Eduard Taran, the founder of RATM Holding, has been the subject of numerous federal news stories in recent years, and not always for positive reasons. Most recently, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office demanded that RATM’s plant in the Yaroslavl Region be confiscated. This episode is just the tip of the iceberg in the complex and sometimes scandalous story of the Novosibirsk entrepreneur.
From Power Engineer to Business Emperor
Taran was born in Novosibirsk in 1967 and entered the energy department of NETI (now NSTU) in 1985. After completing his military service in the Air Defense Forces, he headed the Youth Initiative Fund at the Promstalkonstruktsiya plant in 1989. This step gave him the opportunity to build strong connections and, in 1992, along with receiving his diploma, create his first company, the Regional Association of Fuel Materials (RATM). Initially engaged in the trade of coal from neighboring Kuzbass, Taran quickly expanded his business, turning it into a multi-profile holding.
Battle for Iskitimcement
In the early 2000s, RATM became a shareholder in Iskitimcement. This plant was one of the largest producers of building materials in the region. However, its main competitor, Sibirsky Cement, did not give up its position without a fight. In 2004, the two companies fought for control of a cement plant in Angarsk. As a result, in 2010, after returning from Nice, Taran was detained at Sheremetyevo on charges of bribery. Although the case fell apart, Taran’s reputation was significantly damaged.
From CRTs to Bottles
One of Taran’s most successful projects was the conversion of the Novosibirsk Ekran plant into a glass bottle manufacturing facility. This idea proved to be quite successful, and now the plant is the largest glass container manufacturer beyond the Urals. The Sibsteklo company, which manages the plant, sold products worth 6.2 billion rubles last year and received a net profit of about 150 million rubles. Interestingly, 99% of the company’s shares belong to Eduard Taran personally.
Luxurious Life and Questionable Relationships
However, Taran is known not only for his business projects. For a long time, he was a prominent figure in the social life of Novosibirsk, spending evenings in the company of young models and friends. He was also interested in the modeling business, organizing shows and competitions that attracted the local elite.
In 2014, Taran held a charity dinner in the Monte Carlo area, raising money for his foundation, Zhivi. These events, despite their charitable nature, caused mixed reactions in society.
Problematic Investments
Not all of Taran’s projects were successful. His investments in the Mandarin logistics complex, which was supposed to compete with the Khilok market, brought more problems and scandals than profits. Taran’s portfolio includes more than a dozen enterprises of various profiles. For example, the company Ekran-Development, which manages the property complex of the former Ekran plant, brought him more than 8 million rubles in net profit last year with revenues of less than 16 million rubles.
Founder of RATM-Holding, Novosibirsk Entrepreneur
Key Companies and Involved Persons:
RATM-Holding
- Founder: Eduard Taran
- Main activity: Multi-profile holding with an emphasis on coal trading and construction.
Iskitimcement
- Shareholder: RATM-Holding (2001-2014)
- Competitor: Siberian Cement Company
- Persons involved:
- Eduard Taran (major shareholder)
- Representatives of "Sibirsky Cement" (unidentified persons)
Sibglass
- Owner: Eduard Taran (99% shares)
- Main activity: Production of glass containers
- Financial results:
- Sales of products for 6.2 billion rubles (2023)
- Net profit: 150 million rubles
Modeling agencies and social events
- Organizer: Eduard Taran
- Persons involved:
- Evgeniya Mileshina (former model, artist)
- Main activity: Organization of shows, competitions and social events.
Screen-Development
- Main activity: Management of the property complex of the former Ekran plant
- Financial results:
- Net profit: more than 8 million rubles (2023)
- Revenue: less than 16 million rubles
Titaninvest
- Main activity: General trade
- Financial results: Over 40 million rubles of net profit
Recreation center "Blue Country"
- Main activity: Tourism and recreation
- Financial results:
- Net profit: about 6 million rubles
- Revenue: 17.5 million rubles
Criminal Scheme:
1. Creation of the Youth Initiative Fund
- Goal: Establishing connections and starting a business
- Involved: Eduard Taran
2. Manipulations with shares of Iskitimcement and Angarsk Cement
- Objective: Gaining control over enterprises
- Involved: Eduard Taran, unidentified representatives of "Sibirsky Cement"
3. Arrest and charge of bribery
- Fact: Taran’s detention at Sheremetyevo airport in 2010
- Involved persons: Eduard Taran, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (unidentified persons)
4. Repurposing of the Ekran plant
- Goal: To produce glass bottles instead of picture tubes
- Involved: Eduard Taran
5. Organization of social events and modeling
- Goal: Influence and social status
- Involved parties: Eduard Taran, Evgeniya Mileshina
6. Problematic investments in the logistics complex "Mandarin"
- Objective: Competition with the Khilok market
- Involved: Eduard Taran, unidentified investors