Granlund involved in the design of a elevator factory in India
5.7.2021 – Granlund provided the concept design of the project’s MEP and automation systems.
Both residential and commercial buildings are being built in India at an increasing pace. To ensure smooth mobility in these new buildings, a large number of elevators is needed. As a response to the demand, the Finnish elevator company Kone has built a new large elevator factory in Chennai, India.
According to Simo Lassila, Director of Supply Chain Development at Kone, the manufacturing capacity of the elevator factory that was officially commissioned in November 2019 is approximately 20,000 elevators per year.
“First and foremost, the factory serves the growing Indian market. Some of the elevators manufactured in Chennai are also exported to other Asian countries.”
The factory serves the growing Indian market.
Finnish and Indian design expertise
Granlund provided the concept design of the project’s MEP and automation systems.
“In concept design, the first step was to agree on the general specifications, targets and capacities of the factory with Kone. After that, the Indian design firm prepared more detailed plans based on what had been agreed. Granlund ensured that the local plans were in line with the targets. We also acted as a technical advisor in the project,” says Matti Sinisalo, Group Manager at Granlund.
Sinisalo comments that it made no sense for the customer to have all design tasks carried out in Finland because design work is so much more affordable in India.
Design work is so much more affordable in India.
“However, a Finnish party is needed for ensuring that work is compliant with the European quality standards. Kone has very strict environmental and occupational safety norms, for instance. When designing the Chennai factory, particular attention was also paid to production continuity, to ensure that a malfunction in one process would not interrupt operations elsewhere,” notes Lassila.
Granlund also participated in the commissioning of the factory. “Before commissioning, we thoroughly tested the factory’s automation and fire extinguishing systems, for instance,” says Sinisalo.
Kone’s trusted partner
Lassila says that Granlund was chosen for the project on the basis of earlier good experiences. He describes Granlund as Kone’s trusted partner.
“Our cooperation has continued for nearly twenty years. Granlund has been involved in our elevator factory projects in Mexico and China, among other locations.”
According to Lassila, over the years, Granlund’s engineers have got to know Kone’s processes and quality requirements profoundly.
“They know how to pass on our views to other parties and can comment on our behalf. This makes it easy to take care of matters.”
They know how to pass on our views to other parties and can comment on our behalf. This makes it easy to take care of matters.
According to Simo Lassila, the Chennai factory project went well. There are also plans for the next steps, in the vicinity of the factory.
“Next, we will build a elevator testing tower in Chennai with Granlund’s help.”
Want to hear more?
Matti Sinisalo
Ask for more information or request a quote
Tell us about your project or what kind of service you need. We will get in touch with you shortly.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Be first to hear about the latest news from Granlund and building sector.
