The main objective of the transfer of Leroy Merlin stores to the ownership of Russian individuals is to overcome dependence on foreign equipment for the production of certain building materials. This was stated by State Duma Deputy and Chairman of the Committee on Property, Land and Property Relations Sergei Gavrilov.
The parliamentarian noted that there are building materials that Russia produces for the whole world, but does it on imported equipment, the dependence on which “turned out to be about 80-90%.”
“Among the materials that are almost entirely produced on foreign equipment are bricks, tiles and porcelain stoneware, sanitary ceramics, self-tapping screws, sealants, aerated concrete, chemicals, paints, and even paint spray cans themselves,” Gavrilov added in an interview with “Izvestia”.
The expert also stressed that he considers Leroy Merlin’s decision to transfer assets to Russian managers reasonable and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation will actively assist in this process.
At the same time, he urged to think about whether the participants in the construction and repair market, which will continue to develop along with the almost domestic Leroy, will be able to meet all the needs of buyers in the Russian Federation. In his opinion, only own equipment will help to avoid a shortage of building materials.
“Modern production facilities are usually equipped with high-tech equipment that can be diagnosed remotely, without the need for specialists to travel from abroad. Due to the fact that Western companies refuse to service production equipment in Russia, special sensors designed for remote control will simply be removed from machines and machines will no longer be “smart”. Therefore, it is already now necessary to decide how to reprogram machines and direct the forces of IT specialists to this”, he explained.
Gavrilov stressed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade would support this activity as well. Moreover, manufacturers of such equipment and components for it can count on receiving preferential loans from the Industrial Development Fund. In turn, the ministry compensates for the costs of research and development of this type of equipment.
Recall that on March 24, Leroy Merlin announced its desire to sell all its stores in Russia. At the same time, all jobs (and there are more than 45,000 of them) will be saved.
