Nnewi comes alive with Innoson’s automated vehicle manufacturing plant
2019 pick-up, IVM Granite showcased
THE CITY OF NNEWI came alive last week. Regarded as the industrial capital of Anambra State, and rightly so, it is the home of Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Limited (IVM), and the city came alive for dual reasons.
The first was that Innoson commissioned its ultra modern automated vehicle manufacturing plant. There’s no letting up for the industrialist who’s faced all sorts of travails that simply serve as a distraction from a chosen goal to of a gifted industrialist who just wants to make things that move and make life a lot easier for mankind; and put Nigeria on the map of countries where people build things, especially mechanical things that move.
The occasion of commissioning the automated manufacturing plant also provided the right atmosphere to showcase the company’s 2019 Pick-Up, the IVM Granite. Take the name for real, it’s a granite alright and I bet you know what that means – durability, stability, made for perfect, for the rugged Nigerian roads. By the way, wait for it, for a manufacturing company known for its daring, can-do attitude, it’s not any surprise that the automated vehicle manufacturing plant is actually the FIRST EVER in this part of the world.
Agboola Oshodi-Glover, a deputy inspector general of police, represented the Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris, at the unveiling of the 2019 Granite. DIG Oshodi-Glover has responsibility for logistics so much have been at home examining what the new 2019 Granite can help the Nigeria Police Force really achieve. Anambra State, the host state for the plant wasn’t left out as its governor, Willie Obiano was there, ably represented Nkem Okeke, his deputy, who also commissioned the automated vehicle manufacturing plant.
Innocent chairman, Innocent Chukwuma, as usual received commendation, what Oshodi-Glover said was for his innovation, as well as, especially, for responding to the local vehicle needs of the Nigerian market. And like the Nigerian Army had done in the past, there was the expected promise of a partnership with the Nigeria Police; and then he threw the challenge to Innoson: Produce Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) which would assist the police to fight crime. You can be sure that Chukwuma and his team have set to work. At least it was because he had produced useful products in the past that such a challenge is rightly made, for indeed, the IGP through his representative, commended Innoson for his past effort in supplying camouflaged vehicles with which the Nigerian Army was combating insurgency and other security challenges
Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, praised Innoson for the feat achieved under the harsh environment that any kind of manufacturing would seem impossible to achieve. He then went on to throw a challenge to both state and federal governments in the country to provide support to Innoson by patronising it and providing enabling operating environment, including the provision of stable and sufficient power supply, accessible good roads, among others.
He said he was certain that such provision have the power to aid a company like Innoson contribute to improving the country and state gross domestic product (GDP) apart from creating jobs. “I am happy that this is happening in Anambra State. I don’t think there is any where I know of in this country there is a local vehicle manufacturing; I am not talking about those who import parts and assemble them in Nigeria. Innoson manufactures about 70% of components locally,” adding that with the right and adequate support, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing would thrive and take the state and country to many places in the terms of industrialisation.
Chukwuma, the IVM chairman said the success of the company was down to various governments support, particularly noting that under the current president, Muhammadu Buhari, IVM signed a MoU with the Nigerian Air Force, collaborated with the Nigerian Army for the design, modification, manufacturing and supply of military vehicles.
The special features of the new automated manufacturing plant of IVM include that ability of the plant to wield an entire vehicle parts in record four minutes. This process drastically cuts down the production time from about six hours when it’s run under manual operation. It brings with it increased efficiency and production units from 10,000 to 60, 000 annual output if operating at full capacity.
On the unique features of the 2019 Granite, Chukwuma said the IVM Granite was ruggedly engineered for solid off road performance, with impressive refinement and thoughtful design features specially made to withstand the rough African terrain. Added to these is that fact that a touch of luxury and comfort experience on wheels was added to make a ride in it a memorable experience.
Other features of the new IVM Granite include that it has Adaptive Cruise control that allows for the maintenance of an even speed combined with pre-selected time interval to the vehicle ahead. It is also equipped with optional revolving light cum security gadgets, auxiliary gear (4WD) and adaptive cruise.
It comes with a luxurious and comfortable interior as well as six manual transmission, plus indirect wire manipulation which is a technology shift system adopted for flexible shaft to control the gearshift mechanism.
It is also bench-marked with NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) world standard assuring good performance, and the engine is turbo charged to enhance performance.”