Genelec has opened a new extension to its lakeside factory in Iisalmi, Finland, significantly increasing the space, flexibility and efficiency of the company’s warehousing and logistics operations. The entire facility is now powered exclusively by sustainable sources including solar, wind and hydroelectric energy.
Genelec’s minfulness of sustainable development and environmental responsibility spans more than four decades, and has made recycled materials, low energy consumption and long product lifespan central to the company’s design philosophy. The current factory (by Porovesi Lake in Iisalmi) was built in 1985 with an architectural design that complements its natural surroundings, and was designed to significantly reduce energy wastage through its use of heat recovery and generous insulation of walls, ceiling and windows. The factory moved from oil to a combination of wind and hydroelectric energy supply many years ago, and the new extension now brings solar energy to the mix courtesy of more than 450 roof-mounted solar panels that will supply 30 per cent of Genelec’s annual power.
The expansion project was managed by Genelec Development Engineer Annika Hujanen, and provides almost 2,000sq-m of floor space for warehousing and logistics alone, with considerable additional space for customer support offices, a centralised automation control centre and efficient waste processing. In keeping with Genelec’s environmental policies all architects, designers and contractors were chosen for the project based on both their sustainability credentials and their close proximity to Iisalmi, resulting in less travel, better material logistics, and reduced waste and CO2 emissions. The expansion also enables consolidation of Genelec’s external warehouses, offering further improvements in the efficiency of material flow, lean manufacturing and reductions in waste and power consumption.
‘We take our responsibilities to the local community very seriously, so we were really excited to see all the people involved joining forces with us to contribute to the eco-system here in Iisalmi in a sustainable and innovative way,’ Hujanen explains. ‘The work was completed on time, on budget and to a fantastically high standard. We’re really proud of what the entire team has achieved.’
‘For more than four decades, total quality and sustainability have been core principles of Genelec’s philosophy,’ Genelec Managing Director Siamak Naghian adds. ‘The company has strategically regarded environmental issues as being equally important as profitability, and while our consistent growth in business has been the catalyst for this factory expansion, that growth has to be maintained sustainably. Continuing to keep our entire manufacturing base here in Iisalmi means that we can always guarantee not only the premium total quality of our products, but also that our entire design and manufacturing process helps to conserve our precious natural resources.’
More: www.genelec.com
