SKAT Industrial Equipment Plant: a Path from Volgograd to International Projects

Volgograd-based SKAT Industrial Equipment Plant is a major player in the production of high-voltage testing and measuring equipment. The company has grown from a small startup to a modern center integrating research and development, serial production, and international distribution. Today, SKAT products are used in the energy, industrial, and transportation sectors in dozens of countries worldwide.

The company's history began in 2006 in Volgograd. In 2007, the first proprietary measuring instrument, SKAT-70, was developed and registered in the State Register of Measuring Instruments. This marked the beginning of the company's development. In 2020, a new production facility was opened in Volgograd and its machine tool fleet was expanded with CNC equipment. In 2021-2022, the company rebranded, registered a trademark, and received international CE certification, opening access to European markets. A key step in implementing company's import substitution strategy and increasing export potential was the commissioning of a new 700-square-meter production facility in February 2023.

Today, SKAT manufactures equipment and develops solutions that guarantee safety, reliability, and accuracy in critical industries. The entire product development cycle, from R&D aimed at creating innovative solutions to multi-stage quality control, is carried out at production facility in Volgograd. Each device undergoes rigorous metrological verification in an accredited laboratory and is included in the State Registers of Measuring Instruments of various countries, ensuring legally binding measurements. The company offers comprehensive solutions for equipping laboratories and performing diagnostics at facilities in the energy, metallurgy, transportation, and aerospace industries, including training, warranty, and post-warranty service through service centers in Volgograd and Minsk. It is also engaged in custom development and import substitution, creating Russian equivalents of foreign equipment.

SKAT's export journey began in 2009 with a pilot equipment delivery to the METSO, Finland. By 2015, dealerships had opened in Belarus and Kazakhstan, and obtaining CE certification in 2021-2022 with the support of Volgograd Region Export Support Center was a major step toward entering EU markets. Today, the company supplies its products through a dealer network and directly to the EAEU countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan), Bulgaria, Vietnam, and India. This strategy aligns with the Volgograd Region and Southern Federal District's commitment to develop high-tech, non-resource export.

Active collaboration with Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) and Volgograd Region Export Support Center has become an effective development tool for SKAT. Before seeking support, the company faced a lack of information about regulatory requirements in new markets, difficulties finding reliable partners, and issues with customs clearance and logistics. Thanks to ESC, the company obtained CE certification and participated in international business missions and exhibitions, such as ENERGY EXPO 2023 in Minsk and Powerexpo. Almaty 2024. Since 2022, it has been using My Export platform, including searching for foreign partners, consulting on certification, and participating in exhibitions.

"SKAT products are distinguished by engineering approach and technologies in demand in the energy, metallurgy, metrology, and research industries. The company strives for innovation, developing unique solutions: the SKAT-TANGENS-M tester is unparalleled, and the KVC kilovoltmeters are patented and recognized by operating organizations. SKAT products offer an alternative to foreign counterparts, often surpassing them in functionality and adaptability to operating conditions. Devices operate in a variety of climatic conditions: from Siberian frosts to the high humidity of the tropics. The quality of SKAT products is ensured by technological discipline and a multi-stage quality control system at every stage of production. The company provides an 18-month warranty, which exceeds the standard offers of many manufacturers," Alexey Zemlyannikov, Deputy Director, SKAT Industrial Equipment Plant.

To strengthen its international image and increase the trust, SKAT uses the Made in Russia national brand. The Made in Russia mark on SKAT devices confirms the Russian origin, quality, and reliability of the products.

To receive a free Made in Russia certificate, a company does not need to undergo additional checks by Russian Export Center. The certificate is awarded based on five key criteria: quality, reliability, uniqueness, eco-friendliness, and organic origin. For more information about the Made in Russia program and the certification requirements please visit the REC website.

A delivery to Guinea in 2019 exemplifies the versatility and reliability of these technologies. A major diamond mining company ordered a SKAT-70M device for use in equatorial climates. In addition to complex logistics and obtaining special permits, equipment required localization. SKAT specialists created a device version for tropical climate, coated the circuit boards with a moisture-repellent varnish and reinforced the housing with moisture-absorbing seals (silica gel in nylon package). The device arrived in perfect condition, was commissioned, and demonstrated stable operation. This contract marked the first successful delivery to Africa, confirming equipment's adaptability to challenging conditions.

The Republic of Belarus is a leading sales market for SKAT products, serving as a strategic export hub. Since 2012, a robust infrastructure has been built here, including a well-developed dealer network and a service center in Minsk. All products are officially listed in the State Register of Measuring Instruments of the Republic of Belarus. The high concentration of companies in key industries—energy, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and transportation—promotes stable demand for devices.

Thanks to support, SKAT has demonstrated significant results. Exports have increased by 40% over the past two years, the company has entered three new markets (Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, and India), and the time to enter new markets has been reduced by an average of 30%. This demonstrates the effectiveness of regional support for export development.

"Our goal is to strengthen SKAT brand and establish the company as a reliable supplier of innovative high-voltage testing equipment in the global market. We view export not only as a sales opportunity but also as a platform for exchanging experience and strengthening our technological sovereignty. State support from Russian Export Center and Volgograd Region Export Support Center has played a significant role in overcoming export barriers. We see significant potential in the CIS and Balkan countries and plan to actively pursue it," Alexey Zemlyannikov.

SKAT Industrial Equipment Plant plans further expansion. Near-term plans include entering the markets of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Serbia. In October, two SKAT-70M high-voltage test equipment will be delivered to El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Egypt. SKAT products have been selected to ensure the safety and reliability of the plant's high-voltage systems.