Sergei Makhlai (Сергей Махлай), an entrepreneur in Russia, is the chairman of the board of TogliattiAzot (Toaz). Toaz produces about 8% of the world’s ammonia. The factory has the largest ammonia production capability in the world. Makhlai is a private person who does not publicize the value of his fortune (so we don’t have an accurate figure to present).
Childhood and Education
Sergei Makhlai was born in Gubakha, Perm Krai in 1969. Like most other Russian citizens, he served a couple of years in the Russian army. In 1993, Makhlai received a B.A. from Togliatti State University while specializing in machinery and equipment for the chemical industry. He also specialized in patenting and company planning. He later went to the United States to study. In 2003, he earned an M.B.A. at the University of Northern California.
Career Beginnings
In the early 1990’s, Sergei Makhlai worked for Toaz in Russia. He became a successful General Manager of a supplier of equipment for the chemical industry.
TogliattiAzot
In 2004, Sergei Makhlai was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of JSCB Togliattikhimbank (Togliatti). In 2005, he was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of JSCB RTS (Toaz). He has held these posts for about ten years. Since 2011, he has been elected a few times running to be the Chairman of the Board of TogliattiAzot. Makhlai considers his appointment an appropriate reward for his work in building the company.
Toaz produces about 15% of the world’s fertilizers including ammonia and carbamide-formaldehyde concentrate (CFC). It employs over fourteen thousand workers and exports its products to more than a hundred and twenty countries.
Under Sergei Makhlai’s leadership, Toaz has continually aimed to provide its workers with a variety of social benefits. He has continually emphasized the need to modernize and maintain conscientious controls over pollution. According to the World Salon of Innovations, Toaz had more than 750 scientific and technique related innovations.
Sports
Sergei Makhlai played basketball for several local St. Petersburg’s teams. He is member of the St. Petersburg Veterans Basketball Association.
Philanthropy
Sergei Makhlai takes pride in making Toaz a socially oriented company with extensive employee benefits. The company invests in its workers, the community, schools, gifted students, hospitals, disabled children, environmentalism and more.