HENNING HOLCK-LARSEN (HHL) CENTREA Museum & Diamond Jubilee Landmark

Henning Holck-Larsen (HHL) Centre was designed and built as the 60-year (Diamond Jubilee) landmark building of L&T Construction (earlier ECC Division). This architecturally wonderful structure is dedicated to the memory of one of L&T’s founding father and Chairman Emeritus, Henning Holck-Larsen, who breathed his last on July 27, 2003. A two storied elliptical structure with a built-up area of 12,000 sq.ft (1,115 sq.m), HHL Centre is a one of its kind museum in the country. This facility stands out from the rest of the government, industrial and technical museums and showcases the Indian Infrastructure Development and on building the nation over the years, which is unique to Larsen & Toubro.

The HHL centre is created as a dynamic institution to preserve, promote and encourage the company’s cultural heritage, history, moral and ethical values to all internal and external publics. The centre also acts as a one-stop-shop to spread the knowledge of its core business activities to the customers, clients and the community at large and sustain the same through various PR initiatives and promote awareness on:

• L&T’s origin, it’s cultural & traditional heritage and professionalism

• L&T’s technological strengths and leadership in the industry

• The wide variety of projects executed by L&T in the core areas of industrial and infrastructure development

• Various recognition / awards L&T has received from different National & International organizations, associations, institutes etc.,

• Sharing various information resources such as articles, project information, photographs, brochure and other print materials as well as electronic presentations pertaining to project execution and construction methods

Mission

It was the business of cement that brought the young Mr. Henning Holck-Larsen and Mr. Soren Kristian Toubro to India. They arrived on Indian shores as representatives of the Danish engineering firm, F.L. Smidth & Co (FLS) in connection with the merger of cement companies that were later grouped into the Associated Cement Companies (ACC). Together, Mr. Holck-Larsen and Mr. Toubro founded the partnership firm of L&T in 1938, which was converted into a public limited company in 1950. Today, this has metamorphosed into one of India’s biggest success stories. The company has grown from humble origins to a large conglomerate spanning engineering and construction. Larsen & Toubro Limited is the biggest legacy of these two Danish engineers, who built a world-class engineering organisation and has evolved to become a leader in India’s engineering & construction industry.

In 1944, Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (ECC) was started by M/s Henning Holck-Larsen; Soren Kristian Toubro, Erick Mogensen (Chief of F.L. Smidth & Co. and Danish Consul in India) and S. Rudinger, (F.L.Smidth nominee employed by India Cements Limited). The four knew each other from college days and from FLS, where they began their careers. They realised that, with the Indian Independence and the Government’s plan for the industrial development, there would be ample scope for construction activity in the country. They strongly committed to developing India’s engineering capabilities, talent and enabling it to meet the demands of the industry.

Over the last 70 years, the company has grown into a large conglomerate setting benchmarks in engineering, construction, IT, financial services and manufacturing in terms of scale, speed and sophistication.

Architecturally conceived like a ship afloat on water, the superstructure of HHL Centre consists of ground plus two floors. The architect, Mr. Chakrapani has given this structure a break away from the usual rectilinear forms to create an imposing perspective. Indeed, its huge steel structural parasol roof suspended by cables and supported by tall pylons (akin to masts of the traditional sail-boats) is the main eye-catching architectural feature which gives it the impression of a ship or a stylised sail.

The inside rectangular RCC box type structure is totally encased in an elliptical architectural glass wall structure and this gives the centre an impressive look with an expansive area of total transparency. Innovative design with architectural glass wall, integrated with structural steel elements not only enhances the aesthetics of the structure but also gives it a feeling of excitement and happiness, in commune with the natural environs of water bodies and greenery around.

During nights, with illumination, this oval glass enclosure resembles a building lit by a lantern inside. Moreover, its transparency during the day and night allows one to identify the purpose of the building as a museum even before entering it. Some of the other architectural elements/features include:

• 6.1m high and 12mm thick toughened glass spider glazing panels installed from the ground floor extends up to the second floor level. This provides total transparency and unobstructed view of the display gallery from outside.

