New Dedicated Solutions For Construction

/in , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

MRT2260

  • Complete overhaul and extension of the Manitou range of rotating  telehandlers 
  • Three new segments: compact fixed telehandlers, ultra-compact  telehandlers and articulated loaders 
  • Even lower Total Cost of Ownership 

Manitou Group, the worlwide reference in rough-terrain handling,  aerial work platforms and earthmoving, has unveiled the new segments in its construction  range with new compact fixed and ultra-compact telehandlers, as well as new articulated  loaders. The group also ushered in a complete overhaul and extension of its range of rotating  telehandlers at the digital “BUILD THE FUTURE” event broadcast worldwide.  

In order to offer a unique, 100% digital launch,  Manitou Group organized the “BUILD THE  FUTURE” event. Accessible via an interactive  platform, the event brought together more  than 3,000 internet users in 90 countries  across 4 continents, including many dealers,  rentals, key accounts and media. Over the course of two days, visitors were able to  remotely discover, through a talk show, three new segments in the construction and MRT  rotating telehandler range, followed by workshops showcasing the group’s commitment to  supplying comprehensive and durable solutions. 

Fully redesigned MRT rotating telehandlers 

To bring clarity to its range of rotating telehandlers, the group has decided to rename its two  ranges under the new names VISION and VISION+. Carlo Alberto Razzoli, MRT Product Manager, explains this change: “We are seeking to harmonize our entire range by making it  simpler. By modernizing the design and ergonomics of our products, we are now able to offer  a single cab across all the models in the range, thus providing excellent visibility to users  whatever the model. Having the same cab also means having an equivalent control station on  all models, making them quicker to get to grips with”. 

Two new machines have been added to this offering  with the MRT 1645 and MRT 1845 models for the  VISION range. With 500 kg (1,100 lbs) of additional  load capacity compared to their predecessors, these  two products offer a lifting height of 16 meters  (52’5”) and 18 meters (59’1”) respectively for a load  of 4.5 tons (9,900 lbs). They are also equipped with a  new Stage V engine, producing power of 75 hp and  116 hp respectively. The VISION range offers a wide selection of 14 models with heights  ranging from 16 meters (52’5”) to 25 meters (82’), for a load capacity of up to 4.5 tons (9,900  lbs).

The highest capacities are grouped together in  the VISION+ range, which features 12 new  models. The range has been completely  revamped with six new products: MRT 2260,  MRT 2660, MRT 3570 (also available in an  electronic suspension version), MRT 2570 and  MRT 3060. Carlo Alberto Razzoli explains the  reasons behind the renewal of the range:  “There is growing demand from customers  wanting machines that offer higher performance on construction sites. This high-capacity  range meets these expectations perfectly with a very high level of equipment”. With models  offering a lifting height of 22 meters (72’9”) to 35 meters (114’8”) and a much improved  capacity of up to 7 tons (15,400 lbs), this range is ideal for the installation of structural  steelwork, renovation of buildings and even demolition. These two ranges are connected as  standard in order to optimize maintenance, increase the machine’s operating hours and  therefore reduce the total cost of ownership for the user. The VISION and VISION+ ranges are  now available worldwide and will be delivered to the dealer network, to rentals and to key  accounts by September 2021.  

New Turner & Townsend Insight Report Says Public Sector Projects Drive Singapore’s Construction Recovery

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Turner & Townsend’s latest Singapore Market Insight Report reflects a cautiously optimistic outlook for the construction sector, with sectoral recovery led by public sector projects. Construction activity in 2021 will continue to be driven mainly by the public sector at 65 percent, up from 62 percent in 2020. Prospects for construction demand is expected to improve, albeit only marginally. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) projects construction demand for 2021 to be between S$23 billion and S$28 billion.

Notwithstanding that construction demand for 2021 is not yet back to pre-COVID levels, the Singapore government expects a sustained recovery in construction demand over the next five years. Some of the notable projects in the pipeline include subsequent phases of major MRT infrastructure projects, new healthcare facilities and new regional centres.

