Belarus’ Most Famous Brands include mechanical engineering giants, top-notch chemical enterprises, innovative IT companies, clothing and footwear producers, manufacturers of high-quality foodstuffs…
Here you will find information about some of the most successful Belarusian companies that have made a name for themselves on the markets of Europe and beyond.
One in three dump trucks produced globally is manufactured by Belarusian Autoworks (BEAZ trademark), one of the leading producers of construction machinery and vehicles for open-pit mining. In 2013 the company rolled out the world’s largest mining truck with the record lifting capacity of over 503 tonnes. Since the company was established it has designed more than 550 modifications of vehicles and manufactured over 135,000 huge trucks that are now operated all over the world.
The company is also actively promoting a new line of business - production of unmanned vehicles and electric dump trucks.
Belaruskali is one of the world’s biggest producers and exporters of potash fertilizers. The company’s history dates back to 1958 when the development of the ancient Starobin deposit of potassium salt was launched in Polesie. Belarus’ only “town of miners” – Soligorsk – was built not far from the deposit. Soligorsk is home to the CIS’ only speleotherapy clinic. According to the International Fertilizer Industry Association, Belaruskali accounts for one fifth of the global output of potash fertilizers. The company exports to over 140 countries worldwide.
Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ trademark) produces world-class trucks, truck tractors, and chassis that are well-known far beyond Belarus. The company’s highly reliable trucks take part in prestigious rallies like the Dakar race marathon where they have clinched medals several times. Since 1995 Minsk Automobile Plant’s passenger vehicles have received numerous international awards. City buses and coaches, tour buses and special-purpose buses manufactured by the company can be seen all over Belarus and abroad (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi 2014 Olympics, Kyiv)…
Minsk Tractor Works is among the world’s leading manufacturers of wheeled tractors holding about 8-10% of the global market. The company offers over 60 models and 100 modifications of tractors for all kinds of climatic conditions. For many decades MTZ-made tractors have been successfully operated all over the world. MTZ exports to more than 60 countries worldwide and has assembly plants in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Algeria, Venezuela and other countries.
Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ trademark) is one of the country’s biggest exporters. It is unique in terms of its production cycle, because it incorporates all the technological stages, from steel production to the sales of finished products. The Zhlobin-based company manufactures rolled metal products, pipes, wires, steel fiberboard… The company sells to over 100 countries worldwide. Its partners include the world-famous tire producers, like Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli, Nizhnekamskshina, and Bridgestone. BMZ’s products were used during the construction of Olympic facilities in London 2012 and Sochi 2014, the National Stadium in Warsaw, the National Library of Belarus, the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow…
Belshina is one of the largest European tire manufacturers. The Bobruisk-based factory produces over 300 dimension types of tires for cars, trucks and heavy haulers, electric transport, buses, tractors and dump trucks… Products under the Belshina brand have penetrated the markets of almost 50 countries. In 1999 Belshina became the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of extra large-sized all-metal cord tires. The Belarusian enterprise supplies its products to KAMAZ, GAZ, Caterpillar Inc and other international brands, as well as the Belarusian companies BelAZ, MAZ, MTZ and MZKT.
Novopolotsk-based Naftan is a leading petroleum chemistry enterprise in Belarus: the first Belarusian gasoline was produced here in 1963. At present Naftan is one of the largest chemical complexes in Belarus producing over 100 types of petroleum derivatives: motor gasoline, various diesel fuels, jet aircraft fuel, aromatic hydrocarbons, asphalt and lubricating oils. Over 60% of its products are exported to more than 40 countries worldwide, including the Baltic states, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Norway, the UK and the Netherlands… The establishment of Naftan gave rise to the Belarusian town of Novopolotsk.
For over 50 years Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (Volat trademark) has been producing reliable equipment suitable for transporting heavy goods. The company’s major products are chassis, truck tractors, dump trucks, platforms for drilling rigs, trailer trains which can be used in permafrost conditions and desert sands, for oil and gas exploitation and construction… The Volat machinery is exported to about 20 countries. Scores of weaponry and military equipment use MZKT’s unique chassis, including the complexes Iskander, S-400, Topol-M, Bastion, Tor-M2, Bal, Tornado and Polonez…
Belkommunmash, one of the CIS major manufacturers of electric transport, offers eco-friendly and convenient transport solutions for megalopolises. Trolleybuses, electric buses and tramcars produced by the Belarusian company enjoy a high demand in different cities of the world. Belkommunmash’s cutting-edge trolleybuses are equipped with diesel generators to move without electric energy, as well as with the GPS systems, tilting systems, USB ports and sockets for laptops. Belkommunmash is implementing joint projects with the following partners: the Swiss company Stadler Rail AG (they are about to begin producing two-storied trains for Russia’s Aeroexpress) and Polish PESA Bydgoszcz SA (rail buses).