• The entrance canopy - a tie-rod suspended and centrally supported structure is clad with aluminum composite panels.

Architectural Features

• Two automatic sliding glass doors provide access to the building.

• A freestanding staircase connects the ground, first floor and terrace.

• An elevator is provided for vertical transportation between floors.

• A pyramid is positioned in the centre of the hall and there is an elliptical atrium on the top covered with segmental skylight glazing. The atrium walls are provided with vault windows.

• The base of the two circular towering pylons adjoining the building, at the ground floor level has a dia of 5.5m and houses the electrical room, AHU rooms and rest rooms.

• The roof is made of convex saucer-shaped structural steel members and tie rod suspended from top of the pylons.

• The second floor has a penthouse with a terrace pebbled walkway, a lobby and a well-appointed 60 seater auditorium.

The landscape around the HHL Centre comprises two large water bodies with cascades. Parasol-shaped structures are provided around the periphery, behind the museum for visitors to sit and relax in the open. These structures also function as Rail Water Harvesting systems, collecting water during rainy season. A grand pedestrian access connects the commemorative building’s structural steel entrance plaza.

The Inside OutBeing a museum, HHL Centre showcases the achievements of ECC/L&T over the past seven decades. In fact, the centre reflects the inside out by displaying the past, present and future of the company’s operations and serves as a publicity window that projects the Construction Division’s capabilities and services to all target segments – to wit, prospective customers, opinion-makers and the general public. In addition, this reflects the philosophy of Mr. Henning Holck-Larsen and the culture of L&T, the Company that he co-founded along with Mr. S.K. Toubro.

Display GalleryHolck-Larsen Centre, being the Diamond Jubilee Landmark structure and commemorative building of ECC, houses a display of the many prominent projects executed by L&T including the technological achievements pioneered by L&T’s Construction Division. This is organized into different zones to project the history and achievements of the Company. This includes:

• Milestone Events – depicts the chronological perspective of L&T Construction’s historical events, activities, achievements and records.

• Awards – depicts the distinction awarded to several structures by Indian as well as international organizations and institutions for its excellence in construction.

• Technological achievements – displays the techniques and innovative construction methods pioneered and implemented to execute projects with speed, quality, economy and elegance.

• International Projects – projects that took L&T Construction’s operations beyond the Indian sub-continent.

• Social Face of L&T – shows L&T’s commitment to the well being of society in general, promoting education, health care, community service, environment protection and preserving the heritage structures.

The Bridge on the River KwaiAward for HHL Centre

It was more than half a century back that director David Lean and stars William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa made movie history with their Oscar-winning masterpiece, “The Bridge on the River Kwai (TBRK).”

L&T played a major role in the film by building the wooden bridge and became a part of the film lore. It took L&T nearly eight months to construct the wooden bridge... and just 30 seconds for Lean’s team to blow it up at the end of the movie!

As a part of L&T’s history, visitors’ are shown a section of this movie on the Plasma TV to establish our link with the construction of the wooden bridge, which is incidentally the first bridge built by ECC.

Apart from the photo displays, three Electronic Kiosks provide access to the archives disseminating various information resources such as articles, project information, photographs, presentations, films, videos and other materials relating to the execution of projects, growth of the organization etc.,

Project Panorama - The first floor comprises photo panels depicting the wide spectrum of L&T Construction’s project execution capabilities, covering virtually every sector of the industry. This serves as an eye opener for many visitors and reflects the true spirit of L&T and its multi-dimensional capability.

The Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), New Delhi, presented the PRSI Golden Jubilee Award to L&T’s Henning Holck-Larsen (HHL) Centre at Chennai. The award was given away at the 2nd International PR Festival held at Mauritius in August 2008. L&T was presented the ‘award in Recognition of Live, Interactive and Innovative PR Initiative in the Creation and Showcasing of L&T Brand at its Corporate Museum - The Holck-Larsen Centre’.

