Keppel Land tops off International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two

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SINGAPORE –  Keppel Land Limited (Keppel Land) celebrated the topping off of International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two, a landmark commercial development in Jakarta’s Central Business District.

The ceremony was witnessed by more than 150 guests, including Guest-of-Honour Franky Sibarani, Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board, H.E. Anil Kumar Nayar, Singapore Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Assistant Deputy Governor of Jakarta for Industry, Trade and Transportation, Meri Ernahani, as well as the Board of Directors and senior management of Singaporean developer, Keppel Land.

Image credit: NBBJ

Image credit: NBBJ

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel Corporation Limited and Chairman of Keppel Land, said,

“Indonesia is one of Keppel Land’s key growth markets where we will continue to build up our presence. International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two will further strengthen Keppel Land’s sterling commercial portfolio in Asia as it moves ahead towards completion.

“Indonesia continues to attract a steady flow of foreign direct investments, with financial institutions and businesses investing and expanding their presence in the country. This will underpin the demand for prime Grade A office space.

“We are confident that the strategic location and premium quality of International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two will meet the growing needs of multinational and local corporations seeking a prestigious address in Jakarta’s central business district.”

Ahead of its completion in the first quarter of 2016, tenants secured for International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two include Servcorp, Tokio Marine, Grant Thornton, Rintis and Ithaca Resources.

International Financial Centre Jakarta is strategically located along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman within the city’s golden triangle zone and enjoys excellent accessibility via key transport routes, such as the Transjakarta busway and future Jakarta mass rapid transit. Designed by leading global architecture and design firm, NBBJ, the 48-storey state-of-the-art Tower Two will offer 50,200 sm of prime Grade A office space when completed.

Keppel Land will also be redeveloping the existing 18-storey Tower One, which was completed in 1985, into a 55-storey office tower that will more than double its net leasable area to approximately 72,800 sm.

International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower Two is the first project in Indonesia to be conferred the highest Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA). Incorporating the latest innovative green technology, some of the sustainable features of the office tower include the recycling of rainwater for irrigation, use of water- and energy-efficient fittings and double-glazed low emission glass. Keppel Land targets to attain the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award for the redeveloped International Financial Centre Jakarta Tower One as well.

According to a recent report by the World Bank, Indonesia remains a favourable place to invest, and is one of the fastest growing countries in Asia. Jakarta’s population is predicted to grow from 10.2 million in 2014 to 12.5 million by 2030, while the population in Greater Jakarta is expected to grow from 30 million in 2014 to 35 million in 2020. International financial services companies have also given positive assessments of Indonesia, with Standard & Poor’s upping Indonesia’s credit ratings in 2015.

 

Image credit: NBBJ

Image credit: NBBJ

KONE will supply 60 elevators to Sky Park, a mixed development in Cyberjaya

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kone040815KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has won an order to supply 60 elevators to Sky Park, a highly integrated upcoming development in Cyberjaya, a town within Selangor, Malaysia.

Expected to be an iconic development in the skyline of Klang Valley, Sky Park spills over 11.12 acres of land, where six exclusively designed buildings will stand. The mixed development consists of serviced apartments, small office/flexible office (SoFo) complexes, strata office, commercial office, オンライン カジノ shopping mall and a sky bridge that links up five of the buildings.

KONE will deliver 23 KONE MonoSpace® elevators and 37 KONE MiniSpace® elevators to Sky Park. Out of 60 elevators, 44 will be scenic elevators to complement the unique building design while providing views of Cyberjaya. These elevators can reach the travel speed of 4m/s and are connected to the KONE E-LinkTM monitoring system that provides real-time information and statistical reports on their performance.

“We are elated that our close cooperation with MCT Bhd has resulted in providing the best people flow experience to this uniquely designed development,” says Neeraj Sharma, Executive Vice President for KONE Asia Pacific and Middle East.

Sky Park is developed by MCT Bhd and is scheduled to be completed by end of 2017.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2015.