Demand from the private residential segment is anticipated to remain soft this year with a reduction in the number of land parcels put up for sale in the first half of 2021. However, the demand for collective sales could pick up later this year, as developers may start looking to replenish their land banks. We anticipate a low demand for new office and retail developments with opportunities for more office restacking and consolidation fit-out works, as companies consider more flexible working models to ensure the relevance of office workspace.

While construction output is due to rise to the range of S$24 billion and S$27 billion in 2021, up from S$19.5 billion last year, this increase will be largely attributed to the backlog created during the pandemic. Despite a decline in construction activity, tender pricing for new projects is anticipated to increase between six and ten percent, driven by contractors allowing for labour shortages, increases in key construction material costs (reinforcement), availability of contracting resources and the implementation of the COVID-safe management measures.

Given the level of uncertainty in the current market, a much wider range of tender pricing has also been reflected in some project tenders, in some instances more than 10 percent over and above last year’s price level. It is anticipated that it will take some time for tender prices to stabilise. Turner & Townsend foresee further industry consolidation and Singapore’s construction supply chain to face continued challenges with upstream and downstream disruptions.

To address a backlog of projects, severe labour shortages and lower productivity, all players across the value chain will need to work together to integrate and digitalise processes, upskill workers and uplift the capabilities of the entire Built Environment sector. The pandemic has reaffirmed the need to accelerate the adoption of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) technologies to help build a more resilient industry and reduce reliance on foreign workers.

Khoo Sze Boon, Managing Director, Singapore said: “Singapore’s construction industry remains one of the most severely affected sectors hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue down the path to recovery with vaccination programmes in progress and the number of cases under control, it is imperative that the construction sector rebuilds itself through collaboration and innovation. To ensure the sector’s success over the medium to long term, we need to build up the DfMA competencies of all players across the supply chain, drive the development of sustainable design and adoption of innovative technologies and materials, as well as steer research and development on renewable energy.”

Click here to download the Singapore market insight report.

Pan-United Achieves Singapore’s Largest Two Continuous Concrete Pours Within a Month

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Pan-United Corporation Ltd has achieved Singapore’s largest two continuous ready-mix concrete pours in casting the raft foundation for a development project in the Labrador area. The Group’s subsidiary, Pan-United Concrete, set a national record when it poured 18,916 m3 for 57 hours non-stop from 31 October to 2 November 2020.

This first pour was followed by a second pour of 18,342 m3 of concrete in a shorter time of 42 hours non-stop, from 27 to 29 November 2020, to complete the raft foundation. The mixer truck convoys delivered one truckload of concrete non-stop every 60seconds.The total concrete volume of the two pours, at 37,258 m3, is equivalent to filling 14 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The previous record of 18,000 m3 was in March 2015 for the Marina One raft foundation.

Ready-mix concrete is produced just in time and typically has a brief two-hour workable lifespan. Pan-United designed a special concrete that remained workable for six hours to ensure the layers bonded integrally to form a solid raft. The complex logistics planning for the production, delivery and casting of the raft foundation stretched over several months in close collaboration with Hyundai Engineering & Construction(“Hyundai”), the main contractor of the development.

Mr Ken Loh, Chief Operating Officer of Pan-United said, “We are thankful to Hyundai for taking all the measures necessary to ensure safe distancing and to greatly reduce any health risks to the teams handling the massive pours.Pan-United also used our contactless processes such as e-delivery orders, e-concrete sampling, e-sign-offs, and our customer portal to minimise physical interaction at the worksite. Both mass pours went very smoothly, thanks to the excellent co-operation with Hyundai, and the tremendous team effort of all parties involved. We had full confidence of success in executing this feat, supported by our concrete innovation specialists and with the advanced logistics managed through our digital optimisation platform called AiR (Artificial Intelligence for Ready-Mix Concrete). AiR optimises our supply chain, managing the efficiency of our batching plants and ensuring a seamless relay of trucks delivering the concrete. Pan-United will continue to innovate concrete and logistics solutions that can address any complex challenge in building smart cities like Singapore.”

