История
On June 4, 2023, MINSK KRISTALL celebrated its anniversary. Over the course of 130 years, the Company has been manufacturing products of the highest quality, which has earned recognition not only in Belarus, but also abroad. Long and successful years of operation of MINSK KRISTALL attest to a faithful and meticulous approach to business, as well as a skilful organization of production.
The anniversary book dedicated to the past and present of MINSK KRISTALL OJSC has been published on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of MINSK KRISTALL OJSC. The historical part of the story goes beyond the boundaries of a single enterprise, presenting a detailed outline of the origin of distilling and its development in the lands that make up modern Belarus. The periods of the Company’s formation are described in sufficient detail, immersing in the atmosphere of that time, introducing us to new facts of the past. A lot of work has been done in archives and collections to bring new facts to light. You will learn about production and technologies, services and employees, and get acquainted with other enterprises that are part of MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding
We invite you to read the anniversary book by clicking on the picture below!
Traditions of manufacturing and classic recipes, laid down in the XIX century, are the best foundation for a promising, and then a thriving Company, which can now be doughtily called a giant.
The starting point of the history of MINSK KRISTALL is 1893, when the industrialist brothers Yankel and Zelman Rakovschik founded yeast distillery in Minsk on Nizhne-Lyakhovskaya (now Oktyabrskaya) street.
The history of the Company began with a 5-horsepower steam engine, fermentation vats, stills and two dozen workers who produced dry yeast and alcohol 24 hours a day. Due to the reconstruction of 1910 with the installation of a dynamo, a steam engine with a capacity of 50 hp, a locomobile with a capacity of 75 hp and a gas generator with a capacity of 25 hp, by the 20th anniversary of its foundation, the plant, which already employed fifty people and manufactured products worth 719 thousand rubles, became the most expensive industrial enterprise in Minsk and the largest in its industry in Belarus.
The First World War changed the rhythm and mode of operation of the plant. In the possessions of the Rakovshchik brothers nationalized by the Bolsheviks, a state-owned alcohol warehouse and a vodka factory were located with a weakly mechanized production, lack of automation and electrical equipment, with the production of only 400 dal of products per shift.
A new stage in the development of Kristall was associated with the rapid industrial construction in Belarus in the post-war years. The production of vodka and vodka products increased significantly from year to year: from 197.8 thousand dal in 1945 to 379 thousand dal in 1950.
In the 50s, the production of rectified alcohol, including of the highest purification, and the production of new types of vodkas from it were mastered: for example, Moskovskaya Osobaya, a gold medallist at the exhibition of 1953 in Bern, as well as Stolichnaya, which successfully entered the international market.
In the 60s, a new wine storage facility was built at the plant, about 120 reinforced concrete containers for storing wine materials were installed, the wine section was re-equipped, more advanced bottle washing, bottling, labelling machines appeared, construction of a tableware shop and an intermediate container warehouse was started. In the mid-60s, beautiful bottles, stofs made of glass, ceramics and porcelain appeared on the shelves of stores, mass production of souvenirs began — “Belovezhskaya”, “Belovezhskaya Osobaya”, “Letniy Dessert”, “Vecherniy Dessert”, “Lemonny Dessert”, “Belorusskaya nalivka”, “Belorusskaya garelka”.
In the 70s, the reconstruction of the filtration department of vodka products and the liquor section was completed; a distillation shop with a 4-column rectifying apparatus with a capacity of 3,000 dal per day was put into operation; a mechanized washing solutions station was put into operation at the wine section, a material warehouse with an electric stacker and two warehouses for storing dishes were built. Extra alcohol started to be produced. 15% of the products were produced with the State Quality Mark, and all the rest were certified with the first quality category.
The years of so-called perestroika brought Kristall a lot of difficulties, but in spite of everything, in the 1980s Kristall acquired new features of distillery and wine production that met international standards. In July 1986, the Production Association of the Alcohol and Liquor Industry was renamed to the Minsk Regional Production Association of the Starch Industry with four alcohol plants, three starch plants and the head enterprise of Kristall Minsk Distillery.
The 90s were not easy, but the plant overcame the crisis. In total, in the period from 1993 to 1997, 19 items of new alcoholic beverages were introduced into production at Kristall, some of which later became fixed in the “golden fund” of the enterprise and in the liquor industry of Belarus in general. At the end of 1997, the authors and inventors managed to expand the list, including due to truly top product: Vseslav Charodey vodka, made on the basis of spirit patent Super Lux.
It doesn't happen very often, but it got — without any stretch — a world premiere. At the beginning of 1998, representatives of Kristall Minsk Distillery and Vuador French Company received an invitation from LTD American and Belarusian Company to attend a show presentation in Las Vegas.
The event, where various celebrities tasted vodka together with recognized experts, had a success. But the story didn't end there.
Then Vseslav Charodey vodka was accepted as an official strong drink at the annual Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremony, and then at the Cannes Film Festival.
Today we can say with full confidence: MINSK KRISTALL is a brand, a multi-profile enterprise with advanced production technology and a strong production and technological potential.
The appearance of modern brands is the result of collaboration of specialists: managers, suppliers, marketers, technologists, laboratory staff and the chief mechanic department. This is actually a systematic work with clearly defined regulations and its own standards, and it welcomes experience and a scientific approach.
