APAC Outlook - issue 58

ALBA SINGAPORE | GEKKO SYSTEMS

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Issue 58

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA Sustainable urban development goes underground

DEICORP

Developing desirable new homes across Sydney

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD

Inside Asia’s leading diagnostics solutions provider

We speak to Philip Pearce, CEO of ESR Australia about the company’s projects across the Australian Eastern Seaboard

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Produce delivered from paddock to plate

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Smooth cruising for European manufacturing

Behind the global tech powerhouse of the world’s Smartest City

The suite life of the hotel industry

World-class medical diagnostics for Africa

T R AV E L GUIDE

COCA-COLA SABCO MOZAMBIQUE Iconic and impactful brands and beverages

SYRAH RESOURCES LTD

Putting Mozambique on the map for global EV development

CYPRUS

GENIE ENERGY LTD

BATCHFIRE RESOURCES

Mediterranean escapism in the Land of Aphrodite

Advancing the solar generation

F E AT U R E

MOELLER AEROSPACE

PACTIV EVERGREEN

VAN MOER LOGISTICS

On a trajectory of expansion, Batchfire Resources is the low-fugitive emission energy coal producer pursuing plans for Net Zero

Sustainability and innovation in food and beverage packaging

Gideon Burger, CEO of Axiology Labs discusses providing top quality laboratory products for life science solutions across Africa

quality laboratory products for life science solutions across Africa Gideon Burger, CEO of Axiology Labs discusses providing top

Innoquest Diagnostics is moving forward as one in pursuit of transformative healthcare. Ginny Foo, CEO, gives us the details

Donavan Hutchinson, MD of SHI UK, tells us how how organisations are being empowered to adapt to changing business models and workplace strategies

LTD RESOURCES SYRAH

transformative healthcare. Ginny Foo, CEO, gives us the details Innoquest Diagnostics is moving forward as one in pursuit of

empowered to adapt to changing business models and workplace strategies Donavan Hutchinson, MD of SHI UK, tells us how how organisations are being

brands and beverages Iconic and impactful

MOZAMBIQUE SABCO COCA-COLA

RESOURCES BATCHFIRE

From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

EVERGREEN PACTIV

AEROSPACE MOELLER

RE S US

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

VALLARTA PUERTO From quaint fishing village to bustling resort getaway

gas turbine technology discovery in air travel and industrial Ascending to new heights of

beverage packaging innovation in food and Sustainability and

TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO VALLARTA

We go Behind the Lens with culinary storyteller, Karolina Wiercigroch

of modern infrastructure investment Expert Eye, Amanda Li, discusses the unsustainable nature

LOGISTICS MOER VAN

pursuing plans for Net Zero is the low-fugitive emission energy coal producer On a trajectory of expansion, Batchfire Resources

Charting cleaner waters for the Adriatic

Expert Eye, Amanda Li, discusses the unsustainable nature of modern infrastructure investment

leading sustainable logistics in Belgium Founder and CEO, Jo Van Moer, discusses

EV development on the map for global Putting Mozambique

YACHTING’S SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION

Ascending to new heights of discovery in air travel and industrial gas turbine technology

Founder and CEO, Jo Van Moer, discusses leading sustainable logistics in Belgium

MO

waters for the Adriatic Charting cleaner

REVOLUTION SUSTAINABLE YACHTING’S

GUIDE TRAVEL

F E AT U R E

solar generation Advancing the

Land of Aphrodite escapism in the Mediterranean

ENERGY LTD GENIE

CYPRUS GUIDE T R AV E L

diagnostics for Africa World-class medical

AFRICA LANCET CERBA

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WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

Tech Takes Charge

EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Phoebe Harper phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com Senior Editor: Marcus Kääpä marcus.kaapa@outlookpublishing.com

This magazine delves into some of the most exciting

Editor: Jack Salter jack.salter@outlookpublishing.com Junior Editor: Ed Budds ed.budds@outlookpublishing.com

tech stories across the APAC region.

PRODUCTION Production Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

In our Topical Focus, Big Brother really is watching, as

Senior Designer: Devon Collins devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

we go behind the screens with next-generation smart

Designer: Matt Loudwell matt.loudwell@outlookpublishing.com Digital Marketing Manager: Fox Tucker fox.tucker@outlookpublishing.com Social Media Executive: Bria Clarke bria.clarke@outlookpublishing.com Production Assistant: Megan Cooke megan.cooke@outlookpublishing.com

BUSINESS CEO: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Managing Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com

surveillance partner i-PRO - the security company bringing deep learning to a legacy of Panasonic Security Systems.

Similarly exploiting the full power of artificial intelligence (AI), to protect both our Earth and the inhabitants upon it, is Geoteric. A world-leading AI seismic interpretation software provider, leveraging the intersection of advanced technologies and human ingenuity, Geoteric seeks to combat

Commercial Director: Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com

the energy trilemma by enabling a better understanding of the Earth’s

HEADS OF PROJECTS Callam Waller callam.waller@outlookpublishing.com

subsurface.

Deane Anderton

deane.anderton@outlookpublishing.com Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com Ryan Gray ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Thomas Arnold thomas.arnold@outlookpublishing.com

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Marvin Iseghehi marvin.iseghehi@outlookpublishing.com SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com SALES MANAGERS Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com

Continuing the topic of subterranean innovation, our cover star, Bouygues Construction Australia (BYCA), is disrupting the country’s urban landscape with sustainable development on large-scale tunnelling projects, including the Metro Tunnel and WCX 3A. “We are well positioned to deliver projects that address the diverse infrastructure requirements of Australia’s metropolitan, urban and regional centres,” shares CEO, Seved Robin.

Krisha Canlas krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com

BYCA follows a philosophy of building without destroying with every project

PROJECT MANAGERS Jordan Levey jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com

it undertakes, whilst adhering to a vision of sustainable construction.

Kyle Livingstone kyle.livingstone@outlookpublishing.com Liam Pye liam.pye@outlookpublishing.com Nicholas Kernan nicholas.kernan@outlookpublishing.com ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Finance Assistant: Suzie Kittle suzie.kittle@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com CONTACT APAC Outlook Ground Floor, 69-75 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1UA, United Kingdom.

Sales: +44 (0) 1603 363 631 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 363 655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0) 1603 363 655 phoebe.harper@outlookpublishing.com

Sharing a complementary stance, combining a commitment to both tech and the environment, is ALBA Singapore, as the E-Waste disposal company swiping the technological detritus from the APAC landscape. CEO Jakob Lambsdorff unpacks the concept of digitalisation as the bridge to reinvent the traditional waste management industry, as seen by the launch of the ALBA STEP UP app which allows users to trace their individual recycling habits, CO2 savings and to locate the nearest recycling points.

Elsewhere, dive into exclusive corporate stories from Innoquest Pathology Sdn Bhd, Deicorp, AJ Lucas Group, and many more.

www.apacoutlookmag.com Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/apacoutlook Follow us on Twitter: @apac_outlook

We hope that you enjoy your read.

Phoebe Harper Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing APAC Outlook issue 58 | 3

CONTENTS

18

REGULARS

6 NEWS Around Asia Pacific in seven stories

EVENT FOCUS

138 ADIPEC The influential event accelerating the global energy transition

8 EXPERT EYE 10

Global digital commerce: Changing the game for SMBs in APAC

BU SI N ESS I N S I G H TS

12

10 Technology AI and the Energy Trilemma Unlocking geological data to better understand and conserve planet Earth

12 Energy & Utilities Solar Strikes Gold Increasing the supply of clean energy in India

TOP I C A L F OC U S

14 Technology Next-Generation Smart Surveillance AI-fication across Asia and EMEA

142 THE FINAL WORD If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?

4 | APAC Outlook issue 58

138

140 Mining Leaders Forum 2022 Gathering the world-class players of Australian mining

140

APAC OUTLOOK ISSUE 58

40

50

F E AT U R E S

74

96

84

114

66 Hickory Group Prefab on the Rise

MA N U FAC TU R I N G

108 EMtek

16 SHOWCASING LEADING

The innovative, technological alternative to high-rise construction

Expert Engineers for Future Solutions

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

HEA LT HC A R E

R E TA I L

CO NST RUCTION

74 Innoquest Pathology Sdn Bhd

114 Koala

COMPANIES

18 Bouygues Construction Australia

A Quest for Success

Executing and solving industry challenges

Furnishing Habitats for Home and Planet Leveraging tech to deliver homeware that cares

Tunnelling the Urban Path

Inside Asia’s leading diagnostics solutions provider

Sustainable infrastructure development goes underground

SU STA I N A BI L I TY

122 Flash Coffee

84 ALBA Singapore

Brewing up a Coffee Revolution

40 Deicorp Design, Develop and Deliver Developing desirable new homes across Sydney

50 ESR Australia New Developments Via New Economy Building a strong Australian development pipeline

60 Goodline

Towards a World Without Waste Singapore’s solution to waste minimisation and resource recovery

MINING

96 AJ Lucas Group Exploring the Earth Down Under Drilling and engineering services for the Australian coal sector

A Well-Reputed Resource

102 Gekko Systems

Multi-disciplinary services for the mining sector and more

Transforming the mining industry

The Golden Prospect

F O O D & DR I N K

Serving up a bold blend of quality and techcharged customer convenience

S U P P LY C H A I N

128 Consort Express Lines Navigating the Shipping Transition Operating in an ever-changing shipping logistics environment

134 Townsville Marine Logistics Talk of the Town Customer-focused stevedoring and logistics provision

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 5

NEWS

Around Asia Pacific in seven stories…

ENERGY & UTILITIES

FOOD & DRINK

BREWING A FRESH COLLABORATION BREWDOG AND ASAHI, two giants of the beer brewing industry have agreed to launch a joint venture in Japan, helping BrewDog to expand its presence within the country.

A leading independent craft beer producer, the Scottish brand is pleased to reveal the collaboration, which will see BrewDog headliners such as Punk IPA, Hazy Jane and Elvis Juice rolled out across Japan this month.

The joint venture will be known as “BrewDog Japan” and is the first of its type for BrewDog.

COALING IT QUITS AUSTRALIA’S DIRTIEST POWER plant, responsible for more than a staggering three percent of the country’s total emissions, will shut down a decade earlier than planned.

The coal-fired Loy Yang A power station in Victoria will now close its doors in 2035.

For Australia, one of the world’s largest emitters per capita, this closure marks a major step forward in the nation’s decarbonisation journey.

The plant currently supplies a huge chunk of Victoria’s energy and was initially scheduled to close by 2048.

H E A LT H C A R E

ELIMINATION OF ISOLATION AUSTRALIA HAS ANNOUNCED it will end mandatory COVID-19 isolation requirements this month.

At present, anyone testing positive for the virus must isolate for five days, but that will no longer be required from the 14th of October.

6 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Previously nicknamed “Fortress Australia”, the nation has endured some of the strictest restrictions in the world since the pandemic began.

Official figures show that Australia continues to record about 5,500 virus cases each day, however, it also stands as one of the world’s most vaccinated countries.

A E R O S PAC E

TECHNOLOGY

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

VIETNAM’S STREAMING SURGE

INDIA HAS LOST contact with its Mars orbiter, eight years after the extremely low-cost probe made it the first Asian nation with a spacecraft circling the red planet.

Although designed for a life span of just six months as a technology demonstration, the Mars Orbiter Mission has lived for about eight years in the Martian orbit, collecting a thorough gamut of significant scientific results for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The agency said in a statement that, after an eclipse in April cut off

sunlight to the probe, its “propellant must have been exhausted”, leading to the eventual end of its life.

AUTOMOTIVE

TESLA TAKES CHARGE TESLA IS EVALUATING the way it sells electric cars in China, its secondlargest market, and is considering closing some showrooms in several flashy malls in cities such as Beijing where traffic plunged dramatically during COVID-19 restrictions.

This tactical sales shift would put more emphasis on stores in

less-costly suburban locations that can also provide repairs as the company works to meet Elon Musk’s goal of improving service for existing customers, many of whom have previously complained about long delays.

As part of this push, Tesla is also looking to ramp up the hiring of technicians and other staff for service jobs in China.

VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE PROVIDERS, such as Netflix or Apple TV, will now need to seek licenses from the Vietnamese government in order to operate in the country.

Streaming services have become hugely popular in Vietnam in recent years thanks to a surge in smartphone usage and improved internet access.

Netflix, the worldwide streamer of movies and TV shows, has been including more Vietnamese movies and series on its platform, seeking to attract a young, local audience.

Streaming platforms will now be required to fill out a form for the Ministry of Information and Communications, as of 1st January 2023.

R E TA I L

CELEBRATION OF RESILIENCE A STRIKING NEW campaign by sportswear label Canterbury New Zealand is questioning what it means to be tough.

Canterbury’s “CCC” logo has long been a sportswear staple in Kiwi and Aussie wardrobes and is now worn by rugby teams across the globe.

Collaborating with acclaimed visual artist Tom Gould, the ‘World’s Toughest Activewear’ brand is shining a light on mental resilience and community.

The artist captured portraits of people from the still battered Te Tairāwhiti Gisborne region, on the east coast of the North Island. The area experienced immense flooding and widespread, brutal damage between June 2021 and April 2022.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 7

Global digital commerce: Changing the game for SMBs in APAC

Nagesh Devata, SVP for APAC at global digital commerce company Payoneer, delves into the rapidly expanding APAC e-commerce market and details how businesses in the region are looking beyond borders Written by: Nagesh Devata, SVP for APAC, Payoneer

I

t’s fair to say that Southeast Asia has become synonymous with technology, with some of the most important tech companies on the planet starting their journey in the region. But it’s not just tech giants that are changing the game. The emergence and rapid expansion of e-commerce means that there is an opportunity for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), merchants and entrepreneurs to look beyond borders to a new world of global digital commerce.

In Southeast Asia alone, the online economy is set to double to $363 billion by 2025, so it is important that companies are equipped to serve new digitally minded consumers as well as navigate any challenges that arise.

Online businesses looking to expand 8 | APAC Outlook issue 58

into the wider region need to be nimble and quickly adapt to new ways of operating.

A changing landscape Ultimately the acceleration of digital in all aspects of our lives is creating new consumers, and that must result in new types of businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic created a further 60 million digital consumers across APAC, which means that businesses throughout the region are now surrounded by potential customers in different countries. The combination of improving digital infrastructure, digitally-savvy customers and increasing cross-border trade is creating opportunities for SMBs. It means that they need to move quickly but also focus their efforts in the right

places, both in terms of building the right infrastructure and ensuring a seamless customer experience.

The future of digital commerce in APAC is about worlds colliding.

Traditional commerce and financial services have in the past existed separately to one another, but those days are over. Consumers want a seamless purchasing experience and that has resulted in the extension of financial services beyond traditional banks. There is a ‘Super App’ battle ongoing in the region, with players such as Grab and GoTo dominating the market and offering customers seamless experiences and breadth of choice. These ‘Super Apps’ have been focused on the transport sector but have digital wallets embedded into their platforms; they have also

EXPERT EYE RETAIL

been cultivating a community of loyal customers across the region.

Another emerging trend is the growth in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) e-commerce with SMBs looking to provide their local products directly to customers across the region. This puts more power in the hands of sellers, avoiding the need to rely solely on online marketplaces, meaning larger potential profits and an approach that is more tailored to a company’s brand and customer needs. This is growing exponentially. In India, for example, the market is forecasted to multiply three-fold from 2020 to 2025, reaching a projected $100 billion in sales. These opportunities do not come without their challenges but for the businesses that get it right, rapid growth awaits.

Breaking down barriers The transition from selling locally to selling digitally across borders requires a shift in mindset. The APAC region is so vast that there are countless behaviour changes

and nuances that vary by country.

Southeast Asia for example comprises of six markets which, whilst closely linked, are diverse in terms of market maturity, regulation, and culture.

Educating yourself about new markets and utilising a network of partners with local knowledge is a key part of successful e-commerce strategy.

There are also new challenges for SMBs to consider when looking to sell to customers across the APAC region. Those who are used to only selling domestically may be shocked by the perceived complexities of receiving payments in multiple foreign currencies with high transaction and FX fees. It’s also important to consider the maturity of each market, from established markets like Singapore and Japan through to those that are earlier on in their e-commerce journey, like Cambodia and Laos. The maturity of the specific market presents unique challenges across areas like logistics and delivery, and depending on how developed the banking and payments infrastructure is, it also impacts consumers’ ability to pay for goods.

With the right approach, these barriers are easily broken down; luckily for SMBs across the region, there is a growing e-commerce ecosystem where partnership is the name of the game. Getting all these things right will go far to creating a seamless experience for new customers across Southeast Asia and allow companies to develop strong relationships across borders, leveraging the huge e-commerce opportunity that is on offer across the region.

Getting payments right is key The growth of e-commerce means that the payment experience of customers has never been more important for digital SMBs in APAC and indeed across the world. Digital forms of payment are taking over,

and Southeast Asia has the fastest growing e-wallet market in the world.

These alternative payment options are more attuned to consumers’ digital lives and therefore lots of the region is leaving physical cash behind. Innovation in payments is continuing at pace with alternative digital payment methods emerging and developing in line with customer needs. We’ll see this innovation continue and staying ahead of the game is vital.

We are also seeing digital credit solutions like Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) take off in the region in a big way, with predictions stating that the industry could exceed US$133.7 billion by the end of 2022.

This is again about merchants adapting to purchasing habits and giving them the power of choice. We will likely see the digital lending space continue to develop as online sellers and marketplaces compete on the best offerings.

There are opportunities aplenty for digital SMBs across the entire APAC region, and those who take the right steps will be best placed to drive growth for their business.

ABOUT THE EXPERT Nagesh Devata is the SVP for APAC at Payoneer and oversees the company’s operations across the region. Nagesh has two decades of experience working for some of the largest players in the payments industry.

He specialises in merchant development, partnerships and cross border markets.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 9

AI AND THE E N E R GY TRILEMMA Leveraging the intersection of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence to reach new levels of geological understanding, Geoteric is ushering in a new future for advanced technologies. Senior Geoscientist Harry Wong tells us more Writer: Phoebe Harper

APAC Outlook (AO): Could you briefly introduce us to Geoteric and tell us about some of your work across Asia?

Harry Wong, Senior Geoscientist (HW): Geoteric is a world-leading artificial intelligence (AI) seismic interpretation software provider to the energy industry. Essentially, we bring together human ingenuity and AI to equip developers in the energy space – oil and gas, offshore wind and carbon capture storage (CCS) – with a better understanding of the earth.

Our software provides them with that understanding and highlights potential risks to increase safety with optimised operations. But, more than that, the software allows them to reach these conclusions more quickly and accurately than they would using traditional seismic interpretation methods.

One of our more recent in-region projects was an AI fault detection study for the South Furious field, offshore Malaysia. This is a very complex tectonic setting with varying faults and trends: manual interpretation would have taken months to complete but our software 10 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Client visit from Hibiscus

was able to reduce that to a few weeks, enabling our client to improve their understanding of the faulting in the field and its overall prospects.

AO: How does Geoteric seek to unleash the potential of seismic data?

HW: The key to unleashing the potential of seismic data lies in the combination of artificial and human intelligence. AI has the power to transform the way the energy sector

approaches projects by delivering greater reliability and speed, but it works best with the human touch.

Collaboration is key. It’s not about AI replacing humans, but rather working with them.

Geoteric enables the analysis of 100 percent of a customer’s seismic data to give them a much better return on investment. An oil and gas operator, for example, might commission a study of a specific area of the subsurface to understand how to maximise production. That study will

GEOTERIC TECHNOLOGY

make the decisions that are right for them in terms of investment, that meet customer demands, and deliver the best outcomes for the planet.

AO: How will AI help players in the oil and gas and renewables industries reach carbon reduction targets more quickly?

Harry Wong, Senior Geoscientist

deliver a huge volume of seismic data about geological features that will be critical to informing project decisions from well placement to payback on investment. However, the time and resources required to interpret that data using traditional methods means that only a tiny fraction of it can be considered. Our AI software rapidly and accurately interprets all the data to provide a holistic picture.

AO: How can AI play a significant role in solving the energy trilemma?

HW: The energy trilemma focuses on decarbonisation, energy security and economic pressures – essentially, how to create sustainable, costeffective energy projects for the future while ensuring that, throughout this transition, we maintain reliable supplies. It’s about balancing urgent policy with the needs of customer demands.

For me, one of the main roles that AI can play is ensuring speed without

compromising on accuracy. A typical oil and gas project has traditionally taken as much as 30 years of development from the licensing phase to first production, but technology is the key to change. Using AI, our customers have been able to reduce the time spent on fault interpretation by as much as 95 percent, in some cases shortening interpretation timelines from years to weeks.

AI also addresses the affordability challenge. It provides a better return on seismic data investment by unlocking information about the subsurface – if developers drill in the right place, this of course also reduces project timescales. It gives developers confidence as they know they are basing decisions on the analysis of 100 percent of their seismic data, rather than just one small piece of the puzzle. A better understanding of the earth contributes to more sustainable decisions.

Put simply, AI can help energy companies to get it right. They can

HW: Besides reducing overall project cycle times, it can support carbon reduction targets in more practical ways. For example, an oil and gas operator may have seismic data about a field that was initially captured up to three decades ago. If they want to re-examine that field to consider whether there may be additional hydrocarbons – bearing in mind that optimisation of existing fields is one of the pathways towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – they may feel it necessary to reshoot the data. However, that activity carries a high carbon footprint. We enable developers to look at the original data set with a fresh pair of eyes, to interpret the data with AI technology that hadn’t even been considered when it was originally captured.

The foundations of our AI technology lie in the oil and gas sector, but in the last two to three years we have seen our solutions gain significant traction in renewable energy. We’re applying it to offshore wind to show in unparalleled detail how the formation of the seabed and shallow seabed might impact a project, and to allow geoscientists to detect, identify and classify geohazards. We’re also present in the CCS space, enabling developers to determine the suitability of sites below the earth’s surface for the storage of carbon.

AI not only supports us to reach the destination of the net zero journey more quickly, but is fundamental in helping to deliver sustainable, clean energy projects that will revolutionise how we create and harness energy.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 11

SOLAR STRIKES I

GOLD

ndia is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and energy imports.

Around 80 percent of India’s electricity needs are met by the former, whilst dependence on the latter is expected to exceed 53 percent of the country’s total energy consumption by 2030.

Given the need to transition towards a sustainable energy future, solar power is emerging as a mainstay 12 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Announcing its capacity expansion roadmap and entry into heterojunction technology, Goldi Solar is set to increase the supply of clean energy in India Writer: Jack Salter

power supply technology, and is expected to increasingly contribute to the energy mix.

Enter Goldi Solar, India’s leading solar panel manufacturer, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services provider, and independent power producer (IPP).

Founded in 2011, Goldi Solar is a multinational corporation headquartered in Surat, Gujarat, that

GOLDI SOLAR ENERGY & UTILITIES

caters to several international brands in over 20 countries.

“Our credo of “Ghar Ghar Goldi, Har Ghar Goldi” testifies to our ambitions of making Goldi Solar a mass brand in India,” states Hardip Singh, President and Global Head of Sales and Marketing at Goldi Solar.

As part of the company’s business expansion roadmap, which will be channelled into auxiliary production, Goldi Solar has announced plans to invest over INR 5,000 crores by 2025 to increase its module manufacturing capacity to six gigawatts (GW).

This will more than double Goldi Solar’s current module manufacturing capacity of 2.5 GW, across its two existing facilities in Pipodara and Navsari.

The company also plans to commence production at its cell manufacturing unit in Gujarat by 2023, subsequently expanding its capacity to five GW, and recruit over 4,500 people across various functions to increase its workforce to more than 5,500 members of staff.

It comes as Goldi Solar aims to become an end-to-end and vertically integrated business, with module, cell, and raw material manufacturing capabilities.

“To create employment at grassroots level, Goldi Solar plans to hire 25 percent of the workforce from

the local tribal regions adjoining our proposed manufacturing facility,” reveals Managing Director, Captain Ishver Dholakiya.

“To train the new recruits for a career in renewables, Goldi Solar will conduct three-month certification programmes at a skill development centre that we plan to open in collaboration with the National Skill Development Council (NDSC) in Navsari, Gujarat.”

LANDMARK PRODUCT Goldi Solar’s expanding capacity for module manufacturing is designed to increase the supply of clean energy, and accelerate the large-scale replacement of fossil fuels.

“Renewables are the future of energy. At Goldi Solar, we have committed to the honourable Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and aspire to create an India self-reliant on renewable energy,” adds Dholakiya.

Complementary to its capacity expansion plans, Goldi Solar unveiled its new landmark product offering, HELOÇ® Plus, a high-efficiency and low-carbon module series.

In doing so, Goldi Solar has become the first Indian manufacturer to announce a 710 watt-peak (Wp) module, based on the latest heterojunction (HJT) technology.

HJT solar cells sandwich a crystalline silicon cell between two layers of amorphous thin-film silicon, increasing the efficiency of the solar panels and allowing more energy to be easily harvested.

HELOÇ® Plus provides 22.85 percent more efficiency, and reflects the view that HJT technology is currently the solar industry’s best option to maximise efficiency and power output.

“We are confident that our latest offering, HELOÇ® Plus, will be a gamechanger in the industry,” acclaims Director, Bharat Bhut.

“Goldi Solar has consistently created and delivered quality modules. Our mantra is to provide better and more efficient products. In accordance with our quality ethos, we intend to form a dedicated product development and R&D team, which will accelerate the creation of highefficiency models.”

Goldi Solar’s focus on India’s domestic consumer market has enabled the company to register its presence in major Indian cities.

Confident of increasing this presence with the proposed capacity expansion exercise and newlylaunched product line, Goldi Solar’s future roadmap is a key step towards enabling all Indians to participate in an impending renewable revolution.

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF HJT SOLAR CELLS • Higher efficiency compared to standard crystalline solar cells.

• Low-temperature coefficients result in better performance at high operating temperatures.

• Already bifacial as both the top and bottom consist of amorphous solar cells.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 13

N E X TG E N E R AT I O N SMART SURVEILLANCE Backed by 60 years of Japanese technological know-how, i-PRO is a leading player in the smart security surveillance sphere. Gerard Fígols, President of i-PRO EMEA, addresses the rise of “AI-fication” and the company’s first year of innovation Writer: Marcus Kääpä

S

ecurity technology has never been so important and is developing at a rapid rate, fuelled by a mixture of necessity and technological accessibility.

Surveillance in particular is becoming a key aspect of security, with urban centres requiring more complex monitoring to regulate growing populations. Facial recognition, vehicle movement mapping and other forms of identification have become (and will continue to be) an incredibly important part of society today and into the future, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

With an international footprint and an especially strong presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, i-PRO is a leading next-generation partner in intelligent surveillance and other technology solutions.

One year into operation, i-PRO is backed by edge devices, advanced 14 | APAC Outlook issue 58

image analysis technologies and AI. With a history of more than 60 years of technical innovation and pursuit of quality, a thorough “visualisation” of information has been achieved that previously could not have been grasped. Linking that information to its customers’ workflows contributes to building a safe infrastructure in a variety of verticals, from manufacturing, financing, and medicine to retail, service, and public institutions. “i-PRO is the legacy of Panasonic Security Systems, a division of Panasonic that was established in 1957,” begins Gerard Fígols, President of i-PRO EMEA. “From the days of analogue reactive surveillance, a lot has changed, and with the help of AI today, we have moved from reactive to productive surveillance – an important milestone in the industry. i-PRO markets cameras in the medical

space, such as those for microscopy and endoscopy, as well as industrial cameras, and in the security market we provide the world’s most powerful security cameras.

“We retain the reliability and high-quality nature of Panasonic products, yet bring to the fore AI-driven innovation and the critical flexibility needed to adapt to market demands.” i-PRO boasts the number one position in Japan, number three in Asia, and number six in the US, making it one of the leading players in a consistently growing security market that has increased 49 percent between 2020 and 2021, continuing at a high-speed trajectory.

It is the company’s mission to bring its security systems to as widespread a customer base as possible, delivering the best quality products and support platforms.

I-PRO TECHNOLOGY

“We have already established a swift two-to-three-day customer delivery service, and we are working with distribution partners to introduce 24-hour delivery,” Fígols tells us.

“Our goal is to have 250 camera models available on the market by 2024, whilst providing free apps that support our products at no extra cost, so that we can provide an AI platform that everybody can use today, tomorrow and for the future.”

AI-FICATION Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic played its part in impacting the security market bringing with it temporary stagnation. Yet, the tremendous market growth from 2020 onwards has proven the want and need for innovative and highquality surveillance cameras.

Part of this growth includes the demand for “edge AI”. Edge AI is

i-PRO AT THE CORE i-PRO is a global leader in innovative surveillance technology with 1,300 employees, spanning 72 countries all over the world. Established in Europe, i-PRO has nine operating regions and three service centres to provide the right support to its customers. i-PRO’s products are designed in Japan and produced with the highest level of cyber security and AI: • NDAA Compliant • FIPS 140-2 Validated • Secure GlobalSign by GMO • Ambarella SUSTAINABILITY – A CENTRAL PILLAR • 0.4 percent failure rate • 38 percent reduction of boxes size • Reduction in CO2

the deployment of AI in devices and hardware in the physical world as opposed to a central cloud computing centre, applying its advantages to real-time motion and events. Edge AI utilises deep learning, a system based on artificial neural networks and a part of the broader ML sphere that is in turn a subset of AI. “Deep learning means that the cameras are smart enough to start analysing and improving by themselves,” Fígols details. “So, you can provide the camera’s images, they in turn can learn from the data inside the images and keep improving themselves.

“There is a global move towards “AI-fication” in surveillance, where the market demand is shifting towards deep learning technology that involves smart learning and assessing.”

In 2019, the security market was largely dominated by basic cameras with around 48 percent of the market share, rules-based cameras (those utilising basic AI recognition) at 37 percent, and with deep learning systems sitting at 15 percent.

In 2020, there was a change in numbers, with basic declining slightly to 43 percent, while deep learning rose significantly to 20 percent.

However, in 2021, there was a dramatic shift; basic cameras fell to a meagre

15 percent, while rules-based systems boomed to a whopping 60 percent, and deep learning took a significant 25 percent of the market share.

This staggering change in the market proves the rising demand for smarter, better, longer-lasting and innovative security systems moving forwards, and a very promising future of security for i-PRO. “Rules-based systems are rising, as are deep learning systems, and basic systems are almost disappearing.

What we have seen so far from 2021 is that the market is really moving towards identification and smart learning,” Fígols concludes. “i-PRO has the most powerful security cameras, they have advanced technology and are more reliable, based on know-how from more than 60 years of experience.”

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 15

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ALBA SINGAPORE | GEKKO SYSTEMS

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

TUNNELLING THE

w w w. a p a c o u t l o o k m a g . c o m

Issue 58

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA Sustainable urban development goes underground

DEICORP

Developing desirable new homes across Sydney

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD

Inside Asia’s leading diagnostics solutions provider

U R B A N PAT H The need for sustainable infrastructure development that benefits people and planet is everpresent. Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction Australia, highlights tunnels as an important urban construction solution Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

A

ustralia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world.

More than two-thirds of Australians now live in one of the country’s eight capital cities, with 40 percent of the population concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, these two cities also had the greatest population growth in Australia between 2011 and 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw regional areas grow at a faster rate for the first time in nearly three decades, however capital cities in Australia have historically grown faster than their respective rest-of-state areas.

“We are well positioned to deliver projects that address the diverse infrastructure requirements of Australia’s metropolitan, urban and regional centres,” says Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction Australia (BYCA).

Indeed, BYCA is strategically located at the very heart of urban Australia, with permanent offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Dedicated to providing world-class building, infrastructure and renewable energy facilities throughout Australia, BYCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, a global player with operations in more than 60 countries that has worked on some of the world’s biggest projects.

With the support of a company that knows the industry and understands the associated opportunities, BYCA offers global expertise with a wellestablished local footprint, and has been able to pursue a variety of infrastructure projects.

“For over 25 years, we have been committed to the infrastructure market in Australia and have delivered a wide range of nation-shaping projects,” outlines Seved, who himself has 23 years of international experience with BYCA in delivering major civil construction and APAC Outlook issue 58 | 3

We speak to Philip Pearce, CEO of ESR Australia about the company’s projects across the Australian Eastern Seaboard

www.apacoutlookmag.com/work-with-us

Marketi ng Oppo rtunity

TUNNELLING THE

U R B A N PAT H The need for sustainable infrastructure development that benefits people and planet is everpresent. Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction Australia, highlights tunnels as an important urban construction solution Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

A

ustralia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world.

More than two-thirds of Australians now live in one of the country’s eight capital cities, with 40 percent of the population concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, these two cities also had the greatest population growth in Australia between 2011 and 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw regional areas grow at a faster rate for the first time in nearly three decades, however capital cities in Australia have historically grown faster than their respective rest-of-state areas.

“We are well positioned to deliver projects that address the diverse infrastructure requirements of Australia’s metropolitan, urban and regional centres,” says Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction Australia (BYCA).

Indeed, BYCA is strategically located at the very heart of urban Australia, with permanent offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Dedicated to providing world-class building, infrastructure and renewable energy facilities throughout Australia, BYCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, a global player with operations in more than 60 countries that has worked on some of the world’s biggest projects.

With the support of a company that knows the industry and understands the associated opportunities, BYCA offers global expertise with a wellestablished local footprint, and has been able to pursue a variety of infrastructure projects.

“For over 25 years, we have been committed to the infrastructure market in Australia and have delivered a wide range of nation-shaping projects,” outlines Seved, who himself has 23 years of international experience with BYCA in delivering major civil construction and APAC Outlook issue 58 | 19

INTEGRITY IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO With extensive expertise in the tunnelling and mining industries, our services have helped clients to beat deadlines, reduce costs and solve problems. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our dedication to delivering client focused results through operational excellence.

austunnel.com.au

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

engineering projects covering tunnels, bridges, marine works, airports and roads.

“We are a trusted construction company, known for our thorough understanding of the infrastructure landscape in Australia. We are focused on risk management, which on large and complex projects is key.

We strive to “engineer” solutions through our construction methods and design to overcome project issues and deliver on time to our clients.”

A FIRST FOR VICTORIAN CONSTRUCTION With more than 600 kilometres of tunnels completed over the past half a century, including iconic projects such as the Channel Tunnel, Bouygues Construction is recognised worldwide as a leader in tunnelling.

BYCA employs approximately 500

22 | APAC Outlook issue 58

members of staff in Australia, many of whom are currently based on two large-scale tunnelling project sites.

In Melbourne, BYCA is proud to be part of the CYP Design & Construction consortium delivering the Metro Tunnel Project, one of the biggest public transport projects in Victorian history.

The Metro Tunnel Project will untangle the City Loop and enable more trains to run more often across Melbourne by taking three of the city’s busiest train lines – Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury – through a new tunnel.

“It will create a new end-toend train line from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham, with twin nine-kilometre tunnels passing under the busiest parts of the Melbourne central business district (CBD) and under the Yarra River,” shares Seved.

In a significant project milestone, the last cavern arch was recently installed at State Library Station, marking the completion of the trinocular cavern’s permanent lining.

“The safe installation of these works was the culmination of more than three years of planning, and was a first for the Victorian construction industry,” he adds.

CONSECUTIVE TUNNEL PROJECTS IN SYDNEY In Sydney, after delivering NorthConnex with Lendlease Engineering, BYCA was selected in a joint venture with ACCIONA and Samsung to deliver the next stage of WestConnex, the tunnels linking the M4 to the M8, the largest road transport infrastructure project in Australia.

EVE

F

ounded in 2008 to provide specialist tunnelling plant assembly and maintenance services, Austunnel is an Australian owned family business that has grown to serve major infrastructure and mining projects nationwide through a wide range of specialities.

The past two years have seen the company experience rapid growth in this space thanks to Australia’s significant investment into tunnel infrastructure. A key element of their rapid growth has been the company’s work with top tier construction companies like Bouygues Construction Australia on the industry leading Metro Tunnel Project in Melbourne.

Discussing the company’s growth and trajectory, Managing Director Alexei Bebek comments that “Austunnel’s reputation for reliability and our unwavering persistence in overcoming the complex challenges invariably faced on tunnel projects has transformed the company. We’ve experienced significant growth over the past two years - a sizeable feat considering the extreme difficulties presented by the pandemic.”

Like many underground projects, Austunnel’s goal is straightforward on the surface - but a complex undertaking. Simply put, they aim to be a leading provider of both the equipment and expertise required to take a tunnelling or mining project from planning through to completion. To achieve this, they are gradually building upon their existing range of partner products offered. At present, this offering covers the areas of material handling, communications, ventilation, and slurry treatment.

QLD, Australia

|

In addition to these partner products, Austunnel personnel services have been fundamental in supporting major tunnelling projects with tunnel boring machine (TBM) and roadheader assembly and maintenance works. These services were essential during tunnel excavation on projects like Metro Tunnel Melbourne, Sydney Metro and WestConnex.

At the Metro Tunnel Project, Austunnel personnel worked with Bouygues Construction Australia on various assemblies, disassemblies, and reassemblies of four mix shield TBMs used in the excavation of twin nine-kilometre rail tunnels.

On their work with Bouygues Construction Australia, Alexei Bebek describes the relationship as one which defined the company in Victoria: “Our work with Bouygues was critical in our development within Victoria. Our local team were heavily involved in the TBM builds and had the opportunity to introduce new tunnellers to the industry. We were fortunate to work with Bouygues on a project that’ll make public transport faster and more accessible in Melbourne.”

With an extraordinary wave of infrastructure spending ongoing, Austunnel anticipates further growth which will broaden its capabilities for tunnel and mine infrastructure constructors. Its mission is to be a leader in the supply of products, services, and solutions to the construction and mining industries; to build and maintain a reputation for integrity, reliability, and excellence while delivering superior value and results to our clients.

info@austunnel.com.au

|

www.austunnel.com.au

With extens mining in clients to beat problems. W our work and focused resul

YOUR PREMIUM PREFABRICATION PARTNER Delivering solutions to meet and exceed your construction programme.

Kyriakos Psihogios

Phone

Head Office

Business Hours

Director

+61 3 9108 3916

4 South Road,

Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm

Braybrook VIC 3019

Saturday 8am -2pm

+61 419 864 942 kyriakos@evolveprefab.com.au

“ F O R O V E R 2 5 Y E A R S , W E H AV E B E E N CO M M I T T E D TO T H E I N F R AST R U C T U R E M A R K E T I N A U S T R A L I A A N D H AV E D E L I V E R E D A W I D E R A N G E O F N AT I O N SHAPING PROJECTS” – S E V E D R O B I N , C E O, B O U YG U E S C O N S T R U C T I O N A U S T R A L I A

The 7.5-kilometre tunnels connecting the M4 in Haberfield and the M8 in St Peters will create a western bypass of the CBD which will allow the full benefits of WestConnex to be realised.

By easing congestion, connecting communities and delivering more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, the new motorway will provide crucial support for Sydney’s long-term economic and population growth.

“The new tunnels connecting the M4 and M8 are now 95 percent complete, and physical installation/ construction is well over 98 percent complete. The remaining work is primarily commissioning, systems and software development,” Seved reveals.

26 | APAC Outlook issue 58

“Work is also progressing to integrate the two existing motorway systems into an overarching system, with the project on track for completion in 2023.”

BESPOKE OPPORTUNITIES Whilst BYCA has been focusing on large-scale tunnelling projects such as the Metro Tunnel and WCX 3A, the company is simultaneously exploring a range of more bespoke tenders and business opportunities.

In addition to the large packages of work on offer in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, BYCA is pursuing more targeted projects that will diversify its construction skillset and expand its capabilities in remote locations, such as the Antarctic

Infrastructure Renewal Programme (AIRP).

AIRP will modernise new and existing infrastructure, improve operations, and revitalise ongoing science programmes.

BYCA is also following low carbon energy business lines, including offshore wind, solar and hydrogen facilities. BYCA has played a major role in Australia’s energy transition, having worked on a number of solar projects in NSW and Queensland that build on the company’s strong reputation for designing, delivering and maintaining sustainable energy and service solutions.

This includes the milestone completion of Coleambally, one of the largest fully operational solar farms in Australia and the biggest in NSW with a capacity of 189 MWp, enabling the delivery of close to 400 GWh of renewable electricity to the national grid annually.

For all projects, be it civil engineering, construction or energy solutions, the company provides clients with assurance in delivery and confidence that they will be completed on time.

Delivering solutions to meet and exceed your construction programme.

Innovative Services We offer innovative services for prefabrication of steel reinforcement for concrete structures. We empower construction projects to beat their own deadlines and create efficient work environments. Evolve Prefabrication was founded in 2019 to fill the gap in the Victorian infrastructure market to prefabricate complex reinforcement cages. Since then, our portfolio of products and services has grown to prefabricating reinforcement cages, supply of BAMTEC carpets, project management services and storage solutions.

We help construction projects save time and money while delivering jobs more safely and at a higher quality. We strive to develop solutions and work closely with Tier 1 construction companies, reinforcement suppliers, form work contractors, and other partners with a goal of advancing the reinforcement industry.

With our range of prefabrication solutions including BAMTEC, Evolve is keeping its finger on the pulse allowing Australian construction to utilise prefabrication as effectively as possible. We are involved in major infrastructure projects such as the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project and Level Crossing Removal Projects. And with North East Link Program, Suburban Rail Loop, and Melbourne Airport Link, Evolve Prefab is uniquely positioned to help these projects succeed.

Underground is no Barrier

construction speed in the tunnels. Our mantra for success is to focus on the project, and all else will follow. Our extensive work on the State Library and Town Hall stations led to Evolve being the first in the world to prefabricate an entire arch structure underground! And it didn’t end there, we pioneered to provide solutions to build the junction of two arches – cavern arch and adit arch which resulted in the most complex prefabricated element we have ever created!

The BAMTEC Solution BAMTEC is revolutionary for the construction industry.

With the latest BAMTEC Evolution machine from Progress, Italy, it is incredibly exciting for Evolve Prefab to get our hands on this ground-breaking technology.

BAMTEC converts reinforcement in carpet rolls reducing installation time on site by 80 to 90 percent.

BAMTEC plays critical role in Level Crossing Removal Projects, offering certainty to achieve the programme and reopen the rail lines for the public on time.

Evolve Prefab offers consultancy during the design and installation phase on site thanks to an expert in-house firm of qualified professional engineering specialised in BAMTEC technology that supports our clients from planning to implementation. BAMTEC delivers higher installation quality thanks to simple positioning and precise laying of the reinforcement, through computercontrolled, fully automatic production.

Roll On We’re excited for the future of modular construction at Evolve Prefab and can’t wait to see how our commitment and expertise continue to benefit our industry.

We helped build two of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel underground stations in fully prefabricated reinforcement elements. With space constraints, prefabrication of steel reinforcement led to reduced labour on site, safer work environments and increased

Baybrook, VIC

|

T + 61 3 9108 3916

|

+ 61 419 864 942

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

Evolve Reinforcement Experience and Growth Over the years at Evolve Reinforcement we have had the pleasure of servicing both the civil infrastructure and residential / commercial sectors in Australia.

As a determined market leader, we have made a name for ourselves by providing innovative steel fixing solutions without compromising on speed or muscle.

“ W E A R E W E L L P O S I T I O N E D TO D E L I V E R P R O J E C T S T H AT A D D R E S S T H E D I V E R S E INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS OF A U S T R A L I A’ S M E T R O P O L I TA N , U R B A N A N D REGIONAL CENTRES” – S E V E D R O B I N , C E O, B O U YG U E S C O N S T R U C T I O N A U S T R A L I A

“Our highly specialised teams of committed professionals think innovatively and provide solutions to meet even the most demanding project requirements,” Seved states.

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA), of which BYCA is a proud member, believes that an equitable and aligned commercial framework is one of the three key pillars that a sustainable construction industry is built upon, along with a positive industry culture and sufficient capability, capacity and skills to execute projects.

“We need cultural change in the industry, and we are playing an active role in this change with ACA. With the additional investment in new infrastructure, there is a real opportunity for industry and governments to adopt a more collaborative approach to project procurement and delivery,” highlights Seved.

28 | APAC Outlook issue 58

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENT BYCA believes that every project is an opportunity to build without destroying. Protecting the environment is an integral part of the company’s vision of sustainable construction, a commitment that the teams put into action in collaboration with clients and partners.

This commitment is at the heart of the Bouygues Group’s strategic target to achieve 40 percent less Scope 1 and 2, and 20 percent less Scope 3A CO2 emissions by 2030.

“To achieve this target, we have in place a carbon reduction strategy, to reduce our direct emissions, and emissions from construction materials and our facilities operation by 2030,” Seved informs us.

Earlier this year, the company decided to deliver its carbon reduction aspirations through the

We cut our teeth as a young organisation installing steel reinforcement in commercial towers across the country and expanded from there to become a crucial supplier in servicing the civil infrastructure sector. We are exceptionally proud to be playing an integral role in the Victorian government’s Big Build infrastructure initiative which has allowed us to enjoy rapid growth and become one of the largest and most respected steel fixing companies in Victoria.

Driven by strong company values with a focus on working closely with clients to achieve programme timelines, prioritise safety and technical expertise to deliver on large scale projects, we hold ourselves to a standard that demands collaboration, innovation, and quality.

Evolving for the Future As the construction industry continues to thrive in Victoria on the back of government infrastructure projects, we expect our traditional services will continue to be in high demand across the industry. This will be coupled with us working closely with Evolve Prefabrication on delivering market leading steel solutions such as BAMTEC and prefabrication installation.

Evolve will continue to focus on building relationships and partnerships in the industry to ensure we can continue to serve our clients and deliver on the growing demands of the construction industry.

+61 414 799 691

SPEED. QUALITY. RELIABILITY. EVERY TIME. Challenging the traditional way, creating better solutions.

Steve Haitidis

Phone

Head Office

Director

+61 3 9108 3916

2 James Court,

+61 414 799 691 steve@evolvereinforcement.com.au

Tottenham VIC 3012

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

EzyStrut EzyStrut has been selected by Bouygues Construction Australia to deliver innovative design solutions on some of Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects.

“ W E A R E E N V I R O N M E N TA L LY C O N S C I O U S , A N D C O M M I T T E D T O S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y G O A L S T H AT W I L L L E AV E A L A S T I N G L E G A C Y F O R F U T U R E G E N E R AT I O N S ” – S E V E D R O B I N , C E O, B O U YG U E S C O N S T R U C T I O N A U S T R A L I A

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the world’s first framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science.

“Our innovative offering creates better places to live and allows us to build infrastructure today for the benefit of future generations.”

To help meet the challenges of sustainable development, BYCA is supported by a global initiative called Responsible and Committed. Every project at BYCA is an opportunity to build ambitious solutions for sustainable benefit.

“We are environmentally conscious and committed to sustainability goals that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations,” states Seved.

Real action is being taken by BYCA to decarbonise the business, with net-zero options now being offered to clients.

30 | APAC Outlook issue 58

100 percent of BYCA’s electrical power needs will be renewable by 2030, with the implementation of a range of technologies, conversion to electrical drive chains, and LEAN management practices to reduce overall fuel consumption.

The move to a greener fleet of vehicles, free electric vehicle (EV) charging opportunities for on-site staff, electrical drive chains, and greater use of biofuels will send an equally strong message throughout the supply chain.

Meanwhile, to reduce construction materials emissions, BYCA will work with clients and designers to minimise the use of steel and concrete in the assets it builds, through innovative designs and new technologies.

Commitment to R&D is fundamental to BYCA’s ambition of creating sustainable outcomes, and

The Acciona, Samsung C&T, Bouygues JV M4-M5 Link Tunnels is part of Australia’s largest road infrastructure project to date. EzyStrut was involved in the design and supply of cable containment, which included a locally manufactured cable ladder mounted on custom bracketry. The system was designed to deliver economic use of raw materials, whilst meeting the tunnel specification for maximum design life, fire rating, seismic, wind and fatigue loads. While on the project, EzyStrut engineers were utilised to design mounting brackets for various assets installed through the tunnel including lights, speakers, and signs.

From road to rail, EzyStrut has developed experience and delivered results.

Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project, delivered by the CYP Design & Construction Joint Venture, includes a world class nine-kilometre twin tunnel with five underground stations. EzyStrut was engaged by Bouygues to assist in designing a range of bespoke support systems and brackets to fit in the tight tunnel envelope. The challenge was designing systems to meet the harsh conditions of a rail tunnel, such as train induced pressure, wind, seismic and cyclic loading, vibration, and Fire Rating.

Stay tuned while our team of experienced engineers continue to develop the next generation of innovative mechanical supports solutions for cable, pipe and asset installation for mega infrastructure projects throughout the APAC region.

www.ezystrut.com.au

Durability Guaranteed Cable & Pipe Supports

AS1170 Seismic Rated

AS3013 Fire Rated

M4-M5 Link Tunnels Sydney, Australia

Design

Test

Fabricate

www.ezystrut.com.au

Treat

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

CAD 2000 CAD 2000 was founded in 1983 by Mr. Eng. Guido Raffaello Malagutti with great experience in formwork construction for the most important Italian companies.

The well-known and proven success achieved since the beginning with the main Italian Contractors allowed the company to develop with the construction of equipment and fast expansion across the international market.

CAD 2000 MLS International SA is always on top, using the most advanced project software and looking for new ideas, solutions and technologies for the execution of projects.

“ B Y C A’ S C O R P O R AT E C U LT U R E C O N S I S T S O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E A N D A C H A L L E N G E M I N D S E T. W E S T R I V E T O P R OV I D E D E S I G N S O LU T I O N S , M A N AG E RISKS AND DELIVER ON TIME” – S E V E D R O B I N , C E O, B O U YG U E S C O N S T R U C T I O N A U S T R A L I A

the company will also keep innovating with supply partners and technical labs to maximise the use of ultra-low carbon concretes.

“We are driven by our pioneering spirit and have a clear vision for the future of our business. The journey ahead will come with its challenges, however I know that the exceptional people at BYCA will be able to put these plans into action and make a real difference,” Seved says.

“We strive to be a responsible business, aiming to add value and have a positive impact on the communities in which we work, not only responding to contractual obligations but going above and beyond these.”

Testament to this is the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) 32 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Design Rating of 79 achieved by the WestConnex team, far exceeding the contractual target of 55.

“Improving sustainability capabilities in supply chains does take time and requires proactive engagement, however the rewards can lead to greater levels of sustainability benefits and innovation,” Seved observes.

“The supply chain is critical to the works of a main contractor. Without our supply chain partners, projects cannot be built, and this is most definitely the case in the current market where supply and capacity challenges abound.

“BYCA’s culture is to build on relationships established on our large projects and develop new relationships to ensure smooth delivery in the future.

CAD 2000 designs equipment according to a project’s needs in terms of quality, safety, reliability, ease for use and maintenance with money saving for the contractors at the purchasing stage, and considering the entire life cycle for the project execution.

This mission is to increase the production capacity of the project, reducing execution time for: • Tunnel construction (Rubber tires formworks, ISIG, MSV, service machines).

• Bridge construction (Piling, bridges precast elements, launchers, lifting equipment).

• Transport systems by MAS (Multipurpose Advanced Shuttle) with loading capacity of 60 / 120 /180 tonnes, and the special series HDT (Heavy Duty Travellers) designed according to the specifications of the prefabricated element to be transported.

• Tall buildings (distributor booms, self-climbing formworks, selfclimbing screens).

Over the past 40 years, CAD 2000 MLS International has become a wellknown company worldwide, having been involved in many big projects.

It has enjoyed great satisfaction from customers in developing confidential partnerships thanks to the high standards of our supplies, quality, and human approach.

www.cady2k.com

Construction Advanced Design

CAD 2000 MLS INTERNATIONAL S.A.

