Metallurgy is one of those industries that are rarely spoken of on the front pages, even though it serves as the foundation of the country’s economy and defense capability. During the full-scale war, heavy industry enterprises operate in a mode of continuous struggle: for people, energy, logistics, production, and the future of Ukraine.
TinImpex, which celebrates its 28th anniversary this year, has endured missile strikes, months of reconstruction, and an energy crisis. Yet, it has not only preserved production but also continues to modernize, fulfills state defense orders, and remains a conscientious taxpayer. Exclusively for the international gloss Business Woman we spoke with the company’s CEO, Alina Skomorokhova, about crisis management, the strength of the team, and female leadership in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
— How has the full-scale war changed the operations of a metallurgical enterprise at the level of daily management?
The full-scale war has fundamentally transformed the operations of a metallurgical enterprise — both at the strategic and operational levels. Metallurgy relies on a continuous production cycle that cannot simply be paused. Shutting down furnaces operating at extremely high temperatures and restarting them requires tremendous resources and time.
In the first days of the invasion, we faced complete uncertainty, personnel losses, logistical difficulties, and power supply disruptions. A significant portion of our employees voluntarily joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders, so the enterprise was forced to temporarily suspend production.
However, even then, we did not stop working as a management team. We continued strategic planning, prepared technical solutions, and searched for answers to the main question: how to remain useful to the state as a strategic industrial enterprise.
Today, daily management is a constant balancing act among dozens of challenges. We operate under staff shortages, delays in raw material supplies, electricity and gas outages, air raid sirens, and missile strikes. Due to blackouts, the enterprise was effectively idle for about two months, as a few hours of power supply are insufficient for metallurgical production.
Despite everything, people remain the main strength of the enterprise. Our workers are ready to work overtime and use every opportunity to keep going. It has long ceased to be just about production — it is about responsibility to the country.
— What poses the greatest challenge for Ukrainian industry today: workforce, logistics, energy, or security?
In truth, it is impossible to single out just one factor. Workforce, logistics, energy, and security form a single system, where a problem in one direction automatically creates difficulties in another.
One of the most acute challenges is the workforce deficit. Training a professional metallurgist takes at least six months. It is a complex, physically demanding, and highly responsible profession that requires specialized knowledge, endurance, and excellent health.
Logistics is no less critical. Any delays at customs or with suppliers immediately impact the production process. At the same time, we feel the support of international partners who understand the objective difficulties faced by Ukrainian business.
For metallurgy, a stable electricity and gas supply remains vital. Any disruption means a forced shutdown of production. Compounding this are constant risks of shelling and air raid alerts.
Despite all the difficulties, the greatest asset is the people. It is their dedication, professionalism, and readiness to work under extreme conditions that allow Ukrainian industry to endure.
— How do you manage to maintain production and the team amidst constant risks?
We constantly adapt production processes to the realities of war. When hourly power outage schedules were in effect, we worked mostly at night. We structured shifts so that workers could stay at the enterprise, rest, have meals, and literally wait for electricity to return.
As soon as power was restored, production resumed immediately.
Our enterprise also suffered severe destruction from a missile strike. Reconstruction lasted nearly seven months and was carried out exclusively at our own expense.
For us, preserving an enterprise that has served Ukraine for 28 years, fulfills mobilization tasks, supplies the defense sector with products, supports the economy, and creates jobs was of paramount importance.
I am particularly proud that even during the hardest years of the war, we remain a responsible taxpayer and continue our volunteer work. This is our responsibility to the state.
— Has international interest in Ukrainian metallurgy changed after 2022?
On the contrary — it has grown. The world has become even more aware of the strategic importance of Ukrainian metallurgy.
Today it is obvious that this sector cannot exist in isolation. Europe needs Ukrainian metallurgical products, and Ukrainian enterprises collaborate with European manufacturers of equipment, materials, and technology.
That is why it is essential for regulatory frameworks and industry decisions to be developed taking into account the interests of all parties. Joint support and partnership will ensure the resilience of industry in both Ukraine and the European Union.
— What management decisions had to be made most rapidly and unconventionally?
War is daily crisis management. Most decisions have to be made literally in real time.
The primary task of a manager is to maintain the operational capability of the enterprise. This requires trust within the team, mutual support, and everyone’s readiness to lend a helping hand to a colleague.
There were situations when employees stayed at the workplace for over 24 hours, using every opportunity to fulfill production tasks. It is precisely this cohesion that helps us operate even in the most complex conditions.
— How important is it to invest in modernization and technology today, even during wartime?
Crises often open up new opportunities. Following the severe destruction of the enterprise in 2023, we faced a choice: simply restore production or use this opportunity for growth.
We chose the second path.
With the support of state financial instruments and bank financing, we modernized part of our production. If we were to rebuild the enterprise — it had to be done using modern technologies.
Today we are actively working toward our own energy independence. We utilize a solar power plant, install modern energy storage systems, and develop additional generation sources.
We remember one of the hardest energy winters all too well and are doing everything possible to be maximally prepared for new challenges.
— What does it mean to you to be a female leader in a traditionally “male” industry?
To be honest, I stopped dividing professions into male and female long ago.
TinImpex turns 28 this year, and throughout all these years, I have remained its founder and CEO. This is not just a job — it is a significant part of my life.
Today, Ukrainian women prove daily that they are capable of taking on the highest level of responsibility. They run enterprises, start their own businesses, serve in the military, and work in the most demanding professions.
Therefore, the question of whether metallurgy is a male industry is no longer relevant to me. Manufacturing is always about responsibility, professionalism, and teamwork, regardless of gender.
I am sincerely grateful to my team. We have long become a large professional family that navigates all trials together. That is what gives us the strength to move forward and build the future even in the toughest times.
Photo: from the heroine’s archive