Perspective of Malaysian Industrialized Building System on the Modern Method of Construction

Industrialized building system (IBS) is defined as a construction system where components are manufactured at factories on or off-site, transported and then assembled into a structure with minimum work. It involves prefabrication and installation of components at the construction site. Currently the most popular type of manufacturing in Malaysia is off-site which situated at significant distance from the site. Modern methods of construction (MMC) is the term used by the UK government to describe a number of innovations in house building, most of which are offsite technologies, moving work from the construction site to the factory. The term Offsite Manufacturing (OSM) and Offsite Production (OSP) are different with respect to construction processes which are away from the construction site, such as in a factory or created in temporary production facilities close to the construction site. Thus the Malaysia construction industry faces unique challenges in transforming construction into a modern and efficient industry. Over the years, the total number of IBS factory sites has increased from 21 (2002) to 143 factories (2009). This research studies the demands of IBS components under different category and identifies the pattern of off-site in Malaysia. The research findings will benefit both the government and private sectors in fulfilling the demand of IBS components in Northern Peninsular, West Peninsular of Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak where the number of manufacturers is still low.