Hardware and building materials businesses must unite, transform and innovate to stay strong in the increasingly competitive industry, said Builders Emporium Sdn Bhd managing director, Jeffrey Ng Kok Soon, as reported in Borneo Post.

He said hardware shops must come up with innovative ideas and concept to enhance the value of the hardware sector as a whole.

As such, Builders Emporium is creating a platform to unite hardware and building materials businesses under one roof in the upcoming Builder's Square in Donggongon near here.

Set to open in a year, Builder's Square is a one-stop centre for hardware and building materials for Malaysian and international brands.

"We must unite and endeavor in transforming ourselves".

If the hardware shops remain unchanged, Ng said developers may think of sourcing materials directly from manufacturers in West Malaysia or China.

Ng said this at the Builder's on Sales event organized by Builders Emporium at Beverly Hills Industrial Park, Jalan Penampang Lama on Thursday, July 28. The event was graced by Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) president, Datuk Francis Goh, who officiated the event at the soft launching of Builder's Square.

He added that the Builder's Square Privilege Card launched yesterday offered special discounts to customers.

Builder's On Sale will be open on July 29 and July 30 from 8:30am to 9pm, and July 31 from 8:30am to 5pm.

Meanwhile, Goh said the Builder's Square would prevent unhealthy competition among industry players as selection would be made on the types of hardware shops to be established in the one-stop centre.

He said the centre also enabled buyers to acquire a variety of hardware tools and building materials at one place.

On the other hand, Goh encouraged hardware and building materials businesses to look into the potential of Industrialized Building System (IBS) which saved labour cost, building materials and time.

SHAREDA is actively looking into adopting IBS. It can be used in building affordable homes due to its lower cost.

He said the IBS could cut down building cost by 25 percent and enabled a project to be completed in half the time.

IBS, also known as pre-fabricated construction, is a technique of construction whereby components are manufactured in a controlled environment, either onsite or offsite, placed and assembled into construction works.

Also present were Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Ling Tiong Chai and Datuk Paul Kong.