Report by Seema Gupta following a recent visit to KEF Infra’s Krishnagiri facility
"We can build a two million sq.ft. structure in just 21 months as opposed to 5 years taken by the conventional construction method" - Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder and Chairman, KEF Holdings
KEF Infra's fully-integrated offsite manufacturing unit KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, comprises of seven scalable independent units. Equipped with advanced automation, including robotics, the plant can manufacture and deliver complete ready-to-move-in buildings quickly, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Entire homes, hospitals, offices, malls and schools can be designed and manufactured here, and assembled onsite, complete with internal fittings, fenestration, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, furnishings, lighting, et al.
Built on 42 acres of land, the facility has 7 dedicated units for manufacturing concrete slabs, prefabricated bathrooms, modular MEPs, wood joinery, fit-outs and composite panels, doors and windows, aluminium glazed profiles, laminates & veneers, and upholstered furniture. It undertakes complete designing, engineering and manufacturing of every element of a building -from wall panels, hollow core slabs, flooring etc, using advanced manufacturing technologies that involve Robotics and Automation, BIM level 6, Internet of Things and Sensors, Automated Double Wall technology, Mobile Precast technology, etc.
Says Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder and Chairman, KEF Holdings, "KEF Infra has brought world-class proficiency in design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and project management, all under one roof. We are using the path-breaking precast technology to transform the way buildings are constructed. Prefabrication technology significantly reduces construction time and cost, as it increases efficiencies in building better and faster. For instance, we can build a two million sq.ft. structure in just 21 months, as opposed to five years taken by the conventional construction method."
Projects delivered include a 4,00,000 sq.ft. Meitra Hospital in Kerala within a record time of 18 months; a 1.7 million square feet commercial building of the Embassy Group in Bengaluru within 13.5 months; and a 5,00,000 sq.ft. Infosys Building (Phase 2) in Bengaluru within 15 months. The company is currently executing a 1 million square feet college hospital in Coimbatore, a 2 million square feet mall for the Lulu Group in Lucknow; and has on board GKNM hospitals in Coimbatore as a new client.
KEF's specialised units are delivering bath pods, doors and windows, and other products to clients Sands Infra, Malabar Gold, Brigade, Mahindra, Bhartiya City, Leela, and At One, amongst others, and is offering its high-end products to hotels, hospitals, schools, retail stores and other commercial units.
Comments Faizal, "The year 2017 was monumental for us as we gained the trust of numerous top companies. This has helped us cement our position as industry leaders in the off-site construction space, and fueled our drive towards sustainable and inclusive development."
Buoyed by an order book of ₹1,500 crore in hand, and serious enquiries from corporate, government bodies and private builders, the company has chalked out an aggressive growth plan. It will be building the country's first prefabricated mall in Lucknow, besides hotels and schools, and will be entering the 'smart home' segment, and will build affordable homes at a starting price of ₹10 lakhs. Following the huge response to its revolutionary concept from companies, institutions, corporates, healthcare and residential sectors, and by the government, KEF has finalized plans to set up similar precast units in Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai.
"Given our increasing order book, we will collaborate with at least 50 vendors who can supply high quality material to us"
Shabana Kottikollon, Co-Chairperson, KEF Holdings
Avers Shabana Kottikollon, Co-Chairperson, KEF Holdings, "We can deliver any kind of project at one-third the time taken by conventional construction methods since everything is pre-fabricated at our plant, transported and assembled at project site. We are using the 'catalogue method'for customers to view and choose their own designs. They can even hire their own architect/designer. We have tied up with several vendors for wood, cement, steel, cables and aluminium, etc. Given our increasing order book, we will collaborate with at least 50 other vendors who can supply high quality material to us at Krishnagiri."
Speaking on the sustainability aspect of offsite construction, she says, "KEF Infra's offsite infrastructure technology is 100% green. We believe progress doesn't need to come at a cost to the environment. Wastage in a conventional building is around 12% but our wastage is only 2 percent. Plus, there is no pollution at project site since only assembly takes place there."
The company has launched a separate entity for supplying prefabricated high-end homes. Headed by daughter Sophyiya Faizal, the first such project-an e-Villa, will be launched in March this year. Says Sophyiya, "The e-Villa is a three-bedroom apartment which will cost ₹60 lakh for construction, and can be built in just four weeks, once the foundation work is done."
"Construction of a 3-BHK villa will cost ₹60 lakh and can be built in just four weeks"
Sophyiya Faizal
