Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan workers on love for the profession
Who and how makes the Hyundai cars
A year ago, a new name appeared on the Almaty map – Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan. The enterprise was founded by Astana Motors.
In April 2020, the first facility of the light vehicle plant was launched, and in October the media announced the official start of the full-cycle production.
The car enterprise in the industrial zone is in the spotlight as some are curious about how Hyundai cars are made and others dream of building the globally popular vehicles.
We met with the Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan employees and recorded their stories of love for their work and life.
Zoya Vasilyeva
Welder, welding shop
Born in Taraz. Mother of four. Hobbies: reading and computer games.
Since I was a schoolgirl I dreamt of becoming a long-distance driver. In a way, the dream has come true, the fate has brought me to work with cars.
Many people think I lift weights, all because I like physical work and I’ve always leaned towards men’s professions. I started my career path at 15 at the Jambyl Sugar Plant. In Soviet times, aircraft passengers would get two lumps of sugar wrapped in paper, and we were the people pressing those sugar lumps. With time, I studied to become an electric gas welder and worked as a welder, rebar fitter, concrete worker and woodworker. I held the position of a foreman in a carpenter shop at a company that was making various products for children’s playgrounds and sports grounds. I tried to demonstrate by own example the proper way to work before demanding it from my team, so that tomorrow nobody would tell me, “What do you know?”.
Since I have a vast welding experience, my dream is to work at the body welding shop, and now I am training for it. I know the operation principle very well, and my objective right now is mastering a new type of welding.
Since I was a schoolgirl, I dreamt of becoming a long-distance driver. In a way, the dream has come true, the fate has brought me to work with cars.
The process
A car’s story starts in a welding shop. Here, the formed parts of a future car are welded with special equipment, front and rear parts, sides, roof panels and bottom. Later, all these are combined on the main conductor, the VIN is applied, doors, trunk lid, hood are attached, and the body is sent to the painting shop.
The cars
At the plant, I am surrounded with beautiful cars of six models, each with its own story, temper and unique energy. I like Hyundai Sonata and Elantra most of all, especially in that greenish color, it looks fantastic. I would love to ride such a car to my home city of Taraz. Actually, it would have been lovely on a Santa Fe. My mother, family, friends and former colleagues live in Taraz, and imagine if I’d come to see them on such a cool car, amazing!
Woman’s power
The woman’s power is in self-possession. I am a widow, I have two adult daughters living separately and two sons living with me, one of my sons is disabled since childhood (ICP). I am happy with my life, my children and I are one, and I have a job I love. People at the plant are nice, you go to work and back home in good mood, and if someone is in a bad mood, I share my positivity with them.
A dish for the loved ones
I always ask my sons what they would like to have for lunch or dinner and cook what they ask for.
Confession
I love my children, I love my mom and thank her for giving me life and raising me. I want my children to always stay by my side.
Gulnara Akhmentayeva
Foreman at cataphoresis area, body painting shop
Chemical process engineer by background. Born in South Kazakhstan region. Mother of two. Hobbies: mountain hiking and outdoor family activities.
Profession
Since I was a child, I said I would work at a plant, I just decided it and that’s that. I graduated from Kanysh Satbayev KazNITU (former “Polytechnic University”) and came to the Kirov Machine Building Plant. The director of the plant was amused to see a girl with technical education who wanted to work at an industrial facility. I was recommended for the Kyzyl-tu Plant of Wiring Devices where I started working as an Assistant Chemical Process Engineer and later continued working by myself.
Seven years later, I was employed at a different enterprise as a Head of Aluminum Coating Shop and last year I was invited to Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant.
I am glad I accepted the offer, it is a new plant, stability, friendly team and a good director. You always feel good about coming here, it is my second family.
The process
A body from the Welding Shop comes to us in the Painting Shop where it first gets prepared for painting: cleaned, degreased, activated and phosphatized, after which the cataphoretic primer is applied to the body by electrodeposition to protect it from corrosion. The body is kept in a drying oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes, and then sent to the putty area. In total, the shop has 14 baths: nine baths of the preparation line: cleaning, washing, activation and phosphating, and five baths of the cataphoresis line.
The cars
My children are proud of their mother making cars. Every morning they see me off and wish best luck. My husband and I also have a common conversation topic since he is a driver. In short, my whole life is associated with cars, and I keep working even at night because I dream about our plant.
Of the models we make, I dream of Santa Fe to first of all go to my mother’s home in Shymkent with my entire family.
My children are proud of their mother making cars. Every morning they see me off and wish best luck.
Woman’s power
There is a Kazakh saying: “Қыздың қырық жаны бар”. A woman is reborn like a phoenix, she can survive any hardships. A woman’s power is the intelligence, wisdom and stamina.
A dish for the loved ones
On holidays, I traditionally cook besparmak using my mother’s and grandmother’s recipe. It is the most delicious and favorite dish.
Confession
I love my children, husband, mother and my work. There are many interesting things ahead and I want to apply all my experience at the wonderful Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant. I am the happiest person, I have two families: my relatives and at my work, they inspire me and make me believe I can conquer any height and move the mountains.
Yelena Volkova
Finish painter, painting shop
Born in Almaty region. Hobbies: reading (novels and sci-fi) and hiking.
Profession
We had a car service at the house. Since I was very young, I saw my grandparents and parents painting cars, which interested me so much I decided to continue the line.
I have two specialties: vehicle repair and operation technician and mechanical technician. My internship during study in college was at a car service, I primed, plastered, painted bodies, applied lacquer. At Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant, I am a finish painter, in a way, I am an artist in a studio. The plant gives me an opportunity to get higher education and I am planning to enroll into university and receive further training in vehicle engineering.
The plant gives me an opportunity to get higher education and I am planning to enroll into university and receive further training in vehicle engineering.
The process
In the painting shop, a basic primer layer is applied on a body and dried. After it, we apply paint and lacquer on the future car. After drying, the painted body undergoes final quality control and goes to the assembly shop.
The cars
Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, these two are very dear to my heart, they are good on the road. I would love to make a road trip to different cities together with my boyfriend.
A dish for the loved ones
I enjoy baking pies, most of all my specialties: a meat pie and a charlotte.
Confession
I love life, my family and my job. I am at the start of my path and succeeding, so I want everyone to know: if you are working towards your dream, do not stop and you’ll certainly get there!
Dina Akhmetova
Mechanical assembly fitter at CKD line
Born in Almaty. Hobbies: volleyball, fitness and mountain hiking.
Profession
I dreamt of becoming a makeup artist, learned the trade of fashion designer but soon realized it was not my calling. I graduated from the Kazakh Railway University and have worked as an attendant at Tulpar-Talgo train, traveling across the country and enjoying the beauty of the Kazakhstan’s nature.
A friend told me about completion of Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant in Almaty and open car assembly operator vacancies for women. I thought it unusual and interesting, took the risk and today I am happy of that decision.
The car industry actively develops in Kazakhstan, uses new technologies and has lots of prospects for professional growth, it is possible to get a higher education in the machine building field. I wanted to become a part of something important.
The process
We handle the body after the Painting Shop, install the car interior – ceiling and floor lining, assembly of dashboards, seats, front and rear suspensions, installation of transmission and engine. After all parts have been assembled, the car is filled with antifreeze, oil, braking fluid and other necessary fluids. Then the car is inspected at the quality control station where the specialists of technical quality control check the wheel alignment, operation of brakes and adjustment of headlights. The car then undergoes a waterproofing test. After the final inspection, the car is taken for a test drive at the plant’s proving ground and, if the car successfully passes the test, it is sent to a dealer. It is an engaging process, and the time flies at work.
I want to go through all the stages and learn the complete production process so that I could easily disassemble and assemble a car.
The cars
Each of us on the line has their station. I want to go through all the stages and learn the complete production process so that I could easily disassemble and assemble a car.
I like all the models we make, most of all Hyundai Elantra and Sonata. I dream of making a trip around Europe in such a car.
Woman’s power
Not just outer, but inner beauty, self-sufficiency, self-confidence – I believe this is woman’s power.
A dish for the loved ones
I cook all sorts of dishes frequently and with joy, especially pizza. I see what products we have at home and add them, it turns out delicious in homemade way.
Confession
I love my parents and want them to be always by my side, healthy and happy.
Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant has a strong team. We are both friends and colleagues. Guys have their own football team, and we play table tennis during the breaks. In our free time, we go to the fitness studio with the pass provided by the plant. Each of us is committed to our work and aimed at professional growth. Together we will work towards success and international recognition.
Yulia Melnik
Mechanical assembly fitter at CKD line
Born in Lutsk, Ukraine. Mother of a son. Hobby: sport.
Profession
I used to work in a laboratory of a pharmaceutical company. By chance, I passed Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant in the Almaty Industrial Zone in a taxi. I asked the driver about the new facility and found out it was a plant making Hyundai cars.
The idea of becoming an employee of such enterprise seemed attractive. I scarcely knew anything about making cars but I understood it was something global. After coming home, I started looking up the information, watched YouTube videos about car industry, read news about Hyundai, Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant and Astana Motors, felt enthusiastic and decided to try.
I started at a station for installing of cables for trunk and gas tank, installing of pedals and fixing of handles. It is a captivating process, you always want to learn what follows and master new areas. Of course, our work requires high responsibility and discipline.
The idea of becoming an employee of such enterprise seemed attractive. I scarcely knew anything about making cars but I understood it was something global.
The cars
I usually drive when I go with my son to the swimming competitions, he is an athlete. I would like to take him to Lutsk where I was born, and my choice for the trip would be Hyundai Sonata. When I was a child, my family moved to Almaty, while some relatives stayed in my home city.
Woman’s power
A woman is patient and resilient, ready for any challenges and always gets the job done.
A dish for the loved ones
I often cook laghman because my son likes it so much.
Confession
I love my son and I am proud of him, try to give him the best life I can. I want my parents to always stay by our side and I am so thankful for all their support!
Aruzhan Sarina
Mechanical assembly fitter at CKD line
Born in Almaty. Hobby: architectural drawing.
Profession
I knew that Hyundai was a popular global brand and that Astana Motors was a large and successful domestic company. When I learned about construction of Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant, I felt like trying myself in this area and gaining experience of work on such major project. I was especially attracted by the fact that the enterprise employees receive advance training in the field of modern car production technologies not only in Kazakhstan but also abroad. For me, it is a great opportunity to grow professionally, expand my knowledge and be a specialist in the occupation I love.
The cars
My father taught me to like cars. I used to watch him doing repair and maintenance of his car, and it engaged me little by little. At Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant, I decided to cast my lot with machine building and I believe it is for good.
I hope that my boyfriend and I will have our own Hyundai Sonata and go on a trip.
My father taught me to like cars. I used to watch him doing repair and maintenance of his car, and it engaged me little by little.
A dish for the loved ones
I like cooking pasta with chicken, mushrooms and cream sauce.
Woman’s power
In different life situations, a woman would face any challenges and always find a way out. Woman’s power lies in her wish to live, love and be loved.
Confession
I love my parents and I am grateful for everything they have done for me. I am happy to be able to make my contribution to this world.
In a year, the team of Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant expanded from ten to 400 people. As the plant achieves full capacity, it will be employing 700 specialists in different areas, all with new inspiring stories of Kazakhstan’s people who have found their calling.
Source: www.the-village-kz.com
Photos: Nikita Basov