MGB Berhad, a subsidiary of LBS Bina Group Berhad completed its first batch of IBS-built homes located in LBS Alam Perdana township in 12 months instead of 18 months.
The project, comprising 673 units of double-storey terraced homes, were constructed using IBS precast concrete components produced by MGB’s first mobile factory which commenced operation in May 2018. The 10-acre mobile factory is capable of producing up to 2,000 units of properties annually.
MGB Berhad Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Lim Hock San, said, “LBS Alam Perdana is MGB’s first IBS precast concrete development. The mobile IBS factory at LBS Alam Perdana has contributed significantly in terms of achieving greater efficiency, productivity and quality. It has enabled us to customise the precast units according to the project’s requirements, deliver the units within a shorter time frame and with superior quality. This has resulted in early completion of the homes.”
With IBS, LBS is able to fast track the delivery of homes, enjoying up to 33% savings on construction time. In addition, dependency on manual labour was reduced by 31%, achieving a 49% percent reduction in total on-site labour costs.
MGB firmly believes IBS will become the catalyst to increase sustainable construction practices in Malaysia, in line with the objective of promoting green construction as outlined in the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (2016-2020). IBS delivers many benefits as compared to traditional construction methods. It is recognised to be cost-effective, requires less manpower at construction sites, enables shorter construction time, and more importantly, is environment-friendly.
“IBS plays a key role in helping developers and builders, like LBS, achieve sustainable goals and build thriving communities. While the cost and quality benefits of IBS are apparent, many developers have not fully explored the technology’s environmental advantages, which include waste minimisation, promoting more efficient use of green materials, noise reduction on sites and increased site safety,” Tan Sri Lim explained.
Tan Sri Lim gave the example that IBS, being manufactured in a controlled environment, has the ability to reduce noise pollution and heat trap, optimise material usage, reduce usage of toxic materials, as well as lowering the weather impact on construction progress. With these advantages, IBS will be enable the industry to push the sustainable agenda further.
MGB is not a newcomer to IBS and has been producing IBS properties since 10 years ago. The Group started producing IBS steel formworks and aluminium formworks, and recently added pre-cast concrete units to its offerings.
In 2017, in tandem with the Government’s call to improve quality and productivity through the adoption of IBS, the Group further increased its IBS adoption via a joint venture with SANY Group. By leveraging on SANY’s vast expertise in precast concrete design and manufacturing as well as deep domain knowledge in precast concrete machineries, the Group looks forward to strengthening its position in the IBS sector through innovation excellence.
“MGB will push ahead to strengthen its leadership in the IBS segment. The use of IBS technology has proven to help developers reduce the cost of building and reliance on unskilled manual labour, while simultaneously, enhancing the capability to deliver high-quality homes. The demand for IBS units will increase tremendously as the cost-savings will allow developers to bring down home prices,” Tan Sri Lim elaborated.
MGB also believes the wider adoption of IBS technology will be able to enhance the standard of the local property development and construction industry. Increasingly, IBS has been identified as the way forward to build more high-quality houses at a faster pace and at lower cost. The Government is calling for greater use of IBS method to help the nation achieve its one million affordable homes target.
In March this year, MGB invested RM40 million to open its second IBS facility, a 119,017 sq ft permanent precast concrete plant in Nilai. Officiated by Housing and Local Government Minister, YB Zuraida Kamaruddin, the new factory is expected to enhance MGB’s capability to deliver higher quality IBS components and further advance its competitive position in the local IBS market.
The new permanent factory is a joint venture between MGB and Sany Construction Industry Development (M) Sdn Bhd, and is capable of producing up to 2,000 units of properties for Kita @ Cybersouth township. Sany Construction Industry Development is a subsidiary of Sany Group, the world’s sixth largest heavy-equipment manufacturer.
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