VMZ Sopot
Vazovski Mashinostroitelni Zavodi (VMZ) EAD (VMZ EAD) is the biggest enterprise of the military and industrial complex in Bulgaria.[1]
History
The first stone in its foundation was laid on 9 June 1936, and on 12 July 1940 an inaugural ceremony to open the state military factory was held. Production commenced with hand grenades, 22 mm HE rounds, 122 mm howitzer rounds, fuzes, 75 mm rounds and 105 mm projectiles for Krupp gun.
Recent years
In the recent years and nowadays the company passed through different stages of its development. Various activities and divisions were started. New production facilities were opened. In 1977 the company was registered as VMZ Ltd., in 1999 – as VMZ Co.
Due to the intellectual potential of its engineering staff and high qualification of its executive personnel a wide assortment of defence and civil items has been manufactured during the years of its existence. VMZ Co. traditionally takes part in various events in the country and abroad where it exhibits its latest defence and civil items.
It is a regular participant at the Plovdiv International Fair and Hemus Defence Exhibition. VMZ Co. has its own place in the Bulgarian history as the first and only enterprise decorated with the highest state orders of the Republic of Bulgaria.