Singapore's first Integrated Construction & Prefab Hub opens

Channel NewsAsia, 16 May 2012

Singapore's prefabrication industry is set to change with the opening of the first Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hub (ICPH) on Wednesday.

Developed by Tiong Seng Holdings, the multi-storey complex houses an automated production of precast components.

The S$36 million facility, located at Tuas, was officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Manpower Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The facility also received a million dollar funding under the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) productivity fund (Construction Productivity and Capability Fund - CPCF).

The hub optimises the use of land as traditional precast yards are housed in large open spaces.

It also improves productivity and reduces manpower through the use of computer technology and automation.

Tiong Seng Prefab Hub requires 50 per cent to 70 per cent less manpower as compared to the conventional method of production.

Mr Tharman stressed productivity gains must also be shared with employees through better wages and career development.

He said the government is already looking at starting salaries to make entry pay more attractive to locals through an apprenticeship programme.

"The government will work with the industry to offer a starting remuneration package equivalent to S$2,000 per month for new entrants under the apprenticeship programme for locals. These might be the ITE grads or other job entrants," Mr Tharman said

"More importantly, beyond the starting pay, they can look forward to progression and as they gain construction experience, they have a chance to earn significantly more."

Following the success of Tiong Seng's initiative, BCA is facilitating more prefabrication hubs to be built.

"To support greater adoption of precast construction, BCA is working with the industry to build Integrated Construction and Precast Hubs," Mr Tharman said.

"These modern, multi-storey ICPHs will help us to do two things: first, it improves land productivity by optimising land use; and second, it will improve labour productivity through automation."

A 20,000 square metre land parcel at Kaki Bukit Road is now open for tender for the development of other such hubs.