The Belarusian company ATLANT is a well-known manufacturer of refrigerators, freezers, and washing machines. The history of Minsk Refrigerator Plant began more than half a century ago: the first refrigerator Minsk-1 rolled off the assembly line in 1962. With the time the enterprise grew into Belarus’ largest brand - ATLANT. Today, Belarusian reliable, convenient and energy-saving kitchen appliances sell well both in the domestic market and abroad. Besides, ATLANT produces refrigeration compressors and electric motors, equipment for plastics processing, welded metal structures, and metal cutting equipment. The company also has manufacturing capabilities in machine tool and foundry production. ATLANT exports more than 86% of its products.
Gefest’s household appliances for kitchen are produced in the Belarusian city of Brest. The product range includes gas and electric cookers, built-in cooktops and ovens along with air cleaners. Brestgazoapparat is the parent company of the Gefest group of companies. Founded in 1951 Brestgazoapparat has made about 30,000,000 cookers by now. Today the company is one of the leading producers of cookers in the CIS: every year the company manufactures 900,000 cookers. About 80% of the company’s products are exported.
Founded in 2005, the Belarusian Hi-Tech Park has become one of the world’s leading software and IT hubs. The legal status of the Hi-Tech Park is valid all over Belarus, and its residents enjoy advantages regardless of the location of their office. Companies from 67 countries are clients of the Belarusian Hi-Tech Park: over 90% of the software produced in the park is exported to the USA, Canada, Europe, and the CIS. Today nearly 900 companies are HTP residents. Among them are European and world leaders: EPAM Systems, the World of Tanks developer Game Stream (Wargaming development center), IBA IT Park, Itransition, Viber Media…Mobile applications developed by the HTP residents are used by over 1 billion people in more than 190 countries worldwide.
The company, unique to Belarus, is an example of a private business based on the most advanced scientific achievements. In 1991 it was founded by Professor Vladimir Linev, a nuclear physics scientist, inventor, author of more than a hundred patents. Together with like-minded people, he turned his brainchild into a world-class innovative enterprise. Today, ADVIN is one of the leaders in the market of X-ray equipment for security, healthcare and scientific instrument engineering. Most ADVIN systems are based on the unique scanning technology for high-quality digital imaging at low radiation doses. The company produces state-of-the-art inspection equipment (transport, luggage, full-length human scanners, etc.), medical equipment (lung scans, CT...), desktop analytical devices and NDT equipment. Every year, the company exports tens of millions of dollars worth of products to more than 80 countries.
Orsha Linen Mill is Belarus’ only flax fabrics manufacturer. It is also one of the largest such companies in the CIS and Europe. It started out as a small flax-heckling factory in December 1930. Today the company produces fabrics and various home textiles from ‘northern silk’… Its products are marketed in Belarus and abroad under the brand ‘Belarusian flax’. The company also promotes its own clothing brand. About 70% of the linen mill's products are exported to nearly 50 countries. Belarus holds 3.5% of the world market of linen products. The company runs its own retail network consisting of over 20 trading houses located in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Western Europe.
Milavitsa is Belarus’ famous lingerie brand. For many decades Milavitsa, one of Eastern Europe’s biggest lingerie producers, has designed figure shaping lingerie, swimsuits, sleepwear, casual wear. The company keeps an eye on fashion trends in design, materials and accessories as it designs collections for every season and chooses design solutions in favor of women’s comfort and health. The company operates more than 640 stores in more than 25 countries.
The history of the Mark Formelle group of companies began in 1994, when a small Belarusian enterprise started making lingerie and swimwear for Germany’s Triumph AG. Mark Formelle's own brand was launched in 2009. Today the company offers a broad assortment of underwear, hosiery, loungewear, sleepwear, workwear, leisurewear, and sportswear ... The enterprise has about 170 proprietary stores in Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It makes more than 12 million items and rolls out over 150 capsule collections a year. The company has 12 factories of its own all over Belarus.
Conte Spa was founded in Grodno in 1997. Today it is one of the leading producers of hosiery, clothing and lingerie in Eastern Europe. The company produces more than 100 million items per year. It exports over 70% of its output. The company sells into more than 30 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, France, New Zealand, and many others.
