Construction

Latest Construction sector features, company profiles, and executive interviews from across the APAC region.

Latest Construction Corporate Stories

Lian Beng Construction

Home-Grown Construction Giants With its current growth strategy, Lian Beng are geared to become the largest home-grown Singapore construction group Writer Matt Bone Project Manager James Mitchell Established in 1973, Lian Beng group is one of Singapore's major home-grown building construction groups with integrated civil engineering and construction support service capabilities. The group is principally involved in the construction of residential, industrial and commercial projects and civil engineering projects as a main contractor. the company originally started with 5 supervisory staff and 20 general workers, and now have more than 400 workers with an annual revenue of about half a billion Singapore dollars. Jeffery Teo, Construction Director of the company, said of the company's diverse portfolio: "we are primarily a main contractor for general construction work, with a BCA grade a1 rating. Our construction support services also serve third parties such as other construction companies. Apart from construction, we also engage in property development, mostly through joint ventures." Lian Beng's status with the Building and construction authority (BCA) as an a1 grade contractor in general Building enables it to tender for public sector building projects of unlimited contract value, while its a2 grade in civil Engineering allows it to handle engineering projects of up to $85 million in contract value. Through its years of experience and solid track record, the group has also established a solid reputation for its ability to handle large-scale and complex projects. More Than Construction Lian Beng are an integrated construction group, with an extensive and comprehensive set of construction support service

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M&W Group

Centennial Anniversary Marks a Continued One-Stop Service M+W Group recently celebrated 100 years of providing technology-related construction solutions for international clients Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager James Mitchell M+W Group is the leading global engineering, construction and project management company in the fields of advanced technology facilities, life science and chemicals, energy and environment technologies and high tech infrastructure. From concept development to turnkey services, the company manages projects of all sizes ensuring rapid realisation, high quality standards and cost-effective completion. With its competence to link process and automation technologies and complex facilities to integrated solutions, M+W Group primarily focuses on leading companies in the fields of electronics, photovoltaics, life science, chemicals, energy, automotive, security, IT and telecoms, as well as research institutes and universities. 2012 was an excellent year for the company, generating an order intake of €3.58billion and a revenue stream of €2.38billion, in addition to celebrating its 100th anniversary; growing from a small outlet in Germany, into a major international player. M+W Thailand are a significant player in M+W Group. They are a major global international company providing a full range of consultancy services; from project inception through to concept design, site selection detail design, specialised processed designs, construction management, testing and commissioning. Asia Outlook spoke to the current Operations Manager for M+W Thailand, Brian Doyle. "The true M+W way" Over the last two years, M+W Group have re-focussed the Thailand sector of the business, moving from a more localised trade towards targeting international clients in what Doyle calls the "true M+W way."

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Merx Construction

Project Management Never Looked So Good With the project management market only just emerging in Asia, Merx are always looking for ways to achieve smarter productivity Writer Matt Bone Project manager James Mitchell Merx is an independent consultancy business formed in 2001, in Singapore. Merx is a specialist project management company that also has strong competencies covering construction management, cost management and client representation. Merx provides professional services to support clients and deliver projects across the construction and real estate sectors. Merx has wholly-owned offices located in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur and operates throughout Asia. Since 2001, Merx has gone from strength to strength. In the early days, there were many hours spent explaining to clients that their services as project managers were necessary, as this type of services was unheard of in Singapore. Over time, Merx has built up a great reputation as a reliable provider of integrated project management and client services and have become an industry leader in Asia. Some of Merx's recent clients include global companies TAG Heuer, J.P. Morgan and Porsche Design. William Forwood, Managing Director of Merx said of the company's rise to market leader: "For me, we have grown over the last few years because we remained true to our founding ethos; independent with a 100 per cent customer focus. We make sure that we maintain our integrity, passion and drive for every project we undertake no matter the size." Building on Solid Growth 2011 provided Merx with a very good financial basis from which they have

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China’s Jade Rabbit Comes Back to Life

