History
Background
In the late 1924 a shop for assembling, tuning and repair of the foreign X-ray equipment was set up in Petrograd. In 1927 N. Benois mechanical plant, which was later called Bourevestnik, started manufacturing the X-ray equipment. In 1928 the plant produced the first X-ray medical apparatus manufactured in Russia. Simultaneously the regular manufacture of X-ray tubes was approved at Svetlana plant.
Like pioneers of many new industries arising in late 20s – early 30s in the country, Bourevestnik employees were creating a new and quite a sophisticated manufacturing industry from nothing. The first X-ray apparatus was assembled from Russian parts on the basis of sketch drawings. Layout of assemblies and parts were changed on the way.
As far as appearance of the first Russian X-ray apparatus is concerned, it didn’t delight the eye either with its elegant outline or aesthetic structure design. But still it was operable. The apparatus was handed over to Leningrad Extension Course Institute for Medical Practitioners..
Since 1929 production of X-ray equipment has been included into the plant's manufacturing programme.
The rate of production capacity increase can be judged by the fact that in 1930 the plant produced as few as 36 X-ray apparatuses but in 1932 – as much as 588. Bourevestnik supplied medical institutions with 930 medical apparatuses and mastered the production of the complete equipment set of X-ray departments.
Along with increased production output of fixed diagnostic X-ray apparatuses – the plant’s main product – the plant program covered mastering and production of totally new items for Bourevestnik. In particular, batch production of mobile X-ray apparatuses that could be used in wards for X-ray examination of patients was planned.
Due to its production achievements, development of new apparatuses, the Bourevestnik staff was awarded with the red challenge banner of People's Commissar and Trade Union Central Committee.
By 1941 the plant had extended to a certain degree. The blank preparation shop with the approximate area of 500 m2 had been constructed, the welding area has been expanded, the blacksmiths shop and gas welding bay had been modified. But the plans were amended by the war.
About half of all the Bourevestnik's workers and engineers were mobilized to the army in the first days of the war. Production of X-ray apparatuses was instantly re-arranged into manufacture of artillery shells while production of the X-ray equipment and rectifier unit was suspended.
After the blockade has been broken, the soonest and complete recovery of production capacities was the current task. By the order of the people's commissariat Bourevestnik resumed manufacturing the X-ray equipment. The demand thereof was huge.
In 1945 the plant’s output reached almost the half of the one before the war, while even a year before it hardly equalled a quarter thereof.
1948 saw the trend of diverging from the beaten production track. In addition to the X-ray medical equipment, the plant shops were manufacturing large quantities of items for industrial needs on the basis of the ferro-resonance voltage stabilizers the plant had developed before. Generating sets for electric filters was being mastered. The milestone of the plant history was initiation of production of X-ray units for structural analysis of materials. These units found the enormous demand at once, equipping X-ray physical laboratories of numerous research institutes and industrial enterprises.
In 1953 the Bourevestnik staff faced a challenge to replace all the products manufactured with new ones upgraded and meeting the engineering level of leading world manufacturers. Shortly before that quite a smart unit for structural analysis of materials – URS-50I was first created in the plant. Soon it found wide application in the industry as the inspection means of forgings, weldings, castings in the industry.
Larger amounts of X-ray units and industrial instruments were appearing in the plant range. The challenges Bourevestnik was facing required significant extension of the product line, increase of the equipment produced by the plant. Fundamental reconstruction of the plant appeared to be urgent.
History
The research and production enterprise Bourevestnik dates back to 1959 when the decree of the Council of National Economy of Leningrad economic administrative region (decree No. 2 dated January 3, 1959) obligated establishing a special design bureau with an experimental laboratory and production facilities in the Bourevestnik territory for X-ray equipment development.
On the 7th of May, 1959 the first director of the X-ray equipment special design bureau set to work, and this the plant’s birth day. The state government set a goal – to create a powerful scientific and production complex to produce up-to-date X-ray instruments. The best USSR scientists majoring in X-ray instrument making were involved into operation of the X-ray equipment special design bureau. Thus, the task of producing instruments to support progress in key fields of science and industrial production was solved.
As early as in the 60s the batch production of almost all main X-ray instruments was commenced.
The period from 1960 to 1965 X-ray diffractometers DRON, multi-channel X-ray spectrometers, X-ray microscopes started to be produced, the first X-ray pulse apparatus IRA was developed.
In 1965 the first Russian multi-channel X-ray spectrometer FRK-1 was mounted at Balakleya cement plant.
In 1966 the plant products was first recognized internationally and awarded with a golden medal at the Leipzig international fair.
