A medium-sized Chinese automotive supplier was planning to expand its production areas and significantly enlarge its toolmaking department. The interim manager acted as project manager for the planning and implementation of the necessary building expansions. In order to reduce running costs, an external warehouse was also to be closed.
Project management from coordination of requirements to completion
After intensive coordination with all parties involved, the interim manager drew up initial layouts for the planning and implementation of the building expansion. Following approval by the local management, he applied for the necessary budget from the Group Management Board. As project manager, he submitted the building application to the authorities. In regular meetings with architects and construction supervisors, he drew up the documents for the tender and played a key role in selecting the construction company.
The interim manager was responsible for specifying and procuring the equipment for the building extension. This included overhead cranes, racking, forklifts and transformers as well as distribution boards for the power supply. He was also responsible for the integration of heat recovery, a passive ventilation system for fresh air supply and cooling as well as chemical storage with processing.
Energy costs reduced thanks to passive fresh air system
In order to reduce energy costs, the new building was fitted with a passive fresh air system. To do this, several air supply pipes had to be placed under the building to supply fresh, cool air to the building via the thermal system. The tool shop had very precise temperature requirements (+/- 1°C), which were only possible with a special air conditioning system. In addition, a back-up had to be set up in the event of a failure.
Furthermore, the new extension was to be heated entirely by heat recovery from production. This form of energy saving through heat storage is still the exception in China. As a high-bay warehouse was planned and many old tools were to be stored in the warehouse, the static load had to be taken into account accordingly.
New construction of the production plant ensured on time and on budget
The project was completed within the planned budget despite major adjustments. Furthermore, individual systems were relocated to the new halls ahead of schedule while construction work was still in its final stages. All necessary permits were obtained by the planned milestones and issued by the authorities. The entire extension was completed within the planned deadlines and to the complete satisfaction of all parties involved.
The next building extension was then to be realized. The project manager had taken this extension into account in the current planning so that the follow-up could simply build on it.
