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About Us / The history of company
In the Beginning…
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In 1991, in Mykolayiv, the lovely town of shipbuilders, a small business enterprise VELAM was born. In those days it was an undistinguished small firm on the bank of the Ingul river which manufactured cotton batting, comforters, counterpanes and cotton mattresses..
Rented premises, totally unaccomodated for any kind of production activity, caused lots of problems for the owners. Every rain brought the flood, while every sunny day encouraged all the river reptiles to creep up the bank shocking the female workers. You could frequently see the general director of VELAM, a bucket of paint in hand, fixing the walls of the building so that his small but really tight-knit group of workers could enjoy a friendlier and more comfortable atmosphere.
An ardent desire to create a production firm with their own hands supported Mikhail Gavrilovich and Miroslava Viktorovna in hard minutes. And the working group’s motto “To Be One Idea Ahead!” nudged them to produce better and more high-quality goods, moving on and on, come what may.
Time passed. The hardest and most complex stages were left behind…
Outside perspective: Surely all the business holders know well what it means to start a business from scratch. Good enough if it’s based on a sound early stage equity and in new premises – that’s half work done as soon as you’ve got the will.
And still all the upper mentioned facts fail to show the flip side of the coin.
During the Perestroika era a businessmen could hardly be called a persona grata. Local authorities provided small support. And when in 1994 an explosion stopped the production process and the newly repaired buildings literally crashed down, for the owners it really made the time stop. It seemed that nothing and nobody can ever help… All the production facilities and most manufacture were buried under a thick layer of ashes.
It took an extraordinary concentration of will and stamina of all the members of the working group to restore production. Over 3 weeks the workers of the mattresses and furnishing department had to work in half-ruined premises. A sufficient part of the revolving funds was used for buying construction materials. An appeal to the local administration to grant a 1 month tax payment delay was ignored. And still, the production rate didn’t fall and none of the commitments to the partners was broken.
By the New Year of 1995 all the reconstruction was successfully fulfilled. The production rates were increasing, and the working group grew more and more tight-knit and team-oriented; all worked in accord and unanimity.
In 1996 the firm was renamed and continued its activity as the production and trading firm VELAM (Limited Liability Company).
New company status expanded the boundaries and cleared the way to the achievements that earlier had seemed unapproachable. Participation in large-scale specialized expositions, including the international ones, as well as new important contacts, improved the image of the trade mark and fortified the confidence of the local customers in inland manufacturers. Numerous cooperation proposals came from all the CIS and far-abroad countries. As a real connoisseur in “the mattress arts” VELAM was noticed by one of Italy’s largest mattress production companies and invited to visit a furniture exposition held in Italy at that period; there the acquaintance was made. In the evening, at an informal dinner, the Italian representative was ardently dilating upon the subject of the production of mattresses, their quality and complex technology, when suddenly heard, “I’m also going to produce high-quality spring mattresses, and they’ll be as good as yours”. The Italian just roared with laughter on the words of a self-asserting Ukrainian who kept claiming, “I’ll do it!”.
Outside perspective: Moreover, a friendly bet was made that in two years the Ukrainian firm would produce a mattress of immaculate quality, and the Italian promised to visit Ukraine to see it with his own eyes.
Mikhail Gavrilovich came back obsessed with this idea. Favorable conditions of bilateral cooperation with Italy invigorated the businessman, though the hardest was still to come – they had to make the first step. And here comes the long-expected brainchild… It turned out to have slightly curved sides and a huge bulging belly. Nevertheless, all the workers of VELAM were crowding nearby to have a glance at their first spring mattress. As the proverb says, “The first pancake is always lumpy”… Still, it was the first step in the direction to success and wish fulfillment.
In 1997 the first economy-class spring mattress was produced. It was named “Breeze” not by mere chance. The idea to become the first in Ukraine manufacturer of high-quality spring mattresses was put into life as quickly and easily as the sea wind blows. And then a storm of newly-designed products followed, each type being higher in quality and more original in design.
Same year an Italian bonded fabric production line was acquired, this kind of technical textile “Sprut” being well-known among the furniture makers of Ukraine. The fabric survived severe criticism of the furniture sphere specialists and proved its best qualities as cushioning. It is still used in VELAM in the production of the most salable types of mattresses.
