KEF Infra Set to Deliver 1.5 Million Sq. Feet Embassy 7B Project in Record-breaking 13.5 Months

Bangalore, April 25, 2016: KEF Infra, the infrastructure subsidiary of KEF Holdings, a multinational diversified group that specializes in innovative offsite construction technology, in collaboration with the Embassy Group, India’s leading property developer, today announced the completion of the first construction milestone of the Embassy 7B project that is currently being developed in Bangalore. This project is the first of its kind in Asia, as it is a fully-offsite manufactured project.

The INR 375-crore commercial building, which spans across 1.5 million sq. ft., is scheduled to be completed in just 13.5 months, transferring up to 50 per cent time savings and consequent cost economy to the developer. Capitalizing on offsite construction technology, KEF Infra is well on track to meet this extraordinary delivery target having completed two basement floors of 206,800 sq. feet in two months, compared to the average six-months that traditional construction methods would require.

Embassy 7B features 10 floors of office space, a well-appointed ground floor with lobby space, two basements floors and multi-level car parking. KEF Infra brings the unique double-wall technology, which is widely used in Europe, for the first time to India through this project. This global best practice in precast technology reduces construction time and increases quality and structural stability by uniquely combining prefabrication and in-situ technology; its use also allows for simple and efficient onsite concreting. Improvement of energy efficiency by incorporation of thermal insulation is also made possible through this technology.

Speaking at a media briefing, Sumesh Sachar, CEO of KEF Infra, said: “We are very excited to work with the Embassy Group, and thank the Chairman and Managing Director Jitu Virwani and the management for their confidence in KEF Infra. This move positions Embassy as a forward-thinker in India in ushering in the latest construction technology in their project that would advance the quality of buildings.”

He added: “The KEF Infra Industrial Park in Krishnagiri is the world’s largest fully integrated one-stop offsite construction destination. By manufacturing each part of a building offsite, which includes using robotics for prefab rooms, joinery and glazing, as well as the concrete elements, we are able to deliver highly complex structures in half the time and provide better ROI when compared to conventional construction. This is the way forward for the realty sector in India where cost, quality and energy efficiency are becoming a growing concern. At KEF Infra, we believe such innovation-driven technology can transform the Indian construction and infrastructure landscape.”

Mike Holland, CEO, Embassy Office Parks, added: “KEF Infra’s approach to technology-based development is ground breaking, and we are pleased to have them on board as a valued partner for the Embassy 7B project. While KEF Infra is relatively new to the India market, their achievements so far, especially the advancements they offer through their facility in Krishnagiri are truly remarkable. We look forward to continuing to work with them, and are confident of their ability to deliver this project within record time. This development further cements Embassy Office Parks position as the leading private owner and operator of world-class business parks in India.”

KEF Infra brings a number of other efficiencies to the Embassy 7B project, including resource efficiency and a bespoke approach to building. The building materials and modules are produced in highly controlled manufacturing environments making it possible to build according to scale, reducing error and cost of wastage of time and materials. The energy efficiency and lack of wastage in the manufacturing and build process contributes towards a better environment and reduction in pollution.

Andre Dienst- General Manager, KEF Infra Industrial Park, said: “At KEF Infra, we use best-in-class technology not only to offer incomparable benefits to our clients, but also to make sure that we employ sustainable processes to bring benefit to the community at large. This translates into transfer of skills to the people we employ at our factories, a large number of whom are from nearby communities, as well as environmental efficiencies through the use of custom-built construction elements that reduces debris and disruptions on-site and through integrating advanced technology to enrich end results and minimize error. For example, the time cycle for laying a floor slab in traditional construction would be 7 days, while for us there is no wait time; similarly while the time taken to install a column in Precast is 1 hour, while it takes about 10 days in in-situ.”

The KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu is currently being developed at a total investment of Rs. 650 crores across an expanse of 42-acres, making it the world’s largest fully integrated one-stop ‘offsite construction’ destination. The Park houses 10 factories across five distinct construction disciplines: precast unit, prefabricated and modular unit, joinery and fit out, aluminum and glazing unit and a stone processing unit. The glazing and façade units for the Embassy 7B Project will be produced at KEF’s Krishnagiri facility.

Installed with the state-of-the-art equipment, KEF’s fully automated precast unit can produce a range of products including hollow core slabs, beams, columns, wall panels and staircases. The prefabricated pod and modular unit is capable of producing prefabricated rooms, bathrooms and kitchens featuring modular MEP. Special efforts have been taken to ensure that the entire facility adheres to the environmental standards prescribed by the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)