BuildTech Asia 2017 cements position as the gateway into Asia’s built environment sector

The 7th edition of BuildTech Asia was officially opened by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development today.

Organised by Sphere Exhibits and hosted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), BuildTech Asia is held from 24 to 26 October at Singapore Expo Hall 3 and is the anchor event of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week. The trade show is the region’s leading platform for industry practitioners, technology experts and distributors to network, share insights and learn from the latest construction technologies and solutions, and has cemented itself as the go-to marketplace for all involved in the built environment sector.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness higher growth in the smart building market which is forecast to reach $31.74 billion by 2022 from $7.42 billion in 2017.[1] In addition, Asia has the largest pipeline of construction projects valued at more than US$3.6 trillion.[2]

Against this backdrop, some 8,000 local and foreign visitors can experience a wide variety of advanced solutions from over 130 exhibiting companies from Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, supporting the region’s building developments. Exhibit profiles include construction machinery and equipment, smart and productive technologies, building materials and architectural solutions, and quality finishes.

Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “BuildTech Asia has expanded its presence beyond Southeast Asia and we are heartened to see increased overseas participation on the trade floor. Such integration is essential as the world melts into a central marketplace with international initiatives such as the One-Belt One-Road strengthening co-operation in Asia’s built environment sector. The diverse exhibit profile and wide range of activities held alongside BuildTech Asia helps establish the building and construction trade show as a prominent knowledge-sharing platform and business gateway into Asia.”

Paving the way for a more vibrant networking community
BuildTech Asia 2017 underscores the importance of technology in helping firms deliver more resource-efficient and quality construction while tapping the growing construction demand in Asia. International interest in the trade show has grown over the years as the trade show anticipates the biggest gathering from over 30 countries across Asia Pacific and Europe since its inception.

There is increased support from trade associations in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. This year, BuildTech Asia is also expecting more local and overseas trade mission groups to the event. A customised business matching service will help visitors achieve their business goals and better manage interest from overseas participation.

Mr. R.H.Victor Aritonang, President of the Central Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is a supporting partner of BuildTech Asia 2017, said: “Singapore’s experience in developing world-class infrastructures will be useful in helping Indonesia plan and manage the development of new infrastructures. We see a lot of potential in collaborating with Singapore and other countries to realise the infrastructure expansion plans in Indonesia and drive greater regional co-operation and integration between Indonesia and other members of ASEAN, together with the rest of the world.”

Highlights of BuildTech Asia 2017

Visitors of BuildTech Asia 2017 will be able to witness the launch of several new technologies and solutions that are the first of its kind in Asia.

iMax Modular Pte Ltd is launching its patented PopUp and Solitaire modular homes which can expand into bigger living spaces using an innovative connection system. Aptiv8 Pte Ltd has also partnered the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation to launch Sgodigital.com, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that hosts construction IT applications on the cloud, and eliminates the need for Singapore construction firms to install and maintain IT applications on their own. Uniqix Pte Ltd is also unveiling its business-to-business e-procurement hub.

Other solutions at the BuildTech Asia 2017 that are introduced for the first time in Asia include Instant Upright’s heavy-duty modular scaffold system, Spiralite’s prefabricated and pre-insulated circular and flat oval ductwork, and ACME Equipment’s compact and lightweight grouting equipment.

This year, BuildTech Asia houses a bigger Singapore Public Sector Built Environment Leadership Pavilion which showcases how 10 public agencies in Singapore have applied smart solutions and productive technologies in their projects. The pavilion also features the latest developments in construction productivity and innovative technologies such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD).

From 24 to 25 October, innovations by 10 finalists of the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd’s (SCAL) Productivity and Innovation Awards (PIA) 2017 are also showcased for public voting at BuildTech Asia. Into its second year, the PIA is an industry initiative to raise productivity in the construction sector through a ground-up approach for innovative ideas.

Co-located activities of BuildTech Asia 2017

To facilitate knowledge sharing, an inaugural SMART Women in Built Environment conference and SCAL Built Environment Summit are taking place on 26 October in conjunction with BuildTech Asia 2017.

Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Trade and Industry, will be gracing the inaugural SMART Women in Built Environment conference as the Guest of Honour. The conference features discussions by leading women professionals from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore as well as female representatives from various Government agencies who will address the current progression and empowerment of women professionals in the built environment sector within the region.

