The machine-building industry forms a key part of Russia’s non-commodity, non-energy exports. It is one of three leading industries, second only to agriculture. High-technology manufacturing is the backbone of Russia’s industry. It gave the world the first nuclear power stations and icebreakers, the first man-made satellite and manned spacecraft. Today, the Russian school of engineering remains one of the leading in the world.
As a result, Russia continues to supply the world with unique equipment. For example, it is one of the world’s leading exporters of nuclear power plant equipment, lasers, navigation devices, jet engines and particle accelerators.
Russian railway equipment, parts and components, and motor vehicles are also in high demand. Consumer electronics exports are also growing, especially of washing machines. Three years ago, total exports of washing machines did not exceed 40 to 50,000 units per month, yet in 2016, their average monthly exports reached 150,000 units. In Poland, which has become the main importer of Russian-made washing machines, Russia is the second biggest supplier after Italy, ahead of Turkey and well ahead of China.
Russian Machines Corporation’s railroad equipment producing branch RM RAIL is a long-time exporter to Cuba. In 2017, Cuba will import 50 sugar hopper cars, 70 platforms and 105 covered cars, all developed by RM RAIL Engineering for Cuba’s climate.
Unlike railroad manufacturers, Russian civil aviation producers are only beginning to expand on the market.
Russia offers a wide range of machines, appliances and devices to international consumers. For example, Europe imports mill machinery made by Altay-based company CSort. Its color sorting machines are popular in Poland, France, Germany, Spain. St. Petersburg-based company Unicum Vending manufactures vending machines that are in demand abroad. The company’s online telemetry and remote quality control systems were met with appreciation in the UK: Unicum Vending received a contract to supply vending equipment to the country.
Cryogenmash plant, which is based outside Moscow, produces cryogenic units, pipelines and systems exported to China and India. Systems created by Cryogenmash are used at spaceports all over the world.
Metallurgical equipment from Russia has also found its overseas consumers. Russia’s largest manufacturer is StankoMashStroy, a manufacturer of a wide range of machines and systems ranging from basic models to state-of-the-art high-precision machinery. The Russian Export Center is StankoMashStroy’s long-time partner assisting the company with export channels. Thanks to REC’s special certification support program, CE StankoMashStroy landed a supply contract with Germany.
Russia also produces competitive entertainment equipment, such as 5-dimension entertainment systems. They are exported to Europe, Latin America and Africa. As for Russia-produced 360° flight simulators, they have very few competitors on the global market
