OREANDA-NEWS. August 10, 2011. Metinvest Eurasia, the wholesale and retail sales channel of Metinvest Group in Russian Federation, has expanded its distribution network by opening metal center and sales office in Saratov, one of the largest industrial cities in Volga Federal District.

Presently, Metinvest Eurasia’s distribution network in Russia includes 24 warehouses in Central, Southern, Northern Caucasus, Northwestern and, from now in Volga Federal Districts. Integration of MMKI products i 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 grew from 27% in the first half of 2010 up to 45% in the first half of 2011.

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, MMKI as well as other steel mills in Ukraine and CIS countries. During first three months the level of warehouse inventories will be maintained at 3-4 Kt with subsequent increase up to 6-7 Kt. The products in stock will be sold to consumers in Saratov and Penza regions.

"Metinvest’s strategy in Russia is a maximum proximity to end user. Opening warehouse and sales office in Saratov is an important step towards our goal. We will keep on exploring possibilities of developing our distribution network in Russia both, at the expense of strengthening our positions in existing regions and opening warehouses and sales offices in new regions", noted Roman Rybalov, CEO of LLC Metinvest Eurasia.