Changing the way we build: Singapore Construction Productivity Week 2016 to showcase innovative solutions and the way forward to improve construction productivity

Singapore, 13 September 2016- Construction site productivity, measured by the amount of floor area completed per man-day, has been improving steadily by an average of 1.3% per year since 2009. To meet the national productivity target, there is a need to further boost productivity in the built environment sector.

To help the built environment sector achieve a quantum leap in productivity, the sixth Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW), themed 'Transforming the Way We Build through Innovation', will facilitate discussions on the latest industry developments, innovative solutions to drive construction productivity, and how we can change the way we build through innovation.

The SCPW organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) with Sphere Exhibits as the strategic partner, will be held from 18 to 21 October 2016. Mr
Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance will be the Guest of Honour of the SCPW opening ceremony.

Dr John Keung, CEO of BCA, said: 'The next phase of advancement in the built environment sector will require changing the way we build. We need to move the built environment sector towards wider adoption of the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) approach, which means moving as much on-site construction works to off-site factory prefabrication as possible. By doing so, we can reduce our reliance on labour through higher degree of automation, minimise the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood, reduce wastage of resources during construction, as well as create more conducive and safer workplaces. The quality of our buildings and infrastructures will also improve as we move towards more prefabrication.'

'The advancement in technology will also help attract more locals to the built environment sector to build up a strong local core and lead the transformation of the
sector. Through platforms such as the SCPW, we want to help our firms build up their engineering capability and develop niche expertise, which will enhance their competitiveness locally and in overseas markets.'

The key events of this year's SCPW will focus on how the built environment sector can achieve more significant productivity improvements through the DfMA approach, raising the quality of the workforce and improving integration in the construction value chain. These events include:

• A two-day Build Smart Conferencewhich provides a platform for industry practitioners to gain insights into overseas and local productive technologies,
processes and concepts, case studies, as well as exemplary projects.
• The BuildTech Asiaorganised by Sphere Exhibits where some 150 local and international firms will be exhibiting the latest productive technologies including
Building-IoT, building materials, architectural and quality solutions, as well as construction machinery and equipment. The tradeshow will for the first time
include an agency pavilion to showcase how government agencies in Singapore have taken the lead in adopting game-changing technologies in their projects.
• A new Experiential Workshopwill be organised as an experience sharing session which will include site visits to local projects adopting game changing
technologies.
• The Skilled Builders Projectfor industry practitioners to display their skills in handling high impact productive technologies using mass engineered timber -
cross laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (Glulam).

Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: 'Technology has significantly impacted the built environment sector in Singapore and around the region. Over the years we have strengthened our partnership with BCA to assist companies in this industry to keep abreast of the latest developments in productive technologies through the deployment of smart building materials and turnkey solutions. We are pleased to reintroduce architectural solutions and a showcase of quality finishes this year. To further equip the industry, we are proud to be the first to introduce a segment of Building-IoT as well as a dedicated conference to further to assist industry practitioners to cope in an increasingly complex and interconnected environment whilst developing their expertise.'

In addition, the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) will be holding its inaugural Productivity and Innovation Awards (PIA) 2016 as part of this year's SCPW. This is an industry initiative to raise productivity in the built environment sector through a ground-up approach for innovative ideas. The competition will provide a platform for companies to step up productivity efforts through the involvement of all levels of staff to propose projects, products or process changes that will result in significant improvements in their work. BCA and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) which supports the PIA, will select the top few innovative ideas to be showcased for public voting at the BuildTech Asia 2016. Winners will receive prizes during the SCAL Conference.

Besides engaging industry professionals, students from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will be participating in workshops, tours and competitions as part of the SCPW to learn concepts on construction productivity and compete using their skills and knowledge of productive technologies.

Prior to the start of the week's activities, BCA will convene the fourth International Panel of Experts (IPE) meeting on construction productivity and prefabrication
technology. The meeting will involve 13 prominent local professionals and nine overseas experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Netherlands who are highly regarded in various disciplines and DfMA technologies. They will share their insights, review existing productivity initiatives and discuss ways to further improve productivity in Singapore's built environment sector.

Please refer to Annex A or visit www.scpw.sgfor more information on the SCPW.

Please visit www.buildtechasia.com/registerto pre-register as a visitor to BuildTech Asia and its associated activities.

Attached: Annex: SCPW 2016

Issued by the Building and Construction Authority and Singapore Press Holdings Limited (Co. Registration No. 198402868E)

For media enquiries, please contact:

Building and Construction Authority:

Sherlyn Chen
Senior Communications Manager
DID: +65 6804 4168
Email: sherlyn_chen@bca.gov.sg

Rena Pang
Executive Communications Manager
DID: 6804 4156
Email: rena_pang@bca.gov.sg

Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd:

Rabita Jamal
Senior Manager, Trade Marketing
Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd
DID: 6319 1675
Email: rabitaj@sph.com.sg

Vanni Cheong
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings
DID: 6319 1553
Email: cvanni@sph.com.sg

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. Held from 18 - 21 October 2016, key events this year include the BuildTech Asia Exhibition, Build Smart Conference, Skilled Builders Project, inaugural SCAL Productivity Innovation Competition and Awards, Experiential Workshop, as well as the Productivity Workshop, Productivity Challenge and Productivity Race to engage tertiary students on construction productivity concepts. For more information, please visitwww.scpw.sg

About BuildTech Asia 2016
Hosted by Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA), and held during the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW), BuildTech Asia 2016 is now into its 6th edition focuses on technologies that address the challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries. BuildTech Asia 2016 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 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.

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. For more information, please visit www.sphereexhibits.com.sg

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 has 19 titles licensed under the Newspaper Printing and Presses Act, of which nine are daily newspapers across four languages. On an average day, 3.05 million individuals or 76 per cent of people above 15 years old, read one of SPH's news publications. Beyond print, SPH's suite of digital products includes online editions of newspapers and magazines, as well as mobile applications. Our online products enjoy 360 million page views with 23 million unique browsers every month. Other new media initiatives include AsiaOne, omy.sg, ST701, Stomp and SPH Razor. SPH has also ventured into book publishing, broadcasting, out-of-home advertising and properties. For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg