A TOP executive of the commercial division of Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC), Alstra, sees a slowdown in building construction in the city fueled by several projects suffering major delays.
Rajan Komarasu, group director of Alstra, formerly Concepcion Building and Industrial Solutions (BIS) that carry the Carrier, Otis, and Toshiba brands, said he noticed the slowdown based on the data they keep of building construction, development, and permits, which they maintain in a database to check on their markets. The slowdown, he said started last year and he foresees that this will carry on for another year.
"It's just that construction starts are getting delayed, a lot of developers are on a wait and see," he said in a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Tuesday noon.
He describes it as a temporary glitch and hopes that things will pick up again after.
"I also do not want this to last long because it also affects our business," he said.
Another factor that contributes to delays is the lack of expertise and manpower in the construction industry.
BIS recently changed its name to Alstra "to reflect an all-encompassing and more strategic shift n the company's vision for the building industry and address the changing demands of its customers."
In looking at the big picture of the construction sector, they gather data on building permits, types of buildings and usage, and other data that will lead them to their prospects for elevators and air-conditioning systems.
"Our market is anywhere from three floors and above that requires elevators," he said.