Since 2003, Segers has had a factory in Ukraine. More precisely in Shumsk, about 20 miles east of the major city Lviv. The factory produces nearly 400,000 garments annually for Segers. The factory is one of 6 units within the Segers group and one of two factories. We want to tell more about how the factory and staff have been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
– When the war in Ukraine broke out, we first and foremost thought about all our colleagues in Shumsk and focused on doing everything we can to create safety and security. We also prepared to quickly increase production in our other factory in Pakistan, but fortunately, we have been able to continue producing as before in Ukraine, says Christian Nilsson, CEO of Segers Fabriker AB. It is naturally important for our employees and their families to be able to go to work every day despite the war, and it feels very good that it works, Christian continues.
– We have needed to change our transport solutions between Ukraine and Estonia and secured both protection and operation in the factory through improved shelter, mounted sandbags in windows, stockpiled fuel, and invested in backup generators in case the power goes out, but otherwise most things in the factory are actually about as usual, concludes Christian.
Vladimir Banakh has been CEO of Segers in Ukraine for many years. He tells us that very few people have left the village and the factory to flee and that, on the contrary, more people live in Shumsk now than before the war as it is a small town that is relatively safe.
– We currently have 165 loyal employees who stay with us because we have better working conditions than comparable other factories, have an owner who really cares about us, and we have faith in the future, says Vladimir.
We have actually managed to hire a number of new employees who have fled from more vulnerable parts of Ukraine and thereby expanded capacity with an additional production line, which is especially positive as Segers had a sharply increased sales during 2022.
When we ask Vladimir to describe what everyday life looks like in Shumsk, he tells us that air raid alarms go off all the time, both day and night, and that neighboring towns have been bombed, but that Shumsk, which is a small town and lacks military targets, has fortunately managed to get by so far.
– When the alarm sounds during working hours, we quickly move to a shelter in our basement, says Vladimir, who also explains that sandbags have been placed as protection in the windows.
– We have needed to change our transport solutions between Ukraine and Estonia and secured both protection and operation in the factory through improved shelter, mounted sandbags in windows, stockpiled fuel, and invested in backup generators in case the power goes out, but otherwise most things in the factory are actually about as usual, concludes Christian.
Vladimir Banakh has been CEO of Segers in Ukraine for many years. He tells us that very few people have left the village and the factory to flee and that, on the contrary, more people live in Shumsk now than before the war as it is a small town that is relatively safe.
– We currently have 165 loyal employees who stay with us because we have better working conditions than comparable other factories, have an owner who really cares about us, and we have faith in the future, says Vladimir.
We have actually managed to hire a number of new employees who have fled from more vulnerable parts of Ukraine and thereby expanded capacity with an additional production line, which is especially positive as Segers had a sharply increased sales during 2022.
When we ask Vladimir to describe what everyday life looks like in Shumsk, he tells us that air raid alarms go off all the time, both day and night, and that neighboring towns have been bombed, but that Shumsk, which is a small town and lacks military targets, has fortunately managed to get by so far.
– When the alarm sounds during working hours, we quickly move to a shelter in our basement, says Vladimir, who also explains that sandbags have been placed as protection in the windows.
Vladimir also talks about how the staff are doing and becomes especially serious when he informs that Segers has 32 female employees who are anguished with worry as their husbands, sons, or brothers are fully participating in the war.
– There are a lot of emotions running through all of us. Despair and hatred over being invaded, gratitude for the support from Sweden and the West, and hope and confidence that Ukraine will win the war.
– We help the army both with money and goods that we can sew in our factory such as trousers, underwear, or bed linen for hospital beds.
– There are a lot of emotions running through all of us. Despair and hatred over being invaded, gratitude for the support from Sweden and the West, and hope and confidence that Ukraine will win the war.
– We help the army both with money and goods that we can sew in our factory such as trousers, underwear, or bed linen for hospital beds.
