Nice to meet you and thank you for your time. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers and let us know how and when you and your company came to Xi?an??
My name is Senghwat Wee, I am the 3rd generation Malaysian Chinese and I am the Managing Director of CNmy Construction (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. I started working in China in 1992 and my companies? expertise is in providing project management services for the construction of industrial facilities in China.
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What is the nature of your business and how long have you been in this industry??
CNmy was established in 2005 and we provide one-stop-solution?services which include Master Planning, Design & Engineering, Permitting, LEED Consultancy, Project Management, Procurement, Construction Management and Testing & Commissioning for the construction of industrial services for foreign investment in China. I have been in this industry for 23 years and more than 20 years of that period I gained experience in different Chinese cities.
What is the niche of your company??
Our niche is that we are able to implement a project at local pricing, yet by understanding our customers, under international standards and finishing requirement. In addition, we provide cost of ownership analysis on major utility equipment before procurement, as well as value engineering proposals to help our clients to strive for energy savings and environmental friendly solutions.
?Who are your primary customers??
We focus on foreign industrial customers in China only. Our client include companies like Zollner, TRW, Armstrong, Eaton, LSH Mercedes Benz China North West Center, Baumit, Dana Technologies, Manitowoc, Life Technologies, Oechsler Plastic, Invista Fibre, National Semiconductor, Vitronics Soltec, Philips Lighting, Auchan Supermarket etc.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience with Industrial facilities in Xi?an??
My first ?real? experience was in 1993 when I was working as an Assistant Project Manager to set up an edible oil refinery facility. It was one of the few foreign investments in Xi?an during the early 1990?s. It was the 3rd manufacturing facility set up by the company that I was working for at that time and the first where we fully localized all operations, from design to handover. We managed to make full use of the ?tuition fee? that we paid during an experience in Xiamen in 1992. By knowing the local working culture, habits and structures, we completed the 16,000 m2 facility within 11 months, from design to testing and commissioning.
Presently we are constructing the Mercedes Benz China North-West Center. This is one of the biggest Sales Office and Workshop facilities for Mercedes Benz in China
What is the most important project you have taken part in since being in China? Can you tell us something about it??
We provid EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Management) services for the construction of the LSH-Mercedes Benz China North West Center located at the Xi?an Hi-tech Zone. This facility has a total construction size of 110,000m2 to be carried out in different phases:
Phase 1 is a Mercedes Benz Auto Brand Center with a total construction area of nearly 50,000 m2 and total investment cost of RMB 200 million. The construction work started in the last quarter of 2010 and was completed in the last quarter of 2011. It is now one of the most modern and largest Auto facilities in China and Asia. Construction of this facility demanded solid knowledge of international and professional standards on civil, mechanical, electrical, glass curtain wall structures, landscaping and more important: good all-round project management skills to co-ordinate the different contractors and ensure that cost and time targets are met.
Phase 2 will involve a Grade A Office and Training Center which are currently in planning stage.
What are some of the nuances of this industry within the Xi?an/China operating environment??
There is a difference in history, experience, culture and system which make the way to get things done here very different from outside world. Getting the right guy to liaise with the right guy during authorities application process is important. We need to recognize that we are dealing with huge entities when dealing with design institute and contractor companies which was established since plan economy.
As almost every local company is saturated with work, getting the right partner who is willing to send the right team is critical to the success of every project
What lessons have you learned since working in Xi?an??
Working in a historic city like Xi?an, we learned how to preserve and respect the relics before commencing any construction activities. In 1993, I was so ignorant to think that we could start the piling work immediately after the design work was completed. However, we were lucky that just before we started the piling activities, our local partner informed us that we need to invite Local Cultural Bureau to carry out an underground survey in order to confirm that no important relics are buried under the premises.
Another aspect is in order to introduce new concepts and designs to our work, we need to tap expertise from Tier One cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing or even foreign cities. However, with proper guidance and supervision, we have no problem to get local resources support for the detailed work.
How have you found the local government to be in terms of responding to some of your issues and needs??
They have been very supportive all the way. We need to understand that they are working hard to attract Foreign Direct Investment within a framework of rules and regulations directed by Central Government. We need to convince them that we are law abiding and that changes or requirements are for the better.
Your company has done a lot of projects throughout China. How do you feel that Xi?an compares to others cities based on your experience??
Compared to the Yangtze River or Zhujiang Triangle cities , Xi?an has less exposure to Western investment or culture. In order to maintain harmonious and good working relationships with local staff or local partners, we need to make our expectation and requirements clear from the very beginning. We shall lead by example to show that what we ask for is serious, achievable, practical and efficient.
When constructing a facility, what are some of the most important factors on which you advise your clients??
Spend more time on design. Also involve production or facility staff during design review in order to ensure minimum change during or after the construction.
Moreover, choosing the right partner like design institute or general contractor is very important. During the tendering stage, the key factor shall be ?WHO is the best to deliver the project?. It?s not about who can offer the lowest cost or who has the best local connection. Remember, price is always negotiable and connections can always be established.
What is the most important trait for any construction professional in China??
Honesty and integrity. A professional should not have any restraint due to unethical practice which may cause him or her not able to perform the assumed responsibilities.
What are some changes you have noticed in the industry over the years, and what do you see coming in the near future??
When we came to China in early 1990?s, design institute and general contractor were real state-owned entities. The management and work culture were very much ?government service? mentalities. However, following the change policies led by ex-premier Mr. Zhu Rong Ji, branch offices have been ?privatized?? and the impact has been felt since the early 2000?s. Performance of the companies depends very much on the branch manager or individual who is assigned to implement the project.
Over the time, local companies and foreign investors have gained their due experience respectively. For the coming years, we believe that only those companies or branch offices with good management and work ethics are able to survive.
What sort of outlook do you see for your company in the future??
While China continues to be the focus of worldwide economic growth, we believe this is the right market for our company for many years to come. There will be less new green field projects but many industrial facilities will need to improve their plant efficiency in order to maintain competitiveness. It is therefore important to equip ourselves with knowledge of energy savings and environmental friendly solutions. All cities in China are growing but we see Xi?an as one of the most promising one. Present Xi?an is like Shanghai Pudong or Suzhou 10 to 15 years ago. Tower cranes are everywhere. People are very optimistic and dynamics.
Note: You may know more about CNmy at www.cnmy-i.cn?or contact CNmy at enquiry@cnmy-i.com
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Source: http://www.xibf.org/member-spotlight-senghwat-wee-cnmy-construction/
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