IES awards outstanding engineering projects and professionals

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The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) presented the IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award 2015 and the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2015 at the World Engineers Summit (WES) on Climate Change 2015 Gala Dinner and Awards Night today. Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) graced the event as the guest-of-honour.

International and local engineers and climate change experts and professionals gathered at the dinner, after two days of discussion on ‘Sustainable Urban Development for Global Climate Resilience’ at the second WES hosted by IES.

IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award

 

IES awarded Er. Tan Gee Paw with the third IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award in recognition of his significant contributions to Singapore in ensuring the sustainability of its water supply. The award is conferred upon individuals whose lifetime accomplishments and achievements have made profound impact on the engineering industry and community and have brought national or international honours to Singapore.

“Er Tan Gee Paw has dedicated a great part of his life to ensure that our island, which lacks one of the most essential natural resources, is assured of a sustainable water supply. For his exceptional foresight, dedication and accomplishments, he is a fully worthy recipient of the IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award. Er. Tan has proven himself to be a great role model to raise the profile of engineers amongst the public and interest the young to take up engineering as a career,” said Er. Chong Kee Sen, President, IES.

“One of the best traditions of the engineering profession is the quiet dedication of engineers to nation building and service to society with little thought of recognition. My colleagues who have worked with me for the past five decades uphold this fine tradition. The IES Lifetime Engineering Achievement Award is therefore an award for all my colleagues in the engineering profession who have given many decades of their lives in service to society and the nation,” said Er. Tan.

IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards

 

To recognise outstanding engineering projects which have made a significant contribution to the engineering progress and quality of life in Singapore, IES awarded 13 engineering teams with the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards. These winners have been selected from 25 entries based on their contribution to the well-being of people and communities; resourcefulness in the planning and solving of design problems; pioneering use of materials and methods; innovations in planning, design and construction as well as unique aspects and aesthetic values.

“The winners of the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2015 demonstrate the diversity of engineering, from innovating materials that significantly reduce the requirements for air-conditioning to enabling cost-effective eye-screening for glaucoma detection. Regardless of their engineering discipline, each winning team exhibits distinctive value in enhancing the quality of our lives and our environment. We congratulate every one of them and hope that the awards will motivate them to continue to scale even greater heights,” said Er. Ho Siong Hin, Chairman, Awards Committee, IES.

With five winning entries, A*STAR emerged as the biggest winner of the night for the third consecutive year. Winning projects submitted by A*STAR include ‘The Future of Audit: Predictive Analytics on Irregularities and Risks in Bank Branches’ and ‘Speak to Me in My Language’ translation technology.

“A*STAR is delighted to be recognised at the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards. These awards underscore A*STAR’s commitment to undertake innovative research leading to products and processes that can be adopted by companies to raise their competitiveness. We are dedicated to drive for excellence and forging partnerships with companies to grow our industries,” said Dr Raj Thampuran, Managing Director of Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

 

China leads fire safety, prohibiting use of flammable foam in new construction

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Text by Tony Wu, Senior Loss-Prevention Consultant, Asia, XL Catlin

Purely as a thermal insulator, polystyrene foam outranks every other building material. In addition to its inherent thermal properties, it can be sprayed into any space, filling tiny gaps without damaging beams or other important structural supports. It even keeps out most rodents and insects.

No wonder, it quickly became the global insulator, not only for buildings and transport, but also for refrigeration and food packaging. It was even used as a seal in nuclear power plants.

However, several deadly, high-profile fires—at the Düsseldorf Airport, the Channel Tunnel, and the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant—brought the foam under global scrutiny. Clearly, although it was the most effective thermal insulator on the market, it was also quick to ignite, highly combustible, and therefore dangerous in numerous circumstances.

Some builders concluded that using the foam only in enclosed spaces—behind walls or concrete—would keep it away from heat sources, rendering it safe. Of course, this still left the foam exposed to welding and other hot works during construction and renovation.

Eventually, most builders began to treat the foam with HBCD flame-retardant. This became the industry standard—although not a legal requirement—in most regions, including the EU, the US, and Japan.

