OAO “Mashinostroitelny Zavod” is the oldest company belonging to the RF Federal Agency for nuclear power. The plant was constructed during the years of World War I for manufacturing ammunition. The first batch of ammunition was manufactured on 28, February 1917. This date is celebrated as the plant birthday.
	During the last years of the war the plant was expanding very fast and strengthened its position among munitions factory assuring defense potential of the country. The plant manufactured artillery shells, mines and airbombs for the war industry. The plant was the first in the country to set up the production of missiles for famous “Katyusha” and “Vanyusha” artillery volley fire mount. The plant has made a significant contribution to the Soviet victory in World War II. The achievements of the plant workers were awarded the Order of Lenin. Almost all the employees working for the company during the war years were awarded medals and orders.
	In the late 40s – early 50s the company started implementation of nuclear technologies connected with the development of the “Nuclear shield” of the country. These achievements have been rewarded by the second order of Lenin in 1954. The year 1954 was the starting point for the development of the new direction in the plant’s activity, viz. fabrication of fuel rods and fuel assemblies for nuclear industry. In 1954 the first batch of fuel assemblies was manufactured for the first nuclear power plant in Obninsk.
	The next step in this direction was the fabrication of cores for the marine fleet. In December 1959 the first atomic ice-breaker powered by the nuclear fuel manufacture by the plant was launched (“Lenin” atomic ice-breaker).
	The full-scale production of fuel rods for nuclear power plants was started in 1965. In 1982 the first automated fuel rod production line was commissioned. During the next few years several similar automated fuel rod production lines for RBMK, VVER, BN reactors were put into operation. The commissioning of production lines was awarded two State Awards of the USSR and State Award of the Russian Federation.  Over 60 company employees are winners of Lenin Prize and State Award of the USSR Council of Ministers.
	In the mid 90-s nuclear fuel and associated services offered by OAO MSZ appeared in Western Europe. The expansion of MSZ fuel to the Western market was facilitated by certificates and prestige awards confirming high performance characteristics of the product manufactured.