In 1999-2000 production volumes highly increased. A large number of newly-designed products were implemented. The manufacture of various springless mattresses, pillows and new types of comforters started. VELAM is becoming more and more popular in Ukraine, CIS and far abroad. The construction of a new 4-storeyed factory building was finished.
Prestige and credibility of the firm keeps growing:
November 1999 – Participation in the production enterprises rating in the category “ÕÕI Century Leaders”
The firm was awarded “Top Grade” Diploma and Certificate for producing high-quality and environmentally safe mattresses.
Other awards:
“Silver Quality”, Ukraine, 2000
“Millennium Award, Ukraine, 2000
Year 2001 – OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Outside perspective: Year 2001 was the most fruitful for VELAM in gaining recognition as a trustworthy manufacturer and a dynamically developing enterprise..
The following awards were received:
“Golden European Quality”, Paris;
“European Quality”, Great Britain;
“Golden Trademark”, Ukraine.
The celebration of VELAM’s anniversary was something to talk about.
Ôåéåðâåðê, ôóðøåòíûé ñòîë, íó âñå êàê ïîëàãàåòñÿ. Fireworks, drink reception and cold table – everything was comme il faut. The ceremony was held in the premises of the Ukrainian Drama Theatre. All the partners and friends of the company were invited, as well as the local authorities.
The guests saw all the benchmarks of the firm's development onstage. Tears of joy and excitement glittered in the eyes of the audience. That day sunk in flowers and smiles, in congratulations and felicitations. Next morning everyone went to the seaside to continue the jubilation in nature’s lap. To put it into nutshell, that was a first-rate feast, a celebration on a noble VELAM scale. Hip, hip, hurrah!
In 2001-2003 the firm continues picking up steam, acquires more up to date equipment, keeps exhilarating its partners and consumers with new products. A consequential step for the firm was the purchase of the Mercedes long vehicles.Proper transport spared many problems and raised the prestige of the company.
In 2003 MTF "VELAM" becomes a double winner of the“Golden Trademark of Ukraine” award.
Year 2004 – NEW ACHIEVEMENTS
The aspiration of the front office to show their proficiency inspired taking serious steps. Current Board of Founders arrived at a decision to implement the international quality control system.
Outside perspective: There was no chance for anyone to get off lightly. Everyone was involved, from the general director to a common worker. The situation kept stressful throughout the year. Heaps of documents were scooped, certain technological processes changed, quarterly audits were totally scarifying – every trifle was subject to double check. Everyone was waiting for the results of the last audit. And finally the moment of truth came… Pains and efforts weren’t in vain. Today the production process is carried out more consistently. Every manufacturing activity is documented, and any new worker will be able to master the process technology easily and in shorter terms.
Simultaneous construction of a new administrative building and the VELAM Trade Centre took much funds and energy. This lead to new problems and disturbance.
Pains and energies are always rewarded:
The firm became a prize winner of the contest “Top 100 Ukrainian Goods”.
The firm received an International Quality Certificate TNO.
On July 31 another gala occasion took place: the VELAM Trade Centre was opened. A four-storeyed building lined with blue glass was really impressive. The decorated pane of the building and music accompaniment entertained the public.
The address of the general director and the deputy director couldn’t help touching the hearts of the audience. “To produce quality goods for common people was always the aim of our lives”, they said.
Outside perspective: tears of joy blurred the eyes of the parents of VELAM. Pride for their town and their company overfilled them. They’ve managed to prove that the domestic products are solid and trustworthy.
On July 31 in the evening a festival at the Black Sea was held; it took part on the territory of VELAM’s own recreation centre. The party went on all night long…
MTF "VELAM" (Limited Liability Company) is one of the leading Ukrainian manufacturers of bonded fabric, mattresses and bedroom accessories, which works according to the International quality control system having a Certificate of Compliance with the international standard ISO 9001:2000.
Giving entire preference to safe high-quality materials as part of VELAM’s production process favorably compares it with other manufacturers of the products of same type.
Wide lineup of mattresses will surely satisfy any customer. The design of various mattress types is extremely uncompounded and well-thought-out.
Due to constant monitoring of fashion tendencies and new production technologies the firm is always “One idea ahead!” and never stops improving its production processes.
Year 2005.
The main thing is never to repose on the laurels and keep going on and on…br>
Outside perspective: year 2005 turned out to be a year of changes and new achievements.