Mr Chan Wai Mun, Operations Director of Pan-United Concrete added, “Technology-enabled precision was absolutely crucial in both mass pours to ensure zero disruptions to concrete placement. The continuous supply allows the concrete raft foundation to set uniformly within the required temperature properties.”

Highlighting the sustainable aspects of the massive operation, Mr Chan explained: “A sustainable Grade 55 temperature-controlled flowing concrete (PanU Cool) was chosen to improve the structural integrity and durability of the raft foundation. Chiller systems developed in-house were used to maintain the low heat of this special flowing concrete so as to prevent cracking during the setting of the huge raft.”

“Our custom concrete ‘recipe’ for PanU Cool comprised sustainable raw materials,such as ground granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product of steel production. We also used silica fume, a by-product of silicon wafer production. Stringent durability requirements were designed to ensure the concrete met high performance criteria such as strength and water-tightness. Virtual quality testing was conducted remotely using e-sampling to ensure safe distancing,” emphasised Mr Chan.

62% of Construction Leaders Say Lack of Collaboration is the Biggest Cause of Project Delays

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Finalcad, a leading software provider to the construction sector, released the results of a survey of 400 construction leaders in France, Spain, Singapore and Japan, exploring digital transformation in the industry. The research finds the typical profit margin on a construction project averages only 2 percent across the four regions. It also reveals that a lack of digital transformation has left many companies reliant on manual and paper-based workflows; this comes at a time when the slowdown from the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic is showing how important it is to digitalise operations and support remote working. Further, not digitalising is significantly damaging companies’ ability to collaborate and having a direct impact on the bottom line, with 62 percent of respondents saying that a lack of collaboration is the single biggest cause of construction project delays.

The survey also investigates how universal tasks such as defect management and health and safety inspections are carried out. The findings show companies have several different methods and channels in place; more than half (51 percent) are using a combination of in-person, telephone, email, and/or paper to inform the person responsible for repairs during the quality process of the next action. Worryingly, 53 percent are using unreliable text/SMS or instant messaging (e.g. WhatsApp) to document a safety incident or hazard. The lack of consistency in how this important information is recorded and shared leaves a considerable margin for errors and miscommunication – which can lead to broader safety risks, delays and cost overruns.

“The construction industry’s continued reliance on outdated processes – both on- and off-site – is causing significant inefficiencies. This is not sustainable in a sector where slender margins are a persistent issue,” commented Frank Le Tendre, CEO, Finalcad. “Construction has fallen behind other global industries like finance and retail when it comes to digitalisation, yet this research shows us many of the daily processes that take place on all projects are prime targets for transformation. From snagging to safety, there is no area that cannot be improved by optimising operations. In addition, as regions emerge from the downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, those that have digitised will be able to act quickly to get back to business as usual.”

Another consequence stemming from the failure to digitalise is the difficulty in documenting and capturing data, resulting in invoices being unpaid when a contractor cannot prove work has been done; a majority (90 percent) of respondents across all regions said this ‘free work’ was a common problem. Moreover, construction companies are guilty of ‘reinventing the wheel’ on new projects; 59 percent say they create new templates for existing workflows some, most, or all of the time – a clear waste of time and resources. Both results should be a major driver of digital transformation for construction managers, CEOs and developers – a centralised digital process enables continuous improvement and makes it far easier to proactively record extra work, as well as creating repeatable models. 

“As with all other industries, construction is set to face a challenging time in the short term with the impact of Covid-19 hitting global economies,” continued Franck Le Tendre. “However, in the long term, construction has huge potential for growth. The United Nations predicts two-thirds of the world’s inhabitants will be living in cities by 2050, and we are seeing the smart city trend accelerate fast.[1] If they are to capitalise on these opportunities, construction companies need to digitalise now. Digital transformation removes existing silos and simplifies the challenge that construction companies face of juggling people, plans, skills and materials against a shifting schedule – improving profitability, while increasing the satisfaction of final customers.” 

