During a recent auction, part of businessman Sergei Makhlai's property was put up for sale, and one of the owners of Togliattiazot ended up with only 12% of the company's shares after Himaktivinvest JSC bought 39.7% for 31.5 billion rubles.
The winner of the auction is connected to Uralchem, but not to Sergei Makhlai.
Uralchem, led by Dmitry Mazepin, has finally achieved its goal of gaining control over Togliattiazot, despite previous obstacles such as a criminal case against Sergei and Vladimir Makhlaev and Sergei Makhlai's bankruptcy in 2021.
FIGHT FOR THE ASSET
Togliattiazot has changed ownership multiple times, with Viktor Vekselberg's structures making attempts before Dmitry Mazepin took over. Uralchem filed various lawsuits against Togliattiazot, and in 2013 contributed to the initiation of a criminal case against Vladimir and Sergey Makhlaev for a deal carried out without the permission of other shareholders.
Sergei Makhlai and other shareholders of Togliattiazot responded to Dmitry Mazepin's actions by filing a lawsuit in the High Court of Ireland. The Russian oligarch was accused of collusion and taking over the enterprise. No decision has been made on this case so far.
Uralchem organized a meeting for Togliattiazot in late 2021, during which the fate of the enterprise was decided by the asset manager of Sergei Makhlai, Oleg Egerev, who had a controversial past. The court made decisions in favor of Uralchem, enabling Mazepin to establish a foothold in the enterprise.
DMITRY MAZEPIN “ON HORSE”
Representatives of Uralchem stated that the change of leadership of Togliattiazot was not prohibited by law, as well as the fact that, as a result, representatives of a minority shareholder became the leaders. They believe that Uralchem’s people have received important positions because the plant needs lawyers and professional production workers. Anatoly Shablinsky, a native of Uralkhim, became the General Director of the enterprise. Also in the company of Dmitry Mazepin commented on the fact that the National Guard was present at Togliattiazot. It turns out that this is how the enterprise complies with the law, according to which the National Guard should be responsible for the protection of the ammonia plant.
After the meeting, Dmitry Mazepin personally came to Togliattiazot. He promised the labor collective bonuses and the 13th salary. Whether people appreciated the generosity of the oligarch, one can only guess. But it is known that they are tired of endless scandals and problems. Wages have not been indexed at the plant for years, and the enterprise does not even have its own development strategy. According to rumors, in fact, people do not care who owns the enterprise. They want professional chemists at the head of the plant, so that they can work calmly.