DESIGN & SUPPLY OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR MEGASTRUCTURES Via Coremmo 1 - 690 - LUGANO - SWITZERLAND | Tel: +41-762921599/+39-3428782004

cad2000intl@gmail.com | www.cady2k.com | www.cad2000mls.com

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

“Relationships require care and maintenance at all levels; BYCA is cognisant of this and committed to ensuring the relationships we forge are maintained.

To achieve these goals, we regularly monitor the satisfaction of our clients and suppliers,” he continues.

FUNDAMENTALS OF THE BYCA CULTURE • RESPECT • TRUST • CREATIVITY • IMPARTING EXPERTISE

34 | APAC Outlook issue 58

PATHWAY FOR TALENT BYCA wants to be the employer of choice in the industry, offering its people the opportunity to contribute to the significant infrastructure projects of our generation.

“We want to inspire people to join us, to learn and develop, and to progress their careers,” says Seved.

There is a strong leadership and work culture at BYCA, whose people are treated with respect and valued for their contributions.

“In our industry, people and skills are critical to our success, and we believe that it is important to engage with and attract future talent,” acknowledges Seved.

“We have strong partnerships with universities both in Melbourne and Sydney, and offer a number of

opportunities for our team to establish a close relationship with students through site visits, internships, cadet programmes and PHD support.”

Integrating graduates into its development strategy and delivering high-quality projects are of great importance to BYCA, whose newlylaunched graduate programme provides rewarding job opportunities within an innovative and technologydriven company.

The graduate programme, built with the cooperation of internal and external experts, takes into consideration the need to reconnect and create a strong network after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

“The programme is also about creating a real pathway to the “Chartered Engineer” where

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“ S A F E T Y, A L O N G W I T H E N V I R O N M E N TA L M A N AG E M E N T A N D CO M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T, A R E F U N D A M E N TA L T O H O W W E O P E R AT E A S A C O M P A N Y ” – S E V E D R O B I N , C E O, B O U YG U E S C O N S T R U C T I O N A U S T R A L I A

graduates can explore, learn and network in the industry. Over the twoyear programme, graduates are given training in technical specialties and climate strategy, and offered personal development opportunities and leadership guidance,” Seved tells us.

More than 10 percent of BYCA employees are currently under training schemes, including graduate programmes, and the company aims to dedicate three percent of the payroll to training investment by 2025.

To keep employees active and

engaged, and to ensure knowledge is maintained and transferred within the team, BYCA also offers mentoring programmes to help with internal career development.

One such mentoring programme has just been launched by BYCA for its female employees, who currently make up 29 percent of the company’s workforce.

All these financial, human and managerial investments strive to attract the best talent and to offer real pathways and career opportunities to grow and develop within the Group.

WELINK APAC The recent launch of WeLink APAC, BYCA’s dedicated women’s network and the first in the construction sector, demonstrates the company’s desire to promote professional development.

WeLink APAC holds a range of events throughout the year, including mentoring workshops, themed conferences, sporting and consumer events, and reflects the need for women in construction to have the opportunity to build connections, support each other, and find out about industry developments.

“The primary purpose of WeLink APAC is to be a forum for sharing, exchanging ideas, solidarity and mentoring for BYCA women to promote gender equality. The group works to raise the profile of women in the business and helps them to find role models to support their careers,” Seved explains.

36 | APAC Outlook issue 58

WORKFORCE CULTURE Committed to gender balance, Seved recognises that workplaces must remove barriers to allow for the equal participation of women in the workforce.

“We want BYCA to be an employer of choice for women in our industry, so we have to demonstrate that we have firm gender balance principles in place and modern practices in terms of career pathways, leadership training, flexible work organisation and parenting strategy,” he emphasises.

Ambitious gender balance targets have been set by BYCA, which includes having women in 20 percent of management positions and 30 percent of executive committee roles by 2027.

To further address diversity, BYCA wants to attract an even more diverse group of future employees, such as ex-service personnel or people living with a disability.

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APAC Outlook issue 58 | 37

38 | APAC Outlook issue 58

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

BYCA has also launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), to build strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The RAP framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities not only emphasise the importance of consultation and collaboration with these peoples and communities, but also empower and enable staff to contribute to the process.

BYCA’s RAP recognises and acknowledges the unique contributions that indigenous people have made to the culture and heritage of the Australian nation.

Yet, indigenous people tend to be over-represented in Australia’s long-term unemployed, and often do not have access to the education and training required to develop job skills.

“Unless these issues are addressed at both a social and economic level, indigenous Australians will continue to be disadvantaged through limited employment opportunities and low mobility in the labour market,” Seved tells us.

Indigenous engagement at BYCA was exemplified at the Suntop Solar Farm project, which achieved a peak of 14 percent indigenous employment and an average of nine percent throughout the duration.

BYCA also partnered on the project with five subcontractors certified

by Supply Nation, a non-profit organisation that aims to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

SUPPORTING CHARITABLE CAUSES A strong supporter of community initiatives, BYCA believes that it should give back to the communities in which it works, with the aim of supporting initiatives that align with its corporate values.

BYCA has a well-established ‘cash-for-cans’ drive on its NSW sites, supported by Bear Cottage, NSW’s only children’s hospice, and The Settlement, who support children and social housing programmes.

A community volunteering programme is also being introduced by BYCA to encourage employees to support charities and actively contribute to issues such as health, education, and the environment.

business sector, and engaged with various other indigenous suppliers and stakeholders to involve the local indigenous community in the project’s success.

“As a local employer, we believe that our success relies on our capability to share our values and create balanced local partnerships with our ecosystem of business partners, universities, associations, industrial relations partners, and build a strong culture together.”

DOING BUSINESS SAFELY Equally, commitment to health and safety is a core value of BYCA and an integral part of its approach to doing business. Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of everyone involved in BYCA’s operations is a paramount objective of the company.

Industry-leading health and safety

standards are also underpinned by BYCA’s Safety Cultural Programme, which aims to foster positive safety behaviours, worker engagement, risk awareness, transparency and accountability. The company also holds an annual World Safety Day in November to highlight important safety and wellbeing messages, with the entire workforce in attendance.

“Our number one priority is safety.

We are committed to ensuring that the health and safety of our people is at the forefront of everybody’s minds, every day; all our leaders are Safety Leaders,” affirms Seved.

“Safety, along with environmental management and community engagement, are fundamental to how we operate as a company. We want to make a positive contribution to the communities we work in, and encourage a diverse range of people in our workforce; we provide an inclusive workplace that is focused on safety.”

Tel: +61 434 773 664 byca.communications@bouygues-construction.com www.bouygues-construction.com.au APAC Outlook issue 58 | 39

DESIGN, D E V E LO P A N D DELIVER

40 | APAC Outlook issue 58

DEICORP CONSTRUCTION

Encompassing stylish innovation and premium urban accommodation with a community-minded approach to construction, we speak with Robert Furolo, Executive Manager of Corporate Communications at Deicorp Writer: Ed Budds Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan

The Deicorp team is committed to delivering the highest standards in everything we do. From site selection to design and construction, sales and customer care, we give every buyer peace of mind that they’ve made a smart choice.”

It is this prevailing commitment to the highest possible standards that has directly led to over 25,000 people currently enjoying homes built by Deicorp.

Deicorp was founded in 1999 and is a privately-owned integrated construction and development company. Based in Sydney, Australia, Deicorp has so far delivered 8,000 apartments and over 150,000 square metres of retail and commercial space across more than 40 suburbs in the city. As Sydney’s leading builder of transport-connected developments, Deicorp is currently building around 3,000 apartments across nine projects.

“We bring peace of mind to buying property. For over two decades now we’ve been dedicated to helping people achieve their goals through property and delivering an inspiring way to live. We’re here for our customers,” affirms Furolo.

For 23 years, Deicorp has been operating as a privately-owned property development and construction group for residential, commercial and retail real estate.

The company delivers significant residential development to areas of growth across Sydney.

“We feel a great sense of responsibility in giving back to these communities,” he continues.

Alongside this responsibility, Deicorp recognises and respects what makes these neighbourhoods unique by supporting local projects and charities that will have a positive, lasting impact on the surrounding communities.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 41

DEICORP CONSTRUCTION

“At Deicorp, we understand that a home is a significant life investment and purchasing off-the-plan is a new experience for many. We are with you each step of the way to make your journey into a Deicorp property as seamless as possible, from sales to post-settlement customer care,” he acclaims.

As part of the customer support offered, Deicorp runs regular information sessions to answer potential queries from clients and to keep them informed on construction progress. Through every stage of the property purchase, Deicorp ensures the customer experience is a rewarding one.

Deicorp’s founder, Fouad Deiri started in the construction industry as an apprentice carpenter, and worked his way up, gaining experience and knowledge before starting his own company. He understands the key

THE DEICORP STORY TRANSPORT CONNECTED – Sites are always within walking distance of public transport AUSTRALIAN – Aussie-owned and operated developer SYDNEY EXPERTS – Over 40 developments across the Sydney region AWARD-WINNING TEAM - Highly acclaimed property developer AUD$3.5 BILLION UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Clever, connected, accessible, affordable and liveable projects 21 YEARS - Track record of success with a single builders’ licence

42 | APAC Outlook issue 58

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Our teams are highly experienced, innovative problem-solvers and passionate about delivering high-quality workmanship, ensuring compliance with Australian standards.

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DEICORP CONSTRUCTION

Nordon Jago Architects Nordon Jago Architects Designing to Deliver With more than 30 years of industry experience, the award-winning team at Nordon Jago Architects creates intelligent, cutting-edge designs, offering their clients strategic advice and solutions in all things architecture.

Team NJA is proud to have supported Deicorp over the last 25 years working alongside them with our expertise and ability to oversee projects from the initial conception phase, right through to construction, and have seen Deicorp grow and develop into a wellrespected contender in the industry.

drivers of successful projects as well as how to build them, and it’s through this learning that Deicorp has developed its customer-centric approach to all components of the business.

“We are now at the point where we have the scale and capability to take

END-TO-END SERVICE – HOW DEICORP WORKS Deicorp is committed to providing confidence and peace of mind for every purchaser by delivering a complete end-to-end service. From superior site selection to design and construction expertise, sales and customer-focused service, and after-sales support, Deicorp is with customers every step of the way, through the following stages: • Site acquisition • Planning and design • Building / development • Sales and marketing • Customer care • Ongoing support

44 | APAC Outlook issue 58

on very significant projects, but we are nimble enough to do so without huge overheads and slow decisionmaking constraints,” adds Furolo.

PRESTIGIOUS NEW PROJECTS On the cusp of Sydney’s most eclectic city neighbourhood, a prestigious new Hyde Park address is emerging.

An exciting recent addition to the Deicorp portfolio is The Hyde Metropolitan project which is in the final stages of approval from the Sydney City Council and is Deicorp’s flagship project– a 55-level luxury high-rise building in the heart of the Sydney CBD. This AUD$700 million project will deliver a truly spectacular building with stunning harbour views and an unrivalled lifestyle for prospective owners.

This new project features an iconic tower and competition-winning design by acclaimed architectural firm Candalepas Associates. Luxurious, distinctive, and one-of-a-kind, this spectacular landmark is designed to be adored by all of Sydney. Deicorp believes this address will truly be where the best of Sydney can be found. The Hyde Metropolitan, by Deicorp, promises to be a timeless

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We strongly believe that communication with our clients is paramount to great design, understanding the vision the client has of their project is one of the most integral parts to delivering a stand-out result.

Following the new Building Design Practitioners Act, which came into effect in Australia last year, Nordon Jago Architects has been using its existing skill sets to further develop a strong set of design and documentation procedures. Not only does this provide its clients with a sense of surety and peace of mind, but it also highlights its commitment to evolving with the times and providing only the best client-oriented services.

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DEICORP CONSTRUCTION

addition to the Sydney skyline and aims to bring a sense of calmness to the hustle and bustle of city living.

Becoming Sydney’s prime developer has been made possible due to several key factors at the core of Deicorp’s company values.

“We’re a values-driven business that uses our success to ensure we deliver great outcomes in the communities we’re building in. For example, we have recently been acknowledged for our leadership in contributing to an affordable housing project supporting the local indigenous community in Redfern.

“Parallel to this, Deicorp is also completely committed to transport-oriented projects. Over the past decade, the average distance from a new project to the nearest train station has been less than 250 metres. This focus on convenience and investment security through superior site selection means Deicorp projects are always found in the best locations,” adds Furolo.

46 | APAC Outlook issue 58

ENABLING LASTING INFRASTRUCTURE Deicorp is embracing the environmental benefits of delivering the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability in its buildings. The latest projects are all being built to a minimum of five-star Green Star Standard which covers the construction methods, materials and operation of the buildings.

For purchasers, this means more efficient and cost-effective wholeof-life and operational costs. For the environment, this lessens the impact of Deicorp’s projects.

In terms of adding value through mixed-use developments, the positioning of amenities has greatly enhanced urban development across Australia.

“Our focus on transport connection and amenity provides enormous benefits for purchasers and the broader community. Living so close to transport and the village

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APAC Outlook issue 58 | 47

48 | APAC Outlook issue 58

DEICORP CONSTRUCTION

precincts we create reduces the need for private vehicle movements for day-to-day activities. This then reduces congestion and pollution, and creates local employment centres that contribute to an area’s economic wellbeing,” explains Furolo.

“All of this improves the quality of life for residents and the broader neighbourhood.”

ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY Deicorp has a long history of generosity and supporting great causes. The company endeavours to make a difference by being genuinely engaged with the communities it works in through a combination of sponsorships and donations.

“Over the years, we have been a major sponsor of Camp Quality and helped raise millions of dollars for children impacted by serious illnesses,” says Furolo.

More recently, Deicorp has sponsored local community organisations and neighbourhood centres, which coordinate vital services and capacity-building projects needed within local communities.

“Our funding of these groups supports programmes including homework and tutoring for disadvantaged students, transport services to keep the elderly, frail and disabled connected with friends and services, as well as community events and festivals to keep people connected,” he continues.

As well as sponsoring and supporting local initiatives, Deicorp’s development projects aim to add significant value to the areas where they are constructed.

“First and foremost, we build homes. Within Sydney, for a range of reasons, there has been a persistent and ongoing undersupply of housing for more than 20 years. Our work has provided thousands of opportunities for young couples and families to

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become homeowners,” details Furolo.

Alongside this, Deicorp offers quality of life. This involves delivering villages that bring homes and convenient retail areas together to give access to amenities and an optimal lifestyle. Deicorp also provides jobs and services including childcare centres, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, pharmacies and medical centres.

“Additionally, because we always build close to rail, our developments help reduce congestion, bring convenient access to jobs and services, and help create vibrant precincts.”

Looking ahead to a prosperous future, Deicorp is focused on securing

the best sites possible across Sydney, building high-quality residential and mixed-use projects and providing affordable, desirable and stylish homes for homeowners and investors.

“We simply plan to design, develop and deliver the homes that Sydney wants and needs,” concludes Furolo enthusiastically.

DEICORP Tel: +61 2 8665 4100 admin@Deicorp.com.au www.Deicorp.com.au APAC Outlook issue 58 | 49

NEW D E V E LO P M E N T S VIA NEW ECONOMY ESR Australia is a key player in the country’s property sector. We speak to CEO Philip Pearce about the company’s projects across the Australian Eastern Seaboard Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan

I

n many ways, Australia’s property sector underpins the nation’s economy, both in terms of representing nearly 10 percent of national GDP and as the country’s second largest employer.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and rising interest rates, everything from materials to contractors and development projects have been

50 | APAC Outlook issue 58

governed by an unsettled market.

ESR Australia is part of the globally recognised ESR Group, which in turn is the largest real asset manager in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. ESR is powered by the technologically driven “new economy” and the third largest listed real estate investment manager globally.

With approximately USD$140 billion in gross assets

ESR AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

ESR Clayton Business Hub

under management (AUM), ESR Group’s fully integrated development and investment management platform extends across key APAC markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, making it a true giant of the region. Within this, ESR Australia manages assets of more than AUD$12.1 billion collectively, with a robust pipeline of developments

underway at any one time.

At the helm of this rapidly expanding entity is CEO Philip Pearce, who was brought on board in 2018 to spearhead ESR Group’s entry into the Australian market. Over the past four years, ESR Australia has grown to become a leader in the Australian market as a developer and manager of industrial, logistics and commercial property APAC Outlook issue 58 | 51

ACS Door Services ACS Door Services is a Melbourne based company that services all of Victoria, we service and maintain doors for companies such as ESR, Stockland, CBRE, Knight Frank, Department of Land Water and Planning and the Department of Agriculture just to name a few.

ESR Westlink Industry Park

with established fund management capabilities in the country.

MARKET IN FLUX In light of the pressures faced by Australia’s property industry, ESR Australia must remain vigilant and adaptable in the face of a changeable market.

According to Pearce, continually rising interest rates and inflation has caused the Australian market to become more cautious when it comes to project bidding, in turn compelling many players to sit back and watch the interest rates unfold, lessening their financial activity in the sector.

“For some investors, real estate forms part of a balanced portfolio and they have seen some equities going down, while the percentage of the total portfolio invested in real estate has gone up. So, in some cases, this has inevitably met or even exceeded their allocation of real estate,” he explains.

“If you’ve got the right sort of capital, we think it’s still a good time to invest, especially in the logistics sector as tailwinds are still quite strong. But you’ve got to have the right sort of capital, or capital partners that can ultimately see through this short-term current situation.”

The issue for the industry is that the demand for space is exceeding supply, hence the industry is experiencing very low vacancy rates. This has resulted in a boom in construction at a time when materials and labour have been impacted by 52 | APAC Outlook issue 58

COVID-19 disruptions.

In addition, there are supply chain issues, predominantly in China, where parts of the country are locked down and are still greatly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

“Then there’s also competition for a limited pool of subcontractors, which is having an impact on timelines,” Pearce tells us. “ESR Australia is navigating the situation by being very selective with contractors because it comes down to these contractors having strong relationships with the subcontractors which affects the overall access to materials.

“In some instances, ESR Australia is working directly with steel fabricators, so we get steel as quickly as possible for our projects.”

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS AUSTRALIA’S EASTERN SEABOARD ESR Australia’s projects span multiple sectors in the country, with a concentration along the Eastern Seaboard to servicing freight, transport and logistics customers.

ESR Australia has cemented its place in the local industrial market with its strong development pipeline, which is currently valued at AUD$6.6billion.

With 28 projects in the pipeline, over 380,633 square metres (sqm) are actively in development and driven by a dedicated team of in-house development, project management and planning experts.

In New South Wales (NSW), ESR Westlink Industry Park based in

We are very proud of our hard working team who deliver not only excellent results in their field but also, excellent customer service. Again, our team is very close knit which has helped us to achieve great retention rates with our longest technician being with us for nine years and several other technicians for more than five years.

ACS started back in 2012 with one technician on the road and now we have 10 technicians and four administrative staff. We continue to look for ways in which we can grow our business and provide only the best locally sourced materials as we are very conscious of making sure we have access to parts so that repairs can be made in a timely manner whilst also supporting local businesses.

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ESR AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

Kemps Creek, is a premier 50-hectare industrial development in Sydney’s newest industrial precinct of Mamre Road. It will benefit from significant government and private infrastructure investment creating the most connected industrial precinct in Australia. This project establishes a state-of-the-art industrial development dedicated to connecting businesses in the fastestgrowing region in Australia.

Meanwhile, the company’s ESR Bringelly Road Business Hub (Leppington, NSW) is an exciting new 16-hectare industrial and

bulky goods park located between Moorebank Intermodal Terminal and the future Western Sydney Airport.

The last remaining lot to be developed features excellent frontage to Bringelly Road with a flexible design from 4,000 sqm up to 5,500 sqm. This new development is well-positioned with neighbouring customers such as DHL, Bunnings, CEA and Steelforce.

“To date, our busiest market has been NSW, however ESR Australia has recently acquired several sites across Victoria in key locations, both in the southeast and in Port Melbourne.

Brisbane is also now beginning

Diadem Since 2020, Diadem has been ESR Australia’s trusted partner in rebranding its growing portfolio.

In addition to a new network-side signage suite, Diadem has also identified branding opportunities across a range of built environments.

Working closely with ESR Australia has allowed the Diadem team to not only enhance their existing property portfolio, but also align that portfolio with their strategic vision to offer best in class facilities for their customers.

That means communicating ESR’s brand values at every opportunity – from whole-of-precinct signage strategies to entry statement signage and estate wayfinding systems.

The result is a more cohesive and consistent approach.

For over 20 years, Diadem has built its reputation on thoughtfully realised environments that deliver improved customer experiences, enhanced staff engagement and positive brand awareness. From sky signs atop city towers down to the fine details of end-of-trip facilities, the Diadem team understands the world of industrial precincts and business parks at every level.

ESR Bringelly Road Business Hub

A CAREER IN APAC Philip Pearce joined the property industry later in life than many of his peers and colleagues, deciding on a career change from farming in his late twenties. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce (Land Economy) at Western Sydney University, to become a valuer, having seen the opportunities in institutional real estate.

Pearce held multiple roles and gained years of experience in the sector in Asia,

The Diadem difference is its integrated model. With advisory, design and execution services under one roof, the team brings expertise and efficiency to multi-site networks and international portfolios alike.

As specialists in engineering, materiality, industrial design, procurement and ergonomics, Diadem brings years of experience to every brief. Its holistic approach safeguards the interests of clients, preserves the integrity of brands, and delivers smarter outcomes for all.

namely China, Singapore and Hong Kong. He was an Executive Director and Managing Director and established the Goodman Group business in China, growing the Greater China portfolio of assets under his management to USD$5 billion.

The first significant milestone achieved following ESR Group’s entry into the Australian market was the acquisition of Commercial and Industrial Property (CIP) in July 2018. In March 2019, Pearce oversaw ESR Australia’s acquisition of Propertylink Group. The combined businesses created a fully integrated Australian property platform with leading development capability, funds management arm, and a portfolio spanning Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

54 | APAC Outlook issue 58

diadem.co

Shaping brands for the built environment Diadem is proud to be a trusted advisor for ESR Australia, here to enhance the built environment of their growing portfolio and communicate their strategic vision to offer best in class facilities for their customers.

Since 2000, we’ve helped many other organisations shape their brands for the built environment.

The Diadem difference is our integrated model.

With advisory, design and execution services under one roof, we can bring expertise and efficiency to an entire portfolio of buildings or multi-site network.

Our collaborative approach safeguards the interests of clients, preserves the integrity of brands, and delivers smarter outcomes for all.

ESR Horsley Logistics Park, Western Sydney - Artist impression

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ESR AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

ESR Green Link Estate

to accelerate as we see increased shortage of land supply in both NSW and Victoria.”

Notable Victorian projects include ESR Green Link Estate in Cranbourne, Victoria, which will be a 79-hectare, industry-leading industrial estate located in Melbourne’s thriving southeast. ESR Green Link Estate will offer customers a rare opportunity to locate in one of the most established logistics precincts in Victoria. The master planned estate will include parkland, walking tracks, rich landscaping throughout and services that will offer customers and the community space for recreation.

“Customers are increasingly looking to align with businesses that share their own values and add benefit to their business. On top of this, ESG (environmental, social and governance) is increasingly a priority for customers – both in terms of minimising environmental impact and providing their workers with a 56 | APAC Outlook issue 58

place they enjoy coming to, to enable satisfaction and retention.

“With demand for the industrial and logistics space at an all-time high, the majority of ESR Australia’s work-inprogress developments have already been pre-committed to both new and existing customers,” Pearce tells us.

PEOPLE AT THE CORE No matter the project, for ESR Australia, customers are the centre of the business; staying close to them, and continually learning alongside them as with all its partners is key to the company’s continued success.

“Common feedback from our customers is that they appreciate our agility and willingness to listen. As a relatively new player in the Australian market, we need to go that extra mile,” Pearce says. “As we grow, harnessing that agility and entrepreneurial spirit within the business is a key priority for us.”

ESR Australia has dedicated

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Working alongside ESR, we provide our professional services across their facilities Our online asset management tool provides ESR live information on their HVAC assets including: · Comprehensive Asset Listing

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Working with our highly experienced team, this allows ESR to confidently assess the true condition of their HVAC assets, and prioritise assets for future planning.

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APAC Outlook issue 58 | 57

76 Tarlton Crescent, South Australia

APAC OUTLOOK: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN ESR AUSTRALIA? AND HOW DO YOU FOSTER A HIGH-PERFORMING TEAM THAT LEAVES ITS EGO AT THE DOOR? PHILIP PEARCE, CEO: “The team at ESR Australia is made up of high performers with healthy self-awareness. It’s understood that the organisation is bigger than any one individual, that we’re all working together to achieve something for our stakeholders – whether that is investors or customers.

“As with any high-performing team we’ve navigated hard conversations and hard decisions; ultimately people need to be aligned with a vision they believe in and are passionate about achieving, so they move forward as a team. There have been instances where we have parted ways with great talent, who were valued by the business, because ESR Australia’s vision didn’t resonate with what they wanted to achieve individually.

There remains a great deal of respect for these people, but ultimately, ESR Australia is focused on bringing people together to perform as one team, united by a common goal.

“We are clear from the outset about the vision and expectations for the business and that is consistently and continually communicated. This provides the team with the clarity and direction that means individuals can focus on what they can contribute both individually and as part of the collective. We celebrate our success together while making sure we continually have an eye to the future.”

58 | APAC Outlook issue 58

ESR AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

Southgate

significant resources to establishing a benchmark for human-centric design in the company’s future industrial estates across Australia, based on the belief that the future of industrial sites must create social and environmental value for the people who use them.

ESR Green Link Estate provides the first iteration of this model. According to Pearce, all facilities within the estate’s masterplan have been designed to maximise high levels of natural sunlight to all occupied spaces, proven to bolster satisfaction and productivity. Additionally, the provision of recreational areas, such as running and walking tracks throughout the estate, along with a quality food and beverage offering, local artwork integration, naturally shaded regions, filtered water installations, and social connection spaces will mean ESR Australia’s customers can offer employees a best-in-class work environment.

