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1931 — construction of “Zaporizhstal” started.
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The construction of “Zaporizhstal” was started în January 22, 1931 on the grounds of the Resolution of the Supreme Council of National Economy of the USSR dated May 3, 1929 and was aimed to provide the needs of the rapid-growing machine-building industry with flat products. The metallurgical plant was to become the largest enterprise in Europe at that time, its design capacity was 1 224 000 tons of pig iron, and 1 430 000 tons of premium quality steel.  |
1933 — the first melt of pig iron was cast at Blast Furnace #1.
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The Metallurgical plant (later it was named “Zaporizhstal”) was commissioned on November 16, 1933 when the first pig iron was smelted in Blast Furnace #1. This day is considered to be the birthday of “Zaporizhstal”. In 1935 the first open-hearth furnace was commissioned, and in 1937 the first Soviet slabbing mill started its operation. Later hot strip and cold strip rolling mills were built and commissioned. By the beginning of the Second World War the majority of metallurgical units and auxiliaries were already functioning. “Zaporizhstal” comprised the following shops: Blast Furnaces Shop, Open Hearth Furnaces Shop, Hot Strip and Cold Strip Mills and all necessary auxiliaries. The share of the Works in manufacturing major products of ferrous industry in the country was considerable, especially, high-quality hot-rolled and cold-rolled strips. | 