The Problem with HBCD

The self-extinguishing agent in HBCD certainly helps prevent foam fires. The treated foam shrinks away from a direct flame, and as long as the flame is small and brief enough, only the surface of the foam will burn. Once the flame is gone, the foam extinguishes itself. For HBCD-treated foam to begin to burn internally, it must reach temperatures of between 400-500°C.

However, even treated foam can start a fire indirectly. How? If a fire begins in a room nearby, or if an enclosed room with foam insulation heats up on a hot, summer day, the foam’s temperature can slowly rise to above 100°C. As it heats up, the foam softens, releasing highly combustible gases. A single spark can ignite the gases, causing a“flashover” fire that can fill a room in an instant, and quickly spreads to other areas.

HBCD in the gas is highly toxic and carcinogenic, and it accumulates in the environment, endangering human, animal, and plant life for many years.

The EU has responded to the combined dangers of HBCD and flammable foam by instituting a ban on HBCD, effective August 21, 2015. From that point forward builders and others will be expected to use a safer flame retardant, most likely the newly commercialized pFR.

In 2011, Dow Chemical Company announced the development of pFR in anticipation of the ban on HBCD. In its July 2014 report, the EU cited test results demonstrating pFR to be just as flame-resistant as HBCD, but non-toxic and non-cumulative in the environment. The EU also expects Japan to replace half of its HBCD with pFR in 2015, and expects the US to replace all of its HBCD with pFR by 2019.

Tests are one thing; reality is sometimes another. Time will tell how much safer pFR really is.

China’s National Outcry

China enjoyed its own foam insulation trend in the 1990s, also with tragic consequences.

In 2010, a fire in a high-rise apartment in downtown Shanghai killed 58 retired teachers. The shock reverberated across China, reports flooding the media for weeks. An investigation revealed the cause: in an uninhabited building section under renovation, hot works had ignited newly installed foam insulation. The ensuing fire shot through the building so fast, residents in occupied areas were unable to evacuate in time.

Only 2 years later, foam panels in the refrigerated area of a food plant caught fire. Nobody realised how quickly the fire would spread. Before they could evacuate, 119 workers died from toxic smoke and flames.

These tragic incidents threw a public spotlight on polystyrene foam and other flammable building materials, compelling legislators to intervene.

China Raises the Standard

Also in its 2014 report, the EU predicted that China would begin the transition from HBCD to pFR in 2019, and complete the change by 2020.

In the meantime, China has taken a more decisive step forward in fire safety. On May 1, 2015 China released its revised Code for the Fire Protection Design of Buildings. The new code moves beyond flame-retarding treatments, to prohibit the use of flammable polystyrene foam altogether in new construction.

Other “Class B3” highly combustible materials will also be outlawed or require safer handling, including aluminum dust – the cause of another national fire tragedy.

Foam or No Foam?

XL Catlin risk engineer’s guidelines recommended avoiding the use of polystyrene foam in new construction, so, we fully support China’s new law. As we continuously analyze loss statistics from around the world, it is clear that wherever polystyrene foam is used, the risk to lives and property is substantially greater.

China does not mandate the same level of insurance. However, companies in China are increasingly looking for more powerful risk-transfer solutions. These companies frequently ask us to help them assess and mitigate their fire risk, in order to help them meet the requirements for better insurance.

Companies selecting facility locations in China should be aware of the prevalence of polystyrene foam insulation in buildings of a certain age. In new buildings, if the foam is part of the design, it should be replaced. If possible, companies should avoid leasing or buying existing locations with foam insulation.

If operations are already underway in buildings with foam insulation, very stringent/strict fire prevention procedures and safety procedures must be instituted. Risk engineers can help, by conducting a COPE (construction, occupancy, protection, and exposure) risk evaluation. This will determine how additional sprinklers or other measures can help to protect lives and reduce property risk.

Above all, it is important to know that while fire is the leading threat to property, nearly every fire is preventable.

As China takes the lead on banning highly flammable building material, and the EU bans toxic HBCD, we look forward to a future of better worker safety, property safety, and ultimately business security.

