Largest precast concrete manufacturer in ASEAN maintains top position in Indonesia
The company’s main product is precast concrete, and it produces, delivers and sometimes installs the product. Wijaya Karya Beton was founded in 1977. The main product is PC piles, which is around 60 percent.
Interview with Mr. Wilfred I.A. Singkali, President Director of Wijaya Karya Beton
Why did you take the challenge as PD of WIKA and what are the skills you bring to this position?
My current supervisor asked me to be the President Director of Wijaya Karya Beton. Previously, I was a research engineer with a background in research and development, and this was a position I enjoyed very much.
What are the company’s leading products?
The company’s main product is precast concrete, and it produces, delivers and sometimes installs the product. Wijaya Karya Beton was founded in 1977. The main product is PC piles, which is around 60 percent.
Do these products use infrastructure?
These products are used for different types of infrastructure. With the new investment on Infrastructure in Indonesia we will be providing precast concrete products for many of these projects.
What’s the most challenging project you’ve been part of?
The most challenging projects have been the highway and harbour projects.
What is the most interesting project you are part of today?
The most interesting projects today for Wijaya Karya Beton are the toll road project, the railway project, and also the power plant project. The MRT project in Jakarta is also interesting. As you can see we are involved in many different types of infrastructure projects.
Is the MRT your most exciting and important project to date?
Yes, the MRT project is a very special one. It is the first project for MRT international, and also the specifications are very tight.
Why so many factories all over the country?
Concrete is a heavy product, so we must have factories close to the projects. Is a cost effective way to serve our clients.
Where do you see the most projects happening in the future?
In the future, there will be many projects happening in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, especially for infrastructure.
There will be many projects, not just railways.
Do you think Indonesia could become a logistics centre for Southeast Asia in the future?
The company has a factory that has a jetty, so it can supply products straight from the factory to the location.
What are the new products you are working on today?
The company always follows the needs of the market. Sometimes the products need a little more modification, but sometimes customers can use the company’s standard products.
Are you exporting your product to other parts of the region?
The company has previously exported to other countries, such as Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei and even to Australia. We have also operated our factory in Algiers for five years.
Is your company looking for new partners or investors?
The company’s focus is domestic projects, since other countries around Indonesia want to enter the country. That is why Indonesia needs a strong company.
The company’s focus is domestic projects, since other countries around Indonesia want to enter the country. That is why Indonesia needs a strong company.
Do you want to acquire new partners and investors to keep going?
Yes, we would like to acquire partners for new technology and new systems. The company has just purchased equipment from Italy. Wijaya Karya Beton also has partners in countries such as China, Japan, Italy, Germany, Korea and the United States.
Are you now focusing on growth or conservation?
The company is focused on conservation while growing.
When will you start producing/manufacturing in other parts of Asia?
We see the main opportunities for this in countries such as Philippines and Myanmar. Both offer important infrastructure opportunities.
Do you think you will have the possibility to keep expanding in Indonesia?
We are optimistic and believe we will have capacity in the future, but we cannot forget that the company’s focus is domestic projects.
What makes your company different from the rest?
In terms of products and capacity, Wijaya Karya Beton believes it is the biggest in Southeast Asia.
What is your personal assessment of how the sector is growing?
The use of precast concrete is less than 20 percent. Compared to some other countries, which use precast until 70 to 80 percent. The growth potential is huge, as this numbers show.