Osh Cotton Textile Factory

Osh Cotton Production Association

The directive of the XXI Congress of the CPSU (1959) reflected the construction of the Osh Cotton Mill, designed to produce 81 million meters of finished fabrics. This was a large enterprise not only in Central Asia but also in the Union. It is undoubtedly a pride of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan. The construction of the cotton production association began in July 1961. The design capacity of the mill was 243.5 thousand spinning spindles and 4,144 weaving looms. With the full implementation of the design capacity, the mill was expected to produce 74.6 million meters of finished fabrics. The first phase (spinning and weaving factory No. 1) with 60 thousand spindles was launched in 1967. The full complex — finishing-dyeing and two spinning-weaving factories — was commissioned in May 1975. By the beginning of 1986, 53 main and auxiliary workshops were in operation. The annual production volume was 99.2 million running meters. The enterprise specialized in the production of cotton, plain-dyed, and printed fabrics, as well as the production of non-woven materials: batting, packaging and tarpaulin fabrics, technical wipes, and cotton. More than 11 thousand people work in the production sector, including over 1,000 labor heroes. Among the workers, D. Kadyrov was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, L. Bogacheva fulfilled the plan of two five-year plans in one five-year period, and 120 people were awarded orders and medals of the USSR.

A large group of workers and engineering and technical workers who distinguished themselves in the construction of the cotton mill were awarded a Certificate of Honor and a Letter of Appreciation from the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR.

The Certificate of Honor was presented by T. Kulatov. Among the awardees were K. Khalmurzaev, P. Medvedev, the first secretary of the Osh city party committee T. Amanaliev, the chairman of the city executive committee K. Atashev, and the head of the construction management unit "Osh Cotton Mill" I. Kondrashev. Builders from other cities were also awarded: from Frunze — V. Zorin, A. Makurin, from Tashkent — I. Prishchepa, from Chimkent — R. Chumarnin, and others.

The textile workers' town in Osh is located in the area of the Osh Cotton Production Association.

In 1964, the construction of the first phase began. A total of 61 residential buildings (204.7 thousand sq. m.), 8 dormitories for 1,790 places, and 10 dormitories for small families with 954 rooms were built. The town has 9 kindergartens, 2 schools, 2 cinemas, 1 club, 2 outpatient clinics, 11 public catering enterprises, and a service sector. The mill occupies 130 hectares. More than 17 thousand people live here. The chief engineer of the project was F. I. Sivashev, and the architect was P. V. Balandin.

Since September 1, 1995, the mill has been renamed Osh State Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik." Of the 29 enterprises in the light industry of the republic, only the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" operates in a normal environment and successfully fulfills its production tasks. In 1995, products worth 376.3 million soms were produced, and for 10 months in 1996, fabrics worth 265,870 thousand soms were released. This means 24,826 thousand running meters of fabric, with a plan of 21,800 thousand running meters. The output of "Textilshchik" accounts for 65% of the total output of the city of Osh. In this regard, the general director of the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik," Kakharmon Satvaldieiev, states that the activity of the entire team is primarily related to the fact that all necessary working conditions have been created for the workers, and their conscientious labor is regularly paid.

The management provides maximum assistance to participants of the Great Patriotic and Afghan wars, allocating 100 soms to each, and 240 elderly people receive 50 soms each. Additionally, in November 1996, 10 thousand soms were allocated for them. The director of fabric production, Aivar Tajibaev, added that the mill has already begun replacing 956 out of 2,521 old machines. Artist Kimia Tologeldieva creates fabrics in 118 color shades, and in 1997 this number doubled. Worker Tamashaeva, raising her son and daughters, admits that she is satisfied with the attention from the management, as it is pleasant to work in such a team.

If in 1995, on average, workers received 450 soms, now the wage level has risen to 600 soms.

In the last two years, 3,350 workers have been paid salaries totaling 37.5 million soms. In 1997, the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" produced 12 million running meters of fabric and 211 tons of yarn for a total of 230 million 307 thousand soms. From 1995 to 1997, the enterprise contributed 73.5 million soms to the treasury, including 9 million 100 thousand to the city budget, 13 million 100 thousand to the regional budget, and 16 million 800 thousand soms to the republican budget. The social fund received 13 million 900 thousand soms. The directors of the textile mill have included: Sh. Dubanaev, A. Mamatov, N. Alymbekov, M. Akunov, Z. Yusupov, K. Satvaldieiev, and others. They organized and made a significant contribution to the development of the mill.

