Nokia Chennai

Once a small sleepy village, Sriperumbudur’s economic landscape has undergone a complete transformation with the setting up of the Nokia Telecom SEZ in January 2006. In three years, the plant has produced 200 million handsets, which is the fastest ramp up amongst nine global factories. From an initial headcount of 550 employees, the plant now employs 8000 people, 70 percent of which is young women aged between 18-24.

The Nokia Telecom SEZ will provide 30000 jobs when all the vendors are fully functional. The figures are a matter of pride for Nokia for the positive change that it is able to bring about in the area. The success of the plant is best demonstrated by the stories of Kapagajotheeswari, Apsara, Mohanavalli and Narmada. These young women, like many of their colleagues, were jobless, until a couple of years ago, after abandoning their studies.

Today, Kapathajogeshwari, who joined Nokia at 18 and works on the shopfloor, has bought her father a scooter, and shoulders the family expenses. Apsara, who joined as a trainee has moved up to assist in the supply operations unit. Like them, Mohanavalli and Narmada too are planning to get a B Com degree, and are determined to ensure further education for their siblings as well.

Gleeful employees get to taste nutritious pan-Indian The 210 acre Nokia Telecom SEZ houses the Nokia manufacturing facility and facilities of five of its global component manufacturers. and global cuisine. 

Concern for employee welfare extends to the crucial aspect of healthcare and an ongoing monthly health campaign has a doctor from Apollo Hospitals offering consultation on various health issues.

LTY (Listening to You) is an initiative that allows those who are shy and hesitant, to open up and express themselves in anonymity.

As part of the community involvement programme, Nokia has adopted two local villages and focuses on their holistic development. It supports six schools that impart life skills and IT education to students.

The company’s pro-active philosophy has seeped into the fabric of the workforce which shows keen interest in projects like Nokia Helping Hands. An umbrella for the numerous community initiatives in and around Sriperumbudur, its activities are many: clean up of Elliott’s beach in Besant Nagar and Vandalur Zoo, India’s first public zoo that was established in 1855, acting as scribes for blind students during exams, helping out at orphanages, old age homes and homes for with the mentally challenged. Along with driving the engine of the investment train in Chennai’s investment corridor, Nokia has been a direct catalyst for economic growth and has transformed lives for the better in the neighbourhood.

With the Kaizen Championship, the company encourages employees to contribute original solutions or suggestions to help streamline the production process.