Russian Steelmakers Are Building a New Culture of Industrial Trust

A Digital Standard for Transparency and Trust

Severstal continues to strengthen its position as a technology leader in Russia’s steel industry through a large-scale digital transformation program. One of the key elements of this strategy is the launch of an in-house digital service called Putevoditel po Podryadchikam (Contractor Guide), which is already reshaping how the company works with counterparties at every level.

The electronic catalog brings together up-to-date information on contractor companies working at the Cherepovets Steel Mill and the group’s iron ore assets. Severstal employees can quickly analyze contractors across a wide range of criteria, including scope of work, expert and operational assessments, accreditations and prequalification status, security screening results, and the history of identified violations. This comprehensive approach makes it possible not only to select contractors faster, but to do so objectively, transparently, and safely, especially for complex and high-risk projects.

Putevoditel po Podryadchikam (Contractor Guide) is a proprietary Severstal development. It was created through collaboration between the company’s IT teams, the unit responsible for contractor development, and the procurement function. The platform is deeply integrated into corporate workflows. It reduces decision-making time while establishing a unified digital space of trust. Each contractor receives clear feedback, while Severstal gains a complete, data-backed picture of a partner’s capabilities and reliability. This helps reduce schedule risks, minimize unforeseen costs, and, critically, improve the quality of work delivered.

Every Meter of Steel Under Digital Control

Importantly, Putevoditel po Podryadchikam is not a standalone solution. It is a natural component of Severstal’s broader digital architecture. It complements projects such as Sherlock, an end-to-end automated steel certification system based on artificial intelligence and computer vision. Sherlock, the first system of its kind in Russian metallurgy, covers the entire product lifecycle, from detecting visible defects to predicting hidden deviations through analysis of process parameters.

Each meter of steel now has a digital passport, and decisions about product quality are based on data rather than subjective judgment. The result is lower internal losses, more precise deliveries, and a stronger brand reputation in both domestic and international markets.

This solution aligns with our strategy for the digital transformation of business processes. Each year, around a thousand contractor organizations work at the Cherepovets Steel Mill, delivering investment projects, maintenance work, and technological and auxiliary services. Alongside quality control systems, digital models, and computer vision tools, we are developing and launching services that accelerate and simplify organizational processes. This tool aggregates data from Severstal’s corporate systems and provides clear data visualization, making work with partners transparent and manageable. Every month, more than a hundred specialized experts at our company actively use the service to address strategic tasks

Evgeny Vinogradov

CEO of the Severstal Russian Steel division and resource assets

Industrial-Scale Self-Service

At the same time, Severstal is actively developing digital channels for customer interaction. The upgraded B2B marketplace Severstal Market illustrates how digitalization can directly affect business performance. Over one year, online sales grew by 76%. This was driven by deep automation: 84% of invoices are generated in under five minutes, delivery cost calculations across 184 routes are now instant, and the Plus loyalty program, which replaced bonus points with transparent ruble-based discounts, increased the number of new customers by 175% and was recognized as the world’s best by the CX World Awards.

Service functions are also evolving. Mobile self-service solutions Checksteel and Scoring allow customers to submit claims and receive decisions directly through an app, without employee involvement. Integration with CRM systems makes interactions faster, more predictable, and easier for clients to manage.

These results reflect deliberate investment in digital sovereignty. In 2024, Severstal allocated 10 billion rubles (around $120 million) to IT and digital projects, and in 2025 funding increased by a further 30%. The investments are directed toward import-independent solutions, the development of digital twins, automation of industrial control systems, and the creation of an open digital ecosystem where technology supports efficiency, transparency, and trust.

From Internal Tool to Industry Standard

The future of Putevoditel po Podryadchikam extends well beyond internal use. Over time, the platform could be enhanced with predictive analytics modules, automated recommendations, and integration with partners’ ERP, PLM, and SRM systems. In the longer term, it could be commercialized as an industry-wide B2B solution for sectors such as energy, heavy machinery, or transportation.

Severstal is not simply adopting technology. It is shaping a new culture of industrial collaboration in the digital economy. Transparency, efficiency, safety, and data-driven decision-making are becoming the foundation for both contractor management and customer engagement. This systemic approach positions the company not only as an industry leader, but as a driver of digital modernization across Russian manufacturing.