KUCHING: Urban Empire Builders Sdn Bhd (UEB), a Sarawak-based construction company, has officially launched the state's largest precast concrete plant, a 12-acre facility dedicated to producing high-quality bridge pier caps, long-span girders, and parapet walls. 

The RM20 million plant is expected to revolutionise the construction of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) and future elevated bridges and roads across Sarawak, delivering projects faster, cheaper, and with greater precision.

“This plant represents a significant milestone for UEB and for Sarawak’s construction industry. It’s evidence that local contractors can not only develop and embrace advanced construction technology but also compete on par with international firms,” said UEB Director, Mike Chin Yuan Tai in a statement. 

The plant, which is 100 per cent Sarawakian-owned, is part of UEB’s commitment to leveraging new technology to transform infrastructure development in the region. 

The company is also urging the Sarawak government to continue supporting local contractors, who have demonstrated their capability to adopt modern construction methods. 

UEB hopes that with sustained opportunities and projects, Sarawakian firms can grow to compete both locally and internationally, becoming the next IJM or Gamuda of the state.

“We are grateful for the Sarawak Premier’s vision to advance the state’s infrastructure through innovative construction technologies and for Sarawak Metro’s policy of prioritising local contractors in the KUTS tenders,” Mike Chin added.

The new plant is set to play a pivotal role in the construction of the KUTS Red Line, a 12.3-kilometre stretch of which 6.3 kilometres will be elevated. 

UEB, part of a consortium with Sri Datai Sdn Bhd and CHEC Construction (M) Sdn Bhd, was awarded the contract to build the Red Line, further cementing its reputation as a key player in Sarawak's infrastructure projects.

The company’s recent accomplishments include the completion of Sarawak’s first smart building, Hikmah Exchange, which is also the tallest twin towers in the state. 

The project, which has been accredited with the Industrialised Building System (IBS) certification by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), achieved 1.3 million working hours without any Lost Time Injuries (LTI).

Looking ahead, UEB sees its new precast concrete plant as a game-changer, enabling the construction of elevated bridges and roads with high precision and quality, while also enhancing the competitiveness of Sarawakian contractors on both the national and international stage. -UKASnews