An important role in making decisions on the release of new types of products is played by the strategic partner and participant of MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding — Minsk Kristall Trade Trading Company Unitary Enterprise.
Maximalism is in every detail. Brand name, design, patented and well-known brands and, of course, the products themselves – perfectionism has become the real motto of the Company. Crystal, like a true natural gem, shines with all the facets of its perfection.
The combination of traditions and the most modern technologies, multiplied by experience and inspiration, enable the masters of MINSK KRISTALL OJSC to create the drinks of the future – while conquering next peaks.
Product quality is inextricably linked to production technology. So, we are the first in the country to master the production of apple and plum distillates, as well as alcoholic beverages based on them. To improve the organoleptic characteristics of products, modern methods of processing vodka are used: linen, silver, gold, platinum and diamond filtration. A modern technology for the treatment of drinking water used for production has been introduced: treatment with "black" silicon, sсhungite and silver. These techniques give the prepared water the properties of spring water and improve the taste and aroma of drinks. Thus, MINSK KRISTALL OJSC pays special attention to innovative technologies and modern technological methods that allow us not only to increase labour efficiency, but also to ensure consistently high quality of our products.
The high level of competitiveness of alcoholic beverages of MINSK KRISTALL OJSC is largely due to the effective functioning of integrated management systems based on ISO 9001. Since 2000, MINSK KRISTALL has been operating under a certified quality management system (STB ISO 9001). In 2003, the Company certified the environmental management system in the National Conformity Assessment System of the Republic of Belarus (STB ISO 14001), being the third Company in the republic to receive this certificate, and the first among food industry companies. Since 2008, the Company has implemented and operates the occupational health and safety management system (STB ISO 45001).
Much attention is paid to food safety - since 2004, the food quality and safety management system based on risk analysis and critical control points (STB 1470) was implemented and certified, in 2015 - the FSSC 22000 certification scheme, and in 2021 MINSK KRISTALL OJSC received a certificate of compliance with the requirements of the international standard STB ISO 22000 with the area of distribution to the entire product
Since 2000, MINSK KRISTALL has been operating under a certified quality management system (STB ISO 9001). In 2003, the Company certified the environmental management system (STB ISO 14001) in the National Conformity Assessment System of the Republic of Belarus, being the third Company in the republic to receive this certificate, and the first among the food industry companies. In 2004, the Company implemented and certified a food quality and safety management system based on risk analysis and critical control points (HACCP system), and in 2021, constantly developing and improving the food safety direction, the food safety management system (STB ISO 22000) was certified. In addition, since 2008, the Company has implemented and operates the occupational health and safety management system (STB ISO 45001).
In 2014, Minsk Kristall Production and Trade Republican Unitary Enterprise was transformed into MINSK KRISTALL Open Joint Stock Company.
Since September 2015, the Company has been called OJSC MINSK KRISTALL – MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding Management Company.
When creating the holding, several goals were set: to build a managed structure that ensures effective interaction of participants; to implement business processes that avoid internal conflicts when solving strategic and operational issues as well as to develop a unified sales policy in the domestic market, consolidate efforts to increase exports and ensure increased efficiency.
Today, MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding is well-known in the Belarusian market. Belgospishcheprom Concern supervises the work of the Holding and helps its development.
On July 2015, the President of the Republic of Belarus signed Decree No.326 “On the Establishment of the Belarusian Alcoholic Beverage Holding Company”. Eight Belarusian state-owned alcohol factories merged to form MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding, which has become the largest alcohol producer in Eastern Europe.
The Holding includes the largest distilleries in Belarus: JSC MINSK KRISTALL – MINSK KRISTALL GROUP Holding Management Company, Belalko Brest Distillery OJSC, Pridvinye Vitebsk Distillery OJSC, Radamir Gomel Distillery OJSC, Grodno Distillery OJSC, Klimovichy Distillery OJSC, Mozyr Distillery OJSC, Veselovo Food Processing Plant OJSC, Minsk Kristall Trade Trading Company.
The recognition of MINSK KRISTALL OJSC as a manufacturer of high-quality and competitive products is proved by the prizes that we regularly win in various prestigious competitions. Since 1994, we have won more than 1,000 awards! Only in 2022 our products received about 30 awards and diplomas of the highest quality.
For the eighth year in a row, the Company has won the NATIONAL BRAND award, won 77 the Best Product awards, won the BRAND GODA award 17 times, and is a regular participant in the Zalaty Kelikh tasting competition. The Company’s products have received awards from professional foreign competitions: “BEST PRODUCT”, “BEST VODKA”, “PRODEXPO”, EURASIA SPIRITS DRINKS, “Golden Griffin”, “Best Product” and many others.
MINSK KRISTALL OJSC is a six-time winner of the Award of the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Belarus for achievements in the sphere of quality.
In total, the Company has more than 1,000 awards. This once again proves that the Company constantly performs its work perfectly and strives to always have a high level of trust among consumers and partners.
MINSK KRISTALL is an enterprise with a great future, for which the 130th anniversary means that much has already been through, and the best is yet to come!
