VITEBSK, 28 December (BelTA) – In 2008-2009 Orsha Linen Mill invested Br53 billion in the development of production, BelTA learnt from Vladimir Nesterenko, director of the company. The company has been carrying out technical upgrading programmes in its all four workshops since 2007. The re-equipment of the 1st workshop became the major project of this period. The company fitted the workshop with the modern Swiss and German equipment. The upgrading allowed producing cottonized fiber and fine linen and blended yarns. Owing to the technical upgrade, the company launched the manufacture of new products and, therefore, expanded its assortment. One of the main goals of modernization was to start production of cloths and yarns with new properties and increase the quality of products. “On the whole, we managed to achieve this goal,” said Vladimir Nesterenko. According to him, the company struggled with poor sales in H1 2009, but in Q3 and Q4 the production volume made up 88% as against the previous year. The profitability is expected to total 1% or 2%. This year the linen mill worked on advancing into new markets. Trial consignments were delivered to Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand and Japan. All in all, the mill exported products to more than 30 countries. In January-November the export increased by 11% from the same period last year. Orsha Linen Mill was founded in 1930. The company incorporates four factories. The output is more than 40 million running meters of flax fabrics per year. The major products are tableware, linen, semi-flax coverlets. The company employs around 6,000 people.