In 1966 the long-term strategic cooperation with Yakutalmaz group started, which assignee is the today’s owner and partner of Bourevestnik, Inc. - OJSC ALROSA Co. A year later, in 1967, the first world’s industrial model of the X-ray fluorescence separator for diamond ore enrichment was created. Two years more later, in 1969, the first industrial batch comprising six separators LS-20 was produced.
The 60s and early 70s saw the further development of the plant. In 1969 X-ray miscroscopes MIR-1 and MIR-2 were developed, in 1971 cement analysis quantometer KRF-1B was produced, in 1972 crystal-free analyzer BARS-1 and computer controlled quantometer KRF-17 In the same year of 1972 production of type LS-20 separators was terminated, with altogether 21 units of that kind manufactured.
The plant's products got to be known abroad; in 1967 the specialists of the X-ray equipment special design bureau took active part in Montreal world fair “Expo-67”.
The plant was expanding its production capacity on and on, and in 1969 it included Odessa plant "Krasny Oktyabr".
High growth rates were maintained in the 70s-80s.
The separator sector development was intense. By 1976 the system of separators LS-50А, LS-20М, LS-D-20, LS-4, LS-ОD-8, LS-ОD-2 that enabled the successive ore treatment and enhanced the diamond recovery efficiency was developed and mastered. In 1973 automatic diffractometers were created by the order of Kurchatov Nuclear Energy Institute.
The year of 1974 became a turning point because following the order No. 205 dated 08.07.1974 by the Minister of Instrumentation, Automation and Control Systems Making, the research and production association Bourevestnik was established and included the X-ray equipment special design bureau, Bourevestnik plant, Krashy Oktyabr plant of Odessa and Nauchpribor plant of Oryol.
The same year the construction of a new engineer and laboratory block of the enterprise was finished.
Starting from the mid-70s Bourevestnik Inc. has been actively coming to the international market. Export of “DRON” apparatuses started.
The enterprise was among those few who gained the right for independent foreign trade activity in 1967.
In 1974-75 the research and production complex “Impuls” was created within the association.
In 1977 the employee of Leningrad research and production association Bourevestnik Dmitry GOGANOV (together with employees of Physics Institute of Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Spectrography Institute of Physics Institute of Academy of Sciences of the USSR) was awarded with the USSR State Prize for the work “Solar X-ray radiation”.
In 1978 the All-Union Research and Design Institute of Scientific Instrument Making VNIINAUCHPRIBOR joined the Leningrad Research and Development Association "Bourevestnik” and brought some new trends in development of analytical instruments and systems, in particular, those intended for use in electrochemical and thermal methods for examination of concentration characteristics in various environments.
Further on numerous versions of voltammetric analyzers, osmometer cryoscopes widely used in ecology, medicine, pharmacy and milk industry and others were developed and mastered.
The Association became a base institution for the Ministry of Standardization, Metrology and State Tests, Reliability and Patent and Invention Work.
In 1978 the State Prize of the USSR was granted to employees of Leningrad Research and Development Association "Bourevestnik” Nikolay KOMYAK, Valery KURBATOV, Evgeny PELIKS, (together with employees of Institute of Experimental Physics of Arzamas, "Svetlana" association of Leningrad, Heavy-Current Electronics Institute of Academy of Sciences of the USSR (Tomsk)) for "Creating a cycle of fundamental researches of explosive emission and field-emission processes initiating thereof, development of a brand new class of X-ray instruments on this basis, organization of their batch production and efficient use in national economy".
In 1980 the Leningrad Research and Production Association "Lenteplopribor" and plant "Lenemalier" joined Leningrad Research and Production Association “Bourevestnik”. Construction of two more new buildings of the Association was finished that year.
By the early 80s Bourevestnik had produced over 400 first-generation separators and introduced to Yakualmaz concentration plants.
In 1981 Bourevestnik developed a series of apparatuses for biological and biotechnological researches. The interindustry center for research of structural materials and coatings was established on the enterprise’s instrumentation base.
From 1980 to 1987 the enterprise took part in the most complicated complex of activities aimed at development, manufacture and introduction of the filling unit control systems for "ENERGY-BURAN" project.
Many employees of the enterprise were working on the BAIKONUR launching site in Kazakhstan for many months at that time. .
In 1986 the State Prize of the USSR was granted to the employees of Leningrad Research and Production Association “Bourevestnik” Aleksander BARANOV, Anatoly MEZHEVICH, Anatoly LEVITIN (together with a number of employees from other enterprises) for "Creating and introduction of the method for enrichment of Yakutia diamond ores and beds on the basis of X-ray fluorescence separation methods"..
In 1990 a joint Russian-German venture for pulse X-ray equipment production was established. .