“ESR Australia is committed to providing the best amenities on our sites that ensure our customers and their employees enjoy where they work,” Pearce adds.

“ESR Green Link Estate

300 Mary St, Brisbane

Acacia Ridge Business Park

demonstrates a ’new economy’ approach to value creation, incorporating features that better address ESR Australia’s customers’ needs for creating environments in which their people thrive and deliver long-term value.

“ESR Australia’s approach to cultivating partnerships with customers founded in a core values alignment has been a key feature of

securing tier one customers across its estates and will continue to be central for us moving forward,” says Pearce.

ESR AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 2 9186 4700 au.esr.com APAC Outlook issue 58 | 59

GOODLINE CONSTRUCTION

A W E L L- R E P U T E D

RESOURCE

Goodline’s leading construction and maintenance services cater to major resource companies in Australia’s thriving minerals landscape Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

M

ining has long been a cornerstone of the Australian economy.

The country is in the midst of yet another minerals boom, exemplified by record exploration spending and capital raising, whilst contributing to the sustained growth and prosperity of current and future generations.

Now, the resources industry is refocusing to ensure a more sustainable future, with major miners moving into rare-earth minerals such as lithium, nickel, potash and copper, as coal is descaled to make way for more sustainable energy sources.

Established in 1999 by John and Catherine Kennedy, Goodline provides maintenance, construction, and engineering services to the most influential resource companies in Australia.

Maintenance is the founding discipline and primary business of Goodline, which today stands as a truly multidisciplinary contractor that has the capacity to manage and execute a diverse range of major mining, infrastructure and building projects.

Employing more than 800

members of staff, the company’s reputation has been built by exceeding quality and performance targets, and a track record of delivering projects safely, on-time, and within budget.

This reputation, supported by key industry leaders, has resulted in widespread endorsement of the company’s work throughout Australia.

Goodline has five key strategic

locations in Weipa, Emerald, Port Hedland, Nhulunbuy, and the Olympic Dam. In each of these locations, the company has an established residential workforce that conducts minor project and maintenance works.

This workforce is supplemented

by Goodline’s first-in, first-out (FIFO) teams who also complete its major construction projects. Additionally, APAC Outlook issue 58 | 61

the company has a centralised corporate office on the Sunshine Coast (SEQLD) and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) support offices in Perth and Adelaide.

LARGE-SCALE CONTRACTS A leader in construction and maintenance services for Australia’s most influential resource companies, Goodline’s first foray into major construction works came in 2004 as part of Rio Tinto’s NeWeipa mine project.

Goodline has an extensive relationship with Rio Tinto, a leading global mining group, that spans more than 20 years.

In that time, Goodline has continued to complete shutdown maintenance and minor project works for Rio Tinto, culminating in 2017 with the award of several major packages on the Amrun project.

Located around 40 kilometres south of Rio Tinto’s East Weipa and Andoom mines on the Cape York Peninsula, the Amrun project involves the construction of a range of mining infrastructure including a bauxite mine, processing and port facilities.

62 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Headstock formwork on the Iron Bridge project

Goodline was contracted to deliver two significant infrastructure packages for the Amrun project – the Hey River Terminal and the

Accommodation Village.

Having started out as a small, family-owned business, Goodline is proud to have secured large-scale

GOODLINE CONSTRUCTION

High quality fabrication solutions delivered safely, responsibly and professionally.

With diverse project capabilities, Rollwell Engineering provides fully customised rolling, pressing and heavy steel fabrication services to WA’s commercial and industrial sectors. Working with some of Perth’s highest profile organisations and with full, turnkey project capabilities, we strive to deliver outstanding levels of precision, efficiency and artistry whilst maintaining the utmost regard for safety and environmental responsibility.

contracts ahead of some of the largest construction companies in Australia.

This relationship also set the foundation for Goodline to expand into Nhulunbuy in 2015, and the company has also completed major works with Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Western Australia (WA).

Goodline’s first major project in WA was a revetment wall project awarded

by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) in 2006.

The company was contracted to construct a foreshore protection system for FMG’s brand-new port, which involved the installation of eight kilometres of concrete revetment bedding.

Over the last 16 years, Goodline has performed several major construction projects for FMG, as well as extensive shutdown maintenance works.

The company is currently working on the container handling facility for FMG’s Iron Bridge project. This

Skilled Resources Group is a market leading recruitment agency which provides permanent and temporary recruitment solutions, as well as HR services and consultancy to the Mining, Engineering, Construction and Maintenance Industry throughout WA.

includes the construction of a process plant and conveyor system at the port.

A strategic investment enabling FMG to provide an enhanced product range to customers while increasing its production and shipping volumes, Iron Bridge is located 145 kilometres south of Port Hedland, where Goodline’s long-standing relationship with global resources company BHP also initially began.

Goodline has completed several projects as part of BHP’s Rapid Growth Project, in addition to shutdown maintenance, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure works.

This relationship prompted Goodline’s expansion into the Olympic Dam in South Australia, and Emerald in Central Queensland.

The company’s largest venture to date, however, took place in 2015 at the Roy Hill project, where Samsung C&T contracted Goodline to complete structural, mechanical, and piping work for the port stockyard.

SECTORS Oil & Gas Mining & Resources Civil & Construction Hospitality & Utility Technical & Professional Engineering & Maintenance T (08) 9327 5454 E HR@skilledresources.net.au www.skilledresources.net.au

Running for 18 months, it included the construction of landside infrastructure, conveyors, transfer stations, switch rooms, sample stations, magnet structures, apron feeders, and a bucket wheel reclaimer which at the time was the largest in Australia.

To this day, Goodline continues to perform major project works and shutdown maintenance at Roy Hill.

SUPPORTING LOCALS Supporting regional Australia, and the people in those areas, is another top priority for Goodline.

Residential has always been a strategy for Goodline. The locations in which it operates have some of the best lifestyles in the country, and investment into facilities is at the core of how the company operates.

Goodline’s commitment to working for state and local government, meanwhile, reflects its support for communities and enriching lives.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 63

GOODLINE CONSTRUCTION

GOODLINE VALUES The staff and management at Goodline are advocates of the company’s core values.

Referred to as HI-FOCUS, these values continue to deliver superior client satisfaction, staff engagement, safety performance and innovation: • Honesty • Integrity • Fairness, equality and respect • Ownership and accountability • Clarity, efficiency and simplicity • Unity, collaboration and teamwork • Safety

These works can range from minor maintenance to large construction projects, and at one point, Goodline even had a personal trainer in Weipa who was contracted as a lifeguard at the local pool. This kind of work, and a level of investment back into the towns in which it operates, is extremely important to Goodline.

Equally, the company is committed to hiring, training, and supporting local talent.

People are the company’s most valuable asset and foundation for the future; Goodline therefore provides ongoing support and development, robust leadership, a safe workplace and sound work practices.

For young members of the community, Goodline also facilitates work experience and apprenticeship programmes, and encourages their growth and development into highly skilled tradespeople.

People are key to the company’s success. Training and development are at the forefront of Goodline’s ethos, from its apprenticeship and graduate programmes to ongoing staff development.

By so doing, it helps to create the next generation of construction workers, so people understand the career opportunities in the industry for graduates and apprentices.

Maintaining the belief that a diverse workforce enriches its working culture, the company also trains and employs Aboriginal and indigenous locals.

The packages of work secured on the Amrun project have allowed Goodline to expand its local indigenous engagement, through direct employment and partnering with local indigenous businesses.

While the industry is actively pursuing an image change, Borserio

“ G O O D L I N E W O R K S C L O S E LY W I T H C L I E N T S T O D E L I V E R FAV O U R A B L E , C U S T O M E R - F O C U S E D O U T C O M E S I N T E R M S O F SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE”

recognises that there is still work to do to ensure all people see mining as a viable career option.

The opening of a technical office in Perth, to service clients in the Pilbara region of WA with costeffective solutions, will likewise ensure Goodline attracts a wide range of personnel, as it is able to provide jobs that cater to diverse lifestyle options.

In May 2022, the company opened an office in Adelaide, with a view to creating a similar support structure for its works in South Australia.

SAFETY AND TRANSPARENCY Goodline’s embedded culture of safety starts with its people.

Safety is the number one priority, with the wellbeing of staff, contractors, clients, and members of the public receiving nothing less than the company’s utmost attention.

Health, safety and environment (HSE) is intrinsically linked with

good performance and delivery, and Goodline works closely with clients to deliver favourable, customer-focused outcomes in terms of safety and performance.

Whilst ensuring the safe execution of projects on budget and on time, Goodline’s in-house project management personnel have the experience to offer a single point of contact.

With its clients’ best interests at heart, Goodline’s continuous project reporting guarantees complete transparency of construction progress, financial control, and quality assurance.

In times of global uncertainty, this transparency and open, honest communication has never been more important.

Goodline is a family-owned company that continues to remain true to its roots and values; with a policy of open and honest

management and communication.

Attraction and retention are now more important than ever, given the heightened expectations of employees in a post-COVID world and dynamic market conditions fuelled by skills and materials shortages.

Balancing labour market challenges and global supply chain issues, there nevertheless remains a large volume of opportunities for construction work.

At present, Goodline is looking to maintain revenues of AUD$250-350 million. Over the next 12 months, it will continue to establish itself within newer operations, and consolidate all operations with a strategic focus on major clients and communities.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 65

HICKORY GROUP CONSTRUCTION

P R E FA B O N THE RISE

66 | APAC Outlook issue 58

George Abraham, Managing Director of Hickory Group, promotes prefabrication as a time-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional construction Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan

T

here is high demand for reliable, sustainable construction methods.

Prefabrication – the practice of manufacturing building components offsite and assembling them onsite – could help fill this void.

Ensuring that materials are accurately calculated, the ability of prefabricated construction to control the amount and processing of waste further promotes environmental sustainability.

“Promoting prefabricated building methods over the medium-term could help to mitigate many of the current cost hikes and labour shortages currently being felt across the construction industry,” opens George Abraham, the Managing Director of Hickory Group (Hickory) since 2018.

A global pioneer in prefabrication, Hickory is a privately owned Australian business that has steadily evolved into one of the country’s most diverse property companies.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 67

HICKORY GROUP CONSTRUCTION

Quinlan Cranes Since 2002 Quinlan Cranes has been providing cranes, riggers/ dogman and heavy haulage solutions to the industrial, construction, infrastructure, energy and maritime industries across Victoria.

“AT H I C K O R Y, E V E R Y T H I N G W E D O A N D EVERYTHING WE MAKE IS MADE FOR LIFE” - G E O R G E A B R A H A M , M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R H I C K O R Y G R O U P,

H I C KO RY G R O U P

For more than 30 years, Hickory has continued to invest in researching and developing people, platforms and products to advance the capabilities of the built world, with expertise in construction, developments, data centres, and manufacturing.

“Hickory, and our associated divisions, are at the forefront of innovation and new technologies.

From conception to completion, our documented ‘Hickory Way’ methodology enables us to mitigate risk on high-rise projects and consistently deliver exceptional outcomes,” Abraham tells us.

“We are so much more than just a construction business. We have the expertise in many divisions to create a full lifecycle of the built environment.

“At Hickory, everything we do and everything we make is MADE for LIFE.” 68 | APAC Outlook issue 58

RETHINKING CONSTRUCTION Hickory’s patented prefabrication building technology, Hickory Building System (HBS), takes the majority of the building structure offsite and delivers an innovative, technological alternative to the construction of high-rise projects.

The system enables a parallel track construction programme, reducing construction time by up to 50 percent compared with traditional concrete and column construction methods.

It also dramatically minimises construction waste, noise pollution, traffic congestion, and overall build time, whilst increasing public and site safety to provide better outcomes for the local community during construction.

The HBS building process begins with an engineered concrete floor,

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Quinlan Cranes’ success is built on a diversity to handle working in challenging environments without compromising quality or safety.

Utilising specialised equipment and highly qualified people backed up by ISO Certifications. (ISO 9001 Quality, ISO14001 Environment, ISO45001 OH&S). Quinlan Cranes has all the tools to take care of your critical lifts in house from Conception, Lift Planning/ Engineering, Supervision through to Completion.

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HICKORY BUILDING SYSTEM Streamlined design and engineering – HBS is a state-of-the-art structural system that integrates the core, shear walls, bathrooms and façade of a building into a unified structure, built ex-situ and in parallel with on-site works.

Architectural freedom – Using a series of predesigned, interchangeable components, HBS can be scaled from medium-rise to high-rise, and from large to small aspect ratios as required, translating system flexibility into cost efficiency.

Cost savings – Applying the upfront design and procurement of a manufacturing model to the construction process enables accurate costing of materials whilst significantly minimising preliminary, variation and financing costs, as well as fasttracking the internal rate of return (IRR).

Sustainable – HBS offers a more sustainable construction solution, utilising less carbon intensive materials and reducing waste, energy and water usage throughout the build process.

Faster construction – By creating a parallel construction programme and eliminating the risk of weather delays, HBS projects can be delivered up to 50 percent faster than traditional construction methods allow.

Safe – Because HBS structures arrive to site with finished façades, it eliminates the risk of falls and removes the need for work on the building edge, creating a safer environment for workers and communities alike.

70 | APAC Outlook issue 58

load bearing columns, fully fitted wet areas, and a building façade.

Large building components are preassembled prior to delivery to the site, offering exceptional structural stability and enabling fitouts to quickly progress behind the protection of the pre-attached façade.

Delivering a turnkey building solution to clients from foundation to final completion, HBS is ever evolving.

“We are currently manufacturing HBS Generation 8, which is being used to construct a 57-storey tower in the heart of Melbourne CBD. This prefabricated system is posttensioned, reducing wet joints and propping required onsite,” reveals Abraham.

It will be the very first Meriton Suites Hotel, complete with 298 luxury hotel rooms as well as two top-floor penthouse suites.

The serviced apartment building will feature more spacious rooms

HICKORY GROUP CONSTRUCTION

than a traditional hotel, with accommodation options including separate bedrooms paired with a large lounge and dining space.

Each individual suite will also include a gourmet kitchen with European-style applications, as well as flat screen TVs in the master bedroom and living area.

FORAY INTO FAÇADES Parkline Place, meanwhile, is Hickory’s first façade package outside of its own construction projects.

This 39-storey premium office building above the new Pitt Street Station northern entrance will become Sydney’s newest landmark, forming a vibrant commercial hub.

“Hickory’s in-house façade team is providing an end-to-end delivery solution through the design, procurement, manufacturing and installation phases,” Abraham tells us.

The podium at Parkline Place will comprise curved double-glazing units (DGUs), supported by slimline steel over clad mullions and external sandstone fins that have never been attempted before at seven metres high.

Elsewhere in Sydney, Hickory recently completed its first tower, at Sydney, the world-renowned Ace Hotel.

Designed by Bates Smart, the hotel consists of 264 guest rooms and is built on a nine-storey heritage federation free style warehouse known as ‘Tyne House’, constructed in 1915-16.

“We are incredibly proud of the Ace Hotel,” Abraham smiles.

“We now have an established team in Sydney, and our presence in the market is growing steadily.”

DATA CENTRE DRIVE Redefining the provision of digital infrastructure within Australia and beyond is Hickory Data Centres (HDC).

HDC combines extensive knowledge and experience in APAC Outlook issue 58 | 71

HICKORY GROUP CONSTRUCTION

property development and innovative construction technology to build, own, and operate hyperscale data centres, powering global leaders in digital technology.

As HDC builds its foundations in the Australian market, covering new locations driven by cloud infrastructure expansion, it has recently partnered with STACK Infrastructure (STACK), a leading global developer and operator of data centres.

“Together, we are currently constructing a 72MW campus in the high-growth hyperscale corridor of Truganina in Melbourne’s western suburbs,” shares Abraham.

“The facility is expected to be delivered early in 2023, and will include two 36MW buildings with separate access points to accommodate multiple users with separation of security and services.

In parallel, STACK Australia is also expanding into Canberra and Perth.”

Hickory, whose highly experienced data centre management team will join the STACK global platform, is well-positioned to help concurrently develop efficient facilities across these three key Australian locations.

Partnering with STACK enables the company to leverage an outstanding global operating platform and innovative capital solutions, to target hyperscale customer growth in key markets.

“Partners and suppliers are the backbone of our business, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of all those who we work with on a day-to-day basis,” Abraham notes.

72 | APAC Outlook issue 58

HICKORY GROUP CONSTRUCTION

Campbellfield Bin Hire is a family owned and operated business with over 35 years experience supplying skip bins to Melbourne’s commercial and industrial industries and residential homes.

88 – 90 Lara Way Campbellfield 3061 customerservice@campbellfieldbinhire.com.au Tel: (03) 9314 0365

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“As well as strong partnerships, our success is achieved through exemplary values and unrivalled excellence in project execution. With self-performance, vertical integration, standardised processes, and the combined experience of over 1,000 members of the Hickory family, we’ve worked to become experts in our field.”

BUILDING THE FUTURE Hickory prides itself on developing the industry’s most capable, confident, and hands-on construction professionals.

The company’s culture of innovation, learning and growth is achieved through unified construction professionals, talented new recruits, and a visionary executive team that leads by example.

“This approach is how we retain a loyal and enthusiastic workforce, and consistently deliver award-winning

projects,” recognises Abraham.

“Many long-term, key team members have over 30 years of industry experience, and are responsible for the world’s most iconic landmarks.

“We are made for the next generation, with our graduate programme developing the skills and confidence of our future leaders, while fast-tracking their professional development, learning and careers,” he adds.

Hickory believes that all employees have the ability, integrity and desire to innovate and perform to the highest level. As such, graduates are offered great learning opportunities to help them reach their career goals.

Learning from a range of professionals, graduates also receive coaching and practical support from Hickory’s experienced site management personnel.

“Our success is evident, with

many of our graduates progressing confidently into management positions within a few years of joining Hickory.”

Hickory is building future leaders in construction at a time when the company is confronting several challenging headwinds, such as increased material costs, labour scarcity, and a reduced appetite for risk from subcontractors.

“We are focused on delivering our current workbook to the highest standard, and more than ever, we need to keep a very close eye on our operations,” Abraham concludes.

HICKORY GROUP Tel: 9429 7411 info@hickory.com.au https://www.hickory.com.au/ APAC Outlook issue 58 | 73

A QUEST FOR

SUCCESS

Leading laboratory services across Malaysia, we dive into Innoquest Pathology Sdn Bhd, and speak to CEO Dr. Nelson Nheu about delivering high-quality and affordable diagnostics services throughout the country Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Callam Waller 74 | APAC Outlook issue 58

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

Healthcare is a passion, born from the joy of helping other people.”

The words of Dr. Nelson Nheu, CEO at Innoquest Pathology Sdn Bhd (Innoquest) sum up the positive, people-centric spirit of a company working for the health and wellbeing

of people across Malaysia.

Formerly known as Gribbles Pathology, Innoquest is currently the largest private provider of diagnostic laboratory services in the country. This industry-leading position has been achieved by way of the company’s mission, to deliver affordable

diagnostics services of the highest quality, which is in turn made up of a multi-faceted mantra.

“We are medically managed, run under the stewardship of medical doctors; we are the lab of the future - investing in new technologies and tests that are clinically relevant, APAC Outlook issue 58 | 75

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

NeoScience Always With You Our team, which we refer to fondly as the “One Together” team, lives by the principle of “Always with you”.

This symbolises our commitment to serve and support our clients from our hearts. We will continue to be the best version of ourselves and our ultimate pride lies in our clients’ success.

We aspire to be the preferred and referred partner for our clients through our exceptional ability in mastering the sciences and technologies behind Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical Diagnostics, Life Science and Big Biodata Management.

Company video

“WE ARE THE LAB OF THE FUTURE” – D R . N E L S O N N H E U , C E O , I N N O Q U E S T P AT H O L O G Y S D N B H D

and we create memorable patient experiences - from blood taking to releasing the report to a doctor, every patient’s journey is what matters to us,” Dr. Nheu tells us proudly.

For over 26 years, Gribbles Pathology has been the market leader in in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) in Malaysia. The rebranding in June 2022 comes with the backing of TPG as the company’s key investor, and more importantly with the leadership of PAH (Pathology Asia Holdings).

MALAYSIA’S MEDICAL SERVICE PAH is the fastest growing clinical lab in Southeast Asia (SEA), with a strong presence in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Australia. Innoquest’s regional reach and unparalleled volume allow the company to provide the highest quality at affordable prices.

Innoquest Malaysia obtained CAP (College of American Pathologists) accreditation and launched a powerful online platform that allows 76 | APAC Outlook issue 58

company services to be delivered in a much more seamless and efficient way. Innoquest’s immediate plans are to have new features on this platform that will continue to improve the way that doctors can deliver lab test services to patients.

“Today we are operating through 75 sites across East and West Malaysia, offering employment to 1,100 staff in Malaysia,” Dr. Nheu says. “We have a very strong team of experts serving millions of patients each year, from couriers on their motorbikes who service thousands of clinics each day, rain or shine, to the dedicated scientists who provide potentially lifesaving test results around the clock.

“Our multidisciplinary services are the most comprehensive in Malaysia, covering the most special tests in genomics, anatomical pathology and adjuvant oncology molecular testing, down to the high volume and fully automated Biochemistry, Haematology, Immunology and Toxicology departments. If there is

Neoscience has established ourselves as one of the industry leaders through multiple national government awards and national collaboration projects.

We are blessed with the continuous support from our clients and partners.

Growing together with them and creating a self duplicating business model will always remain as our key drivers, with the aim to be the best of both worlds.

www.neoscience.com.my

Your Life Partner in Science “Neo” akin to New, Advance, and State-of-the-art, Innovative “Science” akin to competency in a particular branch of knowledge

Neoscience was established in 2012 with the vision of empowering medical diagnostics and life science research in Malaysia through the application of advanced technologies.

We are partnering with world-class, reputable suppliers who are reliable and provide innovative solutions to meet our clients’ needs in our current fast moving, ever-changing Medical and Life Science field.

We are confident and proud of every products and services that we provide; and our number one priority had always been to achieve a world-class customer experience and satisfaction.

Partnership with:

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INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

any clinical lab service that we don’t provide in-house, we are able to refer these special testing services to the best international labs such as Mayo Clinic Laboratories, for which we are an exclusive distributor.”

With its regional strength, PAH is also able to acquire best-in-class laboratories with niche competencies, such as toxicology testing - until now, all confirmatory toxicology tests in Malaysia were serviced by the overwhelmed public sector.

DIAGNOSING THE INDUSTRY The recent COVID-19 pandemic has changed perceptions on the importance of healthcare and diagnostics in general, which echoes throughout Innoquest.

“For the first time in my lifetime, we have experienced how healthcare dictates our economy,” Dr. Nheu elaborates. “We saw how significantly the results of PCR testing determine

when and how the workforce can function, borders can be reopened for travel, or when we can board a train or even grab a taxi. All these basic things that we take for granted, have been limited to one single swab test result.”

The pandemic also accelerated the digitisation of the healthcare industry. With Innoquest and PAH’s vision of being innovative, and with recent investments and acquisitions to move the company ahead in this trend, there remains a lot of potential moving forward.

“I am very excited about the future of our company and that of the industry. I always believe that disruptive technology to our industry should be coming from within, allowing the experts to determine and shape the future of diagnostics and patient data management,” Dr. Nheu explains.

“Three years ago today, I would have not imagined that the diagnostics

APAC OUTLOOK: WHY DID YOU ENTER THE MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS SPACE? DR. NELSON NHEU, CEO: “My six years of medical residency in Australia were spent evenly between the public and private hospital system. No matter where my training was, or under which clinical speciality, one thing became clear to me: the importance of diagnostic tools in patient management. And unlike medical practice, IVD has the ability to scale massively.

“Today, more than 70 percent of medical decisions are based on laboratory test results. While in Malaysia the barrier to entry in this industry is relatively low,

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BD has 75,000 employees and a presence in virtually every country around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues.

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you need to be of significant scale in order to offer high-quality service at an affordable cost to the patient. Being the laboratory with the highest volume in this region and in Malaysia, it allows us to offer special tests that others aren’t able to, it allows us to be the referral lab for most hospitals and clinics, and it allows us to set up new tests with novel platforms that come at high initial cost.

“These are the main reasons I became interested in healthcare, diagnostics in particular, and in working with PAH in Malaysia under the Innoquest brand.”

78 | APAC Outlook issue 58

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INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

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APAC Outlook issue 58 | 79

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

industry would be what it is now. In my recent visit to the AACC Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo Conference held in Chicago (US), the largest of its kind, it was clear to me how much emphasis is given to COVID-19-related testing, resulting in non-COVID-related tests taking a backseat.

“I am certain that this will quickly fall into balance again, but it was pleasing to see the willingness to invest in and rapidly adopt new technologies in IVD service delivery. This trend will only continue - and it is exciting to just imagine what this industry will look like in another three years.”

While Innoquest operates in a very traditional industry with a heavy focus on ‘standards of procedures’ and quality of care, emphasis is also being placed on innovating the ways it delivers its services. Nowadays, most things are at people’s fingertips and the traditional way of operating is not able to keep up with this trend. Thus, it is important for Innoquest, as the largest diagnostic healthcare provider

Hematology Laboratory: “Our staff go through stringent training in multiple disciplines… and our work culture focuses on teamwork and empathy towards patients and staff alike.”

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“ H E A LT H C A R E I S A P A S S I O N , B O R N F R O M T H E J OY O F H E L P I N G OT H E R P E O P L E ” – D R . N E L S O N N H E U , C E O , I N N O Q U E S T P AT H O L O G Y S D N B H D

in Malaysia, to continuously innovate the way it delivers its services.

“Innoquest is in the best position to drive the future of the healthcare industry in Malaysia,” Dr. Nheu says.

“I firmly believe that “disruption” should be fostered from within. Much of our effort and passion is towards new methods of delivering our services, to ensure that the future of diagnostics never compromises on the fundamental ethics of healthcare.”

