History

The Velikiye Luky Machine Building Plant Velmash was founded in 1944 as a Foundry Mechanical one and was specialized in equipment for agriculture, different kinds of metal structures and metalware necessary for postwar reconstruction of town and region economy up to 1954.

In 1954 the control over the plant was transferred to the Ministry of fuel industry of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and obtained its new name – The Velikiye Luky Machine-Building Plant Torfmash. At this time the first large-scale technical retooling and the beginning of production of many machines equipment for extraction, transportation and processing of peat took place. Such equipment had compound components of hydro system, kinematical diagrams and mechanisms. Always keeping in touch with consumers of its production, and, therefore, upgrading the structure and manufacturing of its products, the plant obtained certain results. Its ditch cleaning machine KPSH-2 was awarded a Diploma of All-Union Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy and became the first to be exported.

All in all, the equipment for peat industry, manufactured by “Torfmash” was exhibited at All-Union Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy for 11 times. Many items of serial production were honorably awarded diplomas and medals of the exhibition and were supplied to such countries as Czechoslovakia, Poland, German Democratic Republic, Finland, and Canada, where they proved themselves to be ideal machines for their application.

At the end of 1965 the enterprise passed to the control of the Ministry of Machine Building for Road Construction.

In 1967 the most considerable reconstruction of all the previous began. The opportunity to start manufacture of equipment for forest industry appeared. The first step, taken in this direction was batch-produced felling and bunching machine LP-2 (ЛП-2) “Woodpecker” («Dyatel»), presented at the international exhibition “Lesdrevmash-73” for the first time. This machine radically changed logging technology, ensured necessary experience for creation a new generation of such equipment and became the first batch-produced felling and bunching machine in USSR. Almost at the same time the serial production of the jaw timber loader PL-1G (ПЛ-1Г) on the base of the tractor TDT-55 began. The modernized version of this loader – PL-1V (ПЛ-1В) has been produced up to the present day and has the reputation of reliable and high quality machine, constantly finding a great number of purchasers. All in all, loggers got more than seven thousands loaders. At the end of 1980-s a new, advanced, environment friendly technology – timber assortment (Scandinavian) one - more actively penetrated with logging process. It required radically new machines and devices.

In 1993 the machine building plant Torfmash was reorganized into the joint-stock company Velmash. Keeping up with the times and working in close contact with loggers, the plant started manufacturing hydraulic manipulators, began working at feller-delimber-buncher (harvester), short logger (forwarder), which could be competitive with Finnish and Swedish analogues. Nowadays we batch hydraulic manipulator OMTL-70 and its modifications, timber carrying equipment for different marks of automobiles and other products which enable timber cutting mechanization. We are also studying the possibility to use hydraulic manipulators in other branches of national economy. These researches have resulted in the development of automobile evacuator, hydraulic manipulator mounted on the railway platform, combined multipurpose railroad machine.

At present our enterprise has been taking leading positions at the market of forestry equipment. The plant is equipped with all modern facilities, which make it possible to manufacture complicated parts and assemblies of large dimensions and fine precision. There are also several test stands which enable to check up hydraulic drive elements of both - output products and end products as well.

We have a constantly extending net of dealers and service centers, which make it possible to solve the problems with maintenance and repair of our equipment in the shortest period. We have succeeded in setting reliable partnership with hundreds timber industrial enterprises and aimed at enhancing our reputation and seeking out the best methods for meeting the demands of our clients.