The SCAL Built Environment Summit addresses global and local issues in promoting innovation, productivity and calls for closer integration and effective collaboration among stakeholders across the construction value chain. Key topics at the Summit will include the “The Future of Construction” report by the World Economic Forum and the “Construction Industry Transformation Map” developed as part of recommendations by Singapore’s Committee on the Future Economy.

BuildTech Asia 2017 is supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade); Australia Unlimited, Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore; Association of Industrial Engineering and Management Industry of Indonesia (ISTMI); Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU); Building Owners & Managers Association, Indonesia; Central Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Construction Industry Joint Committee; Engineers Australia; Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore; International Facility Management Association, Singapore Chapter; International Powered Access Federation; Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia (PKMM); Malaysian Association of Facilities Management; Malaysia Heavy Construction Equipment Owners Association; Master Builders Association Malaysia; Myanmar Construction Entrepreneur Association; National Association of Indonesian Consultants; National Association of Women in Construction (Australia); Prestressed and Precast Concrete Society; Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore; Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL); Singapore Cranes Association; Singapore Institute of Building Limited; Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers; Singapore International Chamber of Commerce; Singapore Manufacturing Federation; Society of Project Managers Singapore; The Institution of Engineers, Singapore; United Architects of the Philippines, Vietnam Association of Civil Engineering Environment; Vietnam Association of Structural Engineering & Construction Technology; Vietnam Electronic Industries Association; Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineers Associations and Workplace Safety and Health Asia.

For more information on BuildTech Asia 2017, visit www.buildtechasia.com

For more information on SMART Women in Built Environment conference, visit www.buildtechasia.com/smart-women-built-environment

For more information on SCAL Built Environment Summit, visit www.scal-academy.com.sg/seminars/oct-26-built-environment-summit-2017-construction-in-the-future-economy

About BuildTech Asia 2017
Hosted by Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA), and held during the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW), BuildTech Asia 2017 is now into its 7th edition focusing on technologies that address the challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries. BuildTech Asia 2017 is 3-day trade event dedicated to make a difference to the future of the industry. For more information, please visit www.buildtechasia.com

About the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW)
Organised by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA), the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW) is an industry hallmark event for developers, architects, consultants, builders and suppliers to exchange ideas on construction productivity, as well as share the latest developments in new productive technologies, best practices and success stories. For more information, please visit www.scpw.sg

About Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd
A wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), Sphere Exhibits, which stands for “SPH Events, Roadshows and Exhibitions”, aims to be the leading events company catering to a diverse mix of trade and consumer clientele. Backed by a committed and experienced team of professionals and SPH’s comprehensive range of media platforms, Sphere Exhibits’ shows, events and exhibitions centre on unique concepts that attract local audiences and regional participants. Among the 20 Sphere Exhibits’ events are The IT Show, COMEX, Licence2Play, Asian Masters and Kidz Academy. Leveraging on its expertise in event conceptualisation, planning and execution, Sphere Exhibits delivers memorable and quality events that meet the objectives of its clientele and partners.

About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia’s leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms, ranging from print, digital, radio and out-of-home media.

SPH owns award-winning newspapers, magazines and best-selling books in both print and digital editions, as well as online classified businesses in the region. In addition, SPH has two English radio stations and one Chinese radio station, an out-of-home digital advertising unit, a regional events and conferences arm, and runs a chain of modern retail convenience stores.

SPH REIT comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road and The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall. SPH’s latest retail development is The Seletar Mall located in Sengkang.

SPH is in the healthcare sector, operating private nursing homes under Orange Valley.
For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg

About Building and Construction Authority
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore champions the development of an excellent built environment for Singapore. BCA’s mission is to shape a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment, as these are four key elements where BCA has a significant influence. In doing so, it aims to differentiate Singapore’s built environment from those of other cities and contribute to a better quality of life for everyone in Singapore. Hence, its vision is to have “a future-ready built environment for Singapore”. Together with its education arm, the BCA Academy of the Built Environment, BCA works closely with its industry partners to develop skills and expertise that help shape a future-ready built environment for Singapore. For more information, visit www.bca.gov.sg