The walls of the Petropavlovsk Plant named after S.M. Kirov, one of Kazakhstan’s oldest industrial giants, hold nearly a century of history. Founded in 1928 in Moscow as a small radio assembly workshop and evacuated to Petropavlovsk in 1941, the plant promptly launched the production of radio direction finders and field radio stations for the front during the Great Patriotic War. Its products provided communications, enabled command and control of troops, and saved lives.
After the war, the enterprise not only preserved its defense specialization but also became part of everyday life in the country. The legendary “Ishim” and “Medeo” radio receivers and tape recorders became symbols of an era, while the plant’s engineering school remains its backbone to this day.
Today, the plant continues the tradition of creating complex, high-tech products. In its engineering bureaus, designs are developed using modern software such as SolidWorks and SolidCAM and brought to life in the form of radio stations, testing range equipment, and special machinery. Responding to the challenges of the times, the enterprise produces anti-drone systems such as the portable “ZIK-BEREN” rifle and upgrades wheeled vehicles for the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Border Service. The plant’s service center provides technical support across the country, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of its equipment.
Yet the enterprise’s greatest pride is its people. In the 2000s, the development vector of the S.M. Kirov Plant was clearly defined: modernization, digitalization, and alignment with international standards. At the same time, social policy remains no less important. In the Year of Industrial Professions, special attention is given to creating conditions for employee development: the plant has a gym, corporate trainings, mentorship programs, and training in new technologies.
For young specialists, real opportunities for professional growth open up here. We spoke with those who are just beginning their careers but already feel they have made the right choice.
Gleb Sergeyevich Karandasov, a 19-year-old fitter at Mechanical Shop No. 1, recently joined the plant after graduating from college. For him, the mentorship system played a decisive role. As he noted, the first period was difficult, but he was able to adapt quickly thanks to the well-structured training provided by senior specialists, who guided him through the details of the work and helped him feel more confident on the shop floor.
“At first, I just wanted to try working in production,” he recalls. “But I immediately realized it was interesting here. My mentors supported me, showed me how to work, and now I’m trusted with more. Every day I learn something new, and I want to grow into a true master. What I value most is the team—when you’re surrounded by people who help, work becomes easier and more enjoyable.”
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Anel Rustamovna Zhanbutina, a customs clearance specialist, made a conscious choice to join the plant.
“It was important for me to work in a serious company with a strong reputation. Here there is stability and room for growth. Every day I face new tasks: you have to be attentive to details, because the speed of deliveries depends on the accuracy of my decisions. That motivates me to keep developing,” Anel Rustamovna emphasizes.
The stories of young employees demonstrate that JSC “S.M. Kirov Plant” remains true to its traditions while looking toward the future. Here, experience and knowledge of senior staff are valued alongside the energy and ambitions of youth, international standards are adopted, and innovations are fostered. The plant’s nearly century-long history continues—and today it is shaping the future of Kazakhstan’s industry.
