Our company aims to build sustainable cities, which countries all over the world are eager to achieve. However, at the same time, extreme weather, rapid changes in international politics and economics are imposing unavoidable impacts on the Earth and human race. Businesses are the driving forces to the global economy, hence their owners must integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into management, expanding their influence on stakeholders to move towards a net-zero future.
Fostering consensus on low-carbon engineering, leading the sustainable transformation of the construction industry, Kedge Construction held a supplier conference in 2023, initiating the campaign of net zero emission . It attracted over 200 construction, engineering, and architectural design companies to pitch in, starting from upstream and downstream suppliers, leading the industry to explore business opportunities. In 2023, Kedge Construction’s overall operations steadily grew, with consolidated operating income reaching NT$ 14.292 billion, a 0.61% increase from NT$ 14.205 billion in 2022; consolidated net profit after tax was 990 million dollars, a 5.5% decrease from the previous year’s NT$ 1.048 billion. In addition, the total consolidated operating income for 2023, including engineering income and non-operating income, reached NT$ 14.382 billion, an increase of 177 million from the previous year, representing a 1.25% growth, meeting the expected target of revenue stability.
As a member of the Guande Enterprise Group, Kedge actively participates in projects under the group’s five blueprints: “Green Home, Smart City, Innovate Together, Integrity Enterprise, and Happy Enterprise,” implementing various possibilities for sustainability. In addition to complying with regulations, it voluntarily completed the greenhouse gas inventory disclosure and third-party verification ahead of time, and surpassed industry peers in collecting “all categories” of emission data, which will be used for research institutions to set reduction targets for construction projects and develop Scientific Based Targets (SBTi). Furthermore, in 2023, it officially released the construction industry’s first climate-related financial disclosure (TCFD) report, which helps investors and decision-makers understand the organization’s significant risks and precisely assess risks and opportunities under climate change.
Kedge leads the industry with its Building Information Modeling (BIM), which continues to deepen, integrating Facility Management (FM) and carbon emissions research. Low-carbon construction methods such as prefabrication and aluminum formwork are widely used on construction sites, along with sustainable materials such as high-recycled-content building materials and low-carbon concrete. Additionally, air quality and noise monitoring systems are installed on construction sites across Taiwan to lower environmental impacts. Excellent construction quality continues to be recognized, with the “Nanmen Market” project winning the Public Works Gold Award as expected, and obtaining the Gold-level Green Building certification. Additionally, the “Taipei Labor Safety Award,” “New Taipei City Work Safety Award,” and “Kaohsiung Urban Engineering Quality Gold Award” all awarded Kedge First Prize.
To nurture a new generation of engineering talents, Kedge Construction takes “rooting talents, sustainable prosperity” as its core values, creating a competitive salary structure and a caring workplace environment for its colleagues,with an annual salary increase of 5.3%. At the same time, it is committed to promoting health promotion, with both local and migrant workers and subcontractor partners covered by workplace health management plans, and integrating Kedge’s carbon-negative initiative with employee integration activities. Whether it’s beach cleaning, tree planting, or rational fertilization of farmland, Foundation’s presence can be seen, allowing the seeds of sustainability to continue to sprout in work and family.
In terms of social care, by switching to surplus materials from construction sites and inviting cooperative partners to join, the “Repair Circulation Project,” which supports the spirit of “one construction site guarding one family,” completed repairs for 12 disadvantaged families throughout the year, from New Taipei Wulai in the north to Pingtung Manzhou in the south, endeavoring to address the plight of remote areas where labor force is always insufficient. In this year, we work with homeless assistance groups, 1919 Food Bank, and local governments to drive more profound cycles through diverse cooperation and the practice of social integration. In addition, continuing the founder Mr. Ma Yushan’s emphasis on education and reading, Kedge donated NT$8 million in 2023 to support the “Kindom YuShan Education Foundation” in producing “Celebrity Book Room” and organizing architecture and art lectures, creating a literary society together.
Embarking on the path of sustainable management, Kedge always maintains its original intention, adhering to the belief of “Integrity, Quality, Service, Innovation, and Sustainability” left by the founder. Kedge Construction will continue to work with internationally-distinguished businesses to build sustainable cities and create a visible future.
▍Chairman, Kedge Construction Co., Ltd.
Yuan, Ai-Wei
