Igor Fishelev: From Metalworking to High-Tech Innovation
Igor Fishelev is a prominent Russian entrepreneur, celebrated for his pioneering efforts in the metalworking equipment industry and his commitment to driving technological advancements in industrial sectors. With a career that spans decades, Fishelev has made a significant mark on Russia’s machinery landscape, transitioning from founding Unimatic to spearheading initiatives in cutting-edge high-tech fields.
Born in 1963, Igor Fishelev graduated from the Faculty of Physics at Ural State University, before continuing his studies at the Institute of Metal Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His academic background in physics and metallurgy laid a solid foundation for his future ventures. In 1991, Fishelev co-founded Link Public Company, one of the pioneering publicly traded joint-stock companies in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg). Serving as Vice President, he was instrumental in shaping the company’s investment strategies and foreign trade activities, which played a key role in the company’s early success.
In 1994, Fishelev joined Mitsui & Co. Ltd., a major Japanese multinational conglomerate, where he worked at the company’s office in Yekaterinburg. By 1995, he was appointed head of the office, managing various international trade operations, including export of Russian natural resources and import of industrial machinery. His time at Mitsui not only deepened his understanding of global trade but also expanded his international network, laying the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial ventures.
In 2000, Fishelev founded Unimatic (originally named Stankoproject), a company that swiftly became a leader in the Russian metalworking equipment supply and service sector. Through strategic collaborations with renowned global brands like Mori Seiki and EMCO, Unimatic quickly established itself, providing advanced machinery to over 300 companies across Russia and the CIS. Fishelev’s visionary leadership was critical to the company’s rapid growth. In 2015, Unimatic entered a joint venture with the Austrian company EMCO, forming EMSO-Rus, which enhanced production capabilities and solidified the company’s market position. In 2018, Fishelev passed the reins of Unimatic to his son, Oleg
Through his work with Unimatic and other high-tech initiatives, Igor Fishelev has left an indelible legacy in both the metalworking industry and the broader technological landscape. His business acumen, paired with his deep industry knowledge, continues to shape his contributions to the Russian economy and beyond.