Hong Leong Group’s Global Headquarters Heads To Damansara City

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GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad (GuocoLand) recently confirmed that its flagship development, Damansara City, has been chosen as the future home for the Hong Leong Group’s global headquarters. The 33-storey Grade-A office tower block in the southwest (direction) end of the iconic development, will be the star anchor tenant within Damansara City, once it is fully occupied by the end of second quarter next year. Office Tower A’s 530,000 sq. ft. of usable area will be progressively handed over to various operating companies within the Hong Leong Group in coming months.

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“This announcement reinforces the position of Damansara City as the heart of a leading new business district in the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Damansara Height’s community. It  underscores our unique combination of factors that sets us apart and has spurred both investor and corporate interest in the project to date. This includes our location within the exclusive enclave of Damansara Heights which is mere minutes away from Bangsar, the KL city centre, the KL Sentral transportation hub and other established townships; the highest levels of seamless integration between our corporate, residency and hospitality facilities; the onsite presence of a refined and curated lifestyle mall; and accessibility through multiple road systems and the soon to be completed MRT line,” said Tan Lee Koon, Managing Director of GuocoLand.

Damansara City, with a gross development value of RM2.5 billion, is an Entry Point Project (EPP) under Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme. It has been identified as a key component and driver of one the fastest growing business districts in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area with strong and growing interest from buyers and tenants across South East Asia.

The Hong Leong Group is a leading conglomerate based in Malaysia with diversified businesses in banking & financial services, manufacturing & distribution, property development & investment, hospitality & leisure, and principal investment. The Group today controls a number of listed companies in various stock exchanges with hundreds of operating subsidiaries and associate companies in Malaysia to North and Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the UK, as well as North America and Oceania.

The jewel of Damansara Heights, Damansara City is an integrated city development consisting of two Grade-A office towers; two towers of luxury residences known as DC Residency; an F&B-centric lifestyle mall; and a 5 star hotel. The entire project will be fully operational by mid 2016.

The office spaces at Damansara City are setting a new benchmark, not just in the Damansara Heights and greater Kuala Lumpur areas but also inviting great interest in the regional property market. Strong regional demand for both its commercial and living spaces is being driven especially by Damansara City’s strategic location in Damansara Heights and office towers which are MSC-status ready developments that comply with the Green Building Index (GBI) Certified rating; the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating; and CONQUAS Quality Assessment for its building construction works.

Hong Leong Group is the first of several prominent brands that are moving their corporate headquarters to Damansara City. DC Mall, the soon to be opened lifestyle and F&B heart of Damansara City is also seeing strong demand for its space as it has already secured in-principle agreements with some well known local and international brands for half its lettable space as well.

“This is translating into ever growing demand for the residential towers within Damansara City which is why we have decided to officially open Tower A of DC Residency for sale to the general public with very attractive packages for early bird purchasers from today,” announced Tan who added that a healthy portion of DC Residency’s units had already been placed through private showings and previews here and around the region.

DC Residency offers two 28-storey residential towers, consisting of 370 contemporarily designed serviced apartments with built-up areas (for typical units) ranging between 899 sq ft (1 bedroom) and 2,705 sq ft (3+1 bedroom).

Residents and tenants at Damansara City will, in addition to the host of facilities, also have access to a walking garden along the top of the retail mall. This is on top of the health and gym facilities that include an Olympic length salt-water pool and an aqua gym for residents at DC Residency.

The choice destination for some of Malaysia’s most influential people, living in DamansaraHeights is often seen as the highest mark of stature and accomplishment. It is also a key target for investment among local and international buyers who are looking to invest in integrated high-end property in Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, the tranquil neighbourhood has been a steady investment magnet to affluent homeowners and expatriates but recent interest in developments in the area has reignited higher demand for the increasingly scarce property within Damansara Heights.

Damansara City appeals to buyers looking for a lifestyle close to the amenities offered while enjoying easy access to nearby townships and the Kuala Lumpur city centre. The upcoming MRT station that will be completed in the coming months will also link them to KL Sentral which will house the future KL-Singapore Rail Link station as well which was announced by both Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore last month.

