In 2001, the Italian company Merloni Elettrodomestici decided to build a new washing machine factory in Lipetsk where Stinol refrigerators are produced. It was announced in Rome after a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and president of Merloni Elettrodomestici Vittorio Merloni.
The new plant will eventually produce up to 1 million washing machines a year.
After the launching ceremony, the two leaders were taken on a tour of the factory by its director Antonino Gambuzza.
Looking at the production line, the President asked questions about the technology and whether Russian parts were being used. The director explained that some of the parts, including plastic ones, were Russian-made, and in the future most components would be produced in Russia – in Lipetsk and Lebedyan.