In 2005 the firm was awarded National prize “Ukrainian National Olympus” for manufacture of high quality spring and springless mattresses, in category «For introduction of innovation technologies in manufacture of high-quality contemporary styled furniture». Due to the successful introduction of innovation technologies the manufacture of cotton batting was entirely stopped.
June 6, 2005 was the date of implementation of the new equipment «PARAGON» (USA) designed for manufacture of quilted fabric with textured print. Now the VELAM mattresses have more recognizable and presentable look.
On June 11, 2005 a new manufacturing and accommodation building was put into service, which completed the new pane line of the company building. The building design was recognized as the most beautiful and modern in Mykolayiv region.
On July 10, 2005 technical alteration works were started to implement the manufacture of the “Sprut” fabric on the first unit.
On July 11, 2005 at MTF "VELAM" the experts of TNO Certification carried out annual check of the quality control system for compliance with the international standard ISO 9001:2000, the results of which proved the high level of the quality control systemand the company’s right of possessing the certificate.
June 1, 2005 through July 1, 2005 a questionnaire survey among the partners was being held. The questionnaires received by the company before 01.07.05 took part in the prize drawing (the prizes were listed down in the questionnaires). The prize drawing took place on 2 August 2005; the employees of marketing department and foreign economic activities department, as well as the members of top executive management of the enterprise took part in it.
Congratulations on winning the prize!
Company «AlOl» (Kherson): double bed set ( blanket “Assol-2”, 2 pillows “Metelyk-3” (“Butterfly-3”)
Private entrepreneur V.I.Novochub (Cherkassy): mattress “Admiral-Latex” (size is to be chosen by the winner).
Since 20.12.05 have been implemented Ukrainian technical standards 36.1-13842002-008:2005 for “Comfortable rest furniture (for lying). Mattresses”, in elaboration of state standard GOST 19917-93 “Comfortable rest furniture (for sitting and lying). General specifications” where the terms and definitions concerning the construction components of mattresses are given. .
Product Quality.
In 2005 the number of objections to quality was less than 0,1 % of production volume; besides, most of the products mentioned in the objections had hidden defects of the non-production kind or defects caused by mishandling.
Sales Volume.
Compared with 2004, in 2005 increase of the sales volume exceeded 30%.
With expansion of production of all the types of products the highest figures were shown by the spring mattresses and the mattresses of the “Aristocrat” line (now «V.I.P»). The results of the market research prove that similar tendency will be kept during 2006, so special attention will be paid to these lines.
In 2006 MTF "VELAM" became the first enterprise on the post-Soviet territory to be admitted as a member of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA, USA), uniting more than 600 leading manufacturers of bedroom accessories from 50 countries on six continents.
Since 01.02.06 the changes were introduced into the technical specifications Ó 13842002-004-99 «Production of Pillows».
Also was expanded the list of stuffing materials that can be used in production of pillows and roller pillows (it includes latex, latex granulate, bonded fabric “Sprut”, polyester fibres).
Since March, 9 to March 13, 2006 in Kyiv a Specialized International Exposition “Expo-Furniture” took place, where the new collection of TM VELAM mattresses. Today the mattresses “Admiral-Latex”, “The Seventh Heaven”, “The Seventh Heaven-Latex”, “Coco-Latex”, “Atlant” are supplied by the “winter-summer effect”.
Mattress “The Seventh Heaven-Super” based on the box of separate springs «Pocket spring» became the bestseller of the presented collection. There are 450 springs per square meter. This model totally changes from the other “Seventh Heaven” models by its comfort characteristics and has received numerous favorable reports of the customers at the “Expo-Furniture” Exposition.
Since June 1, 2006 in Kyiv a company shop VELAM was opened, where the full range of the company products is present.
Since June 15, 2006 a new line “Perfect Line” came onstream; it is going to integrate the mattress group “The Seventh Heaven”.To convey the emotional connotation and to improve the group names the following changes were introduced:
«“The Seventh Heaven-Super” was renamed “The Seventh Heaven-Platinum».
The names fully show the supremacy of the newly-designed model over the previous one both in price and in quality.
Since July 1, 2006 the implementation of a new, the most up to date accomplished model “The Seventh Heaven-Diamond”. This type of mattress is unique due to the use of a spring box based on the separate springs with the density of 850 to 1000 ones per square meter, depending on size. The model will be designed to bear up to 150 kilos and is sure to give unforgettable feelings to the customers (to the overweight ones in particular).
To be continued…
The Company Today
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