The
Non-ferrous Metals Smelter (KCM SA) is situated on the 900 decare site
between Plovdiv and Assenovgrad. During those 40 years of development we
accumulated enough experience and knowledge in the field of the non-ferrous
metallurgy, a fact which deservedly assigns us the position of the biggest
producer of non-ferrous metals and lead and zinc alloys in the Central and
Eastern Europe. Our efforts are also directed to the search of new
possibilities for production development, diversification of the products
list and sale of precious metals and special application metals.
By the end of the fifties in connection with the
Programme of the Council of Ministers of People’s Republic of Bulgaria for
accelerated industrialization and development of mine output, a resolution
is taken to expand the metallurgical capacities for non-ferrous metals
production. By a Decree of the Council of Ministers a site of 200 acres,
between the towns of Plovdiv and Assenovgrad, is fixed for the construction
of the new lead and zinc concentrates treatment plant.
On 9 May, 1959 in the presence of specialists
from “Giprozvetmet” Company – the Main Designer, the first sod was turned of
the lead and zinc production plant, which was known till the end of the
eighties as the Combined Works for Non-ferrous Metals “Dimitar Blagoev”.
The inauguration of the Combined Works was on 24
December 1961; the day before the zinc plant was started up. The first lead
metal blocks were cast in the end of 1963.
Simultaneously with the construction of new
production capacities (Powder Metallurgy Unit in 1970 and Precious Metals
Production Unit or 330 Unit in 1985) also an expansion of the main
production units was carried out.
In November 1991 the Combined Works for
Non-ferrous Metals Production “Dimitar Blagoev” was transferred into a Joint
Stock Company with 100% state capital. That year marked a new approach in
the company’s policy – settling of heavy ecological problems, active
investment and development of ecologically friendly production. The
development of the new ecological strategy was carried out on the basis of
economical stability and sustainable development, thus ensuring the
effective environmental preservation. The large-scale investment programme
entered a new stage with the start of the Industrial Pollution Improvement
Project at KCM SA, Plovdiv, which was financed by the Japanese Government.
In the summer of 2000 the privatization
procedure was completed. On July 25th the Privatization Agency finalized the
deal. A week later, on 2 August, 80% of the capital owned by KCM SA was
transferred to the private company KCM 2000 SA. The managing team of KCM SA,
Plovdiv is an emblematic example for a privatization, conducted through a
Workers’ Managerial Company at a high professional level. The radical change
of the ownership created concrete conditions for development and realization
of programmes and projects, necessary to ensure the best possible conditions
for the development and strengthening the position of the company in the
global non-ferrous metallurgy.