For example, Kakharmon Satvaldieiev, after graduating from the Tashkent Textile Institute, worked at the textile mill from 1969 to 1985 as a shift master, head of the weaving shop, deputy and head of weaving production No. 1 and No. 2, and chief engineer. From 1985 to 1990, he headed the industry department of the Osh regional committee of the party and has been the General Director of the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" since 1990. During K. Satvaldieiev's tenure as general director, changes occurred at the mill in accordance with the requirements of a market economy. Significant work is underway to introduce new equipment and technology; in the spinning production, 18 roving machines have been installed, and in the weaving production, 165 looms, which has allowed for the production of goods that meet world standards.

With its own resources, finishing equipment of Japanese production worth 5 million US dollars has been installed and mastered, which has significantly improved the quality of the fabrics produced. Ongoing joint work with the Japanese firm "Tomen Corporation" is focused on acquiring printing machines for the production of printed wide fabrics. The enterprise's products have been awarded the International Prize for Quality "Diamond Star of Quality" four times. The Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik," being a successfully operating enterprise both in the industry and throughout the republic of Kyrgyzstan, provides charitable and sponsorship assistance to those in need and contributes to various public funds. Since the beginning of its activities (1990-1997), the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" has provided charitable and sponsorship assistance totaling about 1 million soms: this includes assistance to victims of natural disasters in the Uzgen region; conducting events within the framework of the Year of the Elderly; awarding scholarships from the Osh regional state administration; assistance to war and labor veterans; organizing a telethon dedicated to the Year of the Elderly, etc.

In this regard, charitable assistance has been provided to the Tokmak Children's Home, Osh Children's Home, the Nursing Home, the Uch-Kurgan Psychoneurological Dispensary, the regional Council of Veterans, the "Manas-Ata" mosque, the Russian Orthodox Church, hospitals, and other organizations. In addition, the enterprise supports the "Alai" football club and the international football tournament among children's teams. In connection with the upcoming anniversary — the 3000th anniversary of the city of Osh — the Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" allocated cotton fabrics worth 200 thousand soms for the telethon and 15 thousand soms for the presentation of the "Sulaiman-Too — Osh-3000" fund. The Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" also provides assistance to cultural institutions, educational institutions, and schools; for example, 5 thousand soms were allocated for the presentation of the Osh Technological University, and 15 thousand soms for the construction of the Uzbek National Cultural Center. The Joint-Stock Company "Textilshchik" is implementing measures to increase production efficiency, reduce costs, and improve its technical and economic indicators.

More than 500 new jobs have been created at the mill, and there are plans to increase this number to 1,000.

Let’s say a few words about the leaders of these enterprises. Akmatbek Mamatov was the general director of the Osh production association (cotton) from 1977 to 1981. In his memoirs, he mentioned that the association consisted of several factories and productions: two spinning and two weaving productions, and one finishing factory. In addition, the association had a complex structure for material and technical support and service — a repair and mechanical shop, a motor transport department, social and domestic institutions, an outpatient clinic, vocational school No. 18, and other organizations. The association produced more than 80 million running meters of fabric of various purposes annually and supplied all the union republics of the country. More than 10 thousand workers were employed in the association. To recruit workers from the Aravan, Uzgen, Nookat, Kara-Suu, and Aylai districts, representatives were specially sent. They would present gifts, money, and uniforms to those willing to work at the factory as encouragement. New employees of the mill were welcomed in a festive atmosphere, with music. The meetings involved the leaders of the region, city, and mill. Special attention was paid to young workers. Among the advanced workers, N. Bogacheva was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the republic, and A. Volkova was a deputy of the Osh City Council. Dozens of workers were repeatedly awarded orders of the Union and certificates of honor from the Supreme Soviet of the republic. A. Mamatov, the director of the association, was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor.

Osh Pumping Plant (now a Machine Engineering Plant)