In 1989 the State Prize of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic was granted to the Leningrad Research and Production Association “Bourevestnik” Igor BRYTOV (together with a number of employees from other enterprises) for “Development of theory of methods and instruments for chemical bond X-ray spectrum analysis”..
From 1992 to 1996 the Leningrad Research and Production Association “Bourevestnik” was converted into State Research and Production Enterprise, then into Open Joint Stock Company “Research and Production Enterprise Bourevestnik”. .
In 1997 construction of the enrichment plant of the Ore Mining Society “Katoka” (Angola) – the first foreign diamond enrichment plant on the basis of Bourevestnik Inc. X-ray fluorescence separators – was finished.
In February of 1999 the thousandth X-ray fluorescence separator (LS-20-05М, ser. No.09) was produced.
In the same year the production of the next model of X-ray diffractometer DRON-6 was commenced.
Modern History
Since 2000 the enterprise was regularly awarded with prizes for superior quality of the products manufactured. Thus, in 2000, 2006 the Quality Prize of the Saint Petersburg Government was granted; in 2000-2007 winner diplomas of the All-Russian Contest “100 best products of Russia” were granted. In 2001 the enterprise was awarded with a badge of honour “Public recognition” for contribution to the high reputation of the Russian entrepreneurship. From 2003 to 2007 the enterprise gained winner diplomas of the goods and services contest “Made in Saint Petersburg”. In 2007 the enterprise won the Prize "Quality Leader".
In 2001 the work aimed at creation and batch production of the fourth-generation X-ray fluorescence separators LS-20-05N, LS-20-05-2N, LS-20-06, LS-20-04-3N, LS-ОD-50-03N, LS-D-4-03N, LS-D-4-04N, LS-ОD-4-04N began.
In 2002 the enterprise’s quality management system was certified according to international standards ISO 9001-1996, and in 2003 – according to ISO 9001-2000.
In 2003 the plant No. 16 of Nyurbinsk Mining and Enrichment Complex of GC "ALROSА" using X-ray fluorescence separators, which engineering and process equipment is the most modern, was launched.
In 2003 the production of analyzer ASE-1 enabling on-line monitoring of sulphur content in oil products was mastered.
In the same year the enterprise’s quality management system was certified according to GOST R ISO 9001-2001 (ISO 9001:2000).
In 2004 the production of X-ray diffractometer DRON-7 was mastered.
Since 2005 Bourevestnik, Inc. has been an affiliate company of ALROSA Co. Ltd; currently over 90% of Bourevestnik shares are held by the Company.
In 2005 the production of X-ray fluorescence analyzer BRA-18 was mastered.
In 2005 the complete cycle of the works was finished, including process and operating tests at the consumer’s site of new separators LS-20-06 and LS-D-4-03P.
In 2005 in the Republic of Angola the second-stage construction of Ore Mining Society “Katoka” enrichment plant and Ore Mining Society “Kamachiya-Kamazhiku” pilot plant equipped with Bourevestnik X-ray fluorescence separators was finished.
In the same year the pilot plant equipped with Bourevestnik X-ray fluorescence separators was launched at the first European diamond deposit Lomonosovskoye of OJSC "Severalmaz" of the Arkhangelsk Region.
In January of 2006 the 1300th X-ray separator (LS-ОD-50-03N, ser. No. 18) was produced.
In 2006 the enterprise’s quality management system was certified for compliance with national and international standards ISO 9001 - 2000, the environmental management system – for compliance with standards ISO 14001:2004, the occupational safety and health management system – for compliance with standards OHSAS 18001:1999. Thus, Bourevestnik was the first in Saint Petersburg to have three management system certificates simultaneously.
In 2006 Bourevestnik, Inc. produced the wave-dispersive XRF sulphur analyzer ASV-1.
In 2007 the complete cycle of the works, including process and operating tests, to create a separator with a higher sensitivity and selectiveness for final retreatment of diamond-bearing raw – LS-OD-6.
In 2007 the production of a device for sulphur analyzing in oil products ASE-2 was mastered.
In 2008 the 1400th X-ray fluorescence separator was produced. About 500 separators by Bourevestnik, Inc, are operated at various diamond-mining facilities in Russia and abroad (Angola).
In 2008 the Board of Directors accepted the Enterprise Development Concept up to 2015.
In 2008 a portable fluorescence separator for geological survey purposes, sorting of diamond-bearing materials in field conditions was produced.
In 2008 the Enterprise Development Concept with the seven-year planning horizon was accepted. The concept is corrected each year, and at present it covers the period up to 2021.
