Early Life and Education
Andrei Ilyich Komarov was born on October 11, 1966, in Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Soviet Union. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Chemical Engineering in 1990, where he studied to be a technician and physicist of low temperatures. Prior to his business career, he served in the Soviet Army from 1984 to 1986.
Rise to Success
Komarov began his career in the Moscow Satyricon Theater from 1989 to 1992. He then ventured into the business world, managing and co-owning several companies involved in metal exports between 1992 and 1996. One of these enterprises was the Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant (ChelPipe), where he later became the main owner in 1998. He served on the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, representing the Chelyabinsk Region. In 2021, Komarov sold his 86.54% stake in ChelPipe to OAO TMK. He is the founder of ChPTZ Group and now heads Arkley Capital. In December 2022, Komarov acquired the Russian business of the Swiss company Amcor, which produces packaging, with two plants in Novgorod and one in Saint Petersburg.
Key Business Strategies
Komarov focused on the Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant (ChelPipe), which became a prominent player in the steel pipe production sector, controlling 20% of Russia's steel pipe market. His strategy involved innovative production methods to serve the oil and gas industry and other sectors.
Philanthropy
Komarov has been involved in philanthropic activities, including funding the construction of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ozyorsk. He also supported the construction of the first positron emission tomography (PET) center in Chelyabinsk. In 2024, the Skolka school was opened in Moscow, with private investments exceeding 7 billion rubles. Overall, from 2011, Andrei Komarov has invested approximately $250 million in the education sector.