GROWTH SECTORS As the economy returns to normalcy, it is expected that there will be a rise in some areas of medicine which were put off during the pandemic period. Cancer diagnosis, elective procedures, non-communicable disease management, and flu outbreaks among others will see a

marked increase in hospital and clinic presentations.

The Innoquest team, already with the largest capacity, will continue to build-up to meet industry needs and to ensure that service levels are maintained, along with the company’s quest for continuous improvement.

According to Dr. Nheu, healthcare is not spared from the critical labour shortages seen in other industries. As hospitals and other health services experience the flood of increased workload, labour supply is a key constraint.

“We will continue to emphasise our human policies that have worked well for us, with extremely low staff turnover in our supervisors, management and above,” he elaborates further. “We also foresee that other areas of growth will

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

DEVELOPING MALAYSIAN HEALTHCARE Innoquest’s client base varies from primary care family doctors to medical specialists in tertiary hospitals across Malaysia. The company is also the one-stop referral centre for community laboratories, hospital laboratories, and even the public sector.

Company services are utilised by more than 4,000 doctors daily and around the clock, giving results to

Biochemistry Department: “The Roche total laboratory automation system has the capability to perform tests for over 10,000 patient episodes a day.”

over five million patient episodes each year.

Some of Innoquest’s achievements to date include being the first private laboratory in Malaysia to attain NATA and ISO 15189 accreditation. It is also the only multidisciplinary laboratory to achieve CAP accreditation in Malaysia, further enhancing the country’s reputation in quality service across the region. Innoquest directly manages over 65 private hospital labs, and a referral centre for an additional 200.

gap-up in the near future, including our foreign worker screening where Malaysia is still short of around one million foreign workers for our plantation, manufacturing, service and other key industries.

“We expect our borders to open soon for foreign workers to flood back. I am glad to see that our ministries are increasing the approvals of foreign workers; this will help our labour crunch tremendously. Health tourism will also experience higher traffic.

Innoquest continues to ensure all stakeholders mentioned receive

Pathology Department: “The recent pandemic has changed our perception on the importance of healthcare and diagnostics in general, and accelerated digitisation of the healthcare industry.”

the best diagnostic services, as our economy finds normalcy in the next few quarters.”

A FULL-SERVICE LAB PROVIDER PAH has recently set up a genomics lab under LifeStrands Genomics to complement existing competencies in Malaysia and the region. Within a short period, they have increased their NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) profiles and capacity, and have built a growing list of offerings including somatic oncology testing (with a highly competitive menu of comprehensive offerings),

pharmacogenomics testing, and have invested in liquid-based biopsy competency to be launched soon in Malaysia. Innoquest is proud to include LifeStrands services and products to its existing range of service offerings nationwide.

NIPT assesses a foetus’ risk of having certain chromosomal abnormalities including Down’s syndrome. A simple maternal blood test allows the laboratory to examine the foetal DNA - reducing the risk of complications such as miscarriage associated with more traditional methods of sampling and testing.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 81

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD HEALTHCARE

“In Malaysia, the adoption of this test is still at a lower rate due to the prohibitive cost. However, PAH through our genomics lab and Innoquest Pathology offers a highquality NIPT service that is fully CAP accredited (the first of its kind in Malaysia),” Dr. Nheu continues. “Our task is to continue reducing the cost to make it affordable for pregnant women in Malaysia. I am proud to announce that our team is headed

by Dr. Vivek Rathi, one of the top molecular pathologists in Australia.

“We have also made strategic investments to launch various seamlessly interconnected platforms, allowing the doctor to order tests electronically, track the progress of all episodes, view lab results in real-time, have access to useful data such as their ordering pattern, their patient’s lab and other health records (for example, from their

wearables - smart watches, mobile phones and other devices).”

Innoquest continues to invest in other speciality testing competencies to complement its traditional lab services, such as animal pathology, and is the only private provider with a full menu for veterinarians, including microbiology and anatomical pathology lab services.

The company’s anatomical pathology services are complemented by a full range of immunohistochemistry testing and molecular testing for targeted therapy. Innoquest offers a comprehensive menu of toxicology testing backed by expertise based out of its sister laboratory in Australia called Safeworks Laboratories.

“I am also very excited about our plans in chemical and environmental testing, which will be revealed soon,” Dr. Nheu alludes.

Microbiology Department: “Innoquest Pathology is the first and only multidisciplinary laboratory to achieve CAP accreditation in Malaysia.”

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AT THE CORE OF THE QUEST These plans and developments would falter without Innoquest’s hard-working staff, who remain the company’s heart and soul.

From the dedicated scientists working around the clock to the motorbike couriers who battle city traffic and all kinds of weather, Innoquest’s employees are working towards the goal of improving patient care. Innoquest emphasises standard operating procedures (SOPs) and strictly follows internal and external quality governance.

“From our recruitment policy towards fully qualified staff, followed by stringent training before they can operate independently, we foster professional and personal development to find the most adequate career path for each individual,” Dr. Nheu tells us.

Dr. Nelson Nheu and members of the Innoquest Pathology team, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the new brand name on 8th June 2022

“Having multiple labs with a range of specialties across the region gives our staff the opportunity for further development across functions, within and outside Malaysia (in our sister companies in Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Australia).”

Frequent assessments and appraisals are carried out at Innoquest to encourage regular feedback amongst staff and management, and to identify areas for improvement and growth. Company work culture focuses on teamwork and empathy, and on teaching and learning. Staff are rewarded for their excellence in performance, and we strongly encourage positive behaviour: great customer service to doctors and their patients is our central focus.

“In response to the growing awareness of mental wellbeing, especially during stressful times of the recent pandemic, we also engaged the services of an Employee Wellbeing consultant to ensure our employees’ concerns are seen to,” Dr. Nheu adds.

THE PATH AHEAD For Innoquest, a large part of the past three years revolved around managing the pandemic; the company was the first private laboratory in Malaysia to provide COVID-19 screening to the public and its efforts were mostly channelled to helping the public healthcare system conduct mass screening, as it was having difficulty coping with the large numbers at that time.

During these three years, Innoquest also expanded and built new labs to run COVID-19 tests across the country as well, and at the same time managed the pandemic within its own workforce.

“Today, as we ease into endemicity, we return our attention to our core laboratory testing, focusing on expanding our services to reach more people in the country, providing new test offerings to the community, selling tests from the personalised medicine field, histopathology, occupational health and safety,

and improving service delivery as a whole,” Dr. Nheu concludes. “In the coming years, we aim to provide a seamless patient journey through IT, from the ordering of tests by our doctors, to providing e-reports safely and efficiently through our IT platforms to improve patient care management and doctors’ experience.

“We continue to build our strong reputation in the medical and research field; growing and expanding partnerships with medical centres, other private and government institutions; we continue to drive improvements in patient care; staff competency, training and development.”

INNOQUEST PATHOLOGY SDN BHD Tel: +603 7841 7752 enquiries@innoquest.com.my www.innoquest.com.my APAC Outlook issue 58 | 83

TOWA R D S A WO R L D

WITHOUT WA S T E

ALBA Singapore performs a critical role in the country’s waste management space. We speak to CEO Jakob Lambsdorff about combatting the mounting E-Waste problem and the exciting green developments for the company Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Jordan Levey

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

W

ith just over seven years left until the end of the decade, climate target deadlines are at the forefront of people’s minds as needing improvement and imminent action.

Carbon, pollution and waste reduction are key to reaching these goals for the betterment of the planet, and within this trinity of environmental aims, ALBA is a key player in the AsiaPacific (APAC) region.

From its roots as a waste collector in 1968 with only two trucks and six employees in Germany, ALBA developed into one of the leading recycling and environmental services companies as well as raw material providers worldwide. With over 50 years of experience in the waste management and recycling industry in Europe and more than 20 years in Asia, ALBA combines the best of both worlds by localising its solutions

to Asia while integrating the best practices from Europe.

“Singapore had long been of interest to ALBA, not only due to local opportunities but also as a gateway to Southeast Asia (SEA),” begins Jakob Lambsdorff, CEO of ALBA Singapore.

“We successfully secured the contract and commenced operations in Singapore in 2020 together with local waste management company Wah & Hua Pte Ltd, becoming

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

the public waste collector for the Jurong sector from April 2020, until March 2027. Since January 2022, we expanded to include the WoodlandsYishun sector, thus servicing two out of the six sectors currently in Singapore.”

Subsequently, ALBA was awarded by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to become the sole Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) operator for E-Waste for the entirety of Singapore, from July 2021 to June 2026.

As part of its role, ALBA spearheads the implementation of a nationwide collection system for E-Waste. As the scheme operator, ALBA is responsible for working with all stakeholders, such as electronics producers, retailers, collectors, E-Waste recyclers, government representatives and residents to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly electronic waste recycling system in Singapore.

“With our innovative suite of services, we have introduced a wide

Inauguration of the Reverse Vending Machine with Minister of Sustainability & Environment - Minister Grace Fu

86 | APAC Outlook issue 58

range of sustainability, digitalisation, and productivity initiatives for all our projects in Singapore,” Lambsdorff tells us. “We are very excited for our future development in Singapore and SEA, given the demand for large scale, modern and sustainable waste management and recycling solutions.”

MANAGING E-WASTE A key part of ALBA’s role includes coordinating with relevant stakeholders to set up an islandwide recycling network, making it convenient for the public to dispose of their E-Waste. To date, the company has deployed over 600 e-bins, which can be found in community centres, shopping malls, retail shops and government buildings. ALBA also brings E-Waste recycling to neighbourhoods through quarterly collection drives, which are conducted at void decks of public housing estates in all 17 town councils.

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

Founded in 2011, as an engineering solutions provider in Singapore, we aspire to establish, improvise and at the same time offer a range of engineering solutions which includes metal fabrication, research and development, service and maintenance work in accordance with our clients’ requirements, and of course, whilst simultaneously offering our clients exceptional customisation based on personalised needs. This is done whilst also ensuring that each product is tailored for different conditions. The clients we have provided our services to come from a wide range of companies in construction, waste management, and marine industries in Singapore.

As we progressively started moving forward, our ideas and innovation started to build INVENT. Gathering ideas and researching innovation allowed us to provide a better experience of the products to the younger generation as well as the pioneers of the industry.

Implementing and working on this research then allowed for better growth and productivity for our customers. By seeing the smile on the customers’ faces INVENT engineers were happy and proud to know that the clients were satisfied at the end of the day. For the past few years, INVENT had provided engineering solutions to more than 400 customers, through rear-end loaders, stationary equipment, heavy machinery and vehicles.

We were humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with ALBA W & H Smart City Pte Ltd as one of our major clients. We started our collaboration in the year 2020 and have had an exceptionally wonderful year until now.

Our service to ALBA involves comprehensive maintenance including the provision of engineering solutions to all waste collection equipment, in order to maintain the refuse collection

vehicle at optimal operating conditions. We are proud to mention that the INVENT team is delighted to work with ALBA Singapore’s CEO Mr Jakob Lambsdorff, who is a young and thriving individual that has also inspired many others.

In Singapore, there are many customers that have approached us to request customisation based on their own personalisation.

Establishing this recognition has pushed us to thrive even further as a young company. In recent months INVENT and H & G has started a collaboration to form a smart engineering solution in terms of large-scale cardboard, woods, residual waste, foils, polystyrene, PET and composite material.

We ast INVENT would have to say that it has been a great year having to work with clients who believed in us and would like to thank each one of them who has collaborated with us too.

As a young company, we are always on the lookout for ideas and innovations to bring forward to our partners and we are certain that INVENT is working towards its vision and mission.

Our vision is to be the trendsetter that designs innovative and practical solid waste handling systems to improve efficiency in the waste handling process. We stand to maximise the tonnage of Refuse Handling and reduce carbon footprint in the ecosystem. And as for our mission, as a young company, with our unlimited imagination and passion, we are committed to achieving a higher tonnage of refuse handling with advanced technology machinery and lastly to reducing the carbon emissions of the world.

Invent Engineering +65 9186 5654 sales@inventgroup.sg Muthukumar Director

The road to net-zero emissions in 2050 Alba and Hyva have joined forces to meet Singapore’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, as part of its Sustainability Roadmap. The waste collection activities outlined in the Public Waste Collection WoodlandYishun tender will achieve this goal in small, incremental steps.

The first targets have already been met.

These are: • Production of 96 units of Waste Equipment by September 2021 • Another 96 units of Waste Equipment ready onshore for deployment on 1st January 2022

hyva.com

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 87

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

Within a year, ALBA has collected around 5,745 tonnes of consumer E-Waste, which is close to five times the amount collected under the Singapore Government’s previous National Voluntary Partnership programme from 2016 to 2020. This accounts for about 10.4 percent of the

APAC OUTLOOK: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTRODUCTION TO ALBA’S OPERATIONS IN SINGAPORE? JAKOB LAMBSDORFF, CEO: “I joined ALBA in 2014 when the company was developing the now operational electrical and electronic waste recycling plant in Hong Kong, where we collect and process over 25,000 tonnes of WEEE annually.

“Afterwards, I was stationed back at ALBA in Berlin, Germany, where I spent several years leading our internal consulting team. However, my interest in Asia remained and in 2017 I was presented with an opportunity to relocate to Singapore to lead business development such as tendering for public waste collection.”

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consumer electronic and electrical equipment supplied in Singapore in 2021.

“The E-Waste collected is transported to ALBA’s logistics and sorting hub, where data such as type and tonnage will be recorded before they are sorted and taken to the recyclers for material recovery,” Lambsdorff continues. “To monitor and analyse the E-Waste flow, ALBA utilises an intelligent data system, tracking the various stages of the process. Data collected is used to improve operational efficiency and productivity. In the meantime, at the recyclers, the recovered materials are funnelled back to the producers to manufacture new items, thereby minimising waste generation and creating a circular economy.”

ALBA’s new waste management system is a great milestone in the company’s – and Singapore’s – environmental roadmap. It is the first Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme to be established in Singapore and ALBA was appointed

by NEA as the PRS operator for the programme.

“ W I T H T H E S E T- U P O F T H E E - WA S T E COLLECTION SYSTEM AND THE C O L L A B O R AT I O N WITH LOCAL R E C YC L E R S , A L B A I S W O R K I N G T O WA R D S R E D U C I N G WA S T E G E N E R AT I O N ” – J A K O B L A M B S D O R F F, C E O , ALBA SINGAPORE

CREATING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY According to Lambsdorff, the success of the programme comes down to cooperation between the different stakeholders in the waste management supply chain – such as the government, public, and waste management industry. Producers and retailers play a major role in Singapore as the scheme is financed by producers whose product volume crosses a specific supply threshold set

by NEA. “With the set-up of the E-Waste collection system and the collaboration with local recyclers, ALBA is working towards reducing waste generation and boosting domestic recycling rates,” Lambsdorff says. “In our role, we ensure that the regulated E-Waste is being

Overview of Producer Responsibility Scheme in Singapore

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

JAPAN CLEAN SYSTEM (JCS) The leader in rotating drum storage system in Japan and overseas markets of Hong Kong, Singapore and China. It’s is market as “GOMIC” in Japan and “JDRUM” overseas.

WHY use the rotating drum system • • • • • •

Smaller bin centre GFA Weather proof for external installation Highest hygiene standard Very high reliability Long equipment life of over 15 year Online real-time monitoring of performance

• Less operational manpower required • Able to handle many sizes of bins • Cloud storage of refuse data for efficient waste management • Key system to prevent unauthorised use

In Japan, more than 1,500 units have been installed at hotels, shopping centres, hospitals, commercial buildings and residential premises. Capacities varies from 4m³ to 40m³.

This include an online recording system which captures the weight of refuse disposed into the refuse storage system by individual tenant within the premises.

More than 150 units have been installed in similar premises in Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

The storage system can be designed to receive refuse directly thrown down the refuse chute of the building.

Our strength also lies in our ability to DESIGN and CUSTOMISE the rotating drum system to meet the specific requirements of individual building owner.

Developers, Consultants and Building Owners may contact any one of our offices to discuss the optimum waste storage solution for your premises.

JAPAN 13-18 I-chrome Kamishogakuji, Hirano-ku Osaka 547-006, Japan s-yamano@jcs-co.com

SINGAPORE 33 Ubi Avenue 3 #05-49 Singapore 408868 richard@jcs-international.com

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APAC Outlook issue 58 | 89

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

collected, sorted and sent to licensed recyclers. We have a full overview of the E-Waste flow in Singapore, regularly monitoring and tracking the progress together with NEA for full transparency.”

Given this system, the local recycling industry is strengthened via its safety, environmental impacts and capabilities. Subsequently, this encourages a stable flow of secondary raw materials into the market from the recyclers, creating a circular economy and paving the road ahead for a Zero Waste Nation.

Recently, the Singapore government set commendable goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase recycling rates. In the coming years, the government will introduce new legislation to achieve the announced targets, such as take-back systems for beverage containers and other packaging materials. Once these are fully established, more of the positive value recyclables will be taken care of.

“With the push from the Singapore government to reduce the waste sent to the Semakau landfill, the nation is beginning to invest resources on enhancing material recovery, which will give rise to more opportunities for local recycling industries to flourish,” Lambsdorff adds.

STEP UP RECYCLING A key aspect of ALBA is the company’s ability to keep up with the times and incorporate technology into its offerings. An example of this is the ALBA STEP UP app, developed to promote recycling by helping the public associate trash with value and instil a zero-waste mindset.

“Every time someone uses our app to recycle their items (for example general recyclables, used shoes, E-Waste), they are rewarded with bonus points called “CO2 points”,” Lambsdorff explains. “The name of the points is designed to encourage the public to associate recycling with reducing their carbon footprint.

Beyond scanning and redeeming for rewards, the ALBA STEP UP app lets

users keep track of their recycling habits, CO2 savings, locate their nearest recycling points which are under ALBA’s programmes, and learn educational titbits.”

ALBA sees innovation and digitalisation as a bridge to transform the traditional waste management industry into a more productive and efficient system that is adept and resilient in the present world.

For example, all of ALBA’s rear-end loaders are equipped with solar mats to reduce diesel consumption, and the majority of the company’s vehicles are equipped with particulate filters to filter fine dust (PM 2.5 and PM 10) from the air.

To increase manpower efficiency, ALBA has also deployed more

APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT IS ALBA’S VISION? JAKOB LAMBSDORFF, CEO: “Our vision is to move towards “A World Without Waste” and we make this vision a reality through our day-to-day activities.

“In Asia we are a fast-growing family of more than 750 employees, and more than 1,000 customers, starting from Hong Kong since the mid-1990s. We have already established lighthouse projects in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore. Now, we are expanding our operations in SEA, especially in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

“We aim to support Asian countries in following our vision of a world without waste by combining our leading recycling and digitalisation skills and experiences. In Singapore, we bring this vision to reality by aligning it to Singapore’s Green Plan – a nationwide movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development.”

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side-loader and dual-compartment trucks, which are respectively designed to automate the waste collection process in the field and simultaneously collect both recycling and general waste. Additionally, all of the company’s vehicles are equipped with onboard weighing solutions, allowing ALBA to track and trace the volumes collected, identify hot spots, analyse problem areas, and work with the local town council to resolve them.

“We are also in the process of piloting fill-level sensors on some of our waste-handling and storage equipment which would help in dynamic route planning,” Lambsdorff says. “Lastly, we aim to build a fully digital operation system for our day-to-day operations; this includes asset tracking, routing, manpower allocation, maintenance routines, tonnage reporting, and a customer portal, thus essentially building a digital operations system.”

ELECTRIFYING THE URBAN SPACE Technology and associated support

“ W E A R E V E RY E XC I T E D FO R O U R F U T U R E DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE AND SEA, GIVEN THE DEMAND FOR LARGE SCALE, M O D E R N A N D S U S TA I N A B L E WA S T E M A N AG E M E N T A N D R E C YC L I N G S O L U T I O N S ” – J A K O B L A M B S D O R F F, C E O , A L B A S I N G A P O R E

infrastructure are the key to a greener future for cities and countries.

Singapore is known to be one of the most densely populated cities in the world. As the population increases, so will the dependency on a transport industry powered by fossil fuels, which account for a large percentage of GHG emissions. Hence, it is important to keep the cities, especially the densely populated zones, emissions-free.

“Adding to GHG emissions are the fine dust emissions from the vehicles causing air pollution,” Lambsdorff explains. “This is one of the reasons why you will also see our existing diesel fleet fitted with the particulate matter filters.

“Taking these matters into

consideration, ALBA made a strategic decision to shift towards electrifying our fleet. We have recently invested in 15 new electric trucks which we hope to see on the roads in the coming months. These electric vehicles are 100 percent emission-free and also relatively quieter, which reduces noise pollution as noise levels are lowered during collection and transport.”

This step aligns with the Energy Reset pillar of the Singapore Green Plan, whereby the government aims to have all new car and taxi registrations be cleaner energy models by 2030.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION ALBA is active in all areas of solid waste treatment and classifies APAC Outlook issue 58 | 91

ALBA SINGAPORE SUSTAINABILITY

“ W E A I M TO S U P P O R T AS I A N CO U N T R I E S IN FOLLOWING OUR VISION OF A WORLD W I T H O U T WA S T E B Y C O M B I N I N G O U R L E A D I N G R E C Y C L I N G A N D D I G I TA L I S AT I O N SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES” – J A K O B L A M B S D O R F F, C E O , A L B A S I N G A P O R E

its operations into four verticals – Smart City Solutions, Plastics Recycling, Green Gas and Green Fuel Technology, and Hazardous Waste Recycling and Management. Under the Smart City Solutions vertical, ALBA combines new strategies and digital technologies to help cities manage increasing volumes of waste and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) while facilitating take-back systems and segregation processes, encouraging the creation of a circular economy.

As part of its Plastics Recycling vertical, ALBA seeks to close the

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loop by collecting plastic waste and treating it using the latest processing technology, thus manufacturing high-quality raw materials that can be channelled back into the economy.

“In our Green Gas and Green Fuel Technology vertical, we utilise advanced biological fermentation technologies, tapping into 20 years of experience in the operation of biogas plants for the recycling of biowaste as well as third-generation municipal household waste treatment technology,” Lambsdorff explains.

As for Hazardous Waste Recycling and Management, ALBA creates

customised waste management solutions, advising on the optimisation of waste management processes and providing waste prevention options, such as the classification, transport, storage, recycling and disposal of hazardous waste materials.

“We see exciting opportunities for further development in Singapore with the upcoming EPR schemes, and to a larger extent in SEA,” Lambsdorff continues. “We will continue to invest in Singapore to develop more lighthouse projects in SEA and build a strong base for our SEA operations. It is an exciting time ahead for ALBA, especially because waste management and sustainability needs are more crucial than ever before.

We are certainly keen to support countries in SEA to realise their visions using our worldwide leading recycling competencies.

“For example, in Indonesia, we recently acquired local PET plastics recycler Tridi Oasis, and are excited

to jointly further the cause of plastics recycling locally.”

A GREEN PATH AHEAD The demand for electronics is forecasted to grow exponentially in the next few years, and E-Waste is already the fastest growing waste fraction in developed countries. This forms a corresponding pressure for mined materials which are limited in the natural environment.

With the implementation of a robust E-Waste management system, ALBA, together with the local recycling industry has created an alternative supply of raw materials that can ease this demand, thus lowering the company’s carbon footprint while achieving sustainable development for the economy.

“We recognise that there is potential to grow collection and recycling volumes through more

outreach and education programmes, and by strengthening our relationship with the different stakeholders involved,” Lambsdorff tells us.

“In Singapore, we are still at the infancy stage, given that our first project started only recently in 2020.

We see a lot of growth opportunities and intend to forge new relationships and grow our local partnerships.

In parallel, we are looking to grow our footprint in SEA. As stated, we recently set foot in Indonesia, by partnering with Tridi Oasis to recycle PET. We aim to boost the operations and sales of products from the current business, and use this as a launch pad for the development of new projects in Indonesia.”

Similarly, ALBA has started operations in Vietnam, where the company works with partners to establish a proper collection channel for plastics. Here, ALBA’s target is

to stop plastics from entering the oceans, whilst improving the safety and social conditions of the informal sector as the backbone of the local recycling value chain.

“In Singapore, the waste management space is critical and ever-evolving,” Lambsdorff concludes. “I find the atmosphere here to be very exciting both from a personal and business perspective.

The pace of change and development is rapid across Asia which creates a dynamic environment full of new opportunities.”

Phone: 6450 8160 contact@alba-wh.sg https://www.alba-wh.sg/ APAC Outlook issue 58 | 93

ALBA SINGAPORE | GEKKO SYSTEMS

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sustainability in aesthetics and Setting new standards

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Zambia mining projects across The vast expansion of

zero-carbon future Fuelling the nation’s

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Western US services in the healthcare textiles State-of-the-art

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STATICUS

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ALBA SINGAPORE | GEKKO SYSTEMS

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Fuelling the nation’s zero-carbon future

Sustainable urban development goes underground

Developing desirable new homes across Sydney

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The vast expansion of mining projects across Zambia

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TAIYO KOGYO CORPORATION | VALMET AUTOMOTIVE

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Your company can join the leading industry heavyweights enjoying the free exposure we provide across our platforms with a free marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to help you grow your business.

Visit www.outlookpublishing.com/get-involved for details on how your company can feature for free in one of our upcoming editions.

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NEW OCT’22

LAUNCHING OCTOBER 2022 Building on the global success of our regional titles – APAC Outlook, Africa Outlook, EME Outlook, and North America Outlook – Outlook Publishing is proud to be launching a dedicated platform for the Mining & Resources sector.

As mining organisations worldwide confront unprecedented change, embracing technological innovations and incorporating critical environmental sustainability agendas, now more than ever is the time to showcase the strides being taken in this dynamic sector.

A multi-channel brand, Mining Outlook will bring you the positive developments driven by organisations across the global mining industry through our various platforms. Discover exclusive content distributed through our website, online magazine, social media channels, and dispatches delivered straight to your inbox with a bi-weekly newsletter.

