In the former Soviet Union, Kharkov was the third centre of machine building (according to the size parameter) and the leader of machine building industry of Ukraine. Nowadays, the city doesn’t possess this status.

One of the most important tasks of UPEC, whose main assets are in Kharkov, is keeping the best traditions of industrial Kharkov.

Anatoliy Girshfeld, President of UPEC: "We aren’t going to be the leading industrial company in non-industrial region, and we’re sure that there are enough healthy forces, which will be able to keep succession and continue the prominent traditions of the city. That’s why, a number of initiatives are being developed, that, in our opinion, can obtain for Kharkov status of the industrial centre of Ukraine. One of such initiatives is our new project "Championship of UPEC professionals". The project is supposed to consist of competitions among representatives of all occupations that are at the enterprises of the company."

In 2007, in the frameworks of Championship of UPEC professionals, at four enterprises of the industrial group UPEC, Championship of manual occupations was held for the first time. It was the greatest competition among representatives of machine building occupations in Kharkov region. The championship was dedicated to Day of machine builder that was celebrated on the forth Sunday of September. The employees of Kharkov Bearing Plant, Machine Tool Building Plant, Electrical Engineering “Ukrelectromash” Plant and Lozovsky Forging-Mechanical Plant took part in the competition.

The competitions were being held in several stages during two months.

At the first stage, the designers of the industrial group competed for the title "Maestro-designer of UPEC". In the frameworks of this competition, the drawing of the cup was made that became the challenge prize for plant teams, which won in the Championship.

The second stage was the competition of professional skill "Golden hands of UPEC". The best turners, grinders, tool-makers and millers were determined during this competition.

The final stage of Championship of manual occupations was the competition "Team of UPEC professionals". The teams consisted of the specialists who according to the results of the plant competitions of professional skill "Golden hands of UPEC", were acknowledged the best ones at their enterprises. In 2007, the winner of the competition was the team of Lozovsky Forging-Mechanical Plant.

The awarding ceremony was held at the festive party "To be machine builder is honorable!" that was in Entertainment Center of Kharkov Bearing Plant on 22 September.

Elena Kraft, Director of UPEC HRM: "Such large-scale competitions were carried out in Kharkov firstly for many years. The tradition to determine the best professionals on the eve of professional holiday was widely spread in 70s-80-s of the last century. At the present moment, we restore this custom and create new corporate tradition. Such competitions give people the opportunity to show themselves and feel professional pride. And the award is not only letter of commendation and precious prize, but also recognition of importance of their work, demand of the professional knowledge and skills. The most important task of UPEC managers is creating the conditions for keeping succession of generations at all enterprises of the group and developing professional and personal potential of the employees."