Growing up, Lau Ming enjoyed taking things apart — not to break them, but to understand how they worked. That curiosity eventually sparked a career in engineering.

Today, as Group Chief Operating Officer of BRC Asia, he oversees the manufacturing operations of one of Singapore’s leading steel reinforcement solutions providers, driving the innovation and operational excellence behind the country’s built environment.

From advanced manufacturing and prefabrication to digitalisation and automation, BRC Asia has been at the forefront of the industry’s transformation. For Lau Ming, it’s proof that construction today offers far more diverse and dynamic career opportunities than many young people realise.

We speak to Lau Ming about his journey, and why BRC Asia is building not just the infrastructure of tomorrow, but the talent behind it.

What attracted you to BRC Asia, and what has kept you motivated throughout your journey?

I was already working in the steel reinforcement industry when the opportunity to join BRC Asia came along. At the time, BRC Asia was the leading welded wire mesh supplier and was expanding into rebar cut-and-bend services, an entirely new area for my boss and mentor, Mr Lim Siak Meng, and me.

It was a humbling experience watching him work tirelessly through countless nights with a hands-on approach and an unwavering ‘must-do’ attitude. It has been an incredible learning journey ever since. Even today, we’re constantly innovating and finding new ways to stay ahead as the industry continues to evolve.

Construction is often seen as a traditional industry. How is that changing, and what role is BRC Asia playing in driving that transformation?

Construction today is far more technology-driven, sustainable and industrialised than many people realise. At BRC Asia, we’ve continued to invest in advanced manufacturing, prefabrication and process innovation to improve efficiency, consistency and workplace safety. We want to demonstrate that modern manufacturing and engineering can make construction smarter, more productive, and more attractive to the next generation.

BRC Asia describes itself as combining “modern thinking with old-fashioned values”. What does that mean in practice?

For us, modern thinking means constantly looking for better ways of working through innovation, automation and digitalisation.

At the same time, we believe some values never go out of style: keeping our commitments, treating people with respect and building long-term relationships with customers and colleagues.

Together, these principles create a workplace where people are encouraged to learn, grow and take pride in what they do.

With more than 1,000 employees across Singapore, Malaysia and China, how do you cultivate a strong organisational culture while empowering teams across different markets?

We focus on shared values rather than identical ways of working. Safety, quality, integrity and teamwork form the foundation of every operation, while local teams have the autonomy to make decisions that best serve their customers and markets. Open communication, knowledge sharing and leadership development keep everyone connected and working towards the same goals.

You’ve spent more than two decades leading manufacturing and operations teams. What’s the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learnt?

People are always the foundation of every successful organisation.

Great leaders communicate clearly, listen actively and lead by example. I’ve also come to realise that continuous improvement is a mindset — small, consistent improvements often deliver the greatest long-term impact.

One of my proudest achievements has been seeing people I’ve mentored grow into capable leaders themselves. Watching them succeed independently has been especially rewarding.

What opportunities can young professionals look forward to at BRC Asia?

I’m excited by the opportunities to further transform our business through digitalisation, automation and sustainable manufacturing. As the construction industry continues to modernise, we’re well positioned to deliver innovative reinforcement solutions that improve productivity, reduce waste and support more sustainable building practices across the region.

It’s also an exciting time for young professionals to join BRC Asia. They’ll have opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects, work with emerging technologies and build rewarding careers across engineering, operations and management.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering a career with BRC Asia?

Be open to learning from your mentors, embrace challenges and never stop improving yourself. The industry is evolving rapidly, offering opportunities to work with advanced technologies while making a tangible impact through the infrastructure we build. Success comes from combining technical competence with integrity, resilience and a willingness to keep learning throughout your career.