The celebrations began with a tour of the KPC cutting plant in Smolensk, continued at the Smolensk Theater for Performing Arts, and concluded fittingly with a festive dinner at the KPC plant itself.
In his congratulatory speech, Alexei Ostrovsky, Governor of the Smolensk Region, noted that Kristall's perseverance and stability during the past 50 years had led to the creation and recognition of the "Russian Make" as Kristall's world renowned brand. "These diamonds are manufactured right here in Smolensk and they are diamonds produced by the Russian Federation. If there is something we should be proud of in Russia, it is this factory," Ostrovsky stated.
Since its establishment in 1963, the company has polished 80.5 million diamonds with a total weight of 9.3 million carats. The government-owned firm specializes in top-quality cutting and polishing, and markets the Triple X Russian Cut. Kristall employs 2,200 people, and operates sales offices in Antwerp, Dubai, Hong Kong and New York. Kristall is on Russia's official list of strategically important corporations and operates under the direct control of the President of Russia. The company is a sightholder of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) of the De Beers Group.
In his various speeches, KPC CEO Maxim Shkadov hailed the special character of Kristall and lauded the determination of both the management and employees,to preserve the family spirit and dedication of generations. During a ceremony at the Smolensk Theatre for Performing Arts, many outstanding employees were honored for their contributions. One employee receive special recognition, as together, he and his family members had worked at Kristall for a total 150 years!
Philippe Roolant, vice president of the Thai Diamond Manufacturing Association, said he had been astounded by what he saw at the Kritall cutting facilities. "The technology is impressive, the dedication and enthusiasm of both workers and management is inspiring. And the output is a badge of honor to Russian diamond industry," he noted.
Kristall, Europe's largest diamond manufacturing company, celebrates 50th anniversary in style
Kristall Production Corporation (KPC), Russia's leading diamond manufacturer, and also the largest diamond manufacturer on the European continent, celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 24, in Smolensk, in the presence of an impressive delegation of Russian federal and local government representatives, industry partners, local and trade media as well as with international representatives from the diamond manufacturing hubs in Belgium, China, Israel, Thailand and Sri Lanka.