Global Connections
There are approximately 32,000 KBR employees across the globe. Though we’re separated by miles, we are all connected by our values and shared purpose. In Global Connections, we celebrate our diverse team of teams by highlighting some of the places where we live and work.
This quarter, we’re proud to feature Chennai, India — home to two KBR offices, hundreds of wonderful team members, and a famous high-octane caffeinated treat.
That’s “Filter Kapi” to You
Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, tucked away on the Bay of Bengal in Eastern India. It’s also synonymous with the famed “filter kapi,” or filter coffee. Do not underestimate this beverage as it is Chennai’s secret weapon to combat both scorching sun and dripping humidity. The heady aroma and smooth taste of filter kapi make it the perfect pick-me-up to power through the day.
Formerly known as Madras, or Madrasapattinam, Chennai is known as the “Gateway of South India,” with a rich cultural heritage and a thriving economy. Chennai is also a major automotive manufacturing hub, earning it the moniker “The Detroit of India.” The city is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, where ancient temples stand tall alongside modern skyscrapers, and bustling streets merge seamlessly with serene beaches.
Chennai is also home to not one but two KBR offices! KBR made its grand entry into Chennai in 2014, planting roots in the heart of the city at the iconic Prestige Polygon building. The KBR Chennai office has flourished ever since, proving to be a valuable asset to business strategies.
Thanks to the city’s vast talent pool, KBR decided to take things a notch higher by inaugurating a second office in Chennai’s Tharamani area in February 2023. Perched on the eighth floor of the Ascendas International Tech Park, this cutting-edge office space can accommodate up to 700 people and boasts a state-of-the-art virtual experience center.
The Chennai office isn't just a bland workspace. It's a place where inspiration thrives, as evidenced by the motivating quotes peppered on the walls in addition to a dedicated recreation area, where colleagues can kick back and relax over a game of table tennis, carrom or foosball. KBR's Chennai office embodies the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence, which drives its exceptional services.
Social Service Woven into the Cultural Fabric
KBR has always prioritized giving back to the communities in which it operates. With a strong belief in the power of corporate social responsibility, KBR Chennai joined hands with Thuvakkam — a nongovernmental organization aimed at aiding society, healing its vices and upholding its virtues — and conducted creative art and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) awareness sessions. Volunteers at the event, which was conducted at Awwai school in West Tambaram, also painted the walls with art and motivated students.
In addition, as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, ASPIRE Chennai partnered with KBR One Ocean and engaged children in cleaning up their local communities. The children of KBR Chennai employees have admirably taken up the task of tidying up the shores of local beach community Besant Nagar, thus propagating the message,
“We Care for our People and our Planet.”
Did You Know? (Chennai Edition)
The Madras High Court building in Chennai is one of the largest judicial complexes in the world, covering 107 acres.
Chennai is the only Indian city that was attacked during World War I. The attack, known as the Bombardment of Madras, took place on September 22, 1914.
Chennai is renowned for Bharatanatyam, one of India's most ancient and famous classical dance forms, which originated in Tamil Nadu.
A.R. Rahman, the legendary Indian composer and singer, was born in Madras, India and is the first Asian to have won two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his music composition.
Chennai is famous for its traditional South Indian cuisine, which is known for its unique flavors and ingredients. One of the most famous dishes in Chennai is the dosa — a thin, crispy pancake made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal, which is typically served with coconut chutney and sambar. One of the most unique dishes in Chennai cuisine is Kanchipuram idli, a type of savory rice cake made with a special spice mix and usually served with coconut chutney.
With a history dating back over 2,000 years, Tamil is considered one of the oldest surviving classical languages globally, and it is the only language in the world that holds the status of a classical language, a modern language and a spoken language.
Numerous kingdoms, including various South Indian dynasties such as the Pallava Dynasty, the Chola Dynasty, the Pandya Dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire, have ruled over Chennai. The Portuguese arrived in 1522 and established a port named São Tomé. Subsequently, in 1612, the Dutch arrived and settled near Pulicat, north of Chennai. In 1639, the East India Company leased a strip of land in the small fishing village of Madrasapattinam, where they established Fort St. George, the first significant English settlement in India.
