Penza, 15 April 2013. PenzaNews. The governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev met with the members of the management of the Diesel Building Company Wärtsilä – TM, which is implementing the project of construction of Russian-Finnish plant producing multipurpose diesel engines for railway, ship and stationary purpose at production facilities of JSC Penzdizelmash.

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As it was stated at the meeting, the first stage of the plant will be put in operation in early September 2013.

“I am sure that this event will be an important contribution to the preparation for the celebration of the 350th anniversary of Penza, and, no doubt, this project will give more strength to our region to attract investment from abroad,” Vasily Bochkarev said in his welcoming speech to the members of Wärtsilä management.

According to the governor, the presence of different universities and a large number of students in Penza requires creation of an increasing number of high-tech industries, which would keep the youth in the region providing modern workplaces.

“The new production plant will be a good platform for universities in training qualified personnel. We are looking forward to friendly relations which would promote the popularity of Penza,” the head of the region said.

In turn, President, PowerTech & Executive Vice President of Wärtsilä Corporation Lars Hellberg stressed that the future plant will be the first industrial production corporation opened in Russia.

“We are not speaking only about production cooperation here. Our relationship also provides for cooperation in education and exchange of specialists for training,” Lars Hellberg noted.

He also informed the governor of the Penza region that the mayor of Vaasa is intending to visit the ceremony of starting of the first stage of the Russian-Finnish plant, and added that another topic for future negotiations with partners from Penza will be the construction of power plants, which in the first place, will provide power directly to the production of engines.

The Wärtsilä Company was founded in the municipality Tohmajärvi in 1834. At present, the headquarters of the company are located in the capital of Finland. Its plants, branches and offices are situated in three cities in Finland and 14 European countries, including Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and others.

The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world.

Russian offices of Wärtsilä are located in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Murmansk and Vladivostok.

Main areas of activity are production of ship diesel, gas, and universal engines, as well as electric motors and other equipment for ship industry.

In 2012, the annual turnover of the company totaled EUR 4,7 billion, the staff number amounts to 19 thousand people.

As from 2011, the CEO and President of Wärtsilä is Mr Björn Rosengren.