“Now more than ever high achievers and discerning buyers are opting for a social lifestyle that’s about convenience and quality – living close to shops, cafes and amenities with everything they need within reach. GuocoLand, being an expert in creating thoughtful spaces, is leading the way in master-planned communities, as it offers a place for residents to belong – an excellent opportunity for residents to live, work, play and become part of a community of the very best people,” added Tan.

GuocoLand expects Damansara City to have an initial traffic of 10,000 people daily working within the integrated development and average another 6,000 visitors when it is fully operational. The future development of surrounding areas is expected to enhance the foot traffic within the area and further increase the demand for and the valuation of Damansara City’s units in both the residential and commercial towers.

GuocoLand has built an enviable track record as a leading property developer with a history that spans over 50 years in residential townships, commercial and mixed development projects in Malaysia such as the upcoming master planned townships Emerald Rawang and Pantai Sepang Putra, as well as upcoming Alam Damai and Jasin. It is part of the Singapore-based GuocoLand Ltd, which is a leading regional property player with established operations in China, Singapore and Vietnam.

 

Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology highlights diversified intelligent building technologies with added efficiency

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Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology (SIBT) will once again return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 23 – 25 September 2015. The fair is jointly organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Shanghai Pudong Sub-Council, and Shanghai Hongshan Exhibition Service Co Ltd. For 2015, the scale of the event will increase to occupy over 15,000 sqm of exhibition space and is expected to welcome approximately 280 exhibitors.

Ms Lucia Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, commented: “Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology has established itself as the most comprehensive annual platform on intelligent building technologies for the China market and will celebrate its ninth edition in 2015. Being a technology driven event, the fair is constantly evolving to cope with rapidly changing market trends. Today, intelligent building markets are looking for total solutions with value-added properties and greater efficiency. Fortunately, new building technologies and product functions are arising from the collaborative crossover of disciplines such as building automation, fire safety and security. Moreover, the integration of the IT and intelligent building industries is significantly enhanced by the pervasive nature of the Internet of Things. Cloud computing and big data are altering the behaviours of building analytics vendors. Recognising this, the show will exhibit diversified intelligent building solutions including but not limited to generic cabling and data centres, energy management and building automation, and building energy saving.”

 

Over 90% of exhibition booths reserved, exhibitors to unveil the latest building solutions

 

With just three months before the show, the fair is receiving positive feedback from the exhibitors. In fact, over 90% of exhibition booths have already been reserved and exhibitors are eager to present their latest intelligent building solutions. Some noteworthy exhibitors confirmed for the ninth edition include:

 

  • Beckhoff is a German manufacturer specialising in open automation systems based on PC control technologies. Mr Licky Bao, Branch Manager of Beckhoff Automation (Shanghai) Co Ltd, noted: “Intelligent building has become an important indicator for urban development. For our first-time appearance at the exhibition, we will introduce our new technology for intelligent building automation to the visitors. Our innovation is developed from the philosophy ‘New Automation Technology’. It represents the universal, open control and automation solutions that can adapt to different applications including intelligent building automation. We are confident that our participation can benefit Beckhoff’s brand promotion and business growth.”

 

  • EnOcean Alliance is an international standard organisation that develops and promotes self-powered wireless monitoring and controlling systems for sustainable buildings. Mr Graham Martin, Chairman of the group, shared details of the alliance’s fourth year participating in the fair. He mentioned: “This year, we will be joining our member companies to demonstrate EnOcean wireless and batteryless solutions. On display will be a series of monitoring and controlling technologies for energy efficient buildings and smart homes that gradually become maintenance-free, as well as offer great flexibility in systems planning and implementation.”

 

  • The China Data Center Committee (CDCC) is comprised of over 200 member companies. These companies, which aim to promote the Data Center’s technologies throughout China, will once again join the exhibition for the upcoming edition. Mr Luo Yuxi, CDCC Manager, explained: “Exhibiting alongside our member companies, we will highlight the latest data centre solutions, cabling products and accessories at the 2015 fair.”

