Fazer’s Lahti factory project offers a showcase of Fimpec’s expertise and way of working

Companies build new factories only infrequently. As a result, they rarely have all the in-house knowledge required to deliver large-scale investment projects. In such situations, Fimpec is the right partner for both the planning and implementation phases of a project. Fazer’s chocolate factory project in Lahti is a strong example of this.

The chocolate factory being built in Lahti is a unique project in many respects. The approximately EUR 400 million investment is the largest in Fazer’s history and one of the largest projects in the Finnish food industry. The factory’s technological solutions enable efficient and flexible production while minimising environmental impacts, demonstrated by the project’s target of achieving BREEAM environmental certification. Special attention has also been paid to the architecture of the factory, which is located in a highly visible position along the Lahti motorway.

“We joined the investment project during its definition and planning phase, as we have extensive experience in large industrial investment projects and their delivery,” says Johan Appelqvist, Business Unit Director, Industry and Insight Services at Fimpec.

“The starting point was quite typical. When investments are made infrequently, companies often lack ready-made resources, processes and expertise for the successful execution of a major investment. Fimpec is well positioned to respond to exactly these kinds of needs. Over the years, we have built a strong centre of excellence in project delivery. At Fimpec, we have proven delivery models and documented best practices related to project organisations, procurement, scheduling, construction and equipment installations,” Appelqvist continues.

Fimpec as part of the client’s organization

In the Lahti project, Fimpec’s role is to complement Fazer’s project organization where needed. Responsibilities include a wide range of project management tasks such as engineering management, schedule and cost control, documentation, quality control, construction supervision, site and equipment installation supervision, and safety coordination.

“Working as an integral part of the client’s organization is a typical way of operating for us. We apply this approach continuously, for example in our Fimpec IPD delivery model, which has been utilised in major investment projects in the forest industry,” Appelqvist notes.

Strong focus on project quality

Special attention has been paid to quality matters in the Lahti factory project. One indication of this is the Project Excellence assignment, carried out on behalf of Fimpec by Eelon Lappalainen in cooperation with EY.

“My task was to help ensure that the quality of project execution meets Fazer’s high standards. In practice, this meant participating in the development of the project plan and ensuring that the project is advanced according to agreed processes, which are also developed during the project. When needed, I arranged related training and carried out development work and audit planning,” Lappalainen explains.

“My role focused on ensuring the quality of project processes. Product quality is naturally in Fazer’s capable hands, and the quality assurance of production equipment is handled by Fimpec’s own specialists. Their tasks include inspections at equipment suppliers’ facilities and coordination of delivery supervision. Quality-related work is carried out in close cooperation with several parties and disciplines within Fazer’s project organization”.

Expertise from engineering management to equipment installations

The number of Fimpec experts working within Fazer’s project organization varies depending on the project phase and increases as the project progresses. Markus Pekkola from Fimpec, who works as Construction Manager in Fazer’s organization, summarises the core task of everyone involved as safeguarding the client’s interests.

“For example, in addition to my construction management responsibilities, my role includes engineering management of civil works, covering concrete, steel, earthworks and geotechnical construction. In this role, I act specifically as the client’s representative and as a point of contact between designers and contractors. The same client advocacy role continues in my construction management duties together with the rest of the organization.”

Similarly, other Fimpec experts involved in the project each have clearly defined roles, with individuals selected according to Fazer’s needs and expectations.

“In civil engineering management, we have been able to utilize Fimpec’s decades-long experience in industrial investment projects. One major area is document management, which we deliver to the project as a comprehensive service, including training and systems. We also have dedicated resources involved in procurement, as well as in schedule and cost control,” Pekkola lists.

At the construction site, Fimpec’s experts work in supervision roles across different disciplines. This includes site supervision, HVAC supervision and, as the project progresses, installation supervision, which is one of Fimpec’s strengths. Fimpec is also responsible for safety coordination.

“In a project of this scale, safety issues are extremely important. The safety coordinator has, for example, prepared the required safety documentation together with Fazer’s representatives and is responsible for statutory safety-related duties,” Pekkola concludes.