SWOT Analysis of Offsite Manufacturers of Prefabricated Building Components in Singapore

Despite government’s push for the use of prefabrication in Singapore, the problem is that offsite manufacturers of prefabricated building components (hereinafter referred to as manufactures) appear to be unable to harness their inherent strengths, overcome their weaknesses and external threats to take advantage of the available opportunities in the construction market. The aim of this study is to do a SWOT analysis on Singapore’s manufacturers and develop strategies to enable them to thrive. A structured questionnaire was designed based on extant literature of offsite manufacturing. Quantitative data were collected from 46 project stakeholders via an industry wide survey. It was found that manufacturers’ strengths are their high quality prefabricated products and high productivity. Their weaknesses are the high capital and production costs. Their biggest opportunities are the limited supply of manual site labor and tender evaluation criteria that favour productivity and quality. The threats include lack of control over factors of production, shrinking construction demand, stiff competition and complex designs. The implication is that manufacturers should improve and re-examine their internal operations to overcome their weaknesses and the challenges in their external environment. Production should be streamlined, and partnerships with suppliers and transportation firms should be developed to guard against price fluctuations and inaccurate deliveries. Other recommendations are also offered to help manufacturers harness their strengths and opportunities while minimizing their weaknesses and threats.…