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Anticipated debut of Shanghai Smart Home Technology addresses the future of home automation

 China’s smart home market is projected to expand to USD22.8 billion by 2018, as found by Juniper Research. The trend towards smarter and more efficient homes is growing extensively. Increased demand for related technologies has coincided with a surge in the interoperability between smartphones and tablets with a myriad of other connected objects and devices.

 

To cater to rapid growth in the smart home market, the organisers of Shanghai International Building Technology are collaborating with China Smart Home Industry Alliance (CSHIA) to introduce Shanghai Smart Home Technology (SSHT). This fair will run concurrently with SIBT 2015.

 

Ms Lucia Wong remarked: “The aim of cooperating with the CSHIA to launch SSHT is to create an effective business platform that will generate new ideas in China’s smart home industry. The fair will not only promote the concept that smart homes are surrounded around comfort and convenience, but it will also unveil the core technologies behind smart homes, including intelligent terminals, Internet of Things, communication protocols and more. During the fair, demonstrations of an array of solutions will be applied to basic security monitoring, customised access to appliances, lighting, window coverings, irrigation, entertainment systems and more.”

 

The fair receives immense industry support from leading global brands. They include names such as Control 4, Wulian, Beckhoff, WAGO, HaiLin, Nantong Boyun, Hi Champ Technology, RICI, TCS, KNX, EnOcean, Z-Wave, Echelon, Hikvision, Cinemaster AVSTYLE, HDL, ORVIBO, Tiancheng and many others.

 

Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology (SIBT), the sister show of   Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology, is a part of Messe Frankfurt’s building and energy shows, headed by the biennial Light + Building event in Frankfurt, Germany, which will take place from 13 – 18 March 2016.

 

SIBT also follows a series of light and building technology events in China, including Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology, Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition, Shanghai Smart Home Technology and Shanghai International Lighting Fair. Additionally, light and building fairs will also be hosted in Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and India.

 

 

For more information on Light + Building shows worldwide, please visit www.light-building.com/brand.

 

To find out more information about Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology, please visit www.building.messefrankfurt.com.cn or email building@china.messefrankfurt.com.

One Powerhouse Event, One Comprehensive Solution

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An Unparalled Technology Showcase from Across the Globe

A not-to-missed annual business platform for the commercial and industrial building sectors in Southeast Asia and beyond, Mostra Convegno Expocomfort  (MCE) Asia will bring to you a wide range of cutting-edge solutions in HVACR, Water and Energy from around the globe that meets the market’s needs for energy efficiency and reduced resource consumption.

MCE Asia will be held in Marina Bay Sands Singaporefrom 2 – 4 September 2015 and will congregate these key brands – Altech Equipment Systems, Bitzer Refrigeration, Belimo, Caleffi, Cimberio, Coes, DaikinAirconditioning (Singapore) Pte Ltd,Deos Control Systems, Ebm-Papst, Galletti, Itap, KSB, Mitsubishi Electric Asia Pte Ltd, Panasonic, RubinetterieBrescianeBonomi, Saudi Ceramic Company, Reflex, Reliable Controls, Smartdt Chillers, and many more.

Together with the co-located Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia 2015, visitors to MCE Asia 2015  can conveniently source from more than 450 exhibits from around the globe.

 

Catalysing Asia’s Global Comfort Technology and Energy Efficiency Industries

 Apart from a holistic showcase of solutions that you can experience up close, MCE Asia will also have a seminar platform called Mostra Xchange – where insights from leading leading personalities in the HVACR sphere and product showcases will converge to keep sector professions like yourself ahead of the growing competition.

The notable lineup of speakers include Prof. William P. Bahnfleth, ASHRAE Presidental Member from 2013 – 2014 and now Professor of Architectural Engineering and Director of Indoor Environment Center in The Pennsylvania State University; Jay Egg, President of EggGeothermal Consulting; Man Kit Leung, Director of Sustainable Design, Ronald Lu & Partners; Lim Soon Heng, Director of Strategic Development, Singapore Power and more.

