iBuild Building Solutions: Revolutionising the Construction Industry with Growth and Success
In recent years, the construction industry has experienced a remarkable transformation, driven by technological advancements, innovative approaches, and a focus on sustainability. Among the companies at the forefront of this revolution is iBuild Building Solutions. Founded with a vision to revolutionise the construction sector, iBuild has emerged as a key player, fostering growth and achieving remarkable success. During the beginnings of Eastern Innovation itself, iBuild were one of the first startups to move into our centre. Furthermore, we have had the privilege of watching iBuild grow from a two-partner business to a medium sized enterprise.
What is iBuild?
iBuild Building Solutions is a Victorian based manufacturer of kit homes and prefabricated buildings. With a staff of 20 full-time employees and 20 contractors, they are known as the “IKEA of the building industry”. iBuild’s approach involves delivering flatpack house kits in stages to customers, enabling them to assemble fully functional homes with ease. iBuild’s success domestically has led to expansion into overseas markets, focusing on lower-cost housing solutions in Asia, the South Pacific, and Africa.
From humble beginnings
Jackson Yin, CEO, and co-founder of iBuild, moved to Australia with nothing but 700 dollars to his name and a vision. In the early stages of the company, even the capacity to afford the rent for a workspace was of concern. Working from a garage in Mount Waverley, he and friend Michael Zeng, got busy experimenting with prefabricated home prototypes in a hyper-focused bid to create a sustainable income stream. They only had one opportunity and put everything on the line to bring their innovative concepts into reality. Today, iBuild has formed partnerships with academic institutions to contribute to education and skills development in the community. They extend their support through scholarships and internships to ten universities. Annually, approximately 100 interns specialising in science, technology, engineering, and math as well as business and arts are welcomed. Through these internships, students gain valuable hands-on experience. Likewise, iBuild gains insights into the latest teachings and advancements from top universities.
As part of its commitment to the local community, iBuild engages in various initiatives aimed at generating new job opportunities, offering training programs, and prioritising the hiring of individuals from the local area. In its efforts to foster diversity within the workplace, iBuild takes proactive steps to recruit individuals from different backgrounds, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. These inclusive practices not only yield advantages for the company but also contribute positively to the well-being of the local community.
Embracing Sustainable Practices
Sustainability has become a critical focus for the construction industry, driven by the need to reduce environmental impact and create energy-efficient structures. iBuild has taken a proactive approach to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. By utilising eco-friendly materials, integrating renewable energy systems, and adopting green building principles, iBuild has not only minimised their ecological footprint but also positioned themselves as industry leaders in sustainable construction.
Business Growth
IBuild quickly learnt that to grow their operation and business, adopting digital technology was key. It is evident through two major systems: the business support system for customer communication, and the operational support system for manufacturing operations. They started their digital transformation journey with free open-source tools and later adopted more suitable mid-market and bespoke solutions. iBuild stands out by using advanced virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology, helping customers visualise their homes. They were fast to adopt this approach during COVID-19 lockdowns. Their willingness to experiment with new technologies sets them apart from less digitally aware competitors.
iBuild’s strong work ethic and regard for community is tantamount to the success of the company. This is evident with their impressive plethora of awards and recognition over the years. For example, iBuild were the winner of the 59th Australian Export & Investment Awards in the Small Business Category and earned the Northern Business Achievement Award Business of the Year 2022, Export Award 2022, and Technology Award 2022. Recently, iBuild was a featured case study in a report The Digital Journey of SMEs in Australia conducted by META in conjunction with Thoughtlab and HATCH. The study was a comprehensive review on how small and medium-sized enterprises drive business and economic results through digital innovation. It wrote that iBuild stands out among its competitors as a digitally aware and community-oriented company. The report highlighted iBuild embracing advanced VR and AR technology, utilising digital systems for customer interaction and manufacturing operations, and fostering sustainability initiatives.
iBuild Building Solution’s growth and success within the construction industry can be attributed to visionary leadership, a commitment to innovation, sustainable practices, collaboration, and a customer-centric approach. As the industry continues to evolve, iBuild remains at the forefront, driving positive change and setting new benchmarks for excellence. With their continued focus on innovation and delivering high-quality construction solutions, iBuild has grown before our very eyes and is poised for even greater growth in the future. We are grateful that our innovation ecosystem offered them the environment to innovate and collaborate to accelerate their business.