*The research was undertaken in February and March 2020; commissioned by Finalcad and conducted by independent market research company, Coleman Parks. The total sample size of 400 consists of 200 site managers/directors managing an average of 10 sites, and 200 HQ managers/directors. On site, respondents are the project lead with overall responsibility for a site. In the HQ operation, respondents are business unit directors with responsibility for construction. See ‘Demographics’ section for more detail. Respondents are from commercial and residential construction companies with revenues greater than $51M per year, in France, Spain, Singapore and Japan.

 [1] The United Nations, 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN, 16 May 2021

The Finalcad 2020 Leaders Survey: Exploring Digital Transformation in Global Construction is the first of a two-part series exploring digitalisation in construction; the second report will be published in Autumn 2020. To view the full results and download the report, please fill up the form:

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SDLG Scores A ‘Hole In One’

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Last August, SDLG delivered two units of L968F wheel loaders to landscaping and construction company, Desert Group LLC. The loaders are being used on a year-long project to build a 9-hole golf course on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where their uptime is crucial to completing the development on time.

The loaders will be used to transport off-site materials onto the golf course, including boulders and sand, which will be used for landscaping. “The loaders will be covering roughly 1.2km in distance with each trip they make, so having a smooth loading and delivery process is really important to keep us on schedule,” says Lawrence Walsh, manager at Desert Group LLC. “If there’s any downtime on these machines, we can’t get things done but so far there’s been minimal service and repairs, which makes our job very easy.”

Tough Conditions
The main challenge when working in desert conditions is not only the heat but the dust too. “We have to clean the filters regularly and ensure regular breaks for staff, especially during the summer,” Walsh adds.

Luckily, the loaders are built for the job. “The technology isn’t as advanced but that was never my main priority,” says John Richards, workshop manager at Desert Group LLC. “We wanted something simple and reliable, easy to fix, easy to use and with good fuel efficiency.”

The operators are in favour of the machines too: “They like the ergonomics of the machine, the added sun visors and the way the controls feel in their hands,” Richards adds. “Not to mention the positioning of the seat and adjustable steering wheel too.”

Strength in Relationships
Among colleagues, and between dealers and customers, strong relationships are an important part of ensuring a job runs smoothly. “My team and I have a very good relationship, I know they will be there for me if they need any help,” Richards says.

The company also has a very good relationship with SDLG dealer, Famco. Joseph Gomez, project manager at Desert Group LLC, says: “Famco have been absolutely fantastic with their service; any time we have an issue, which is very rare, they are here within hours.”

“SDLG is a great partner for us,” Richards concludes. “Our challenge as a contractor is that time equals money and if we don’t have reliable machines, we can’t make money. Our partnership with FAMCO UAE and SDLG has been brilliant so far and we will definitely choose them again for future projects.”

Arcadis launches new digital Asia Cost Guide for construction industry

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Arcadis has launched a new mobile application of their industry-renowned annual Construction Cost Handbook and Quarterly Cost Reviews to the China, Hong Kong and Singapore market. Known as the Asia Cost Guide, the app will provide users with the same best-in-class construction cost data indicators, trends and analysis, now consolidated into the digital app making it easier for users to always have the latest information on hand. The Asia Cost Guide will provide real-time information and users can access data from multiple markets through a single source.

With over 85 years of cost management experience, Arcadis understands the cost of construction and the impact it can have for the development of an asset. The Construction Cost Handbook and Quarterly Cost Review have become an industry ‘go-to’ for Arcadis’ clients, contractors and business partners across Asia. The launch of the Asia Cost Guide is part of Arcadis’ continued investment to support digitalization of the Cost & Commercial industry fostering knowledge transfer and best practice within the industry.