Since its inception the museum has emerged as an excellent centre of knowledge and learning by generating global interest. The visitors’ profile includes heads of business organisations, heads of government, diplomatic missions, trade & commercial missions, educational and cultural missions, clients, customers, architects, consultants, joint venture partners, financing and funding agencies apart from a host of students from colleges, universities and B-schools.

The centre is open on all working days between 09.00 am and 05.30 pm. It is closed on all Sundays, national holidays and second/fourth Saturdays.

For appointments contact: L&T ConstructionMount Poonamallee Road, Manapakkam, Chennai 600 089

Phone: 044-2252 6320 HHL-Centre@Lntecc.com

TimelessDanish Legends

In Service Liesour Success

- Henning Holck - LarsenJuly 4, 1907 - July 27 2003

Larsen & Toubro Limited is the biggest legacy of two Danish engineers who built a world-class engineering organisation, that is professionally managed and is a leader in India’s engineering & construction industry. It was the business of cement that brought the young Mr. Henning Holck-Larsen and Mr. Soren Kristian Toubro to India. They arrived on Indian shores as representatives of the Danish engineering firm, F.L. Smidth & Co in connection with the merger of cement companies that were later grouped into the Associated Cement Companies. Together, Mr. Holck-Larsen and Mr. Toubro founded the partnership firm of L&T in 1938, which was converted into a public limited company in 1950. Today, this has metamorphosed into one of India’s biggest success stories. The company has grown from humble origins to a large conglomerate spanning engineering and construction.

Seven decades ago, Holck-Larsen turned east from Denmark and shared a dream with India and her people. Larsen & Toubro Limited is the resplendent manifestation of that dream. Our character and culture, our distinctive ethos - indeed all that is good and grand about L&T carries his indelible imprint.

Holck - Larsen was unique. He did not teach, he touched and transformed. He did not instruct, he inspired. He did not plot the way forward, he helped discover within ourselves the strength to find the path.

As a true visionary, his mind embraced the future, and his world knew no boundaries. It was a world that drew entrepreneurs from many countries to collaborate for the collective good. A world where industry had an active role in the promotion of a superior quality of life. And a world where professional excellence was infused with grace, wit and good cheer.

Life, we know, is finite. A legacy, infinite. Henning Holck-Larsen will live on in the legacy of the organisation that bears his name. In our products, in our projects and indeed, in everything we do, as we continue to make the things that make India proud.

1935: A qualified chemical engineer from Denmark, Mr. Holck-Larsen was deputed to India to assess the value of various cement manufacturing groups that was to be later merged into the Associated Cement Companies (ACC)

1938: With Mr Soren Kristian Toubro, founded partnership firm - Larsen & Toubro - in India, importing Danish equipment. After World War II broke out, the firm took on a variety of fabrication and engineering assignments

1944: Engineering Construction Corporation (ECC) incorporated

1945: L&T signs dealership agreement with Caterpillar Tractor Company, USA, for manufacture and sale of earthmoving equipment

1946: Firm becomes a private limited company - Larsen & Toubro Private Limited

1950: Firm becomes a public limited company. Institutionalised system of recruitment and promotion on merit, democratic management, provision of excellent working conditions, development of indigenous know-how and capability, export promotion, and a high rate of re-investment of surplus to sustain a rapid growth rate

1952: L&T’s first associate company - Tractor Engineers Limited was established in collaboration with Caterpillar, USA, to manufacture undercarriage parts for crawler tractors in India. Mr. Holck-Larsen was instrumental in setting up collaboration agreements and technological tie-ups with several global leaders - Audco, Eutectic, F. L. Smidth, Niro, Haldor Topsoe… Aligned company’s growth plans to needs emerging from India’s five-year plans. Became principal supplier to Indian industries such as fertilizer, cement, power generation, petrochemical, chemical, etc.,