Through this compelling new venture, we intend to foreground the movers and shakers of the industry. To participate as a featured company and join us in this exciting endeavour, contact one of our Project Managers today.

www.mining-outlook.com

AJ LUCAS GROUP MINING

E X P LO R I N G THE EARTH D OW N U N D E R AJ Lucas Group is a leading player in drilling services for energy, mining and infrastructure. We take a look at the company and speak to CEO Brett Tredinnick about its services, technology integration and expansion in the mining space Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

H

istorically speaking, Australia has been built around heavy industries.

Mining in particular was an important part of trade, helping to grow early colonial communities across the country, and with abundant mineral resources it has remained a core industry unto the present day.

Yet, it is not just precious metals such as iron and gold that are mined from the Australian earth but also resources that feed into the energy industry. Access to coal and natural gas reserves, two staples of the industry, relies on drilling companies.

“The Australian drilling space is active and exciting, but it still comes with its challenges,” begins Brett Tredinnick, CEO of AJ Lucas Group

(AJ Lucas). “Our coal and gas sector is buoyant, particularly metallurgical coal and coal seam gas (CSG), hence we are seeing strong demand for all types of drilling services.

“However, the period between cycles is unpredictable and the global economic drivers are changing rapidly. Who would have predicted COVID-19, the impact it had during the height of the pandemic, and the hangover it is continuing to have on areas such as government policy, trading relationships, supply and skill shortages? Our government climate policies, planning and approval processes and mineral royalty taxes are needed to safeguard certainty for investors and companies alike.”

AJ Lucas is a specialist service provider to the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, driven by the drilling business and significant investment in multiple shale gas licences in the UK, and is a publicly listed company on the ASX. The business provides drilling services to the coal and CSG industries for the degasification of coal mines and the recovery and commercialisation of CSG. AJ Lucas offers exploration, production and directional drilling, drilling engineering and steering services, and well servicing.

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AJ LUCAS GROUP MINING

Headquartered in Brisbane and serviced by a main workshop in Moranbah with support from a satellite facility in the Illawarra, the drilling business is strategically located within the major coal and CSG basins of Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) respectively.

“We currently have a team of around 400 people deployed across our operations, all working towards the mission of being the driller of choice for our customers,” Tredinnick tells us. “Underpinning our technical expertise and experience is the practical knowledge, application and attitude of our people. We have a passion for building relationships and providing solutions; this is the AJ Lucas difference.

“We are committed to becoming the first choice for our customers and our people. We do this by providing a safe and productive workplace where our people feel valued and can achieve their full potential. For our

customers, we develop and deliver solutions to exceed their expectations.

Our values set the foundation for the way we work and the standards we expect of ourselves.”

MOVING WITH THE TIMES For Tredinnick, the drilling industry is a familiar one. Tredinnick was appointed as CEO of AJ Lucas in 2020 having previously been the CEO of the drilling division and COO of the group. He has presided over the significant growth, restructuring and strategic initiatives for the Australian operations part of the business in recent years.

Prior to joining AJ Lucas, Tredinnick held various operational and project management roles with Rio Tinto Coal and BHP. He also has qualifications in Metallurgy, an MBA from the University of Queensland, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“I grew up in Newcastle, NSW,

AJ LUCAS – AT THE CORE AJ Lucas operates in a highly regulated environment, requiring compliance with a broad set of standards and regulations that are driven by federal and state legislation, as well as specific standards set by industry and customers. AJ Lucas’ certified integrated Health Safety Environmental and Quality Management System provides an effective structure to achieve and maintain compliance in line with community expectations as well as providing a foundation for industry-leading performance in all aspects of its operations.

SAFETY AJ Lucas’ company-wide goal is an injury-free workplace. Properly engineered plant, processes and systems of work supported by good leadership and an engaged workforce has and will continue to deliver exceptional performance. AJ Lucas understands the impact poor safety performance can have on the attainment of not only its business objectives, but also clients and other stakeholders. As such, AJ Lucas invests heavily in its people and their safety and well-being.

ENVIRONMENT A responsible environmental policy supported by detailed planning applies to all of AJ Lucas’ projects, sites and related activities. The company acts in a manner that protects the environment and drives continual improvement, as well as working closely with clients to achieve the best possible environmental performance and outcomes.

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More Air Group The reliable performance of compressed air equipment is integral to drilling operations. More Air Group works with clients to set up an extensive preventative maintenance schedule, keeping their compressors running with minimal downtime.

Our regional locations in Mackay and Townsville allow us to respond effectively to any unforeseen breakdowns 24/7. We can provide a fast response with fully equipped service vehicles whilst our workshops house specialised tools and capabilities to perform compressor and airend overhauls and rebuilds to OEM standards.

moreair.com.au

AJ LUCAS GROUP MINING

Your Local Air Compressor Specialists We are a locally started and owned business, now servicing the compressed air and related products in our area of the Bowen Basin, as far as Cairns, down as far as Bundaberg and out as far as Birdsville.

More Air Group also services and supports the drilling sector in these same areas, having spare parts in our workshops and very efficient suppliers that can get parts as needed.

Having started the business nine years ago, we have gone from four staff to 19, which incorporates, preventative maintenance systems, eight technicians with fully stocked service vehicles. 24/7 phone service for breakdowns.

103 Archibald Street, Paget Qld 4740, 0749525251 Michael Steindl: 0488 029 272 • mick@moreair.com.au | Karyn Shepherd: 0438 525 251 • karyn@moreair.com.au 2A-24 Madden Street, Aitkenvale 4814, 0744263627 Natalie Brennan: 0457 661 251 Brisbane | 0456 263 253 | Jason Warringtom: 0456 263 253 • jason@moreair.com.au

www.hofco.com.au

Leading providers of down-hole tools and oilfield equipment hire With more than 35 years of Australian and international industry experience, we have built our business on a reputation for superior quality tools and exceptional service.

• Asset Management & Procurement Services • Oilfield Equipment Rental • Oilfield Equipment Servicing • Oilfield Equipment Inspections • Fishing and Well Intervention Services

AUSTRALIAN OWNED AND OPERATED

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 99

“ W E H AV E A P A S S I O N FOR BUILDING R E L AT I O N S H I P S A N D P R OV I D I N G SOLUTIONS; THIS IS THE AJ LUCAS DIFFERENCE” – BRETT TREDINNICK, CEO, AJ LUCAS GROUP

and was surrounded by the coal and steelmaking industries. This provided a backdrop for a seamless transition into these industries following the completion of my education in Metallurgy gained through the BHP graduate programme,” he informs us.

“I was introduced into the mining and drilling industry through a friend, and over the following two decades I have spent my time in a variety of roles within AJ Lucas, leading initiatives that have kept the company’s Australian business safe, profitable, innovative and a leader in its field. The industry has changed a lot over the years, and it continues to do so! There is a lot of technology integration happening at the moment, and we are making use of this to increase efficiency across the business.

“Rotary steerable system (RSS) and bed mapping resistivity (BMR) technology are really exciting areas for us, and the additional data collected is an important value add for our customers so they can increase their understanding of geology in and around the mining horizon. The ability to use our specialist rigs to drill further from one location whilst collecting high-resolution, deep investigation data is a compelling case for us and our customers.

“The challenge has been in communicating the large increase in possible downhole lost in hole cost.

These are tools derived from oilfield

AJ LUCAS GROUP MINING

drilling, but they are expensive, complicated and require a significant investment to operate correctly. I expect that the discussion with our current customers will be an ongoing one as both parties gain experience in using the RSS and BMR tools.”

DRILLING FORWARD Technology integration is not the only area of improvement for AJ Lucas. The company has a significant number of ongoing, long-term contracts with the majority of Tier 1 mining companies, and these are a direct result of the consistently strong performance that AJ Lucas delivers.

“These will continue for the foreseeable future and deliver gas drainage, large diameter and exploration drilling,” Tredinnick explains. “Upcoming drilling projects will mostly be similar in nature, with many returning to previous customers who are ready for their next drilling programme, and we will be returning to perform CSG exploration for select customers.”

This kind of expansion directly links to AJ Lucas’ core aims and goals for the coming years. According to Tredinnick, the company is hoping to start and play a key role in underpinning the supply of the UK’s natural gas demand. Natural gas accounts for around 80 percent of the energy source used to heat homes in the UK, and according to the British Geographical Society, AJ Lucas could have approximately 33 Tcf (trillioncubic-feet) of gas, or 13 years of supply, for all of the UK’s gas needs.

Alongside this, AJ Lucas’ key priorities will be to continue to execute all operations to a high standard of safety and quality, provide high levels of customer service and work with customers to deliver their drilling programmes within the timeframes and budgets they plan for.

For Tredinnick, this kind of expansion, success and growing company potential would not be

possible without hard-working and dedicated employees.

“I’m proud of the workforce that we have, many of them have been with us for over 10 years, which speaks volumes about the culture,” he tells us. “Our leaders, both in the field and head office, are enormously experienced and that really helps to deliver the right technical outcomes for our customers whilst maintaining a safe workplace culture.”

AJ LUCAS GROUP Tel: +61 7 3363 7333 info@lucas.com.au www.lucas.com.au APAC Outlook issue 58 | 101

GEKKO SYSTEMS MINING

102 | APAC Outlook issue 58

THE GOLDEN PROSPECT Gekko Systems is a global leader in mineral processing, providing fully integrated solutions to mining companies around the world. We discuss new investments and working ‘smarter together’ with General Manager of Global Sales and Solutions, Nigel Grigg Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 103

GEKKO SYSTEMS MINING

The Gekko Systems (Gekko) company manifesto reads, “only by embracing smart ideas together can we transform our world.”

Summarising this belief in the company tagline “smarter together”, it seems obvious that to achieve meaningful change, and to transform mining and the environment, the entire industry must collaborate.

Gekko endeavours to spearhead this evolution and to deliver step-change benefits, on a global scale, through innovative mining solutions.

Having studied metallurgy at the University of Ballarat, Gekko’s General Manager of Global Sales and Solutions, Nigel Grigg had always wanted to be involved in the mining industry, as it entailed lots of opportunities to travel, both domestically and internationally.

“Directly after graduating, I was fortunate enough to assist a Canadian company to develop a small mine in Ballarat,” he begins.

“The gold in Ballarat is very coarse, and so it was challenging with the basic Carbon In Leach circuit (CIL) we had to get good gold recoveries.

I introduced a gravity circuit into the circuit using an InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ) from Gekko and the recoveries dramatically improved.

“I was very impressed with the technology and the business, so when the Ballarat mine closed due to the low price of gold at the time, I asked the two founders Sandy Gray and Elizabeth Lewis-Gray if I could join them, and the rest is history.”

SOLUTIONS AND GROWTH Having opened offices in South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Australia and Russia over the past 26 years, Gekko has developed strong capabilities in the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of energy-efficient mineral processing equipment and completes plants for a wide range of minerals including gold,

silver and polymetallics.

One of Gekko’s main products is the InLine Leach Reactor (ILR).

Gekko’s user-friendly ILR offers superior recoveries in a proven, high-efficiency, safe and highly secure system. The ILR’s innovative design and unparalleled flexibility in gold and silver leaching chemistry provides cost and production benefits to operations across more than 40 countries around the globe.

The ILR is available as a completely automated batch model for processing high grade gravity gold concentrates. Uniquely, the unit can also be configured as a continuous model for treating high-throughput gold, silver and complex sulphide concentrates from IPJs and flotation circuits.

The IPJ is another one of Gekko’s signature products. The efficient circular IPJ design delivers 20 percent less power and consumes only 10 percent of the water required by

GEKKO’S VALUES: ‘PRIDE’ PASSION AND COURAGE To maintain the passion and courage to communicate, and to improve what Gekko does and how it does it.

RESPECT AND CARE To respect and care for staff, family, customers and other stakeholders.

INTEGRITY To behave with integrity at all times.

DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP To demonstrate leadership in key global segments and Gekko’s communities.

EXHIBIT OPENNESS Exhibit openness to new ideas, feedback, and personal learning.

Gaia EnviroTech Anaerobic digester

104 | APAC Outlook issue 58

GEKKO SYSTEMS MINING

Convair Engineering have been suppliers of premium products to the pneumatic bulk handling industry since 1993.

These include: • AKO pneumatic pinch valves made to your specifications • Premium Australian made steel tankers and FFB aluminium tankers from Germany • CVS Siloking compressors & Gardner Denver blowers • Diesel or electric driven powerpacks • BTI pressure relief valves, check valves and fittings Convair Engineering Pty Ltd 93 Miller Street, Epping, VIC 3076 (03) 9408-7255 | sales@convair.com.au OLGA with Gekko staff

traditional jigs. Furthermore, the low separating velocity within the unit maximises the recovery of fine mineral particles. Saving water and reducing energy helps mine operations lower their environmental impact and remain profitable.

The IPJ is being used in several pre-concentration applications recovering several different minerals.

Gekko also designs and builds modular plants for given mine operations with specific requirements. The innovative core technologies and in-house process design expertise continue to produce agile and effective modular plants.

Innovation and collaboration have been integral to Gekko’s growth, not only with the products that the company has developed but also with the internal process that is followed within the organisation. As a highly vertically integrated company, Gekko performs a number of tasks such as testing, engineering, designing,

manufacturing and installing, covering a wide range of disciplines within the company.

Gekko also offers on-site performance consulting services for customers looking to optimise established process plants and achieve the highest operational performance. Its range of solutions offers value for remote and environmentally sensitive operations with high energy costs.

“Gekko uses a flexible work model with 70 to 120 staff members depending on the projects that we might be working on at the time,” Grigg tells us.

Gekko differentiates itself within the mining sector by having a genuine interest in making a significant difference in the industry. The company prides itself on investing in the R&D side of the business and viewing problems from a different perspective.

The company also invests a

considerable amount of time and resources into its staff to become agents of change and has a very nimble approach to solving problems within the mineral processing field.

“As well as our investment in people, we have a very strong focus on modular solutions, and are always looking at how to remove energy from our flowsheets in order to optimise the operating costs and lower life-ofmine capital costs,” expands Grigg.

Focusing on removing energy from the company flowsheet not only reduces the obvious issue of operating costs, but also helps Gekko and its clients towards the aim of being carbon neutral by 2030.

Climate goals remain very topical at the moment, and Gekko is doing as much work as it can to remove the power required in its equipment and still achieve economic recoveries.

“We spend a lot of time looking at the liberation size of the minerals in order to determine the coarsest APAC Outlook issue 58 | 105

GEKKO SYSTEMS MINING

possible size that can achieve good recoveries, in turn helping reduce crushing and grinding costs from the flow sheets,” he says.

‘ O N LY B Y E M B R A C I N G S M A R T I D E A S TO G E T H E R C A N W E T R A N S FO R M O U R WO R L D ’ – G E K KO SYST E M S

INNOVATIVE NEW PRODUCTS The Carbon Scout is one of Gekko’s newer products that was developed in collaboration with the Curtin University in Western Australia (WA). The unit enables the plant operator to automatically get the carbon inventories, pH and density measurements from a single groundbased unit. This then automates the carbon transfers into each tank, ensuring that the gold solution losses are kept to a minimum. This can potentially result in thousands of dollars’ worth of extra gold being recovered by simply optimising the carbon concentrations in each of the CIL tanks.

“More recently, we have also installed an XRF sensor to determine the gold on carbon levels and as a

result, we can now automatically calculate gold in circuit measurements,” details Grigg.

These would normally be calculated manually using samples and assay data that could often take a few days to obtain. Instead, the Carbon Scout allows for these calculations to be taken every few hours. This is important for mine owners to know how much gold is in the circuit at any particular time, and can also assist the operators to determine when stripping and carbon movements are required.

“So far, we have over 10 units operating internationally, and they are providing great benefits to our clients,” he acclaims.

Located near the town of Grassy on the coast of King Island, Tasmania, Gekko has engaged with Group 6 Metals (G6M) to design, manufacture and construct the processing plant for the King Island Dolphin Project. Gekko has traditionally been very focused on the gravity gold market, and the processing flowsheet for Scheelite utilises several gravity recovery process steps; it was therefore the perfect fit for Gekko to utilise its previous experience and move into the critical mineral space.

“The flowsheet was developed by G6M in conjunction with ourselves to design a circuit that was able to recover the Scheelite at the optimum liberation size,” Grigg explains.

Carbon Scout OLGA at Gruyere

ILR

Carbon Scout Barry

Gekko has been able to supply key liberation equipment including bespoke milling and VSI modules to ensure that the brittle Scheelite mineral is not overground and is liberated for optimum gravity recovery. The company will now be involved in commissioning and ramping up the project for G6M, ensuring that it can start up as efficiently as possible.

Grigg tells us how Gekko believes that its “focus on liberation and gravity recovery at the coarsest possible size will be a key factor in reducing energy within the process flowsheet, and will be important as the critical mineral industry continues to be a key focus in the global market.”

PLANS FOR INVESTMENT As a result of the cyclical nature of the mining business, Gekko has made a large technological investment

Gravity Box, Agnew

Castlemaine ILR, Tim

in an alternative energy initiative called Gaia EnviroTech (Gaia). A sister company to Gekko, Gaia is all about using previously gained engineering know-how and modular systems experience in developing Anaerobic Digestion (AD) systems and composting technologies.

“The development of this wasteto-energy system is in line with our fundamental goal of reducing energy from our mineral processing systems,” Grigg explains.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important for Gekko to maintain its market presence within the gold industry and continue to ensure that its key capital equipment was being utilised in the new gold plants being built. Due to the high price of gold, the company has achieved this with multiple ILR sales made over the last 12 months. Gekko was able to supply over 15 units

worldwide in the past year, marking a fantastic effort from the company collectively.

Moving forward, Gekko is directing its focus towards increasing its service offerings, getting back to travelling, visiting its global partners and improving the overall customer service.

“We are extremely focused on getting our newer products like the Carbon Scout and the OnLine Gold Analyser (OLGA) fully developed and out into the market over the course of the next year,” finishes Grigg.

GEKKO SYSTEMS Tel: +61 (03) 5339 5859 gekkos@gekkos.com www.gekkos.com APAC Outlook issue 58 | 107

EXPERT ENGINEERS FOR FUTURE SOLUTIONS A highly successful, multidiscipline, industrial engineering solutions provider, EMtek’s goal is to change the economics of industry by implementing holistic, engineered solutions.

We explore more with General Manager, Morgan Stevens Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

Engineering and construction are truly exciting spaces to be working in at present, and we are constantly finding new opportunities across a range of commodities. We like to challenge our clients’ scopes to find better solutions for them and take advantage of the latest technologies wherever possible.”

General Manager of EMtek, Morgan Stevens, attributes the attractive nature of the variety of experience on offer, as well as the range of potential opportunities available 108 | APAC Outlook issue 58

within these industries, as the starting point of a career that led him directly to the company.

“After finishing my degree in mechanical engineering, I began working in the construction industry. This provided me with some great on-site experience building processing plants, new mines and mine expansions, refinery upgrades and power stations. Some of the projects I was involved in over this time were design and construction projects, and I always had an interest in

EMTEK MANUFACTURING

upfront concepting and engineering, which was one of the reasons I eventually joined EMtek,” opens Stevens.

EMtek’s core business is in the materials handling industry, alongside a range of other services.

“With EMtek, we have a great variety of projects, from small scale to large scale, in both the brownfield and greenfield environments, covering an extensive range of disciplines and project phases. Having a broad knowledge base helps to provide the best-fit solutions for a project, and we draw on the strengths of our team members as needed. The work is fast-paced and interesting, and we have a skilled, experienced team to execute our projects,” he adds.

With offices located in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, the 120 EMtek staff members spread between these hubs are equipped and strategically positioned around the country to best support the clients. EMtek also has staff currently on consignment with multiple clients located on sites across Australia.

“We have been operating for well over seven years now, and in that time, we have worked for over 100 different clients. We’ve garnered major projects in the iron ore industry, gold, as well as copper, nickel, lithium, and industrial clients,” details Stevens.

As a multidiscipline technology company, EMtek works in diverse industries including mining, software, and industrial IT. APAC Outlook issue 58 | 109

Stevens believes there are several key differentials, separating EMtek from the competition it faces within the sector.

“For me, the main differentiators are our capabilities across multiple disciplines, our ability to find smarter solutions which are beyond the capabilities of many of our competitors, and our collaboration both internally and with our clients,” he illustrates. “We also possess an ability to take projects through their complete lifecycle, whilst also responding to clients in short timeframes due to our streamlined design process.”

MAJOR PROJECTS EMtek was recently engaged by a Tier 1 miner to complete the detailed design, engineering and construction support for a new 10.3 kilometre (km) overland modularised conveyor system. This immensely fast-paced project was delivered on a tight schedule, and the design was optimised to provide a reliable, low-cost solution for the specific project needs.

Another addition to the growing EMtek portfolio of projects was the recent contract for a turnkey design and construction project for one of the biggest gold mining 110 | APAC Outlook issue 58

EMTEK MANUFACTURING

companies in the world. The scope for this included the design, supply, construction, and commissioning of a Sound Attenuation Building. EMtek was tasked with completing the EPC project to ensure noise emissions were kept within acceptable levels.

Elsewhere, EMtek partnered with Fenner Dunlop for the detailed design and engineering of the new conveyor system and stacker for a Tier 1 miner. In this case, EMtek’s assignment included the detailed design, engineering and detailing of the Drift Conveyor, Fixed Stacker, belt pulling, and pulley change-out facilities, loop take-up, construction, and commissioning support.

EXPANSION AND EXPERTISE The opening of the company’s new Brisbane office aims to provide EMtek with some great opportunities to expand its client base in Queensland and Northern Australia, with some very positive discussions already underway with many existing clients as well as new ones. The Brisbane office will also be used as a base for international work.

EMTEK SERVICES INCLUDE:

High quality fabrication solutions delivered safely, responsibly and professionally.

With diverse project capabilities, Rollwell Engineering provides fully customised rolling, pressing and heavy steel fabrication services to WA’s commercial and industrial sectors. Working with some of Perth’s highest profile organisations and with full, turnkey project capabilities, we strive to deliver outstanding levels of precision, efficiency and artistry whilst maintaining the utmost regard for safety and environmental responsibility.

ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES • Structural and civil engineering • Mechanical and piping engineering • Electrical and controls engineering • Design drafting • Shop detailing • Theoretical modelling • DEM and chute designs • FEA and advanced analysis • Smoothed particle hydrodynamics

PROJECT AND SITE SERVICES • Project delivery services • On-site services • EPC project delivery • Site structural and mechanical audits • 3D laser scanning

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES • Process control systems • Industrial network and communication systems • Development of software, tools and products

ADVISORY • Concept to feasibility studies • Rapid improvements • Project performance auditing and recovery • Innovation strategy and R&D

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 111

“In addition, the company has employed some great staff at our new Brisbane office and sees opportunities to have the Brisbane team support our strong pipeline of work across other areas of Australia and overseas,” says Stevens.

He is keen to express how the EMtek staff are the key to the entire business, bringing an unrivalled enthusiasm and passion for innovation and seeing designs come to fruition.

“The effort they put in, their knowledge, ability to problem solve, and being team players helps us to stand out above our competition, and to consistently perform. All our staff love to see our designs being implemented in the field and the positive feedback we receive is always rewarding and shared amongst the entire team,” he acclaims enthusiastically.

“The size of our team and our protracted expertise allows us to accomplish absolutely any type of engineering project, regardless of its complexity.”

The culture at EMtek is critical to how it does business, and the company continues to promote creative thinking and innovation in everything it does.

“Across all projects that we undertake, we propose to investigate and use the advantages and innovations of the latest technology, with the focus on delivering high value, low-cost solutions throughout the process,” he continues.

IMPLEMENTING NEW TECHNOLOGY EMtek has identified that many potential hurdles remain to be cleared when tasked with implementing new technology within the manufacturing industry.

“Client acceptance is often challenging, as people tend to stick with what they currently know over new products,” explains Stevens. “We understand the need for technology to be tried and proven to ensure it can meet EMtek and client expectations,

EMTEK MANUFACTURING

“ W E U N D E R S TA N D T H E N E E D F O R T H E N E W T E C H N O LO GY TO B E T R I E D A N D P R OV E N TO E N S U R E I T C A N M E E T E M T E K A N D C L I E N T E X P E C TAT I O N S ” – M O R G A N ST E V E N S , G E N E R A L M A N AG E R , E M T E K

however, even with the required evidence, it can still be challenging to gain client acceptance.”

Sometimes there remains a need for an R&D phase to be initiated before a new technology can be implemented, which can involve significant investment from EMtek prior to seeing any returns.

EMtek utilises the latest technology and highest levels of automation, control system and IT systems to optimise operational systems. Technologies EMtek implements include artificial intelligence (AI) and machine

learning (ML). This is alongside the continuous monitoring of mechanical and electrical assets, using visual recognition and AI technology to identify unusual events not sensed using conventional technology, and situational controls and actuation to allow for remote control of normally manual operations.

“We also work extremely closely with all our partners and clients

as we find this gives us the best project outcomes. In particular, with Tier 1 mining companies, we have developed strong relationships with not only their project leads but across their sites as well,” offers Stevens.

A benefit of this is clients can call EMtek to help out with anything, from site information and problem-solving to a project execution strategy, before they have put a scope out for tender.

“Our partners, suppliers and subcontractors help us to add value to our projects as it increases our offering from design and detailing to supply or full design and construction projects,” he informs us.

Across the next 12 months, a crucial target envisaged by EMtek is to further spread its client base into overseas locations and to maintain a vast level of diversity across multiple commodities.

“We intend to extend our offering further into the upfront process engineering space, as well as expand on our supply and construction offering. There are often situations where our clients are after a full turnkey solution, and we want to offer this more consistently.”

EMTEK Tel: 1300 435 466 info@emtek.com.au www.emtek.com.au APAC Outlook issue 58 | 113

KOALA RETAIL

FURNISHING H A B I TAT S FOR HOME AND PLANET Making a lifestyle out of sustainability, Koala is the eco-champion retailer shaking up the furniture industry. We find out more about a true tech disruptor of Australian e-commerce with Chief Technology Officer, Emma Pudney Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Ben Weaver

114 | APAC Outlook issue 58

H

appier, healthier habitats.

