-4,000 mt with a subsequent increase up to 6-7,000 mt. The products in stock will be sold to consumers in the Saratov and Penza regions.