Widad to leverage SANY’s IBS tech for RM40b Langkawi project

KUALA LUMPUR (March 23): Construction and integrated facilities management firm Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd (WBG) said Wednesday (March 23) it is considering a partnership with China-based construction machinery manufacturers SANY Group to leverage the latter’s industrialised building system (IBS) technology for its Langkasuka mega-project — a RM40 billion mixed-use complex in Langkawi.

According to a statement by the company, WBG signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SANY’s local subsidiary Sany Construction Industry Development (M) Sdn Bhd on March 3 to further explore the partnership.

WBG is a wholly Bumiputera private company owned by Kedah-born Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah, who is also a majority shareholder of Bursa Malaysia-listed Widad Group Bhd and Dataprep Holdings Bhd.

WBG said the collaboration would benefit the company in the area of precast technology, or IBS, via technology and knowledge transfer from SANY to a joint IBS manufacturing facility to be set up in Kedah.

The MoU will allow both parties to undertake collaboration in WBG’s property and infrastructure projects in Malaysia, including through the adoption of SANY’s IBS technology and heavy construction equipment, said the statement.

In addition, WBG would also be able to partner with SANY University to provide training on IBS technology and heavy equipment operations to local students and workers.

WBG, through its education arm, owns Widad University College and Widad College, from which more than 43,000 Malaysian and international students have graduated over the years.

“It is a great pleasure to be working with a Forbes TOP500 Club company like SANY. The technology and knowledge transfer from SANY is expected to put WBG ahead of the curve as we continue to deliver high-quality property and infrastructure projects. The utilisation of IBS in our projects will be able to improve end-quality, reduce construction duration and lower related costs. With this partnership, we are heeding the government’s call for construction players to embrace IBS for a more technology-driven business environment.

“WBG has an exciting line-up of property and infrastructure projects ahead, which would elevate the group to the next level. Our biggest project in hand, The Langkasuka, is inching closer towards its groundbreaking ceremony in the second quarter of 2022 and we are looking to complete the project as planned. The IBS technology from SANY will be a great asset in this development,” said Muhammad Ikmal, who is also group executive chairman of WBG.

At 3.29pm, Widad shares were unchanged at 35.5 sen.

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