Société des Usines Métallurgiques et Mécaniques d’Istia
Общество Истьинскихъ металлургическихъ и механическихъ заводовъ
Gesellschaft der Istinschen Metallurgischen und Mechanischen Werke
Other city spellings: St.-Pétersbourg, Petrograd, Pétrograde
The company was formed in 1897 with head office in St. Petersburg (see History tab).
1897
Description
One of the few enterprises founded in the era of Peter the Great and still existing! By decree of Tsar Peter, the Moscow merchants Ryumin and Tomilin in 1713 established the Istyinsko-Zalipyazhsky iron-smelting and ironworks. Tsar Peter not only visited this factory, but also worked for several hours as a hammerer. In 1773, the enterprise became the property of a large landowner K. Khlebnikov. The plant was famous throughout Russia for its nails, needles, pins and knitting needles; his products were in great demand. After Khlebnikov’s death, the factory was inherited by his daughter Anna, who married Dmitry Poltoratsky, an energetic entrepreneur. He, and later his son Sergei, invested their efforts and resources in the plant, equipping it with the best Eastern European machine tools and machines. In 1871, the plant was acquired by German-born Christian Khristianovich Meyen, who three years later transformed it into the Joint Stock Company of Russian Rail Production. In 1897, the Society of Russian Rail Production was transformed into the Society of Ist’insky Metallurgical and Mechanical Plants. In Soviet times, the plant was called Dvigatel and was famous for its oil engines, handcars, wagon bearings, pumps, threshers, as well as auxiliary equipment for the construction and maintenance of railway facilities, equipment for laying and repairing rails, lifting machines and cranes. (Source: HWPH)