INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSORTIUM
Backed by nearly four decades of providing construction solutions to the nation, International Construction Consortium (ICC) is a name that has become synonymous with the delivery of exceptional service quality in the industry.
Established in 1980, ICC has become one of the largest and most respected civil engineering organisations in Sri Lanka, offering the promise of distinct service, experienced staff, plant and equipment, the highest quality materials and a reputation for integrating these aspects to ensure timely completion of projects.
With a penchant for identifying opportunities for expansion and diversification, the manufacturer has expanded its product and service portfolio to include ready-mix concrete, precast concrete products, aluminium and steel fabrication, prefabricated housing, fully automated timber production and multiple interior wall partition solutions.
Proving the diversity of its operations, ICC has penetrated the property development sector and delivered many real estate projects since the late ’90s, catering to all customer segments.
In its evaluation of the market in 2020/21, the organisation notes that the real estate landscape is constantly evolving due to a number of external factors such as urbanisation, demographic shifts, competition from emerging markets, sustainability, technology and shifting financial ecosystems, resulting in major implications for real estate investments and developments.
This is likely to increase the size of the real estate asset pool while altering the nature of investment opportunities and risks.
The construction industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and at present, continues to work to overcome the ensuing volatility.
Despite the contraction in economic activity, the demand for condominium apartments has continued to increase and this was one of the only investment solutions that seemed to be impervious to the fallout of the pandemic, compared to fixed deposits and interest rates.
Although apartment sales seemed to reflect a positive trend, as a result of the travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic and reduction in tourism, the rental management sector was impacted to a great extent.
This led to many foreign homeowners in Sri Lanka placing their homes on the market as they could no longer generate rental income. However, this new market segment saw many locals vying to purchase these luxury properties.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICC has demonstrated its ability to adapt to the new and rapidly evolving external environment by completing its second beachfront apartment project – Oceanfront Condominiums Galle – despite numerous challenges.
By adopting an innovative and sustainable approach that involved using less labour and more technological advancements – including precast, ready-mix, timber and smart eco solutions – the project is now positioned to obtain green building ratings.
ICC is one of the few contractors and developers to operate its exclusive rental management system for homeowners, taking convenience and ROIs one step further.
Similarly, Mount Clifford Residencies in Homagama was also completed during the pandemic.
All the projects completed by ICC have been recognised with prestigious awards, the most recent being a Gold Award presented to it by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) for the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa (ITUM) building in Diyagama.
The International Construction Consortium is perceived to be a brand that is expanding its engineering sector operations across a wide range of products and services.
However, the organisation has noticed a shortfall in skilled labourers and shortage in head counts over the past nearly two years due to the pandemic. To address this issue, the manufacturer has been adopting new technologies where less labour will be involved in the construction process.
The organisation’s latest construction range ICC ACOTEC was introduced as a direct replacement for conventional wall construction systems in medium and high-rise buildings.
Being a leading precast manufacturer in Sri Lanka, ICC offers a range of customisable precast and prestressed products, in a bid to cater to both commercial and domestic markets.
Moreover, the organisation is widely recognised as one of the most sustainable manufacturers of building materials to provide eco-friendly, versatile and multipurpose building panels in the form of the brand ICC DURRA, which is a dry wall partition solution that includes acoustic and fire rated kit house options.
Similarly, ICC Smart Eco is an offering that provides customers with an all-inclusive solution for a solid and liquid waste management system.
Meanwhile, ICC TIMBER – a natural timber flooring solution offered by the organisation – is manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Bandaragama with a range of alternatives.
These days, the International Construction Consortium is solely focussed on introducing solutions that have been identified as the three main components of the construction industry – i.e. materials, labour and time.
Presently, the brand’s R&D teams are working on its next innovation as ICC continues to strive to be among the most innovative contractors in Sri Lanka.
