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When ZAO Dirol of Russia and The Dandy Group of Denmark jointly committed to building a 15,000-square-meter chewing gum manufacturing facility here three years ago, they realized numerous "sticky" situations might occur. To help ensure a smooth construction phase, they brought in Atlanta-based Hanscomb, an international construction consultant with a major regional office in Moscow.
Not only did the Dirol Plant KV23 project proceed smoothly, but Hanscomb and its clients received the 2000 International Project of the Year Award from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). This prestigious annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management, promoting professionalism and excellence in the construction industry both nationally and internationally.
Jointly owned by ZAO Dirol and Dandy, Plant KV2 3 represents an investment by its clients in excess of $120 million, including land development, construction, process equipment and utilities. The state-of-the-art facility was designed to produce 7,000 tons of chewing gum per year at normal capacity, and it will employ a maximum staff of 1,000 people.
The plant's location in Veliky Novgorod will allow it to serve the entire Confederation of Independent States (CIS), the political alliance that includes Russia and many of the former Soviet Union's satellite states. Situated 200 kilometers southeast of St. Petersburg and 500 kilometers northwest of Moscow, Veliky Novgorod is one of the "Seven Golden Cities" of Russia, with strong historical and political importance. Its population of approximately 250,000 has strong links with Scandinavia.
Prior to construction, in fact, the Dirol project was referred to as Rurik II, for the Danish Viking who conquered Novgorod. The area's ties to Scandinavia provided added impetus for Dandy, the Danish owners, who to great effect solicited support from the Novgorod City and Regional Administrations for the procurement of the project.
Plant KV23 was constructed on five hectares of a greenfield site totaling 8.40 hectares. The facility consists of a process building of 12,312 square meters, an energy center of 2,106 square meters and an administration building of 3,570 square meters. In addition to these buildings, two independent main power supplies were installed at the site, and a main water supply (with reserves and filtration systems) was located in the basement of the energy center, to aid in fire fighting on...