That is the maxim that lies at the heart of Australian furniture brand, Koala.

Offering bespoke furniture designs and products, Koala’s homeware strikes the fine balance between person and planet, offering a level of comfort that caters to individual wellbeing, whilst also conserving the environment and contributing to a host of eco-friendly initiatives.

This resounds through a product range manufactured from responsible materials, like bookshelves constructed from sustainable timber, and is further evidenced by the company’s status as a certified B-Corp and a member of the 1% for the Planet scheme, whereby one percent of all annual gross sales are donated to the good of the planet, people and animals.

These are home furnishings designed with the world in mind, offering a holistic vision of wellbeing – both within our individual capsules of home, and our wider residency within the planet of which we are all responsible custodians.

Australian at heart and with its entire company culture embodied by the quintessential ‘no worries’ attitude, Koala encapsulates this mindset in many ways – whether in the laidback lifestyle endorsed by its award-winning range of furniture, or in the seamless same-day delivery offered in metropolitan areas and the 120-night risk-free trial included with all products.

THE KOALA DIFFERENCE Koala is the antithesis of copy-andpaste mass production, with each product thoughtfully designed APAC Outlook issue 58 | 115

KOALA RETAIL

SAVING THE SPECIES – KOALA AND WWF Koala is extremely passionate about giving back and has contributed more than AUD$4.77 million to charities in Australia since day dot in 2015. This includes its ongoing partnership with WWFAustralia, donating AUD$2.6 million since 2017 to help koalas, green sea turtles and glossy black cockatoos.

As a registered endangered species, the company supports programmes such as Koalas Forever – WWF-Australia’s broad koala and wildlife recovery and protection programme, which aims to double the number of koalas in eastern Australia by 2050.

Every time a customer buys one Koala mattress, they receive a cuddly koala toy and a portion of each sale directly contributes to these conservation initiatives.

Dedicated to supporting Australian icons, Koala offers three “buy one, adopt one” programmes, whereby customers can “adopt a turtle” (for sofas), “adopt a koala” (for mattresses), and “adopt a glossy black cockatoo” (for sofa beds).

Find out more about Koala’s commitments to conservation here.

116 | APAC Outlook issue 58

and assembled with ingenuity and creative passion.

As you may expect from a company whose native Australian namesake is renowned for sleeping 18 hours a day, Koala’s speciality is Australia’s highest-rated mattress. Other bestsellers of the Koala Bedroom Range include the Good Design Award-winning Timber Bed Base, Cool-Gel memory foam pillows and sheets made from TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres, complemented by an equally enviable Living Room Range alongside myriad products designed to improve and refresh your living and working environment.

Indeed, it was the quality and popularity of Koala’s products that first attracted Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Emma Pudney, to the brand.

“I was already a satisfied consumer.

I had the sofa, the TV unit, the mattress, so I loved the products and sustainability angle which really appealed as a personal passion of mine,” she shares.

When Pudney saw Koala advertise for the CTO role, it was an opportunity she couldn’t refuse, representing the perfect marriage of both passion and profession.

Following over 20 years working in tech – from start-ups to corporate firms, Pudney approached finding a new role with carefully selected criteria and mapped out priorities in much the same way as a consumer might select a new product or permanent fixture to furnish their home, combining a level of comfort, functionality and personal appeal.

“I was very deliberate about my next move and compiled a document with three major screening criteria in finding a company I wanted to work for,” she says.

The first priority – that it be a techcentred enterprise, was a no-brainer.

Pudney’s other two fundamentals included a company culture that values its people and prioritises

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KOALA RETAIL

employee wellbeing – one where performance exceeds presence and has a laidback feel.

“I also wanted a company that looks beyond profit and does good in some way, showing a concern for sustainability.”

Six months into her role as CTO and it is these three factors – tech performance, people-centricity and a solid eco-conscious commitment – that remain Koala’s key differentiators, both for Pudney, and as a retailer in the highly competitive e-commerce realm.

TECH DISRUPTORS When it comes to the tech vision behind Koala, the goal is clear – to be a tech-driven e-commerce disruptor.

For Koala, tech is the tool that it leverages to unlock truly exceptional customer experiences.

In many ways, as a female in the largely male-dominated realm of tech, Pudney may be seen as a disruptor herself. A keen advocate for improving gender diversity in an underrepresented field, Koala’s CTO dedicates time to presenting to female groups, encouraging tech as a viable career path.

For Pudney, it was a passion ignited by her trailblazing grandmother, during childhood summer holidays spent on her farm, where a further level of questioning around the natural world was always encouraged.

She recalls not just admiring the stars, but discussing the science 118 | APAC Outlook issue 58

behind their formation. Marvelling at a flower, but also dissecting its form.

The encouragement of this inquisitive mindset influenced her education through scholarships in schools renowned for maths and science, which led her to technology and a degree in IT&T Engineering.

Pursuing a gruelling schedule combining night shifts working in IT support and admin, teaching herself to code whilst also studying during the day, Pudney realised how

outdated her university material was, compared to the relevant tech she was learning on the job. When offered a role that paid the equivalent of a full-time graduate rate, the decision was obvious, and a fruitful career in tech ensued.

“I think there’s an interesting psychological aspect to working in tech,” she observes. “I personally am a bit of a tomboy, so I was comfortable at university and working in tech with only a few of us girls there. I didn’t find it confronting in any way.

“The downside for tech, however, is that because of that, we mostly attract certain types of women who are comfortable in those environments. This means that we miss out on a level of diversity, due to the nature of it.”

Within her role at Koala, the first six months of Pudney’s technological roadmap have pursued strategic initiatives to set a solid foundation, overseeing mundane tasks like improving website performance by

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tweaking certain components, and conversion rate optimisation (CRO).

But two exciting areas are ripe for development, including expanding on the company’s supply chain strengths and integrating a higher degree of personalisation into the customer experience.

“Our supply chain is a major strength, since we offer same-day deliveries for mattresses and furniture in metro areas,” she says.

“We are going to continue working on evolving our data platform to streamline this even further, and data will be a key driver in automating those processes.”

In terms of personalisation, Koala will continue to use data to create an online experience tailored to the individual site user.

“We leverage data to drive those decisions, using particular tools that help us to segment and create

“WE BELIEVE IN REVERSING E N V I R O N M E N TA L T R E N D S A N D L E AV I N G O U R EARTH IN BETTER NICK THAN WE FOUND I T, T H AT ’ S W H Y W E C O N S TA N T LY I M P R O V E T H E E N V I R O N M E N TA L F O O T P R I N T O F O U R M AT E R I A L S A N D B U S I N E S S P R A C T I C E S ” – E M M A P U D N E Y, C T O , K O A L A

personas of individuals based on their behaviours,” explains Pudney.

Analysing certain behaviours allows for targeted strategies, such as the kind of content displayed and advertising various offers or upsells based on browsing habits.

Whilst these two areas of focus are fairly commonplace for most e-commerce players, Pudney’s technology roadmap embodies a healthy level of disruption and innovation in trialling new firsts, and

pursuing foreign areas.

“Personalisation is proven, but there are other unknowns we would like to explore, like live-commerce and live streaming.

“That’s really been shown to work in the Asian market, but it has not got off the ground in Australia, so we’re trying to play around with that concept.

“We like to be disruptors and see if we can do something differently that no one in the Australian market has done before.”

Koala staff on Save the Koala day

THE KOALA CONNECTION Communication and connection are the cornerstones of any successful technological enterprise. At Koala, and particularly within Pudney’s tech department, this applies to both inter-departmental relations, and the degree of engagement with the customer.

With regards to the first, this means inspiring trust and confidence by implementing a strategic and realistic roadmap that people can get behind.

“When you look at an organisation like Koala, tech is an essential part of the hub – we are the touchstone that every department interacts with.

“To be successful, we have to be absolute communication and collaboration ninjas, since tech has so many touchpoints,” she says. “We want to have a reputation as enablers in the business.”

These key concepts also pertain to other major segments of the tech

roadmap looking ahead, designed to advance customer communication, engagement, and experience.

Virtual consultations and virtual showrooms are being investigated to engage with customers and effect decision-making, offering an extra level of support that might result in a purchase.

“I want to see how we could get into that, and ultimately create something that’s about helping people.”

Aside from this, Pudney’s disruptive vision is looking at ways to generate new revenue streams through technology. Several research projects are in place to look at ways technology can be used to innovate and improve customer experiences and diversify Koala’s business.

Our conversation draws to a close ahead of Australia’s national Save the Koala Day on 30th September, which saw the whole company partake in hands-on conservation efforts. But

that’s not all. To drive awareness for Save the Koala Day, Koala shut down its Australian office and website for 24 hours, “Closed for good”, thereby encouraging people to visit WWF and find a way to support the endangered species.

Poised for exciting times ahead, whatever form Koala’s technological future may take, this is the essential welfare element that runs at the core of it all.

KOALA Tel: 1800 575 337 http://koala.com https://koala.com/ja-jp APAC Outlook issue 58 | 121

FLASH COFFEE FOOD & DRINK

BREWING UP A COFFEE R E VO L U T I O N Amassing a cult following, Flash Coffee is the brand delivering affordable premium coffee to Asia’s middle class. We go behind the scenes of the tech-enabled start-up with visionary Founder and CEO, David Brunier Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Kyle Livingstone

T

he coffee revolution is making waves across Asia. More than just a beverage, the culture surrounding coffee consumption has become a lifestyle, and one that is resonating amongst younger generations of the growing middle class across the region – a demographic that seeks to combine quality, cost and convenience in many aspects of life, but particularly their daily dose of caffeine.

Feeding this demand, Flash Coffee is the tech-enabled brand behind a vibrant coffee scene developing a cult following of caffeine devotees throughout Asia.

“At Flash Coffee, our goal is to democratise premium coffee, and we’re here to offer high- quality coffee at affordable price points.”

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The opening gambit of CEO and Founder David Brunier encapsulates Flash Coffee’s core vision of simply placing quality products within reach. But far exceeding this simple, accessible mission is the vibrant branding, spirit of creativity and distinctly local appeal that combine to create a distinctive blend fuelled by the power of technology.

Using only 100 percent Arabica coffee beans, Flash Coffee’s awardwinning drinks menus are curated

by World Barista Champions from across Asia, with signature favourites including the Avo Latte and Melaka Latte.

Differentiating itself from other start-ups as more than just a flash in the pan, Flash Coffee is growing at breakneck speed to become a

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FLASH COFFEE FOOD & DRINK

mainstay of the Asian food and beverage (F&B) space.

With stores continually sprouting up across the Asia Pacific landscape, Flash Coffee operates across Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea with over 250 stores within these six markets and more on the horizon, powered by over 1,500 employees.

For Brunier, an entrepreneur at heart and coffee addict, it was the potent brew born from these two passions that led to the company’s inception, after initially launching his first start-up whilst at university and going on to work for tech giants Rocket Internet and DeliveryHero – both of which are just two of the AAA tech investors backing the Series A start-up.

It is through the incorporation of tech that Brunier and Flash Coffee continue to breathe new life into the F&B scene.

“As an avid foodie and coffee lover,

I saw a massive opportunity in the coffee industry, as it’s completely offline-dominated and long overdue to be digitised,” he reflects. “I got obsessed with the vision of creating a tech-enabled and lifestyle-driven, yet accessible consumer brand that people would love.”

THE APP ADVANTAGE With a solid technological foundation, Flash Coffee ranks amongst one of Asia’s fastest growing tech-enabled coffee chains.

Alongside the quality Arabica beans that continue to fuel creativity amongst waves of Asian consumers, technology is the core ingredient behind Flash Coffee.

The Flash Coffee app is at the centre of its offering to consumers and a key differentiator in the marketplace by placing innovative drinks at your fingertips.

“Our app shakes up the way customers purchase their coffee and seeks to deliver the best possible user

experience.”

Through this digital platform, customers order and pay for drinks online, either to be delivered or picked up in store, with further opportunities to enrol in the Flash Coffee loyalty programme and participate in various challenges.

“The app also allows our team to use best-in-class e-commerce strategies to acquire and retain customers proactively, which completely reinvents the way coffee and F&B businesses grow and build their customer bases,” Brunier elaborates.

A recent development in this field is the integration of a delivery option into the app, which continues to prove immensely popular and advances the Flash Coffee vision of accessible coffee for all at maximum convenience.

As Brunier affirms, this is just one aspect of an overriding tech strategy that will propel the company forwards.

THE FLASH COFFEE DIFFERENCE HIGH-QUALITY COFFEE AT INCREDIBLE VALUE-FOR-MONEY - Flash Coffee’s innovative menus are curated by renowned World Barista Champions from across Asia, and only uses 100 percent Arabica coffee beans. The cost efficiencies gained by its optimised and digitised concept are directly passed on to Flash Coffee consumers, allowing it to serve high-quality products at affordable price points.

TECH-FIRST COMPANY, DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING - Flash Coffee is a tech company at its core, whose app caters to tech-savvy consumers and their changing lifestyle needs. Customers can get their drinks delivered within the app ecosystem or opt to pick them up when they’re on the way to work. They can also accumulate and redeem loyalty points, participate in fun, interactive “challenges” or play limited time only in-app games, in exchange for more benefits and rewards. Flash Coffee’s digitised concept also informs its business strategy and allows it to make smarter decisions based on consumer insights and preferences that the company garners off the back of the Flash Coffee app and back-end Barista app. #DARETOBEDIFFERENT - Last but not least, Flash Coffee’s visually striking brand is specifically created for Asia’s rising middle class. It’s hard to miss its iconic yellow and pink pantones splashed out on storefronts and across its branding. Flash Coffee positions itself as a bold, lifestyle-driven consumer brand, that celebrates expression and sparks trends with a goal to empower its customers, employees and community.

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FLASH COFFEE FOOD & DRINK

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“We plan to build a tech-driven powerhouse that will equip us to become a leading F&B player in Asia.

“We’re focusing on end-to-end tech enablement that essentially underpins our competitive advantages across all aspects of our businesses, from knowing our customers and proactive customer acquisition and retention, to achieving best-in-class store operations, real estate selection and data-driven menu optimisation,” he elaborates.

A BESPOKE BREW This essential element of knowing the

customer is reflected by the localised, nuanced approach that Flash Coffee applies to each regional operation in spite of its expansive footprint.

This is designed to attract customer stickiness and appeal to the people behind the coffee.

“We have been reaping the rewards of our hyper-localised approach,” says Brunier.

Each new market introduces an experienced world or national barista champion who taste-tests and curates a customised menu to a local audience, as seen with the Flash Yuen Yeung Latte which is a best-seller in

Hong Kong.

“We’ve always localised our menus but are completing it by always hyper localising against consumer preferences and tastes with exclusive items,” he adds.

The local touch behind the product offering also extends to the team behind each operation to ensure authenticity, in both the head office and across all departments. To date, all Flash Coffee Head Baristas and Barista Trainers have been local, and therefore best-placed to oversee market R&D and manage the product pipeline.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 125

FLASH COFFEE FOOD & DRINK

APAC OUTLOOK: TELL US ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF YOUR BRAND COLLABORATION WITH AGELESS GALAXY. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PARTNER WITH THEM? JAKOB LAMBSDORFF, CEO: “When I first met Tamish and Giorgi, the co-Founders of streetwear brand Ageless Galaxy, we hit it off right away and discovered that although we are operating in completely different industries, we have the same mentality and drive when it comes to our entrepreneurial and personal journeys. We saw a lot of alignment in our company values - we strongly believe in empowering our team, customers and community to be the best versions of themselves and are proud to play a role in enabling that. There were so many synergies and natural chemistry between us that a collaboration seemed inevitable.

“Flash Coffee is an empowering lifestyle brand that champions creative expression and individuality, and we look forward to sharing the spirit of our brand through this limited edition capsule collection with our customers and community. To dare to be different, embrace their full potential, and push boundaries to do better, every day.”

“ O U R G OA L I S TO B E T H E O N E O F T H E LARGEST TECH-ENABLED COFFEE CHAINS I N A S I A” – D AV I D B R U N I E R , F O U N D E R A N D C E O , F L A S H C O F F E E

GOOD, CLEAN COFFEE As you might expect from a cuttingedge brand that prides itself on its social appeal, Flash Coffee is passionate about the environment and incorporating eco-friendly practices.

Its commitments and aspirations in this field are best evidenced by its ongoing partnership with CleanHub – the environmental services platform waging the war against plastic.

“Sustainability is an incredibly important topic for us,” states Brunier.

“Our partnership with CleanHub is a first step towards minimising our environmental impact.”

Through this initiative, for every purchase at Flash Coffee, the company automatically funds the collection of the same amount of plastic before it reaches the oceans, thereby creating a net balance in its footprint.

“In addition, we’ve received positive support from our customers who choose to opt in with a small

contribution on our app when they check out, to fund the collection of 10 times more plastic than the impact of a single plastic cup.”

By doing so, Flash Coffee effectively gives plastic enough value to be collected before it ends up polluting the ocean. This means that projects across Asia receive the funding necessary to build resilient plastic waste management businesses whilst also creating employment opportunities that benefit the socioeconomic conditions and livelihoods of those residing in polluted areas.

“To date, Flash Coffee has committed to collecting over 170 tonnes of plastic waste in the environment through CleanHub, and we look forward to revealing other sustainable initiatives as a company in the future.”

It is partnerships such as this that epitomise the entrepreneurial spirit of connection that runs at the core of Flash Coffee – whether in the conversations that sparked

its inception, the moments shared by local customers over a cup of coffee, or the creative collaborations that enhance the company’s brand awareness, as seen with Flash Coffee’s recent streetwear range launched with Ageless Galaxy.

The future will see Flash Coffee further its goal to become one of Asia’s largest tech-enabled coffee chains, whilst maintaining an unwavering concern for the customer and fostering their “obsession” with its products.

“We are here to deliver the best possible customer experience, ensuring that every encounter with Flash Coffee is positive, outstanding and memorable,” concludes Brunier.

“To continue to surprise, delight and engage with our customers, we will focus on product innovation, the customer experience, delivering the highest service standards, and further developing a brand that people love.”

hello@flash-coffee.com www.flash-coffee.com APAC Outlook issue 58 | 127

A VESSEL FOR CHANGE Consort Express Lines owns and operates a fleet of geared, multipurpose vessels and specialises in providing reliable scheduled liner shipping services. We catch up with Thomas Bellamy, COO of the Logistics Division, Steamships Ltd Writer: Ed Budds Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

A

s the world’s third-largest island country, shipping has naturally occupied a vast portion of the industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Consort Express Lines (Consort) is proud to offer the most extensive shipping network in PNG, delivering routes to 16 major ports scattered

128 | APAC Outlook issue 58

across the immensely diverse island nation.

“We are a leading provider of coastal shipping across PNG, owning and operating a fleet of multipurpose vessels. We specialise in providing reliable scheduled liner shipping services,” opens Thomas Bellamy, COO of the Logistics Division,

Steamships Ltd. It was Bellamy’s past experience of aviation and international shipping in Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Gulf, and Singapore that eventually led him directly to Consort, and since then the company has further consolidated its partner logistics businesses into a single division to provide its

CONSORT EXPRESS LINES SUPPLY CHAIN

customers with more interconnected supply chain solutions.

“It’s a very exciting space to be in! In the Logistics Division, we continue to professionalise and make improvements in our core offerings (like containerised liner shipping) but we’re also looking to contribute to projects like Papua LNG. A lot of

logistics challenges are out there to be solved and we intend to be part of those solutions,” he enthuses passionately.

The project to which Bellamy refers, Papua LNG, is a major integrated development that is commercialising PNG’s gas resources led by French TotalEnergies.

Consort’s services include the ability to carry a wide range of cargo, such as containerised cargo, general cargo, break bulk, refrigerated cargo and project cargo. The company’s ever-expanding customer base reflects the diversity of the services that Consort offers, and spans from manufacturers and wholesalers to

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 129

“A L O T O F L O G I S T I C S C H A L L E N G E S A R E O U T T H E R E T O B E S O LV E D A N D W E I N T E N D TO B E PA R T O F T H O S E S O L U T I O N S ” – T H O M A S B E L L A M Y, CO O, LO G I S T I C S D I V I S I O N , ST E A M S H I P S LT D

the resources sector, indicative of the mix of cargoes that can be carried on the geared, multipurpose ships in the fleet.

The Logistics Division, Steamships Ltd consists of Consort Express Lines, Joint Venture Port Services, EastWest Transport and Pacific Towing Marine Services (PacTow).

“Our customers can either deal with those trading entities separately (Consort for shipping, EastWest for trucking, PacTow for harbour towage and marine services, and JV

130 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Port Services for stevedoring and heavy equipment hire) or they can approach us as the Logistics Division of Steamships Ltd for a joined-up solution,” explains Bellamy.

Our Logistics Division is made up of over 2,000 staff, more than 200 trucking assets, 20 ships and tugs, and a wealth of machinery and manpower spread around the country.

“There are lots of great players in the logistics industry in PNG – we’re all pushing each other to improve and that’s part of the fun,” he says.

SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSE As a company, Consort identifies three main differentiators which provide the building blocks to the success that has been so expertly delivered within such a competitive sector.

Bellamy explains how the first crucial factor above all else, is safety.

“We talk a lot about ‘Just Culture’ and ‘Felt Leadership’. ‘Just Culture’ is about making sure everyone is set up to succeed safely in the job. I use investigations of incidents and

CONSORT EXPRESS LINES SUPPLY CHAIN

SECURITY SOLUTIONS FOR PNG

enquiries@ess.com.pg Executive Security Systems Ltd (ESS) is a contract security provider which is 100% nationally owned company that has been in operation for 20 years, providing job opportunities for over 1,200 Papua New Guineans.

ESS has earned a reputation for providing our customers with a range of professional security solutions, with a particular skill set in Land Owner & Conflict Resolution, Threat Protection, Crisis Management, Armed Response & Escort, investigations, VIP Protection, Personal and Premises Alarm systems, Cash in Transit, Dangerous Goods Escort, Airport Transfers, CCTV Solutions and Monitoring, and GPS Tracking and Monitoring.

accidents to try and explain this in simple terms to my team.”

When one of the Consort team is involved in an incident or accident, the company asks a series of questions that look to understand the root cause, and Consort always asks

questions of itself as an organisation and the management team before focusing on the individual.

“Most likely, if someone has been involved in an incident, we as a management team could and should have done more to prevent that from

happening,” he adds.

‘Felt Leadership’ concerns Consort’s teams across the country – the ships and tugs, trucks and machines, and the promise that the company really means it when it ensures that safety always comes first.

The next key differentiator is the collective company attitude which has been carefully cultivated over many years of vital industry experience.

“We’re in the service business so we must give our customers what they need to continue to earn the right to operate. For Consort, as a PNG shipping business, the two biggest components are our schedule reliability and customer service,” continues Bellamy.

What therefore differentiates Consort is the commitment to constantly trying to improve in those two areas.

“PNG remains a challenging operating environment for a shipping APAC Outlook issue 58 | 131

line for a whole host of reasons, so we don’t always manage to keep exactly to our schedule, but we are always striving to satisfy our customers’ expectations and where we don’t, we try to communicate clearly and early to make their life as easy as possible,” he acclaims.

Finally, the other key factor behind Consort’s ongoing success can be attributed to its breadth.

“By possessing shipping, stevedoring and trucking on the logistics side of steamships, and hotels and properties in the other divisions, we really can solve most supply chain solutions for customers.”

EXPANSION WITHIN THE INDUSTRY A major operational drive for Consort at present consists of offering its customers a high-quality door-todoor service for containerised cargo, in both shipping and trucking.

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“We’ve been working hard to integrate our operating systems for Consort, JV Port Services and EastWest to make it as easy as possible to book and deal with us.

We hope to show our customers that in earnest throughout 2023,” details Bellamy.

Consort plans to continue to add new containers and other vessels to its existing fleet and must continue to scale up to keep pace with the growing demand of successful business.

“At Consort, we brought in 1,000 new build containers in 2022 – both the dry and reefer varieties – and we will be doing the same again in 2023,” he continues.

As well as these plans for expansion, Consort also brought a new vessel into its liner fleet in 2022, whilst JV Port Services continues to upgrade and add stevedoring and handling equipment in line with demand across

OTHER SERVICES In addition to liner shipping services, Consort Express Lines provides a host of other complimentary shipping services in PNG, including: •Door-to-door service •Cargo consolidation and de-consolidation •Container depot services, including storage, wash bay and container repair facilities •Project logistics within PNG, including supply bases for the resource sector (laydown, warehousing and machinery), on application •Charters or inducements, on application

CONSORT EXPRESS LINES SUPPLY CHAIN

“ T H E R E A R E L O T S O F G R E AT P L AY E R S I N T H E L O G I S T I C S INDUSTRY IN PNG – WE’RE A L L P U S H I N G E AC H OT H E R T O I M P R O V E A N D T H AT ’ S PA R T O F T H E F U N ” – T H O M A S B E L L A M Y, CO O, LO G I ST I C S D I V I S I O N , S T E A M S H I P S LT D

the country. EastWest is growing its fleet of 150 trucks by 10 percent a year, and PacTow has upgraded its harbour towage tugs in both Port Moresby and Lae. As well as being the largest coastal shipping line in the country, Consort is proud to employ over 200 Papua New Guinean seafarers with all-PNG crew members onboard each vessel.

EMPOWERING STAFF AND SUPPLIERS Key to maintaining success for the company has been the ability to really understand its customers’ supply chain process, and then transition into helping them solve their problems.

“There can be regular supply chain issues in PNG, and we don’t always get this right, but we’re always willing to listen to our customers and looking to improve. We have fantastic partnerships with several of our

customers, deep relationships built on trust and shared learnings,” shares Bellamy.

One way to tackle these ongoing issues is through the training and empowerment of Consort’s staff.

“We aim to give our people clear direction and support them with training and the right tools to do their job well. I feel very proud to work with the team we have in our Logistics Division – we’ve got some great people,” he adds.

It’s also a two-way street with the staff at Consort, as it is with the company’s customers. It remains imperative that Consort listens to them to help them grow and develop in the ways that have been set out as targets throughout every faction of the business.

Looking ahead, Consort is aiming to grow and enhance its core offerings and wants to be part of a logistics

industry that helps make Papua LNG a success for the country.

“Alongside these ambitions, I’d like to increase the number of Papua New Guineans looking to make a career at sea. We’re working hard to attract them whilst also working with regulators and educators to make sure those coming into the industry, both male and female, have the best chance to have long and productive careers in shipping,” ends Bellamy.

CONSORT EXPRESS LINES Tel: +675 478 3000 info@consort.com.pg www.consort.com.pg APAC Outlook issue 58 | 133

TA L K O F T H E

TOW N Townsville Marine Logistics offers superior service and productivity through the smart use of technology in training, systems, operations, and its exceptional people Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

F

ounded in North Queensland, in the city from which it takes its name, Townsville Marine Logistics (TML) provides safe and efficient stevedoring services for most cargo types including break bulk, bulk products and containers.

Stevedoring refers to loading, discharging or offloading 134 | APAC Outlook issue 58

a ship or cargo to and from another ship, or safely unloading from ship to dock. Loading and unloading ships requires a vast knowledge of the operation of loading equipment, the proper techniques for lifting and stowing cargo, and vitally, the correct handling of hazardous materials.

TOWNSVILLE MARINE LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAIN

TML operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To meet its customer requirements and variable shipping schedules, the highly skilled team of stevedores must be readily available and flexible to work across all shifts and days. These employees apply themselves to any task they are competent and able to perform, assisting

their colleagues with a positive attitude and exceptional teamwork, as is demanded by the company expectations.

Using state-of-the-art port handling equipment, TML offers superior service and productivity through the smart use of technology and game-changing operating systems.

To support its exceptional people within its operations, APAC Outlook issue 58 | 135

TOWNSVILLE MARINE LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAIN

TML embraces the latest technological innovations and provides regular, ongoing training and education in order to keep up to date with any new industry advancements.

TML is part of an expanding group of Australian companies and is a direct subsidiary of Korea Zinc Company Limited. In 2019, TML also commenced operations in providing port services to Sun Metals Zinc Refinery, and has now established other customer arrangements in mining and port operations.

Elsewhere, the fruitful partnership with TML’s sister company Townsville Logistics (TL) means it is now able to provide the full package of logistics, from on-site haulage, mine-to-port transport, storage, and stevedoring utilising TL’s innovative logistic services.

Earlier this year, TML also expanded to make its introduction into Brisbane.

In March, the company welcomed 136 | APAC Outlook issue 58

its new Brisbane team with a threeday orientation and get-together to enhance team cohesion. While the brutal Brisbane flooding delayed the start of operations, TML made use of this time with continued training and familiarisation until the first vessel arrived. On Tuesday 12th April 2022, TML completed the unloading of its first vessel, Coresky Ol, discharging around 5,500 tonnes (t) of steel products for Swire Shipping. Brisbane Operations Manager, Mitchell Auker, and his team meticulously planned for this day, and are proud of how the new team performed.

“Congratulations to all involved in the planning and start-up of our Brisbane operations and the result of a safe, efficient and positive beginning,” reads an official company statement.

SAFETY AND INNOVATION TML strives to become the safest and most innovative stevedoring company

in the world. To do this, the company’s equipment is fitted with some of the latest technology available in the industry.

With safety being a major priority for TML, it has directed its focus on continuously improving all safety management systems, processes, and the company culture itself to achieve the very highest standard of occupational health and safety in all its activities, and aspires to a standard of zero harm going forward.

A decision was taken recently

by TML to invest in electric cranes over hydraulic machines, due to the efficiency and ability to use a hybrid drive system to be more cost-effective. Noise levels are also reduced this way, which helps to mitigate the impact on local surroundings.

The cranes used by TML also contain many smart features, such as point-to-point control, anti-sway

TOWNSVILLE MARINE LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAIN

Swire Shipping values its Partnership with TML as our stevedore in Brisbane and Townsville and Sun Metals as a major exporter

Tel : (+61) 2-9272-9333

technology and soft landing to enhance productivity and increase safety.

For the unloading of bulk cargo, a large hopper is utilised which accepts bulk grabs and can discharge directly into a truck. The hopper is designed to exceed current environmental needs and can be used for the import and export of products when being used in conjunction with a telescopic radial ship loader with dust encapsulation.

Operation of the hopper is performed by one operator with the press of a button from a safe and clean environment on site.

The bulk grabs can operate without rollover on steep cargo profiles, therefore greatly improving safety at the port. The superior sealing qualities also help to minimise dust and spillage. To further reduce dust, TML employs misting systems of overvessel hatches to suppress dust and improve the vision of operators.

TECHNOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY TML recognises the need to be committed to economic, environmental and social sustainability. This has resulted in the company’s heavy investment in equipment and operations that are both efficient and environmentally responsible. This includes environmental monitoring, dust suppression, encapsulation systems and eco-friendly equipment.

This push for environmental sustainability has also consisted of the use of electric mobile harbour cranes, used to maximise efficiency. These machines even have the ability to capture and store energy from the lowering operation to use in the next work cycle.

Alongside this, TML engages with the Port of Townsville to help with continuous improvement in infrastructure and assets, and offers its services to help develop regional trade.

Email: customerservice@swireshipping.com

www.swireshipping.com

The investment in cutting-edge equipment from TML includes the addition of a new crane simulator, only the second of its kind in the southern hemisphere. With 10 active screens and an interactive seat, it provides first-class training to new and existing crane operators to reduce equipment downtime, training incidents and emissions.

Difficult conditions can also be simulated on the machine, giving operators the skills to deal with most situations should they arise in the real world.

Other equipment acquired by TML includes two electric Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour cranes on berths 10 and four at the Port of Townsville, as well as various other safety equipment, ensuring that TML remains at the forefront of technological and sustainable development moving forward into a bright future for the blossoming company.

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 137

EVENT FOCUS

ADIPEC 31 October - 3 November | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates meet new buyers and develop new business opportunities with NOCs, IOCs, and IECs, service companies, EPC contractors, subsea engineering, supply chain companies and the full energy value chain. For more information, visit https://www.adipec. com/offshore-marine/

Digitalisation In Energy Zone

The Future of Energy: Sustainable, Affordable, Secure HOST ED BY the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC is the world’s most influential event for the energy industry.

ADIPEC 2022 will gather policy makers, energy CEOs and energy professionals from across the globe, to spearhead discussions focused on key global energy trends, policy formation, and geopolitical factors.

ADIPEC 2022 will accelerate the energy transition, unlock real value in a decarbonised future, showcase ground-breaking technologies and explore actionable strategies and solutions to the challenges and opportunities created by complex global energy market dynamics.

Taking place a week before COP27, ADIPEC 2022 is the global forum for leaders to reinforce strategies and commitments that will drive the industry towards reducing emissions and meeting net-zero goals.

Smart Manufacturing Zone

ADIPEC by the numbers: • 150,000 energy professionals • 140,000 gross SQM • 2,200 exhibiting companies from across the globe • 12,000 conference delegates • 1,200+ conference speakers • 350+ conference sessions • 54 NOCs, IOCs and IEC’s • 28 international exhibiting country pavilions

The ADIPEC Smart Manufacturing Zone will continue to provide a unique platform for the manufacturing industry to gain insights into the energy transition and identify the challenges and opportunities for manufacturing in the drive for a net-zero carbon economy. For more information, visit https://www.adipec. com/smart-manufacturing/

Alongside the exhibition and conferences, ADIPEC 2022 will also host four specialised industry zones that will enable the global energy industry to strengthen existing business partnerships and form new models of cross-sector collaboration to unlock and maximise value across businesses and drive future growth.

These zones include:

The newly launched Decarbonisation Zone will provide the platform for the global energy ecosystem to navigate the decarbonisation pathway. It will provide the opportunity for participants to discuss key lowcarbon technologies and the role the oil and gas sector plays in creating a foundation for the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy. For more information, visit https://www. adipec.com/decarbonisation-zone/ Be a part of the conversation and shape the future of the oil, gas, and energy industry at ADIPEC 2022.

Offshore & Marine Zone The Offshore & Marine Zone is one of the world’s foremost meeting places for the marine transport and logistics sector to understand the latest developments in technology,

138 | APAC Outlook issue 58

The dedicated digitalisation exhibition at ADIPEC 2022 will continue to be a global showcase of the technological solutions that can help the energy industry unlock untapped value and opportunities as digitalisation becomes more deeply integrated into all aspects of operations. For more information, visit https://www.adipec. com/digitalisation-zone/

Decarbonisation Zone - NEW

Register to attend: adipec.com/visreg

31 October - 3 November 2022 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Supported By

The Future of Energy: Sustainable, Affordable, Secure Strategically taking place before COP27, ADIPEC is the global platform for leaders to reinforce commitments that will drive the industry towards reducing emissions, meeting decarbonisation goals, and providing a realistic view on short- and long-term energy outlooks.

STRATEGIC CONFERENCE THEMES:

CONFERENCES AT ADIPEC:

The long-term impacts of geopolitics on the global economy and energy industry

• Strategic Conference • Technical Conference

The road to COP27 and COP28

• Decarbonisation Conference NEW

An industry transitioning: adapting to the new fundamentals of supply, low carbon and new energy solutions

• Offshore & Marine Conference • Smart Manufacturing Strategic & Technical Conferences

Innovation and the energy transition: pioneering a new era of technology development

• Forum for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference

The new management agenda: future workforce and the leaders of tomorrow

• Downstream Technical Conference

View the Strategic Conference Programme www.adipec.com/strategicprogramme Partners

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EVENT FOCUS

The Mining Leaders Forum 14-15 November | Queensland, Australia

The Mining Leaders Forum 2022 travels to Gold Coast, Queensland!

M INING LEADERS representing Australia’s world-class mining and contracting companies gather on 14 - 15 November 2022 at an exquisite location - the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The summit provides a highly focused and interactive atmosphere to address and gain solutions specific to the core concerns of individual attendees. Through one-on-one business meetings, sponsors get to meet key decision-makers.

140 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Key Topics for 2022: • A NEW LEGACY • DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH • RESOURCING TOMORROW • MASTERING COMPLEXITY • ORCHESTRATING TRANSFORMATION • ANCHORING IN SOCIETY This is an unparalleled opportunity for extensive informal networking among industry peers during event meals, cocktail receptions and leisure entertainment.

The Mining Leaders Forum is an invitation-only, premium forum bringing leading mining executives and innovative suppliers and solution providers. The forum’s content is aligned with key mining industry challenges and interests, relevant market developments, and practical and progressive ideas and strategies adopted by successful pioneers.

Some of the ‘Ultimate Thinkers’ featured in this year’s programme include the Hon Bill Johnston MLA, as Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations from the Western Australian Government, and Jeff Haworth, Deputy Director General for the Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety.

To enquire or receive more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3RqtUvb or directly contact Isidora Avraam at isidoraa@marcusevanscy.com.

14-15 November 2022 | InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort | Gold Coast, Queensland | Australia

The forum featured very relevant topics that resonated with every delegate. The targeted one on one meetings were a great opportunity to grow my network and meet potential suppliers.

Engineering and Business Improvement Manager, Alcoa Bauxite

THEO VENTER

CRAIG HAGAN

HARRIET SCHULYER

Workplace Safety Advocate & Survivor

Head of Training & Safety Culture Yancoal

Mine Manager Heathgate Resources

www.november22.miningleadersforum.marcusevans.com/g Leaders Forum 2022

PROFESSOR ROBIN BURGESS-LIMERICK Professioral Research Fellow Minerals Industry Safety & Health Centre, The University of Queensland

THE FINAL WORD To round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?

Dr. Nelson Nheu CEO, Innoquest Pathology Sdn Bhd “Placing meaningful healthcare data at the fingertips of healthcare providers and patients. Patient care is generally fragmented, and we all know that time is of the essence when it comes to proper diagnosis and treatment.

Having an integrated data centre with patient results from various health services that contributes to diagnostics and treatment, should be visible and available to healthcare providers anytime, anywhere.”

Emma Pudney Chief Technology Officer, Koala “Traditionally, design in the furniture industry has been led by the aesthetic preferences of one or a few people. This isn’t real life and doesn’t benefit the consumer. We believe design should be led through data, feedback and high levels of tests - learning from in-house customer use over time. We think design should be democratised and furniture producers need to care more about their environmental impact. There is more to cost than just dollars.”

Philip Pearce CEO, ESR Australia “Talent attraction.

The industrial sector is booming, demand has never been higher, and fantastic career opportunities exist throughout the industry. However, industrial has traditionally been seen as less attractive than some of the other asset classes to work in. But the changing nature of the sector means that our employees are learning 142 | APAC Outlook issue 58

about all sorts of industries and participating in macro projects supporting economic growth – it’s a fantastic, dynamic, and everchanging business.”

Morgan Stevens General Manager, EMtek “We’re currently in a transitional phase where greener solutions are seen as favourable, but are often not competitive with traditional solutions, and are therefore only used when they are cost favourable.

We take safety extremely seriously in our industry, however, there does not seem to be the same focus on the environment just yet. If there could be extra incentives for greener solutions to be implemented, this could speed up our transition to a carbon neutral industry.”

Jakob Lambsdorff CEO, ALBA Singapore “I would welcome more collaboration within the industry and with all relevant stakeholders in general. Development of sustainable solutions requires collaboration from the government, industry and consumers. This “golden triangle” has to work together to implement long-term sustainable business practices. We will only be able to create a more sustainable world if all stakeholders work together and align their incentives accordingly.”

Are you a CEO/Director with a company story to tell? Contact APAC Outlook now!

Sustainable urban development goes underground...

BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION

TUNNELLING THE

A

ustralia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world.

More than two-thirds of Australians now live in one of the country’s eight capital cities, with 40 percent of the population concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, these two cities also had the greatest population growth in Australia between 2011 and 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw regional areas grow at a faster rate for the first time in nearly three decades, however capital cities in Australia have historically grown faster than their respective rest-of-state areas.

“We are well positioned to deliver projects that address the diverse infrastructure requirements of Australia’s metropolitan, urban and BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION regional centres,” says Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction engineering projects covering tunnels, members of staff in Australia, many In a significant project milestone, Australia (BYCA). bridges, marine works, airports and of whom are currently based on two the last cavern arch was recently roads. large-scale tunnelling sites. installed at State Library Station, Indeed, BYCA is project strategically “We are a trusted construction In Melbourne, BYCA is proud marking the completion of the company, known for our thorough to be of the CYP Design & of urban trinocular cavern’s permanent located atpart the very heart understanding of the infrastructure Construction consortium delivering lining. with permanent in installation of these landscape in Australia. We areAustralia, the Metro Tunnel Project, one of the offices “The safe focused on risk management, which biggest public transport projects in works was the culmination of both Sydney and Melbourne. more on large and complex projects is key.

Victorian history. than three years of planning, We strive to “engineer” solutions Dedicated The Metroto Tunnel Project will and was a first for the Victorian providing world-class through our construction methods untangle the City Loop and enable construction industry,” he adds. and design to overcome project issues moreinfrastructure trains to run more often across building, and renewable and deliver on time to our clients.”

CONSECUTIVE TUNNEL Melbourne by taking three of the energycity’s facilities PROJECTS IN SYDNEY busiest trainthroughout lines – Cranbourne, Australia, A FIRST FOR VICTORIAN In Sydney, after delivering Pakenham and Sunbury through a BYCA new is atunnel. wholly-owned subsidiary CONSTRUCTION NorthConnex with Lendlease Engineering, BYCA was selected in With more than 600 kilometres “It will create a new end-toofof Bouygues Construction, a global a joint venture with ACCIONA and tunnels completed over the past half end train line from Sunbury to Samsung a century, including iconic projects with twin player Cranbourne/Pakenham, with operations in more thanto deliver the next stage of WestConnex, the tunnels linking such as the Channel Tunnel, Bouygues nine-kilometre tunnels passing under 60 countries that has workedthe onM4some to the M8, the largest road Construction is recognised worldwide the busiest parts of the Melbourne transport infrastructure project in as a leader in tunnelling. central business district (CBD) and of the world’s biggest projects.

Australia.

BYCA employs approximately 500 under the Yarra River,” shares Seved.

With the support of a company that knows the industry and understands the associated opportunities, BYCA offers global expertise with a wellestablished local footprint, and has been able to pursue a variety of infrastructure projects.

“For over 25 years, we have been committed to the infrastructure market in Australia and have delivered a wide range of nation-shaping projects,” outlines Seved, who himself has 23 years of international experience with BYCA in delivering major civil construction and

U R B A N PAT H The need for sustainable infrastructure development that benefits people and planet is everpresent. Seved Robin, CEO of Bouygues Construction Australia, highlights tunnels as an important urban construction solution Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 3

See page

26 18 INTEGRITY IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO

F

ounded in 2008 to provide specialist tunnelling plant assembly and maintenance services, Austunnel is an Australian owned family business that has grown to serve major infrastructure and mining projects nationwide through a wide range of specialities.

The past two years have seen the company experience rapid growth in this space thanks to Australia’s significant investment into tunnel infrastructure. A key element of their rapid growth has been the company’s work with top tier construction companies like Bouygues Construction Australia on the industry leading Metro Tunnel Project in Melbourne.

Discussing the company’s growth and trajectory, Managing Director Alexei Bebek comments that “Austunnel’s reputation for reliability and our unwavering persistence in overcoming the complex challenges invariably faced on tunnel projects has transformed the company. We’ve experienced significant growth over the past two years - a sizeable feat considering the extreme difficulties presented by the pandemic.”

Like many underground projects, Austunnel’s goal is straightforward on the surface - but a complex undertaking. Simply put, they aim to be a leading provider of both the equipment and expertise required to take a tunnelling or mining project from planning through to completion. To achieve this, they are gradually building upon their existing range of partner products offered. At present, this offering covers the areas of material handling, communications, ventilation, and slurry treatment.

QLD, Australia

|

With extensive expertise in the tunnelling and mining industries, our services have helped clients to beat deadlines, reduce costs and solve

In addition to these partner products, Austunnel problems. We pride ourselves on the quality of personnel services have been fundamental in our work and our dedication to delivering client focused results through operational excellence. supporting major tunnelling projects with tunnel boring machine (TBM) and roadheader assembly and maintenance works. These services were essential during tunnel excavation on projects like Metro Tunnel Melbourne, Sydney Metro and WestConnex.

At the Metro Tunnel Project, Austunnel personnel austunnel.com.au worked with Bouygues Construction Australia on various assemblies, disassemblies, and reassemblies of four mix shield TBMs used in the excavation of twin 9km rail tunnels.

On their work with Bouygues Construction Australia, Alexei Bebek describes the relationship as one which defined the company in Victoria: “Our work with Bouygues was critical in our development within Victoria. Our local team were heavily involved in the TBM builds and had the opportunity to introduce new tunnellers to the industry. We were fortunate to work with Bouygues on a project that’ll make public transport faster and more accessible in Melbourne.”

With an extraordinary wave of infrastructure spending ongoing, Austunnel anticipates further growth which will broaden its capabilities for tunnel and mine infrastructure constructors. Its mission is to be a leader in the supply of products, services, and solutions to the construction and mining industries; to build and maintain a reputation for integrity, reliability, and excellence while delivering superior value and results to our clients.

info@austunnel.com.au

|

www.austunnel.com.au

6 | APAC Outlook issue 58

6 | APAC Outlook issue 58

Bouygues Construction Australia has told its story.

QLD, Australia

|

info@austunnel.com.au

|

www.austunnel.com.au

APAC Outlook issue 58 | 3

major civil construction and experience with BYCA in delivering himself has 23 years of international projects,” outlines Seved, who a wide range of nation-shaping market in Australia and have delivered committed to the infrastructure “For over 25 years, we have been infrastructure projects. been able to pursue a variety of established local footprint, and has offers global expertise with a wellthe associated opportunities, BYCA knows the industry and understands Australia.

BYCA employs approximately 500 under the Yarra River,” shares Seved.

With the support of a company that transport infrastructure project in as a leader in tunnelling. central business district (CBD) and the M4 to the M8, the largest road Construction is recognised worldwide busiest partsbiggest of the Melbourne of thetheworld’s projects. of WestConnex, the tunnels linking such as the Channel Tunnel, Bouygues nine-kilometre tunnels passing under 60 countries that has on some Samsung to deliver the next stage a century, including iconic projects Cranbourne/Pakenham, with worked twin a joint venture with ACCIONA and tunnels completed over the past half end train line from Sunbury to player“Itwith operations in more than Engineering, BYCA was selected in With more than 600 kilometres of will create a new end-toCONSTRUCTION new tunnel. Construction, aNorthConnex of Bouygues global with Lendlease A FIRST FOR VICTORIAN In Sydney, after delivering Pakenham and Sunbury through a BYCA is busiest a wholly-owned subsidiary PROJECTS IN SYDNEY city’s train lines – Cranbourne, and deliver on time to our clients.”

CONSECUTIVE TUNNEL Melbourne by taking three of the energy throughout Australia, and design to overcome project issues morefacilities trains to run more often across through our construction methods untangle the City Loop and enable construction industry,” he adds. building, infrastructure and renewable We strive to “engineer” solutions The Metro Tunnel Project will and was a first for the Victorian on large and complex projects is key. Dedicated more than three years of planning, Victorian history. to providing world-class focused on risk management, which biggest public transport projects in works was the culmination of Sydney and Melbourne. landscape in Australia. We are both the Metro Tunnel Project, one of the “The safe installation of these understanding of the infrastructure Construction consortium delivering lining.

Australia, with permanent offices in company, known for our thorough to be part of the CYP Design & trinocular cavern’s permanent “We are a trusted constructionlocated marking the completion of the In Melbourne, at the BYCA veryis proud heart of urban roads. large-scale tunnelling project sites. installed at State Library Station, isbased strategically bridges, marine works, airports and Indeed, of whom BYCA are currently on two the last cavern arch was recently engineering projects covering tunnels, members of staff in Australia, many In a significant project milestone, Australia (BYCA).

CEO of Bouygues Construction CONSTRUCTION regional centres,” says Seved Robin, BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA Australia’s metropolitan, urban and infrastructure requirements of projects that address the diverse “We are well positioned to deliver their respective rest-of-state areas. have historically grown faster than however capital cities in Australia the first time in nearly three decades, regional areas grow at a faster rate for The COVID-19 pandemic saw between 2011 and 2021. population growth in Australia these two cities also had the greatest the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Melbourne alone. According to population concentrated in Sydney capital cities, with 40 percent of the now live in one of the country’s eight More than two-thirds of Australians world. urbanised countries in the ustralia is one of the most

communications, ventilation, and slurry treatment. this offering covers the areas of material handling, range of partner products offered. At present, this, they are gradually building upon their existing from planning through to completion. To achieve required to take a tunnelling or mining project provider of both the equipment and expertise undertaking. Simply put, they aim to be a leading is straightforward on the surface - but a complex Like many underground projects, Austunnel’s goal

by the pandemic.” feat considering the extreme difficulties presented significant growth over the past two years - a sizeable transformed the company. We’ve experienced challenges invariably faced on tunnel projects has unwavering persistence in overcoming the complex “Austunnel’s reputation for reliability and our Managing Director Alexei Bebek comments that Discussing the company’s growth and trajectory, Project in Melbourne.

Australia on the industry leading Metro Tunnel construction companies like Bouygues Construction has been the company’s work with top tier infrastructure. A key element of their rapid growth to Australia’s significant investment into tunnel experience rapid growth in this space thanks The past two years have seen the company

value and results to our clients. reliability, and excellence while delivering superior to build and maintain a reputation for integrity, solutions to the construction and mining industries; to be a leader in the supply of products, services, and and mine infrastructure constructors. Its mission is growth which will broaden its capabilities for tunnel spending ongoing, Austunnel anticipates further With an extraordinary wave of infrastructure transport faster and more accessible in Melbourne.” work with Bouygues on a project that’ll make public new tunnellers to the industry. We were fortunate to TBM builds and had the opportunity to introduce Victoria. Our local team were heavily involved in the Bouygues was critical in our development within defined the company in Victoria: “Our work with Alexei Bebek describes the relationship as one which On their work with Bouygues Construction Australia, 9km rail tunnels. of four mix shield TBMs used in the excavation of twin various assemblies, disassemblies, and reassemblies worked with Bouygues Construction Australia on austunnel.com.au At the Metro Tunnel Project, Austunnel personnel Tunnel Melbourne, Sydney Metro and WestConnex. during tunnel excavation on projects like Metro maintenance works. These services were essential boring machine (TBM) and roadheader assembly and supporting major tunnelling projects with tunnel focused results through operational excellence. our work and our dedication to delivering client personnel services have been fundamental in problems. We pride ourselves on the quality of In addition to these partner products, Austunnel

F Now, why not tell yours? Our bi-monthly magazine APAC Outlook is essential reading for through a wide range of specialities. infrastructure and mining projects nationwide family business that has grown to serve major services, Austunnel is an Australian owned tunnelling plant assembly and maintenance ounded in 2008 to provide specialist

clients to beat deadlines, reduce costs and solve mining industries, our services have helped With extensive expertise in the tunnelling and

business executives wanting to keep up with the latest in global news and trends affecting

EVERYTHING WE DO THE HEART OF INTEGRITY IS AT

Asia Pacific businesses across all industries.

Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

urban construction solution highlights tunnels as an important Bouygues Construction Australia, present. Seved Robin, CEO of benefits people and planet is everinfrastructure development that The need for sustainable

Reaching an audience of over 220,000 readers, your company can take advantage of exposure in APAC Outlook with a FREE article and FREE digital brochure, as well as access

Ufurther RBA N PATmarketing H to digital-based tools that could transform your business.

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TUNNELLING THE

To share in this unrivalled opportunity, contact one of our project managers today!

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