1968: Receives award from National Association of Danish Enterprise

1972-78: Appointed Consul General for Denmark in Mumbai

1976: Awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding

1977: Conferred order of the Knight Commander of Dannebrog

1980: Awarded Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace

1989: Appointed Chairman Emeritus of L&T

1999: Felicitated by Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry

2000: Honoured by The Confederation of Indian Industry for his ‘vision and spirit of entrepreneurship. Honoured by National Gallery of Modern Art as ‘a celebrated figure whose contribution has enriched the field of Indian contemporary art’. Receives Chemtech Foundation’s Chemical Industry Stalwart Award in ‘recognition of outstanding contribution to the process industry’

2001: Presented Life Time Achievement Award from the Bombay Management Association for selfless devotion to the cause of Indian industry

2002: Awarded Padma Bhushan for contribution to Indian industry. On receipt of the award, he remarked: “India, my adopted homeland has a special place in my heart. With the Padma Bhushan, I’m happy to realise that I have a place in her heart too. I regard this honour as a tribute to the unique spirit of L&T, and the values it has always stood by: its professionalism, its commitment to quality, and its concern for the entire community of stakeholders.”

Felicitated (in absentia) at the Indo-European Union Business Summit in Copenhagen by the Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Denmark for his lifetime contribution to promoting business beyond boundaries

July 2003: Expressed his approval of the plan to set up an Employees’ Trust which would own a part of L&T on behalf of its employees and act for their welfare.

On July 27, 2003 Mr. Holck-Larsen passed away at the ripe old age of 96. On July 7, 2007, L&T celebrated the birth centenary of Mr. Holck-Larsen by re-dedicating itself to the cause of nation-building, while the nation celebrated its 60th year of independence. A commemorative postage stamp in honour of HHL was released by the Department of Posts, New Delhi on June 12, 2008.

“the secret ofhappiness

is not in doingwhat one likes

but in liking whatone has to do”

- Soren Kristian ToubroFeb 27, 1906 - March 4, 1982

A qualified civil engineer from Denmark, Mr. Soren Kristian Toubro was Director of L&T from 1946 till March 27, 1981. From 1946 to 1956, Mr. Toubro was the Chairman of L&T’s Board of Directors, every alternate year. Mr. Toubro was also a director of several companies in the L&T Group.

Through his penchant for hard work, his analytical mind coupled with courage and determination, and his interest in fellow workers, he remains an exemplar to L&T-ites.

On many occasions Mr. Toubro sacrificed personal pleasures for the benefit of the firm, or of an individual, and the same generous spirit prevailed when L&T became a Limited Company with Indian partners. He took great interest and pride in a healthy Indianisation of the Company and spared no effort to convey and explain his basic ideas of sound business and service.

It can be said that much of the L&T spirit of which we are proud and which is the basis for L&T’s success over the years was largely due to Mr. Toubro’s efforts and example.

Mr. Toubro was a highly dedicated, serious minded person having a keen sense of duty. The interest of the L&T Group of Companies was always topmost in his mind. He was a perfectionist and would not tolerate anything not well done. His tenacity, dauntlessness and determination to succeed played an important role in L&T’s growth and success. He induced people to work hard by setting an example himself.

In 1963, having worked for nearly 25 years, Mr. Toubro decided to relinquish his executive responsibilities and retired from L&T Management Private Limited, the managing agents of Larsen & Toubro Limited at that time. He returned to Denmark, however continued to serve on the Board of Directors of Larsen & Toubro Limited and Engineering Construction Corporation Limited till 1981. Mr. Toubro passed away in 1982.

Mr. Toubro’s emphasis on paying proper attention to the customer, found expression in L&T’s motto: “In service lies success.” He stood for the principle of excellent service to the customer and took infinite

pains to teach, guide, motivate and encourage the youngsters who joined the Company.

Mr. Toubro had often said that “the secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes but in liking what one has to do. There are two ways of being happy - we either diminish our wants or augment our means.”