Japanese construction tech innovation hits Cebu market

A Japanese construction technology and electronic total solution manufacturer is taking advantage of the vibrant construction sector in Cebu and aims to uplift the technology adoption of engineers.

Topcon Electronic Total Station, through its exclusive distributor company in the Philippines Siccion Marketing, Inc. held a technology roadshow in Cebu recently to brief engineers and upcoming infrastructure builders (the students) on the new technology in construction.

"We have technology available, and we want the industry to embrace it, so that construction industry in the Philippines in general will be competitive in the rest of the world," said Lim Boon Kiet Topcon South Asia Pte. Ltd., regional sales executive.

In Cebu, the company has touched base with a local distributor channel Land and Engineering Survey Solutions, headed by contractor Edwin Salazar to strongly establish its presence in the construction industry in the province.

Topcon is one of the world's leaders in precise positioning solutions, such as high-tech tools in land survey, survey instruments, and electronics systems in digital type, among others.

During its Cebu roadshow, Topcon introduced its next generations of total station GTS-720 series, which features built-in Windows CE.NET operating system, large and full color graphic display with touch pad, lithium in battery which assures the longtime operation, and powerful on-board software.

Salazar said the entry of this kind of updated technology in construction would allow players in the industry to be efficient and be able to achieve productivity in their projects. Significantly, he added that Cebuano contractors can now be competitive.

"It's about time that the players as well as the academe to open up their minds and adopt the world's latest technology in construction," Salazar said.

Salazar, which is the past president of the Cebu Contractors Association (CCA), and officer of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE-Cebu) said he will initiate an educational campaign especially to the students of the technology that is available in the construction field.

He said due to lack of better opportunities for civil engineers in the Philippines, 95 percent of the students are now aiming to work abroad. Because of this, it is important of them (students) to be oriented with updated technology in construction.

Salazar, whose family also owns the Salazar Institute of Technology (SIT) in Cebu, said most of the universities and colleges offering engineering courses are still teaching traditional system in construction.

"I am planning to meet with the school heads to introduce new technology in construction, and the availability of Topcon products in Cebu would allow students to get a hands-on experience what they are going to use in the future, whether in the Philippines or abroad," Salazar said in a press conference.

Salazar added that if contractors now were to use the traditional technology, it would take time, and more costly. Using updated technology would promote shorter time in project completion as well as save cost.