Penny Murphy, Head of Digital Transformation, Asia, explained: “For nearly 30 years, Arcadis Asia has been providing trusted cost advice to our clients and partners. The launch of the Asia Cost Guide is a major milestone in our ambition to be the leader in digital cost and commercial management. As digital devices become mainstream, so has the demand for timely information as clients need to access relevant data to enable decisions.  We hope the Asia Cost Guide will enhance our clients’ experience through digital touchpoints and provide them with valuable insights, connecting them with Arcadis’ data and expertise to help them to achieve more for their money.”

The new app will also provide users with direct access to Arcadis’ latest thought leadership, research and publications such as the annual International Construction Costs index, which ranks the cost of construction in cities around the world.

The Asia Cost Guide is available to download now for free, and currently provides cost data for the China and Hong Kong market and the Singapore market. Over the next few months, data for Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam will be added. A Simplified Chinese version will also be added which will be accessible on the China Android stores.

Doka Makes Its Mark In Turkey On The Kömürhan Bridge

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Constructed over the Karakaya Dam Lake, the Kömürhan Bridge will soon forge part of the Malatya-Elazig State highway in Eastern Turkey. Measuring 600 metres in length, the bridge features a cable-stayed design with a single pylon, which stands at 165 m in height.

This special type of bridge, which is the fourth single pylon cable-stayed bridge in the world, will also serve an important regional role as a logistics corridor, not only connecting Malatya and Elazığ, but also serving as a strategic crossing for the 16 provinces of Eastern Anatolia.

Located approximately 700 kilometres east of the Turkish capital of Ankara and 400 kilometres north of the Syrian border lies the province of Malatya, a region famed for its apricots and now the tallest pylon in the country. Standing at a height of 168.5 metres, the ‘Y’ shaped reinforced concrete tower is the centrepiece of the new Kömürhan Bridge, a suspension structure traversing the Fırat River and the Malatya-Elazığ regional borders.

Stretching just over half a kilometre at 660 metres the bridge has an edge opening of 180 metres, a middle opening of 380 metres and a width of 24 metres. The deck cross-section will be orthotropic steel, while the superstructure of the bridge will be connected to the pylon with 42 tensioned cables. In context of the wider project, it is part of a 5,225 metres four-lane highway that includes a 120-metre viaduct and a 2,400 metres tunnel, providing passage to the Karakaya Dam a few kilometres to the south.

The existing old bridge and crookedly connected roads will be preserved. The new bridge and the tunnel will be developed next to the existing route. It is planned that the Kömürhan Bridge will be completed in July 2020.

Working under the joint venture of Doğuş and Gülsan, Doka Turkey was awarded the contract to design and supervise the execution of formwork, which commenced in August 2017. With the bridge scheduled to open in 2020, we spoke with project manager, Mr. Taha Özdilek, who commented on his experience with Doka Turkey.

“Safety was our main priority on this project and Doka has maintained an excellent track record where this is concerned. Most of my team were accustomed with Doka’s products and systems and knew that the solution presented, and the site support received would add much value. Our team was also familiar with Doka’s solution for a similar project (Nissibi Bridge), which was delivered in 2015 and therefore knew they would be well suited for the job.”

In terms of the practical formwork solution, the major challenge was focused on the pylon, specifically its unusual shape. Doka’s Automatic Climbing Formwork SKE 50 was used on the upper single core column of the pylon, while a specially adapted double set was used on the lower half with bespoke solutions created at junction points to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.

Large-area formwork Top 50 was used for the pylon with Doka D2/D3 and Load-bearing Towers Staxo 100 shoring systems for the approaching viaduct. While a tower and mobile crane were used for the pylon and viaduct respectively, the formwork solution was otherwise self-sufficient and delivered its portion of the project safely, on time and on budget.

