As I write this message, the Singapore budget is a major talking point. Commentators seem to agree that the construction industry will be significantly affected by the increase in foreign worker levy. Contractors are once again being urged to improve productivity in order to offset the increased cost. Statistics are produced confirming the woefully poor productivity in the industry in comparison with the likes of Japan and Australia. I can’t help feeling a little sympathy for the contractors who bear the brunt of the criticism as well as the risk of increased cost. Productivity is low because the entire industry has become accustomed to the idea that design need not be finalized until the contractor has already started to fix the reinforcing bars. As a result, mistakes are made, late amendments are rushed through and there is little opportunity for efficiency to be cultivated.

Often the excess workforce is engaged in rectifying errors which arose from late finalization of design.  It seems to me that any serious review of productivity in the construction industry must involve the entire process, not merely an analysis of site operations. Perhaps SCL can play its part in any such review, since the inefficiencies often result, it seems to me, from a chronic lack of respect for the ‘builder’ which seems to have led to a touch of complacency in the air-conditioned designer’s office.

SCL International Conference in Hong Kong

In my last Chairman’s Message I urged members to find a ‘good excuse’ to visit Hong Kong on business at the time of the SCL International conference in December last year. I am pleased to say that the Singapore SCL was represented by approximately 10 members at the conference, including past Chairmen Chow Kok Fong and Mohan Pillay, and I consider this to be a very respectable turn-out. Anil Changaroth has kindly written a comprehensive report on the conference in this newsletter. In two years time, SCL Australia will be hosting the SCL international conference in Melbourne. We look forward to this, knowing that Hong Kong will be a hard act to follow.

Construction Law 101 and Construction 101

The Construction Law 101 training workshop, which was designed and run by Mohan Pillay, was oversubscribed and I was pleased to be able to hand out certificates to attendees at the end of the 4 session course. Many thanks to Mohan for the diligent work in both preparation and presentation. Many thanks also to Audrey Perez who is preparing for the 3rd run of her highly-rated Construction 101 workshop in March. A limited number of places are still available as I write, so please sign up immediately!

Social Events

We held a very successful networking cocktail evening on Club Street in November, sticking to the familiar formula but with a different venue. We will shortly be finalizing a date and venue for the next networking event in May. I look forward to seeing many of you there!

Christopher Nunns

Chairman

2010 - 2012