IBS has been recognised to be cost-effective, requiring less manpower at construction sites and enabling shorter construction time.

PETALING JAYA: MGB Bhd, a subsidiary of LBS Bina Group Bhd (LBS), has completed its first batch of industrial building system (IBS)-built homes located in the LBS Alam Perdana township in only 12 months, instead of 18 months. 

The project, comprising 673 units of double-storey terraced homes, were constructed using IBS precast concrete components produced by the first mobile factory of MGB which commenced operation in May last year. The 10-acre mobile factory is capable of producing up to 2,000 units of properties annually.

MGB Bhd group managing director Tan Sri Lim Hock San said, “LBS Alam Perdana is the first IBS precast concrete development of MGB. The mobile IBS factory at LBS Alam Perdana has contributed significantly in terms of achieving greater efficiency, productivity and quality.

“It has enabled us to customise the precast units according to the project’s requirements, deliver the units within a shorter time frame and with superior quality. This has resulted in early completion of the homes,” he explained.

According to the press release, LBS is able to fast track the delivery of homes with IBS, enjoying up to 33% savings on construction time. In addition, dependency on manual labour was reduced by 31%, achieving a 49% reduction in total on-site labour costs. IBS delivers many benefits as compared to traditional construction methods.

“IBS plays a key role in helping developers and builders, like LBS, achieve sustainable goals and build thriving communities. While the cost and quality benefits of IBS are apparent, many developers have not fully explored the technology’s environmental advantages, which include waste minimisation, promoting more efficient use of green materials, noise reduction on sites and increased site safety,” Lim said.

He gave the example that IBS, being manufactured in a controlled environment, has the ability to reduce noise pollution and heat trap, optimise material usage, reduce the usage of toxic materials, as well as lowering the weather impact on construction progress. With these advantages, IBS would enable the industry to push the sustainable agenda further. MGB firmly believed that IBS will become the catalyst to increase sustainable construction practices in Malaysia, in line with the objective of promoting green construction as outlined in the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (2016-2020).

“MGB will push ahead to strengthen its leadership in the IBS segment. The use of IBS technology has proven to help developers reduce the cost of building and reliance on unskilled manual labour, while simultaneously, enhancing the capability to deliver high-quality homes. The demand for IBS units will increase tremendously as the cost-savings will allow developers to bring down home prices,” Lim elaborated. 

In March this year, MGB invested RM40mil to open its second IBS facility, a 119,017 sq ft permanent precast concrete plant in Nilai. The new permanent factory is a joint venture between MGB and Sany Construction Industry Development Sdn Bhd and is capable of producing up to 2,000 units of properties for Kita@Cybersouth township. Sany Construction Industry Development is a subsidiary of Sany Group, the world’s sixth-largest heavy-equipment manufacturer.