MCE Asia as a business platform is made even more extraordinary with its tailored Business Matching programme that connects relevant exhibitors with interested trade visitors.

Stemming from its success during the last edition, the “No-Coat, No Tie” dress code will make a return at BEX Asia and MCE Asia 2015, as part of both events’ efforts to reduce energy usage by keeping the in-hall temperatures at a sustainable yet optimal comfort level.

 

Global Green Building Community Gathers in Singapore

Collectively, BEX Asia 2015, MCE Asia 2015 and the International Green Building Conference (IGBC) 2015 will be the key platforms during the Singapore Green Building Week in September for the exchange of global expertise, knowledge and solutions for the future of Southeast Asia’s Sustainable Built Environment.

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For enquiries of the event, please contact:

Reed Exhibitions

Email: mce-asia@reedexpo.com.sg

Things To Know Before Selling Your Scrap Metals

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The most common complaint from customers is that scrap dealers are unable to pay for the scrap metal sold. The issue gets worse when employees do not want to be involved in the transaction since scrap metal transactions are considered a very sensitive issue for most companies.

You can avoid unnecessary and time consuming trouble by simply following the tips below:

  • Always remember that scrap metal price is not everything. Ensure that the scrap dealer has built reputation and is able to pay for your scrap metal.

In Singapore context, one way is to check through ACRA for the scrap dealer’s capital. For sample purpose, please refer to the screen shot below, it stated clearly that the capital of this company is S$9,000,000.00 (in red frame).

In case you find the capital of a company is less than S$10,000.00, you will really need to consider whether the company is able to pay for your scrap metal. Assuming you have 100 Ton of scrap metals monthly, with current scrap metal price at S$250/ Ton (total amount per month will be S$25,000.00). Moreover, This amount does not include when the dealer buys from other customers, say 50 more customers. How much capital should this scrap dealer have in order to be able to purchase and pay to all their customers? Simple calculation will result in a total amount of S$1,250,000.00 (100 Ton x S$250/Ton x 50 customers).

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  • Do you know that a scrap dealer must be able to assist you in keeping track of the tonnage of your scrap metal sold?

You may ask for a monthly report of the tonnage of your scrap metal sold. You can utilise this report for auditing and accounting purposes. In addition, you will be able to know whether you have too much or too little scrap metals at each project sites.

  • Are you dealing with an honest and trustworthy scrap metal dealer?

Is there any unpaid transaction? Are they delaying your payment? Make sure there will not be any missing payment to your company.

  • It is recommended to use third party weighing service when you are selling scrap metal to protect your own interest?

Most of the large scale construction companies are using third party weighing service. This is done to compare the differences in weight measured at the scrap dealer’s yard. Better be safe than sorry.

  • Remember to adhere to all regulations set by the local authority.

In Singapore, all transactions of scrap metal MUST be done via crossed cheques payment strictly.

 

This article was originally posted on http://ylssteel.com.sg/.

About YLS STEEL PTE LTD

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, YLS Steel Pte Ltd is currently one of the largest ferrous scrap metal recycling companies in Singapore. Together with wide range of steel material available, YLS Steel offers you one-stop solutions from steel material rental to scrap metal recycling for your projects.

Volvo Trucks releases five new features for rough terrain

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Volvo Trucks continues to improve productivity within construction by releasing another five new features, including Volvo Dynamic Steering for dual front axles and increased front axle loads. This further highlights Volvo Trucks’ special attention to the construction segment.

The first Volvo FMX from 2010 was followed up with a completely updated version in 2013, including innovative breakthroughs such as Volvo Dynamic Steering. In 2015 Volvo Trucks introduces a new series of solutions that enable trucks and drivers operating in tough conditions to perform their work more smartly and efficiently.

“Volvo trucks have a solid reputation for their quality and drivelines. By adding new, innovative features we give our customers access to a broader range of options and unique ways to improve productivity,” says Ricard Fritz, Vice President, Volvo Trucks Brand.

