HSC Pipeline Engineering clinches double victory at 2023 SBR Management Excellence Awards

The Singaporean company navigates digital transformation through the strategic use of technology to enhance civil engineering operations. 

HSC Pipeline Engineering Pte Ltd, an infrastructure pipeline construction and engineering services provider in Singapore, received two prestigious awards in the Heavy Civil Construction category at the 2023 SBR Management Excellence Awards. The accolades, Executive of the Year - Heavy Civil Construction and Team of the Year - Heavy Civil Construction, highlight the company's commitment to innovation, technology adoption, and operational excellence.

With a specialisation in gas, district cooling, water, and power pipeline projects, HSC Pipeline Engineering boasts over 30 years of experience in delivering complex projects seamlessly. Operating with finesse even in urban areas with high traffic flow or residential zones, the company maintains a strong focus on safety and efficiency.

Shane Shi Hong Sheng, Managing Director of HSC Pipeline Engineering, emerges as the Executive of the Year - Heavy Civil Construction winner for taking decisive actions to ensure operational continuity and enhance competitiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

His strategic decisions and relentless pursuit of digital transformation have not only steered HSC through the challenges presented by the persistent COVID-19 pandemic but also given the company a distinctive competitive edge in an industry traditionally characterised by labour-intensive processes.

When the construction industry faced unprecedented uncertainty due to the pandemic, he expedited ongoing initiatives to digitise pen-and-paper workflows, leveraging the power of in-house low-coding expertise. This move not only streamlined operations but also enhanced communication and collaboration across HSC's teams, minimising disruptions during lockdowns.

Recognising the importance of technology in the modern construction landscape, Shane Shi established a digital department within HSC—a pioneering move in the civil engineering ecosystem. This department focuses on serving the organisation's data needs, showcasing Shane's commitment to staying ahead of the technological curve.

Shane also pioneered the practice of subsurface utility engineering at HSC and within the larger civil engineering industry in Singapore. By adopting cutting-edge technologies such as ground-penetrating radar and geospatially accurate 3D scanning, Shane transformed the way underground utilities projects are planned and executed. This not only reduced the need for extensive trial trenches but also provided unprecedented clarity for efficient project planning.

Shane's forward-thinking approach and commitment to working smarter through technology have attracted a pool of young engineers to HSC. The company's ability to collect data and leverage information not only sets it apart in an industry traditionally characterised by manual labour but also creates an environment where young professionals can thrive and contribute to innovative solutions.

On the other hand, the Team of the Year - Heavy Civil Construction award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the HSC Digital Team in advancing subsurface utility engineering and digital technologies within Singapore's civil engineering industry. This innovative team has played a pivotal role in revolutionising the planning and documentation of underground utilities.

Utilising ground-penetrating radar and 3D scanning, the HSC Digital Team reduced the need for physical trenching and excavation, saving resources and ensuring compliance with strict time constraints. The creation of digital twins, including augmented reality capabilities, has transformed documentation methods, allowing for remote surveying and minimising potential errors. 

This shift from a 'dig-to-find' to a 'find-to-dig' method has not only reduced the number of trenches dug but has saved substantial costs, potentially $130,000 per kilometre of road where new subsurface utilities are planned.

The team's deployment of a vehicle-mounted ground-penetrating radar and 3D scanning solution stands out as a groundbreaking initiative, enabling comprehensive data capture both above and below ground. 

Another notable success is the team's proof of concept for augmented reality digital twins, introducing a unique and interactive visualisation of project data that enhances project understanding and communication. Moreover, their creation of a complete digital twin, offering insights into both visible and hidden project aspects, showcases the company’s commitment to thorough and innovative project management.

The HSC Digital Team has exemplified remarkable vision, innovation, and adaptability in an industry historically dependent on labour-intensive methods. Their accomplishments in subsurface utility engineering, time-critical operations, and documentation improvement distinctly affirm their crucial contributions to propelling HSC Pipeline Engineering forward.

The SBR Management Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].