The National Pavilion of Ukraine at the EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, presented a publication from the Kharkiv printing house Faktor-Druk, created after it was hit by a Russian missile strike on May 23, 2024. This printed product features stories from Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
It contains 20 stories about Ukrainian businesses that, despite the war, destruction, and relocation, continue to operate and create jobs in Ukraine. Among the heroes are enterprises from Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, Nikopol, Hulyaipole, Kharkiv region, and other areas, all of which demonstrate resilience every day.
“This publication, just like the Ukrainian pavilion at EXPO 2025, tells the world about our strength and values. Ukrainian business continues to work despite extremely difficult circumstances. And even Faktor-Druk itself is an example of this resilience. We are proud to share the stories of such Ukrainian entrepreneurs with such a large audience, as this year, it is expected that EXPO 2025 will be visited by 23 million people,” emphasized Ukraine’s First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko.
This publication is one of the first products that Faktor-Druk fully produced after the destruction of part of its production facilities. The first edition was presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The second, expanded edition, created specially for EXPO 2025, was developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.
"Behind each story in this publication are real people, whom we met in Kramatorsk, Kharkiv, Hulyaipole. They rebuilt printing houses after shelling, planted fields despite the danger, and started businesses anew in new cities. This is not just entrepreneurship—this is an example of resilience that inspires the international community. Together with our partners, we are honored to support those who create an economy based on the values of freedom, dignity, and mutual support—an economy that can withstand the hardest trials and become the foundation for recovery," said Yakov Silye, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine.
The story of Faktor-Druk is a true example of Ukrainian resilience. Before the full-scale invasion, the printing house was one of the largest in the country: it printed up to 40% of all Ukrainian school textbooks, as well as children's, literary, and specialized literature. The company operated a full production cycle, but after the binding workshop was destroyed, it could only perform part of the processes. However, by early 2025, Faktor-Druk had fully restored its operations. American philanthropist Howard Buffett contributed to the restoration of the printing house.
The publication also features stories from other resilient Ukrainian enterprises. For example, the company Interpipe Niko Tube continues to operate in Nikopol despite the constant threat of shelling. The companies D Light and UBC Group had to relocate from Kharkiv region but were able to restore their activities in new locations. Delta Food moved from Hulyaipole, and Ecosoft restored itself after significant destruction.
The majority of the enterprise Keramichni Masy Donbasu continues to operate in Sloviansk. LLC Kontakt, with most of its facilities in Donetsk region, was able to relocate and continue its activities in central Ukraine. Sem Ecopak managed to launch a new production line despite the challenges of the war.
The companies Ancientsmithy and Vitrage Art Souvenirs, having restored their production in Kyiv and Sumy regions, were able to increase their supply volumes of exclusive products worldwide.
COLLAR Company from the border town of Chernihiv continues to produce goods and expand into international markets.
The Kyiv Clock Factory continues to operate in the capital, producing new unique models of Ukrainian KLEYNOD clocks. Tsitius-S and AEROMEKH, despite experiencing two forced relocations, continue their work at new locations.
Despite being near the frontlines, Kramtekhcenter continues to operate in Kramatorsk. One of the largest investors in the Ukrainian economy, the company Kronospan, is even opening new production facilities during the war. The enterprise Impexmash was able to restore its operations after being destroyed. And the casting and mechanical plant in Pokrovsk has become an example of the resilience of industry in front-line areas.
The visual representation of the business stories for this publication was done by illustrators Ivan Kypibida and Yulia Vus, with the layout designed by Marta Pokhodzhay.
Note:
Faktor-Druk is the largest full-cycle printing complex in Ukraine, producing newspapers, magazines, and books. Every third book published in the country was printed by this printing house. After the missile strike from Russia, almost half of the company's technological lines were destroyed. Currently, the full production cycle is being restored.
