As Singapore’s construction industry continues its transition toward modernisation and internationalisation, a number of long-standing structural challenges remain embedded within the sector.
These issues not only reduce operational efficiency at the enterprise level, but also constrain the industry’s long-term, sustainable development.
Five Core Structural Challenges Facing the Industry
1. Labour Shortages and High Workforce Turnover
Singapore’s construction sector is highly dependent on foreign labour, resulting in frequent workforce movement and low retention rates.
Recruitment is costly and time-consuming for employers, while overseas workers often struggle to access timely and accurate job information.
This persistent disconnect between employers and job seekers remains one of the industry’s most critical pain points.
2. Complex Procurement Processes and Lack of Price Transparency
The construction materials supply chain still relies heavily on personal networks and offline communication:
- Fragmented sources of supply
- Difficulty in price comparison
- Significant price disparities for identical materials
- Unpredictable delivery timelines
Price-setting based on relationships and opaque information has been a long-standing issue that the industry has struggled to resolve.
3. Information Asymmetry in Tendering Limits SME Competitiveness
Although Singapore has a mature public tendering framework, many small and medium-sized contractors are unable to access project information promptly, causing them to miss bidding opportunities.
Information asymmetry and resource concentration have led to structural imbalances within the industry ecosystem.
4. Low Supply Chain Coordination and High Communication Costs
Information silos between main contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers result in:
- Poor real-time material coordination
- Inefficient progress communication
- Slow response to urgent or ad-hoc requirements
These inefficiencies often lead to project delays, higher costs, and unnecessary resource wastage.
5. Insufficient Digitalisation and High Management Costs
Despite the industry’s scale, many operational processes still rely on traditional methods:
- Handwritten documentation
- Manual approvals
- Paper-based records
- Limited data traceability
This not only reduces efficiency but also increases management risk and delays decision-making.
The Emergence of BUILD360: A Systematic Solution to Industry Challenges
Following in-depth research and comprehensive evaluation of the industry’s realities,
BUILD360 — Singapore’s first integrated digital platform dedicated to the construction industry — was officially launched.
Built on the core philosophy of “connection and sharing,” BUILD360 integrates digital technology with industry expertise to create a truly one-stop digital ecosystem for construction companies and professionals.
Six Core Functional Modules of the Platform
1. 360 Marketplace: Making Construction Procurement Transparent and Efficient
- Online price comparison
- Multi-category product integration
- Transparent and traceable pricing
- Efficient delivery and supply chain coordination
This directly addresses long-standing issues of opaque pricing and relationship-based quotations.
2. Supply Hub: Enabling Suppliers to Be Seen
The platform allows suppliers to showcase products and capabilities, increasing visibility and collaboration opportunities.
For suppliers, BUILD360 offers a new channel to expand sales reach and enhance industry presence.
3. Demand Centre: Matching Project Needs with the Right Partners
Contractors can directly publish requirements for materials, manpower, and collaboration.
The system enables rapid distribution and precise matching, significantly improving industry-wide efficiency.
4. Recruitment & Jobs: A Core Entry Point to Solving Labour Shortages
- Instant job postings by companies
- Direct browsing and applications by workers
- Coverage of both local and overseas labour markets
- Reduced reliance on intermediaries and improved matching accuracy
Recruitment is restored to its core values: efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.
5. Tendering & Bidding: Real-Time Access to Market Opportunities
BUILD360 consolidates local tender information, enabling companies to stay informed of new projects in real time and providing SMEs with fairer access to competitive opportunities.
6. Industry Insights: Policy and Market Intelligence
The platform delivers updates on:
- Policies and regulations
- Market trends
- Technology developments
- Project and industry news
This empowers companies to make data-driven and forward-looking decisions.
Accelerating the Industry’s Shift Toward Transparency, Efficiency, and Intelligence
The launch of BUILD360 represents a significant milestone in Singapore’s construction digital transformation.
By integrating resources, breaking information silos, improving collaboration efficiency, and reducing management costs, the platform is driving the industry toward a future that is:
- More transparent
- Digitally enabled
- Intelligent
- Sustainable
Building an Open, Shared, and Win-Win Digital Construction Ecosystem
Looking ahead, BUILD360 will continue to evolve its platform capabilities and collaborate closely with government agencies, industry associations, and enterprise partners.
Together, we aim to build an open, end-to-end digital ecosystem that supports higher-quality, more resilient, and sustainable growth for Singapore’s construction industry.