For those of you who don't know the story, the Jade Rabbit was China's first Moon rover, which was declared dead in space earlier this year because it could not be restored to full function. The Jade Rabbit, or Yutu, ran into technical difficulties on the Moon's surface, and "came back to life" just hours later. Although the rover is still malfunctioning, Pei Zhaoyu, spokesman for the lunar programme, stated: "At least it is alive so it is possible we could save it." Jade Rabbit was designed to spend three months on the Moon looking for natural resources. It is believed that the Moon could offer solar power generation as well as being the home of uranium, titanium and other mineral resources. The rover's name was chosen in an online poll of 3.4 million voters. The lunar landing was on December 15th last year and Jade Rabbit was able to send images back to Earth mere hours after, however it ran into technical problems in the last month of its service. The "mechanical control abnormality" was caused by the complicated lunar surface environment, the official Xinhua news agency reported. China is only the third country to complete a lunar rover mission, following on from the US and Soviet Union. Yutu came a decade after China sent their first astronaut into space. Sky news stated that the Jade Rabbit was seen as a "symbol of the country's growing global stature, increasing technological influence and reversing the fortunes of the once-impoverished country."

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CHC Construction

The Forefront of Singapore Infrastructure Infrastructure is big business in Singapore at the moment, and CHC Construction is at the forefront of that trend. This civil engineering company was established specifically to meet Singapore's need for road infrastructure works, reinforced concrete structures, sewerage rehabilitation and even sports fields construction. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Arron Rampling From its humble origins as a start-up company with only 10 members of staff, over the last nine years CHC Construction has grown to employ over 200 people, with a bidding capacity of up to $50 million for government contracts. However, as much as the market for infrastructure work is booming, it's also highly competitive. Fortunately, CHC Construction has been able to maintain a competitive edge by investing in new technology, the very latest equipment, and a dynamic, dedicated team, netting them contracts with Singapore Government entities as varied as LTA , PUB, HDB, JTC, URA and MOE. But to understand how they've managed this, you need to understand the company's history. CHC Construction Pte Ltd was founded in July of 2005. Originally the company was a tight-knit team of only 10 people. The outstanding levels of expansion that the company has seen in the subsequent nine years is something the company has credited to the sheer levels of perseverance and hard work they put in, seeing CHC Construction successfully navigate the worst of the global financial catastrophes of the last decade. Throughout this period they've offered a diverse range of services, including the widening, temporary diversion and permanent reinstatement

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Robinsons Land Corporation

The Lay of the Land Robinsons Land Corporation is one of the leading property developers in the Philippines, with an impressive and varied portfolio. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Arron Rampling As Mybelle GoBio, Senior Vice President for Robinsons Residences, Luxuria and Communities of Robinsons Land Corporation explains, the company has built up an impressive reputation; "Robinsons Land Corporation is a leading and respected Philippine property developer that has a portfolio consisting of a diverse mix of developments. To-date, we have 62 residential condominium buildings, 32 subdivisions, 8 office buildings. 11 hotels and 35 shopping malls." Part of the reason Robinsons Land Corporation has become such a household name is that they cater to a wide array of potential markets. GoBio tells us, "We have four brands under our residential division. We have Robinsons Homes which was created primarily for first home buyers who prefer to live outside the urban areas. Robinsons Homes has over 21 subdivisions in the key provincial cities in the Philippines. Then there's our second brand, Robinsons Communities, which has developments typically located in close proximity to major central business districts and major transportation nodes. This is our group that offers compact and functional condominium units, catering to startup families, newly married couples, early nesters, young professionals. "Our third brand is the Robinsons Residences which offers convenient living spaces in urban centers. Our Residences projects are typically located within the major central business districts like the Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas Center, Manila City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Metro Cebu. Last but not

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M&W Singapore

Cutting Edge Construction & Engineering Even though M+W Group can trace its roots back over a century, there is nothing antiquated about this project management giant. Specialising in complete turnkey solutions from concept development to rapid realisation, there is no reason why it can't keep going for another 100 years. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager James Mitchell From small and humble beginnings as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning manufacturer established back in 1912, M+W Group has grown into one of the world's leading global engineering, construction and project management companies. Based in Stuttgart for the past 100 years, M+W Group specialises in the fields of advanced technology facilities, life sciences and chemicals, energy and environment as well as high tech infrastructure. Prominent research institutes and universities as well as organisations in sectors such as electronics, automotive, security, IT and telecoms heavily rely on M+W Group to provide a complete and comprehensive project management solution, from concept development to turnkey services. All the while, the company remains committed to delivering rapid realisation, high quality standards and cost-effective completion. Contributing to the company's worldwide order intake of €3.58bn in 2012 is M+W Group's Asia division, which was founded in 1991 and currently based in Singapore. Despite having divisions all over the globe, the entire organisation focuses on delivering the same standard of work in all regions and prides itself on implementing European health and safety regulations for every project it carries out. 'Enabling New Horizons' until the very end At the start of 2013, M+W Group's former

