Odessa Heavy Crane Plant

(full name, January Uprising Odessa Heavy Crane Plant), a major enterprise of the heavy machine-building industry of the USSR. It originated in railroad workshops that were established in 1863. The laborers of the workshops were in the vanguard of the revolutionary struggle in southern Russia. In January 1918 they took part in crushing the counterrevolution in Odessa, and in consequence the laborers’ workshops were named in honor of the January Uprising. In 1930 the workshops were converted to a crane plant. In 1932 the 6–ton Ianvarets-1 steam-driven railway crane was designed and built; it was the first domestically built crane.

During the prewar five-year plans (1929–40) the plant organized the production of new types of cranes and improved crane designs. During this period cranes with hoisting capacities of 6, 15, 20, and 45 tons were produced. During the Great Patriotic War (1941–45) the plant was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt after the liberation of the city from the occupation forces (1944). More than 25 modifications of cranes with various hoisting capacities were made during the postwar years. Some of them were awarded certificates at the Exhibition of the Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR. Production of 16–ton and 25–ton cranes for operation under conditions in the Far North has been set up. Since the early 1970’s the plant has been producing 40-, 63-, and 100–ton cranes, some of which are exported. The plant produces cast steel and iron, forgings, and stampings for use in building cranes; parts are heat-treated and machined. The plant was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1963.