Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant

Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant (Russian: Казанский оптико-механический завод), commonly known by its Russian initials KOMZ, is an optics manufacturer based in Kazan, Russia.^[1]

Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant
Built	1940
Location	Kazan, Russia
Products	Optical and mechanical equipment
Website	http://www.baigish.ru/

KOMZ develops and produces a wide range of optical-electronic and optical-mechanical instruments, including submarine periscopes, aerial cameras, satellite cameras, laser rangefinders, binoculars and night-vision instruments.^[2] It is well known for developing and manufacturing binoculars and monoculars under the Baigish brand.^[1] The plant also produces a number of specialized optical devices for the Russian defense industry.^[3]

History

Baigish binoculars manufactured by KOMZ.

KOMZ was established on 8 February 1940, primarily to manufacture binoculars, artillery scopes, and tank sights for the Red Army.^[1] Most of the plant's engineers and production staff were transferred from the State Optical-Mechanical Plant in Leningrad (known as GOMZ and later as LOMO).^[1] By the end of World War II, KOMZ had produced 700,000 scopes and pairs of binoculars for the Soviet war effort.^[1] In the postwar era, KOMZ also manufactured a number of products for the commercial market, namely film cameras.^[1]

During the late 1980s, KOMZ greatly diversified its product range and also began to manufacture laser rangefinders, depth gauges, laser spectrometers, and medical instruments.^[1]

Management

General manager – Maximov Vadim Valerievich.^[4]