BuildTech Asia 2014, the region’s leading trade show for the built environment, ended on a high note with visitors experiencing the latest cutting-edge technologies that enable a more productive workflow in both the ‘hardware and software’ of the built environment sector. The three-day annual trade show was organised by Sphere Exhibits and hosted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), under the Singapore Construction Productivity Week.
Culminating on 16 October, the three-day event took over 6,300 visitors on a high-tech journey through various stages of the industry’s value chain – ranging from types of building materials to management of building facilities. Over 200 leading exhibitors from nine countries including Australia, China, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan brought the various cutting-edge technologies to life with impressive product displays, demos and workshops for the built environment sector.
Mr. Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “We are extremely pleased with the interest that this year’s edition of BuildTech Asia has received from the industry. By bringing together the latest end-to-end technologies for the built environment in a very hands-on format, we are equipping the industry with the most relevant tools and techniques to pursue productivity gains that will transform the future of the built environment.”
Bringing to life the hardware and software of the built environment
Following the government’s announcements on day one of the show that highlighted the push for integration of productivity improvements along the construction value chain, visitors were able to witness various technologies at work on the show floor:
- Australian company Lend Lease demonstrated the use of Cross Laminated Timber – a recyclable material that saves costs– in the construction process.
- Taiwan’s EPADA Inc. introduced Easy DIY Green Bricks (EDGB) – reusable building material that is especially suitable for DIY projects and greatly reduces time and labor costs.
- A robotic arm from Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) and Rob Technologies, demonstrated how it could lay of floor tiles without manual labour.
- Yamagen MT&T launched J-WAYVES, an ergonomically-designed set of wavy handrails that enable users (especially the aged and walking-impaired) to pull their bodies up easily and provides support for their body weight while climbing up or down a flight of stairs or slope.
- Autodesk highlighted advancements in Building Information Modelling that identifies conflicts before construction takes place, preventing unproductive and wasteful use of resources.
- Every Easyup from Taiwan showcased their smart-power sockets and switches, embedded with wireless protocols and functions, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee, which allow users to control their electronic devices remotely using a smart phone or mobile device from any location.
Experiential Showcase
A customised series of experiential tours were conducted for regional guests to visit and learn about some of the best-in-class construction projects in Singapore and around the world. Beginning with a tour of the exhibition show floor to understand about the technologies, the delegates then visited the Singapore Sports Hub to experience a realistic feel of the technologies at work in the built environment.
Ms. Do Thi Thuy Huong and Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu Phuong from Vietnam Electronic Industries Association, said: “The site visit was an insightful experience and we were able to actually see the benefits that of the various building and workplace health and safety technologies bring to a construction project of such magnitude. We appreciate the hands-on nature of BuildTech Asia that gives us a 360 degree view of the technology not just on display but also at work.”
With the two new Integrated Construction and Precast Hubs for automated manufacturing of Prefabricated Pre-finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) modules set to be opened over the next two years, visitors had the opportunity to explore prefabricated rooms and toilets on the show floor from exhibitors Sembcorp EOSM, SEF Construction, Excel Precast among others.
Fostering Business Partnerships
Over 12 trade associations and business delegations from Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia and Vietnam attended BuildTech Asia 2014 to explore the latest technologies on the show floor, key project sites in Singapore and manufacturing facilities. In addition, local trade delegations also networked and established business relationships while pursuing commercial partnerships on the trade floor.
Ms. Elena Lisina from the Russian Business Council, a delegation of 30 attendees, said: “BuildTech Asia is an all-encompassing trade show that has all the latest technologies for the built environment under one roof. It has given our members the ideal opportunity not only to keep up with the trending technologies but also to connect with potential industry partners in Southeast Asia. This trade platform has enabled our Russian businesses the first-mover advantage in some areas in the building construction sector and we are happy to be a part of this trade exhibition.”
In a multi-million dollar deal, one of Singapore’s leading equipment providers JP Nelson signed a MOU with Civil Tech for the use of two Buma Casing Rotators that cuts through odd shaped boulders, hard rocks, steel and concrete up to 40 metres deep. The equipment is well-suited to challenging requirements such as the Thomson Line MRT construction project. Another MOU with an estimated value of S$500,000 was signed with Antar and Fuchi for one unit of Fuwa 65 tonne telescopic crane.
Leveraging on a multi-disciplinary knowledge-sharing platform
Industry thought leaders shared their knowledge and expertise with over 300 delegates at the Facilities Management Conference 2014 and the Environment Sustainability Conference 2014. Attendees at the Facilities Management Conference 2014 and the Environment Sustainability Conference 2014 appreciated the latest insights, case studies and scenarios presented by leading industry professionals and technology experts in the field. Conference sessions were in tune with the government’s efforts to make the built environment sector more productive, more sustainable, quieter and safer, resulting in deep thought provoking discussions that ensued well after the conference ended.
In the opening keynote address at the Environment Sustainability Conference 2014, Guest of Honour Mr. Desmond Lee Ti-Seng, Minister of State for Ministry of National Development shared the latest Green and Gracious Builder Schemes from BCA.
Dr Teo Ho Pin presented on the Town Councils’ innovative and productive solutions to efficiently obtain residents’ feedback and reduce response time to the minimum at his keynote address at the Facilities Management Conference 2014. A comprehensive stakeholders’ engagement system, a telemonitoring system for real-time lift performance tracking and engaging citizens through the iTown@SG smartphone app are some of the solutions implemented by the Town Councils.
The Facilities Management Conference also featured sessions on integrated estates management, workplace safety and effective manpower practices, among others.
BuildTech Asia will return to Singapore Expo in October 2015, while the Facilities Management Solutions Expo will return for its first-time staging as a full-fledged expo in August 2015.
Premium spaces are now available. Organisations which are keen to exhibit at either of these trade shows are encouraged to reserve their spaces early.
