Buildtech Asia 2018 showcases latest technologies and smart solutions to enhance construction productivity through digital transformation

The 8th edition of BuildTech Asia returns to Singapore Expo Hall 3 at MAX Atria from 22 – 24 October.

BuildTech Asia is the leading annual Asia Pacific Building and Construction industry trade exhibition. This year’s convention will showcase the latest industry technologies and smart solutions to promote productivity, use of resources and smart solutions to enhance the digital transformation in the Built Environment (BE) sector. It is organised by Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) and supported by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and key BE stakeholders.

According to the Global Construction 2020 report by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics – construction in emerging markets, including some of Asia’s fast-growing markets, will become a US$6.7 trillion business by 2020, accounting for 55 per cent of global construction output.

Aside from the staple exhibits in construction machinery, equipment, materials and architectural solutions, BuildTech Asia continues to showcase the latest smart construction and productive technologies to address the challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries. This is in line with the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM), which was launched by BCA at the Singapore Construction Productivity Week in October last year.

The Construction ITM envisions an advanced and integrated sector with widespread adoption of leading technologies, led by progressive and collaborative firms well-poised to capture business opportunities, and supported by a skilled and competent workforce offering good jobs for Singaporeans.

During the Singapore Budget debate this year, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, announced that plans are afoot to raise the capabilities of local construction players by roping in industry and the research community to help transform the BE sector through research funds and helping local firms to internationalise.

The ways to transform the BE sector include:

  1. Implementing new technologies like Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), by shifting labour-intensive construction processes to controlled factory environment, where quality building components are prefabricated before onsite assembly;
  2. Adoption of Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) to connect stakeholders across the project delivery and building lifecycle by sharing accurate and timely digital information through Building Information Modelling (BIM), Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and other digital solutions, together with collaborative working approaches and integrated platforms;
  3. Helping construction firms to build up capabilities through the use of resources and facilitate healthier and sustainable competition via procurement framework; and
    Future-proof construction industry professionals by building strong competency in DfMA, IDD and green buildings.

This international building technology trade show is expected to attract the biggest gathering since its inception, featuring more productive technologies from 200 international and regional brands covering over 10 000 sqm floor space at Singapore EXPO, as well as close to 10, 000 high-level attendees in construction architecture infrastructure facilities and design from Singapore and her neighbouring countries. International exhibitor participation at BuildTech Asia has increased over the years, with exhibitors from Australia, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore having confirmed their participation this year.

The exhibiting brands will be showcasing solutions across these five exhibit profiles:

  • BUILDCon: Onsite Construction Machinery & Equipment
  • BUILDPro: Productive Technologies
  • BUILDMat: Building Materials & Architectural Solutions
  • BUILDFin: Quality Finishes an
  • BUILDFM: Facilities Management, a new segment for BuildTech Asia 2018.

Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “In keeping with the times it is essential for the construction sector to keep up with relevant cutting-edge technologies which will empower professionals to remain productive and profitable within the construction value chain. We aim to continue growing the presence of BuildTech Asia in the region and be the leading platform for industry practitioners, technology experts and distributors to network, share insights and be updated on the latest construction technologies and solutions to succeed in today’s Built Environment Sector.”

Co-located conferences at BuildTech Asia 2018
This year, three co-located conferences will take place over the three days.
The first is the Built Environment Summit 2018, entitled “Transformation of Construction SMEs”. Organised by the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL), it will provide insights from industry leaders on overcoming challenges for transformation, and on digital transformation of the construction industry using Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD).

Another is the Build Smart Conference 2018, organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Called “Unlocking Innovation through Digital Transformation”, the conference will provide a platform for practitioners from different disciplines to gain insights on technological advancement and best practices in Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD).

International and local experts will be sharing their experiences on topics such as application of digitalisation through exemplary international and local IDD projects that enhance our construction productivity.

The third conference, Facilities Management Conference, is organised by the Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL) and Sphere Exhibits. It is a two-day programme entitled “Smart FM – The Next Wave of Integrated Digital Delivery” which aims to promote productivity and the use of resources and smart innovation to manage the transformation into ‘Industry 4.0’.

This is in line with the recently launched Real Estate (RE) Industry Transformation Map (ITM). SIBL and Sphere will be bringing in industry opinion leaders to share their FM innovative technology and best practices across the BE sector and will enable local FM professionals to be future-ready in leading the digital transformation in BE.

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 Sphere Exhibits’ event are The IT Show, COMEX, Licence2Play, Asian Masters, Gusto Italiano, Gourmet Japan and SmartKids Asia. Leveraging on its expertise in event conceptualization, planning and execution, Sphere Exhibits delivers memorable and quality events that meet the objectives of is 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. SPH’s core business is publishing of newspapers, magazines and books in both print and digital editions. It also owns other digital products, online classifieds, radio stations and outdoor media. On the property front, SPH owns 70% in a real estate investment trust called SPH REIT which comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road, The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall and The Rail Mall, a stretch of shopping and dining outlets along Upper Bukit Timah Road. SPH also owns and operates The Seletar Mall. It is developing a new commercial cum residential site at Woodleigh. It also has a stake in Chinatown Point. It is in the aged care sector and owns Orange Valley, Singapore’s largest private nursing home operator. SPH runs a regional events arm and a chain of Buzz retail outlets. It also invested in the education business. For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg