Case Study

Sector: Automotive – Innovation and Value Engineering

A large automotive manufacturer known for innovative design and engineering processes needed a new R&D facility that reflected those same qualities. Vestian brought outside-the-box thinking and rigorous value engineering to deliver a state-of-the-art research facility at a cost 30 to 40 percent below projections.

The client needed to expand its Bangalore operations by 266,000 square feet to accommodate 2,400 new employees, creating the company’s largest research facility outside of Germany. Serving as project management consultant, Vestian’s scope of service included managing the interior fit-out, providing design evaluation and value engineering, and implementing strategies for procurement, budget control, time management and quality supervision.

integrated workplace solutions, corporate workplace services

Vestian started by evaluating the due diligence for several short-listed properties in order to select the best site for the client’s facility, using 60 parameters that related to industry standards, local statutes, National Building Code norms and tax implications. The building selected was located in a Software Technology Parks of India zone, which enabled Vestian to avoid excise duties on furniture and equipment imported from other countries.

The focus on thorough planning and value engineering to optimize project cost and quality continued throughout the build-out process. By fully understanding the design intent from the outset, Vestian was able to freeze the design specifications, ensuring that there would be no major changes in the construction phase that could add to the cost. In addition, recognizing the technical challenges of the building enabled Vestian to re-negotiate lease terms with the developer and to establish transparency in the developer’s process via open-book project cost tracking visible to the client. Conducting test fits of furniture systems early in the process helped ensure effective space utilization.

workplace solutions services, global commercial real estate

The client also realized savings of between 30 and 40 percent of the total budget, due to Vestian’s procurement strategy that entailed capital equipment such as uninterruptible power systems, precision air conditioning, audio-visual equipment, lighting, life safety and security systems, laboratory equipment and kitchen appliances.

The project was completed on time, at a reduced cost, and in alignment with the client’s global standards. One other benefit of careful planning and disciplined management was that the 100-day construction phase achieved “zero accident man-hours” while adhering to an aggressive time schedule.