The Kobrin-based factory Polesie started its operation in 1998 with a team of ten specialists producing colored pyramids. Today it is the country’s largest brand of plastic toys, boasing cutting-edge equipment and eco materials, more than 2900 employees, and over 4000 descriptions of commodities. The factory sells toys into more than 70 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The company produces an impressive range under its brand Polesie and also under the license from leading European manufacturers -Wader Quality Toys, Molto, Palau, Coloma Y Pastor. The company also makes toys for world and regional brands such as Disney, Marvel, Soyuzmultfilm, and others. This is over ten trademarks dedicated to various animation characters, comic book heroes, cars, including Belarusian giant BelAZ.
The companies BELITA and VITEX are the largest cosmetics tandem in Belarus and the first cosmetic-makers in the country. The history of VITEX (previously Belbytkomplekt) goes back to 1988. In 1989, it participated in the foundation of the joint Belarusian-Italian enterprise BELITA. In many ways, the enterprises were pioneers of the Belarusian industry of skin care and makeup cosmetics. At present, the two brands are the leading manufacturers of Belarusian cosmetics, including professional products for beauty salons and household cleaning products. The companies boast their own research center and test, chemistry and biology laboratories. Its export markets include more than 30 countries. Over 700 stores operate under the BELITA-VITEX brands, half of which work under franchise. The companies offer around 2,500 products and introduce 100-120 new ones every year.
Founded in 1998, Santa Bremor Company, a resident company of the Brest free economic zone, has grown into one of the major food producers both in Belarus and Eastern Europe. The company’s lineup includes over 1,000 products. The primary line of business is fish and seafood. Today the company from Belarus, a land-locked country, supplies high-quality canned fish to almost 40 countries (Russia, the EU, the United States, Canada, Israel, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand and others). Santa Bremor has also branched out into the segments of ice cream and ready-to-cook products. Every day the company produces about 1 million packages of finished products, which is more than 100,000 tonnes per year.
Kommunarka Factory has a history of over a hundred years. The company manufactures chocolate and sweets using only natural cocoa products (cocoa beans are processed directly at the factory), cocoa powder and hand-made chocolate, caramel and sugarplums… Every year Kommunarka produces over 27,000 tonnes of confectionery of more than 350 descriptions. Chocolate and sweets of the Minsk factory are popular in different countries (Russia, the United States, Israel, Germany, the UAE and others). The company exports almost a fifth of its output.
Krasny Pischevik is the oldest and one of the largest confectionery enterprises in Belarus. A yeast plant was established in the town of Bobruisk back in 1870. The enterprise became the legendary confectionery brand later on. Krasny Pischevik has been making its flagship product – marshmallows – since 1934. At present the company offers over 250 product titles and owns about 40 trademarks. Apart from the well-known apple marshmallows it makes halva, marmalade, pastille, dragee, kozinaki, candies, toffee, honey, ice cream, sweet pasta… Krasny Pischevik products are known well in Russia, Poland, China, Czechia, Ukraine, Canada, USA, and many other countries.
The Gomel-based company Spartak is also one of Belarus’ top three confectionery companies. A factory named Prosvet was opened in June 1924. It started making caramel, candy, toffee, and marmalade. The enterprise was renamed into Spartak in 1931. The name grew into a brand that Belarusians love and foreigners recognize far beyond Belarusian borders. At present Spartak makes about 350 product titles: caramel, candy, chocolate, biscuits and waffles, cakes and pastries… Sweets from Gomel are sold in nearly 30 countries across the globe: Russia and other CIS states, Australia, Canada, USA, China…
Savushkin Product is one of the biggest dairy and juice producers in Belarus. The famous brand from Brest operates several trademarks. The company’s assortment exceeds 200 names of products: milk and butter, sour cream and curd, cheese, yogurt and sour-milk drinks, desserts, juices and nectars. Savushkin Product is popular not only in Belarus. The company exports about 60% of its output to more than 20 countries (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, EU, UAE, Jordan, China, USA, Israel, etc.).
Today Mogilev-based Babushkina Krynka is Belarus’ largest dairy producer. The holding company’s daily output reaches 1,700 tonnes of milk. The company produces over 250 names of products under several trademarks. The product line-up features milk and dairy products, sour cream and cream, baby food, yogurt, curd and cheeses, ice cream… Babushkina Krynka exports its goods to more than 35 countries: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, China, Germany, Iran and others.