JSC "N.K. Krupskaya Confectionery Factory" is one of the leading enterprises in Russia's confectionery industry. It specializes in the production of chocolate and of chocolate candies. It is the only specialized enterprise in the North-West of Russia to process cocoa beans and to supply chocolate mass. 880 people are employed by the enterprise. It is located in the central part of St. Petersburg: Socialisticheskaya Street, 21.

   Historical Note
   Leningrad Confectionery Factory for the manufacturing of chocolate products was founded in 1938 and was the first chocolate and candy factory created in the Soviet Union. Over the first year of its work 636 tons of products were made (the plan was only 400 tons). In 1939 the factory was named after V.I. Lenin's wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya. Despite difficulties experienced at that time, the factory bought new equipment, the building was reconstructed. In 1940 the manufacturing of most complex and labor-requiring confectionery products began here. During World War II the factory continued to work despite the blockade of Leningrad, helping the city and the country as a whole. New types of products, needed by the hungry city, were introduced during that time, such as a vitamin-rich fern tincture, theobromine made out of cocoa bean waste products, and others.
   In 1988 the factory started working in self-financing and self-governing mode. The enterprise's 50th anniversary was marked with a renewal of its assortment: over 120 kinds of chocolate and candy came off its conveyor belts at that time. A reconstruction of the chocolate shop was conducted, a highly productive automated chocolate bar production line was bought in Germany and installed. During those years the factory was already supplying its products to Finland, Norway and the U.S.
   In 1991 the factory became a rent enterprise, in 1992 it became a joint stock company with 100% Russian capital.

   Secrets of Excellent Taste
   The main factor that determines the high demand for the enterprise's products is their traditionally high quality. The enterprise's successes are achieved by investments into advanced technology, into modern equipment and into the development of new promising types of products. The installation of a new chocolate refinement and processing line made by the Swiss Buler firm raises the quality of the chocolate to a very high level. The chocolate's tender taste depends on how small the particles of its components (cocoa and sugar) are. New technological lines on N.K. Krupskaya Factory make chocolate particles as small as 20 microns, or smaller!
   150 confectionery product items are currently produced here. One out of four items has awards, diplomas, prizes and medals for high quality. Only high-quality natural ingredients are used, after they pass through a strict ecological control system. In 1999 the enterprise attained a Certificate of Compliance to the international ISO-9001 quality system standard.
   In 1995 a new technology for the production of two-layer candy was introduced in cooperation with German and Dutch specialists. This technology has never before been used in Russia. The candies produced through this process are so good that their taste is identical to that of dairy cream. Simultaneous casting of two different ingredients into silicon forms allows to create unique combinations of the candy's stuffing. This achievement of the factory's specialists received well-deserved recognition by European confectioners.
   In 1997 a new sector for the production of porous chocolate was created. As a result, production of high-quality porous chocolate grew 7 times.
   N.K. Krupskaya Factory is one of the few enterprises in Russia that output confectionery products on the basis of sugar supplements, such as xylite, sorbite and isomalt. Sugar supplements are much more expensive than sugar itself and, taking into consideration the complexity of technology involved, it is not advantageous to make diabetic chocolate and candies at the present time. Nevertheless, knowing that these products are in high demand among St. Petersburgers, the enterprise encourages the development of new types of diet confectionery products.
   The annual volume of production at N.K. Krupskaya Factory is about 16,000 tons of confectionery products, including various candies and chocolate products. The factory also supplies semi-prepared chocolate products to other enterprises. Glazed candies and chocolate make up about 90% of the factory's total output.
   The factory makes over 90 types of candy with different stuffing made of milk, cream, waffles, fruit and berries. It produces about 25 types of chocolate that are capable of satisfying any customer's demand. There are sweet and bitter variations, there are some that contain milk, cream, coffee, crushed peanuts and almonds. Aside from the well-known sorts, it produces such brands of chocolate as "St. Petersburg" and "Northern Bear" that are highly valued by customers for their taste qualities. Such candies as "Zhar-Ptitsa", "Kosmicheskie", "Northern Bear", "Golden Field", candy sets "Russian Museum", "Evening St. Petersburg", "August" and "Summer Garden", boxed chocolate sets "Ruslan and Ludmila"; "Poristy", "St. Petersburg" and "Consonance" chocolates and various two-layered cream candies with "musical" names constitute the enterprise's main specialties.

   Chief Awards and Achievements in Recent Years
   In 1995 the factory has achieved considerable successes in its activities and received the most prestigious international prize of European confectioners, the Candy Kettle Award. The award has been created by initiative of the European Confectioners' Club. N.K. Krupskaya Confectionery Factory and its General Director Nina Ilyinichna Stepanova became winners of this award in 1995 by decision of the Prize Committee. The award has been given to a representative of Russia for the first time in 30 years.
   In 1996 the factory received the international "Leader of Trade" best trademark award and "Made in St. Petersburg" honorary public recognition sign for "August" candy set and "Alyonka" chocolate.
   Based on the results of its work in 1997, the factory was called the best enterprise in St. Petersburg's food industry. In 1998 it received St. Petersburg Quality Prize and the diploma of laureate of the National "100 Best Products of Russia" Contest program for its "Russian Museum" chocolate candy set.
   In 1998 N.K. Krupskaya Factory became the first confectionery enterprise to be awarded the Russian Federation Government Prize for quality.
   Nina Ilyinichna Stepanova is the current General Director of JSC "N.K. Krupskaya Confectionery Factory".

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