THE pace of infrastructural development and construction industry continues to increase significantly. One local construction company involved in building materials industry since 15 years ago is Timbertech Sdn Bhd. This established company is a joint partnership between Brunei and Malaysia, operating on an area of 3.8634 hectare industrial estate in Kg Salar, Jalan Muara. Since its inception in 1997, the company has diversified into other value-added products and leading the country as the manufacturer and supplier of precast and reinforced concrete products under its brand "EC".
On 27 June, 2012, four trailers have been assigned to transport 400 concrete piles measuring 6m by 0.5m and weighing 130 tonnes to meet the demands of the construction industry in Malaysia. This latest development is a shot in the arms for building and construction industry in the country and according to the company, 2000 piles of concrete can be exported per month to Malaysia.
Marking this significant milestone, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR), Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya Bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar was the guest of honour to officially grace the event. In addition, the guest of honour also signed a plaque signifying the completion of the company’s latest fleet of products: a barge and a pontoon to transport the concrete piles and slabs under the company’s other brand "TDM".
Also present at the ceremony was the Permanent Secretary of MIPR, Yang Mulia Hajah Normah Suria Hayati binti Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri and the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Yang Mulia Dayang Hjh Hasnah bte Hj Ibrahim. Also present was the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Dato Abdullah Sani bin Omar; other special guests and senior officials of MIPR and BINA.
Barges and pontoons are used to transport construction materials and machineries respectively across river. These transportation platforms and equipment will reduce the overhead cost significantly and the company will no longer rely on other companies to transport its products. Additionally, the company offers value-added services to construction companies for water transportation purposes.
To protect its operation and reputation, the company is conformed to international standard accreditations such as the Quality Management System (QMS). It is also being accredited to ISO 9001: 2008 certifications awarded by SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd in 2004 and again received a similar standardisation in 2009. The company's products have also received industry approval from the Ministry of Development and can be securely used for government projects in the country.
In recognition of its achievements, Timbertech receives numerous international and national awards as a commitment towards maintaining quality, leadership, technology and innovation. The company was awarded the Century International Quality Era Award (Switzerland) in 2006 and in the following year, Timbertech was awarded the International Arch Europe Award (Germany). Meanwhile, the company received a national accolade from MIPR and Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) in the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) National Award 2012 (Category 1 - more than BND 10 million annual sales).
Today's event is part of the 'after-care services’ provided by BINA. As an industrial-growth facilitating agency under MIPR, BINA is more than providing physical facilities to local entrepreneurs and foreign investors, but, more importantly, BINA is always on the forefront of providing continuous support services such as promoting potential products and services for local needs and export.