KALUGA, Russia — Greif, a provider of industrial packaging products and services, recently welcomed over 200 guests to the official opening of its new steel drum production plant in Vorsino Industrial Park, Kaluga, Russia. The Kaluga facility is situated 80 kilometers southwest of Moscow and becomes the ninth production facility in Russia. Steel drum production will begin immediately with an IBC line to be launched in 2019.

Pete Watson, Chief Executive Officer and President of Greif Inc., emphasized the expertise of the Greif team in Russia and the results achieved during the past 25 years to attendees, which included Iliya Veselov, Minister of Economy for the Kaluga region. 

Also in attendance were Dmitry Orlov, CEO of Gazprom Neft-Bitumen Materials, and Nikita Mikhin, Deputy Director of Obninskorgsintez, who represent long-standing partners advocating Greif’s product quality and customer service. 

The new 6000-square-meter facility will employ a team of 50 and features an automatic steel drum line with an annual capacity of two million units.  Strategically located in the central region of Russia, the plant is within the Moscow transportation hub and in close proximity to several key customers, including Gazprom Neft and Obninskorgsintez.