Settle Into The Newly Reimagined Wanderlust In Little India

/in , , , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The newly reimagined Wanderlust, the latest flexible living concept from 8M Collective, is now open for bookings. Moving away from the rigid protocols and antiquated services at conventional hotels, Wanderlust is a conscientiously designed space for a new generation, welcoming all jaunts and journeys.

Retaining only the name of the original property, the new Wanderlust has undergone a complete transformation, merging old-world charm with essential modern-day comforts. Step through the adorned façade of original Peranakan tiles and feel instantly at home, entering the naturally peaceful and inviting lobby, a wonderful dichotomy to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. Relax on the open-air terrace overlooking charming Dickson Road, taking in the bustling streets of Little India from a private oasis with a dipping pool, the perfect escape on a hot Singapore afternoon.

Just a few convenient steps from the Downtown MRT Line, Wanderlust offers the balance of being just minutes from the bustling city centre yet immersed in the historic urban montage of Little India. With a range of different room categories from spacious Lofts to comfortably appointed Studios, Wanderlust invites guests to take a break from the hectic pace of daily life and embrace the mindset of slow travel, making the lively neighbourhood a home away from home while soaking in the culture, colours and character of the multifaceted cityscape.

Embracing the select service model that has made KēSa House, in Keong Saik Road, a favourite among contemporary travellers, Wanderlust encourages guests to settle in and stay a while with a range of flexible rate packages and services depending on the desired length of stay. Amenities such as complimentary laundry service, fully furnished pantries and comfortable common spaces make Wanderlust an ideal refuge whether you’re checking in to relax, work or play.

Settle In

The Loft category on the top floor of the heritage property, provides space to relax and hide away, with a lofted double bed to accommodate a separate living space. Your private urban retreat, the spacious Wanderlust Loft is elegantly appointed with natural finishes, textural overlays and a kitchenette for convenient in-room meals. Striking the perfect chord between classic comforts and modern essentials, the Wanderlust Junior Loft offers a living space and kitchenette alongside enhanced modern fittings and functionalities.

The Studio category is ideal for the modern traveller seeking new perspectives. For a bit more space, the Wanderlust Studio delivers contemporary and homelike living with a stylish, cleverly constructed interior and kitchenette. Expertly designed with comfort in mind, the Wanderlust Junior Studio also features a kitchenette for everyday convenience along with enhanced functionalities.

Perfect for the intrepid traveller seeking a refined respite from the hustle and bustle, the Wanderlust Room offers everything you need and nothing you don’t. Enjoy a luxurious double bed, cosy fittings and a quiet view overlooking the streets of Little India.

Savour the Moment

With kitchenettes in the majority of rooms, Wanderlust offers the opportunity to explore the local markets with its eclectic flavours and ingredients and prepare a home cooked meal in the comfort of your own space.

You can grab essentials at the in-house Mama Shop that offers a hand-picked assortment of locally sourced brands and staples with ample selection for the health conscious. Enjoy a taste of Singapore with items such as craft beer from The Guild, artisan cold brew and tea from Made Cold, gluten free treats from The Whole Kitchen and kombucha from Yocha.

And in true 8M Collective style, Wanderlust will also offer an amazing in-house restaurant and bar – Kotuwa, opening in April 2020. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Rishi Naleendra of local dining destinations Cloudstreet and Cheek Bistro (formerly Cheek by Jowl), Kotuwa will celebrate Sri Lankan flavours, culture, people and hospitality.

Mammoet Shows Time Efficiency for Lifting Project in Rayong

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Mammoet was hired by Toyo Engineering Korea on behalf of Bangkok Synthetics Co., Ltd (owner of the plant) to transport and install 24 items as part of the owner’s project to expand their petrochemical production plant. The items included 9 long towers length up to 74m long and weighing up to 213 tons. All items were needed to be transported from a port to the plant located at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and installed onto foundations.