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Robinsons Land Corporation

The Lay of the Land Robinsons Land Corporation is one of the leading property developers in the Philippines, with an impressive and varied portfolio. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Arron Rampling As Mybelle GoBio, Senior Vice President for Robinsons Residences, Luxuria and Communities of Robinsons Land Corporation explains, the company has built up an impressive reputation; "Robinsons Land Corporation is a leading and respected Philippine property developer that has a portfolio consisting of a diverse mix of developments. To-date, we have 62 residential condominium buildings, 32 subdivisions, 8 office buildings. 11 hotels and 35 shopping malls." Part of the reason Robinsons Land Corporation has become such a household name is that they cater to a wide array of potential markets. GoBio tells us, "We have four brands under our residential division. We have Robinsons Homes which was created primarily for first home buyers who prefer to live outside the urban areas. Robinsons Homes has over 21 subdivisions in the key provincial cities in the Philippines. Then there's our second brand, Robinsons Communities, which has developments typically located in close proximity to major central business districts and major transportation nodes. This is our group that offers compact and functional condominium units, catering to startup families, newly married couples, early nesters, young professionals. "Our third brand is the Robinsons Residences which offers convenient living spaces in urban centers. Our Residences projects are typically located within the major central business districts like the Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas Center, Manila City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Metro Cebu. Last but not

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Sunhuan Holdings

Brick by Brick Singapore construction firm Sunhuan celebrates its 20th anniversary. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Arron Rampling Ambitious companies can maximise business opportunities but the best companies also recognise that success depends on the ability to think strategically and to spot opportunities and threats on the horizon. This is part of the continued success behind Singapore-based Sunhuan Construction, a firm that was first established in 1993 as a sub-contractor and which has evolved to become a Class A1 General Building Contractor, qualified to tender for projects with unrestricted tender limits. "Sunhuan demonstrates high-level viability coupled with sustainability of our business in this competitive industry," says general manager Alex Pang. "For instance, Sunhuan has practiced the Design & Build concept to provide flexibility and adaptability in satisfying the diverse demands of our customers. We have regular dialogue sessions with industry players and business partners to make necessary changes to our business models so as to stay competitive. We have also complied with all the standards and requirements through our QEHS policy to provide within budget, timely, quality services and products to our customers. In addition, we have also partnered with architectural and structural firms to design unique and cost efficient projects that meets the energy efficient requirements of the present market needs." Sunhuan was founded by Sun Lai Fong – a migrant worker who came to Singapore from China 30 years ago – and he attributes the firm's success to being "in-line with the most stringent quality and safety requirements". Talking in a commemorative book that

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Huationg Holdings

A 21st Century Business The demands of the logistics and fabrication market sectors in the 21st century are more complex than ever, with business becoming ever more globalised and people expecting ever more from manufacturers. It's in this exciting and fast moving environment that Huationg Holdings has learned to thrive. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Arron Rampling Under the leadership of Managing Director Lee Chin Tiong, Huationg has built a name for itself by using top of the range industrial equipment and facilities, operated by a team of well trained, capable staff with over 20 years of experience as a company. The company is well known in the oil and gas, construction, shipping port and marine infrastructure industries. Today the business consists of six separate yet interlinked companies, Huationg Inland Transport Service, Huationg Asia, Hua Resources, Huakeong Trading and LSS Construction Pte Ltd. It's reached this point over three decades of hard work and dedication from relatively humble beginnings in the 1980s. They have expanded into subsidiary businesses, and each of those businesses has built a strong reputation on their own. Through hard work, integrity, and most importantly, a strong cohesiveness between staff and management, the Huationg group is now a name that immediately brings to mind excellent service. Indeed, over the last year the company's revenue has jumped from $59 million to $66 million, and even now they are considering expanding their geographic footprint into Burma. Values That Matter The trouble with being a holding company is that your business will hold other businesses, each

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