TMK Partnered Industrial Problem-Solving Team Competition
TMK (Pipe Metallurgical Company) and the TMK2U Corporate University partnered the team-based industrial problem-solving competition “I Am an Engineer”, held at the Ural Federal University (UrFU).
Participants were tasked with solving two relevant engineering challenges closely aligned with real production processes. In the “Materials Technology” track, they were required to propose solutions to improve the quality of welded joints in drill pipes with friction-welded tool joints. In the “Engineering Mechanical Design” track, participants developed technical proposals for a self-propelled transfer cart for transporting billets capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures — up to 900 degrees Celsius.
Teams were supported and their projects evaluated by experts and mentors from TMK, including employees of the Sinarsky Pipe Plant (SinTZ) and the Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant (ChTPZ), as well as the corporate center in Moscow. Following the competition, the “Innovatics” team won in the “Materials Technology” category, while Gesti.tech took first place in “Engineering Mechanical Design”.
“TMK is interested in attracting talented and motivated young professionals. The ‘I Am an Engineer’ project allows us to assess their practical skills under time constraints, teamwork conditions, and real industrial challenges. Such formats help identify engineers who will be ready to tackle the most complex production tasks as early as tomorrow,” said Elena Pozolotina, Deputy CEO for Human Resources and Director of the TMK2U Corporate University.
The “I Am an Engineer” competition was held in two stages. During the first, remote stage, participants completed thematic testing. Around 140 students, college pupils, and school students took part in the in-person stage. A total of 30 teams worked on six industrial challenges across different sectors. Winners received a cash prize.