The normal commercial port to receive heavy and oversize cargos is located five kilometers from the construction site. Transport of heavy/oversize cargos from this port is only allowed on Saturday and Sunday and it would also require to make three 90-degree turns, which would prove to be a challenge with regards to road safety and obstacles costs. As such, Mammoet reviewed the area and recommended client to use the Maptaphut Industrial Terminal (MIT) port instead.

Mammoet had to demonstrate to the local authorities the advantages of using MIT port in order to get special approval for this port. This in fact resulted in a more efficient route reducing road safety challenges and required modifications to existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the Maptaphut Industrial Terminal (MIT) port is located only one kilometer from BST site, cutting half the time required for the transportation. Transport from this port was also allowed at any day of the week and this was a major time saving to the client because installation of the columns could be done on a daily basis.

Next, Mammoet assisted Toyo Engineering Korea with installation of towers using the PTC 35DS crane (1600t capacity Ring Crane). This crane was chosen because of its large lifting capacity at greater radius from one lifting position. Others alternative was to split the towers in 2 parts and lift them using a crawler crane which would be costly in ground preparation and welding works. The advantages of using Mammoet Ring Crane were time and cost saving for the client.

The combination of using Mammoet for the transportation and installation was an added value for the client because Mammoet was able to look at an overall solution to ultimately save time, costs and reduce road safety challenges and work at site.

FINALCAD Underway in Revolutionising the Building Industry in Singapore

/in , , /by

Reading Time: 2 minutes

FINALCAD, a leading construction mobile platform, is facilitating the digital transformation of the building and construction industry in Singapore. Since 2015, the company has rapidly established itself as a leader in the local built environment sector, having undertaken several high-profile projects in the country, including Changi Airport (Terminals 1 and 4), Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore Sports Hub, Yishun Community Hospital, amongst many others.

Given Singapore’s limited labour pool in construction, the sector is eagerly looking at ways to reduce labour and increase productivity. Across Asia Pacific, there has been a clarion call to boost infrastructure spend, if the region is to maintain its growth trajectory. Currently, only US$880 billion — slightly over half of the US$1.7 trillion required — is spent on infrastructure, annually.

“In order to boost efficiency and productivity in the built environment space, in the face of mounting challenges, the construction industry needs to look at technologies that can reduce the amount of time spent on manual tasks, and optimize their ability to make real-time decisions,” said Jimmy Louchart, President & Co-Founder, FINALCAD. “Additionally, the industry can now leverage solutions that provide data, which can be analysed to eventually reduce defects and increase the safety of projects.”

Significant contributors to time wastage include manual routine inspections — which also adds to paper wastage — and communications. In larger projects that involve multiple subcontractors, communications between groups can also be a source of delays. Being able to make decisions digitally and in on-the-go ensures that less time and resources are wasted unnecessarily, leading to more time spent on valuable tasks that improve the quality of work, while also paying a closer eye to monitoring progress.

FINALCAD provides a simple platform for various parties in a construction project to communicate, while providing timely updates and log reports that can incorporate anything from pictures, descriptions, as well as details about issues. Additionally, users can use the masses of data collected to glean insights around regular issues, to see how they can be reduced in the future. Everyone on the project team, including foremen, site engineers and architects, among others, can share these benefits.

In the case of manual inspections, FINALCAD has enabled inspectors to perform their inspections digitally — driving increased efficiency of defect management by up to 50 percent. In some instances, the inspection and rectification processes were cut down by eight days. During the construction of Changi Airport’s Terminal 1, the time saved by adopting technologies to increase efficiency amounts to about S$300,000.

“We have improved the productivity, quality and efficiency of operations by using FINALCAD, and I believe that we will definitely increase our competitiveness,” said Wei Kewu, Senior Technical Manager, China Construction.

Solutions like these show that the digitisation of construction is the next clear step that will revolutionise the industry, while increasing their capabilities many times over. With digitisation now reaching new heights, demand for FINALCAD’s mobile-first construction app is accelerating. The company has more than 170 people, across 12 countries and has serviced over 20,000 projects.