SOUTHEAST ASIA CONSTRUCTION10 Dec 2021
MaceTpm set to ‘transform’ project delivery in Asia

The global consultancy and construction company Mace earlier announced its partnership with Tenman Project Management (Tpm), marking an important step in Mace’s expansion in Asia – especially in Singapore, Macau, Vietnam and the Philippines. Tpm is now fully integrated within Mace’s Consult business.

Jason Millett, CEO of Mace’s Consult and MaceTpm, tells Southeast Asia Construction (SEAC) more about this partnership and the importance of Asian market as part of Mace’s international growth strategy.

Data-driven project management

Mace’s innovative approaches to project delivery have been implemented in various projects in Asia, including Marina Bay Sands, Singapore; The Venetian, Macau; and Deutsches Haus office development in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “Notably, the latter was Vietnam’s first Platinum LEED-certified building, reflecting Mace’s commitment to low-energy and carbon-efficient projects,” revealed Mr Millett.

The new MaceTpm partnership is set to bring “a mix of global project delivery expertise in programme and project management, as well as advisory and cost management services, to the Asian market,” said Mr Millett. “Using data and digital, MaceTpm aims to transform outcomes for infrastructure, hospitality, leisure and mixed-use projects in the region.”

Mr Millett explained that MaceTpm will focus on data-driven project management and programme management office (PMO) services to deliver projects on time and on budget. These will help clients improve productivity and create projects and programmes more efficiently.

“A data-driven project management approach enables us to better control and predict the outcome of our projects. We can control who is doing what and when, compare actual project with one in the past, and detect potential issues earlier in the process.

“In one of our recent projects, for example, the initial design of a single-living accommodation block required 300 hours. We then used a BIM library for recurrent similar designs and the time needed was reduced to 30 hours.”

Mr Millett pointed out that the merging of Mace’s global construction and consultancy experience with Tpm’s local knowledge and network will “push the boundaries” on how projects are delivered in the region.

“We believe that this mix of global best practice and regional expertise will transform project delivery and set new standards for sustainability and social value across Southeast Asia.”

‘Asia is a key part’

Mace recently unveiled its 2026 business strategy, with a target to grow its revenue by 20% year-on-year in the next five years, lower carbon emissions by 10% year-on-year and increase diversity and inclusion across the business. Mace’s Consult business has also set a target to expand internationally and bring delivery focus to clients in transforming the way they deliver projects and programmes.

“The Asian market is a key part of Mace’s international growth strategy and our 2026 ambitions,” highlighted Mr Millett. “The commitment to expanding in the region has been marked by the creation of the partnership, and will continue to grow as the strategy unfolds over the next five years.”

He asserted that Mace is committed to “pursuing a sustainable world, lowering carbon emissions by 10% year-on-year to 2026, and will be bringing low-carbon innovations and solutions to project delivery in the Asian markets where we operate.”

Like in many territories, one significant challenge in Asia’s construction industry has been reduced outputs during the Covid-19 pandemic, noted Mr Millett. “But MaceTpm is determined to play a strong part in the region’s economic recovery over the next five years.

“There is a mix of government initiatives and other investments across the board which should bolster a strong pipeline of projects coming to the Asian market, where we are already targeting key opportunities.

“Once pandemic restrictions are eased, we expect to witness strong economic and construction sector growth in the Philippines and more widely in Asia. Our new partnership places us in a great position to capitalise on this.”

He added that the strengthening of the Philippine administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure programme means that MaceTpm will be able pursue opportunities in the country’s hospitality and tourism sector, supporting its recovery post-pandemic.

For the long term, MaceTpm is keen on exploring other markets in the region, with Japan being one of them. “We believe there is unlimited innovation potential in Asia and the partnership with Tpm is just the beginning,” said Mr Millett.

“While our current focus is on embedding our new partnership, we are certainly always on the lookout for opportunities to grow our service offer and redefine the boundaries of ambition.”

Image credits:
Photos 1, 4 & 5: Mace
Photo 2: Partha Narasimhan/Unsplash
Photo 3: Aeron Oracion/Unsplash