In 2009 Bourevestnik celebrated its 50-year anniversary. The theoretical and practical seminar “Use of X rays in science and engineering” was held as part of anniversary celebration program. The seminar took place on the 6th of May 2009 in the conference room of Saint Petersburg State Mining Institute. A gala night devoted to the enterprise's anniversary was held in Riding Hall of the Cadet Corps. Heads of ALROSA Co. Ltd representatives of Saint Petersburg city and district authorities congratulated Bourevestnik on the anniversary.
In 2009 Bourevestnik, Inc. started producing a new special-purpose wave-dispersive XRF analyzer ARF-7 for analysis of transuranic elements in mine rocks, which is a successor of instruments ARF-4M and ARF-6..
At the exhibition “SIMEXPO—Scientific Instrument Making-2009" held in Moscow Bourevestnik, Inc. won the contest "Scientific apparatus of the year – 2009” in the category "For development and creation of the competitive equipment".
The enterprise won the award for bringing the wave-dispersive XRF sulphur analyzer ASV-1 to the Russian market. This instrument is intended for analyzing the sulphur content in oil and its conversion products (oil fuels, gasolines, diesel fuels) and has a number of unique characteristics.
In late 2010 a prototype model of diamond ore aftertreatment separator LS-OD-5 was tested successfully at the enrichment plant No. 3 of Mirninsk Mining and Enrichment Complex owned by Alrosa Co. Ltd.
Based on the test results separator LS-OD-5 was recommended for batch production and will be added to a range of Bourevestnik, Inc. separator equipment, consisting of 13 models of various purpose.
In January of 2011 Bourevestnik, Inc. Gained an instrument type approval certificate for OES instruments EMIS.
In 2010-2011 the enterprise proceeded to vigorous expansion to new market channels in South Africa. Thus, in spring of 2011, Bourevestnik separators were tested in the Maloti Mountains of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the South Africa (the deposit owner is Letšeng Diamonds). Tests performed by Letšeng together with Bourevestnik were aimed at estimation for Bourevestnik method applicability for future inclusion of separators into the enrichment plant project.
The separator proved to be very successful and is no doubt to compete with the existing method. In addition, it has certain advantages in terms of operating costs, low water and energy consumption level. The separator reliability is obvious because not a single emergency shutdown or failure occurred during the test.
During operation on tailings after aftertreatment the large amount of diamonds was extracted, thus enhancing confidence to the method.
In June of 2011 the working visit of the ALROSA President Fyodor Andreev took place, which was a significant event for Bourevestnik, Inc.
Fyodor Andreev inspected the enterprise territory, its equipment and structure and production arrangement. The President laid a high emphasis on research works performed by the enterprise, inspected sample products manufactured by Bourevestnik, Inc. and singled out the up-to-date workmanship.
Materials concerning the current state and development prospects of the enterprise were shown to the ALROSA President and were approved.
In late 2011 and early 2012 the first users of the Bourevestnik’s brand new development – diffractometers DRON-8 – were determined.
DRON-8 is the first Russian multi-function diffractometer with a vertical variable-radius theta-theta goniometer.
Horizontal position of the sample, wide angular range, high performance of the device and flexible configuration allow for the X-ray diffraction analysis of the phase composition, structural condition and orientation of numerous objects.
Independent control of goniometer drives and flexible software allow synchronizing the device operation in various modes to implement most known methods of X-ray diffraction measurements.
On the 21st of March, 2012, the seating of the Supervisory Board of the Special Economic Zone under the chairmanship of Saint Petersburg Vice-Governor S. Yu. Vyazalov reviewed the business plan for construction of the research and production complex for development and production of the equipment for diamond ore and raw materials enrichment, analytical equipment and systems of "IC Bourevestnik".
On the 4th of October, basing on the concluded agreement on equipment-commissioning activity, LLC "IC Bourevestnik" was assigned a status of a resident of a Special Economic Zone "Novoorlovskaya".
Continuing its policy of products promotion in South Africa markets, in September of 2013 Bourevestnik Inc. took part in the largest international mining exhibition Electra Mining 2013 (Gaborone, Republic of Botswana).
According to their capabilities of expanding the presence at the international market of the diamond mining equipment, Bourevestnik Inc. lays high emphasis on legal protection of export products. In 2013, for the first time ever in their history, the enterprise received four patents of a foreign state. The patents were received on Australian and Japanese national applications and concern original methods of diamond fluorescence recording and enrichment methods based thereon.
In May of 2014 the 55th anniversary of the enterprise celebration was celebrated. The celebration was attended by numerous guests and employees of Bourevestnik, Inc. The Research and Practice Conference dedicated to the anniversary date was held successfully.