In addition to introducing a heavy duty bumper for the Volvo FH series and the industry-first Automatic Traction Control function for the Volvo FMX, five more features are now available:

Volvo Dynamic Steering for dual front axles: Volvo Dynamic Steering is now also available on trucks with dual front axles, a very common configuration in construction operations. Since such trucks often carry particularly heavy loads or superstructures, the benefits are very noticeable for the driver. In addition to far lower turning resistance at low speeds, the steering wheel returns automatically to the straight-ahead position after full lock, cutting out the need for added effort in close-quarter manoeuvring and saving the driver both time and energy. Volvo Dynamic Steering, which was launched in 2013 and was showcased in for example the YouTube hit “The Hamster Stunt”, consists of an electric motor that compensates for vibration and steering wheel movement while minimising the amount of force needed to steer the truck.

Increased front axle loads, dual front axles: Volvo’s heavy duty trucks with dual front axles increase the maximum technical capacity from 18 to 20 tonnes. Customers benefit from both improved productivity and added flexibility. The extra capacity translates directly into increased income-earning capacity, something that is particularly valuable when transporting heavy materials in construction operations. On a 4-axle truck with a gross weight of 32 tonnes the load bed is also longer and there is greater flexibility regarding where to place a load such as gravel in a tipper body. This means maximum load is reached more quickly when loading and that the driver can be certain about meeting weight limitations. Higher load capacity above the front axles also permits a greater variety of crane configurations and allows other applications with considerable weight on the front axles.

Five-axle trucks, 10×4 and 10×6: On many markets, the trend is towards increased gross combination weights of between 50 and 76 tonnes. In order to meet the demand for heavier applications both on highways and in construction, Volvo Trucks is now launching factory-built 5-axle combinations. The two front axles permit up to 20 tonnes maximum load and the three rear axles can handle up to 36 tonnes, resulting in both increased payload and greater flexibility for customers. This solution is also suitable for concrete pumps and large crane trucks that need uniform axle load distribution. By reducing pressure on the axles, many of these vehicles can be transported over longer distances on regular highways, resulting in both faster transportation and increased income potential.

Rear air suspension in combination with driven front axle (Volvo FMX): The new possibility of combining an air-suspended rear axle with a driven front axle permits the highest level of comfort even for trucks with all-wheel drive. Whereas leaf springs are generally dimensioned for the heaviest weights, air suspension offers the flexibility of adjustment to suit the weight of the load. This results in a smoother driving experience and less wear on truck, driver and road surface. Thanks to less vibration – especially when the truck is driven without a load – the driver can maintain a higher average speed on bumpy construction site roads and can thus handle more deliveries during each shift. In addition to the enhanced comfort, Volvo Trucks’ air suspension also offers ground clearance of at least 300 mm and effective protection for all vulnerable components.

Electronic Brake System for drum brakes: Now even customers who specify drum brakes for operation in particularly dusty or wet conditions can benefit from the advantages of Volvo’s Electronic Brake System (EBS). The system’s electronics give access to a range of intelligent functions such as Hill Start Aid for better control on steep gradients. Safety is also improved thanks to integration of engine braking and retarder function, known as Brake Blending. In addition to improved brake function, EBS in combination with drum brakes also offers access to Volvo Dynamic Steering (not with drive to the front wheels) and more efficient gear changes since I-Shift obtains some of its information from the electronic braking system.

“We want to be the leading brand in the construction segment just as we are in long haul. These new features in combination with our completely updated product range clearly sets a new standard for what a construction truck can deliver,” says Ricard Fritz, Vice President Volvo Trucks Brand.

The Volvo Trucks construction offer

In addition to the Volvo FMX, Volvo FH and Volvo FH 16, the Volvo Trucks construction vehicle range also encompasses the Volvo FL with four-wheel drive and gross weight of up to 18 tonnes, and the Volvo FE with maximum gross weight of 26 tonnes. Together with an extensive workshop network and advanced services for excellent availability, customers benefit from considerable flexibility to create individually tailored and safe solutions.

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