Annual Review 2020 We're redefining exceptional Through our specialist expertise, we’re challenging boundaries to deliver advanced infrastructure solutions. Contents 04 06 08 09 Interview with the CEO About us Our people Our communities 10 12 14 28 Awards & rankings Our projects Infrastructure Urban development 32 36 38 Managed services The Board & Surbana Jurong Group Executive Committee Ballarat Line Upgrade, Rockbank Station Victoria, Australia Cover image: Norwest Train Station New South Wales, Australia Interview with the CEO Interview with the CEO It's a truth universally acknowledged that 2020 was a year like no other in recent "We will continue to support our clients and governments history. The ramifications of the global COVID-19 pandemic continue to re-shape as they transition towards recovery by focusing on key the world in which we live. partnerships, technology and technical expertise." Hari Poologasundram, CEO SMEC & CEO International Our success is built on our people – their innovation, – Hari Poologasundram, CEO SMEC & CEO International Surbana Jurong Surbana Jurong, reflects on the challenges, triumphs tenacity, drive and technical expertise in delivering and learnings of an unprecedented year, and looks solutions for our clients. ahead to the company’s future. Another strength is our decentralised business 2020 was a year of enormous challenges for so model – we operate through locally-based offices and many businesses. What were some of SMEC's key teams with access to significant global expertise and challenges, and how did you overcome them? experience. Our strategy has been to make it easy to reach out and connect our clients with the best The slowdown of the private sector in 2020 presented resources available across the world. us with challenges, but our core work on publicly funded projects, with a focus on national development, We have the necessary geographical and market received early support from many nations’ governments. diversity to overcome any localised market down- We were able to continue working, in a COVID-safe turns. We have developed a successful model of manner, on many essential infrastructure projects. growth and remain focused on continually improving our corporate governance and systems to ensure we A central and ongoing challenge was the ability to remain sustainable, connected and competitive for our continue serving our clients whilst also ensuring the clients and partners. health and wellbeing of our people. There is no one- size fits all approach, and we deal with each of our What does the future hold for SMEC? corporate offices or project sites in a unique manner to ensure we always have the appropriate information SMEC has an exciting future ahead of us as we to inform decisions and protect our employees whilst partner with our parent and sister companies in the delivering critical infrastructure. Surbana Jurong Group to help countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to deliver What learnings from 2020 are you taking into 2021 essential infrastructure. In addition to our existing and beyond? project portfolio, we are increasing our focus on providing specialist solutions to transport and energy We will see some changes in the way we do business infrastructure sectors, including hydropower and dams, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be more renewable energy, roads and highways, rail and metro. flexibility, whilst not compromising on employee collaboration and interaction, operational efficiencies Sustainability is another key focus for our organisation. and the in-person mentoring that is important for SMEC provides a broad range of environmental and career and skills development. Where appropriate, sustainability solutions that are tailored to location, work undertaken on an individual basis can be local market conditions and industry dynamics. Where completed remotely. possible we are taking a broader view of sustainability in our business and ensuring that principles cascade We are also preparing for new opportunities and through all stages of the project lifecycle. This can expanding into areas such as data centres, logistics range from specific services such as guiding clients’ and distribution, city regeneration and building projects through sustainability ratings schemes, to refurbishments, all of which have been highlighted by collaborating more closely with key clients on adopting the impacts of the global pandemic. management plans to minimise or offset impacts from development projects. What strengths do you feel SMEC can build on in 2021? The future outlook will continue to challenge us and we SMEC has a 70+ year history of technical excellence look forward to continuing to support our clients with and a strong reputation for delivering advanced advanced solutions and exceptional project delivery. engineering, design leadership and innovative solutions on nation-building projects all over the world. 4 5 About us Our approach We take a values-driven approach to everything we do. Our core values of Integrity, People, Professionalism, Partnership and Purpose are part of our DNA, representing what we stand for, what we expect from employees, what we deliver to our clients, and how we aim to The Karnaphuli River Tunnel conduct our daily work. We are committed to leading by example and continuing to build a Bangladesh values-led global culture. About us What drives us SMEC is a global engineering, management and development consultancy with a 70+ year Integrity Partnership history of delivering advanced infrastructure solutions for our clients and partners, with We act responsibly and conduct our business We build trusted and enduring relationships with a focus on resolving complex challenges within roads, highways, rail, metro, airports, with the highest ethical standards, accountability clients, partners and colleagues to achieve hydropower and renewable energy markets. and transparency. win-win outcomes. Through our network of global technical leaders Collaborating closely with our parent and sister collaborating with local partners, we connect you companies, we have the flexibility to operate in global with the best teams and capabilities to deliver highly markets either individually or in partnership to add People Purpose innovative and sustainable solutions. value for our clients. We value our global and diverse talent by creating a We are passionate and committed to making safe, inclusive and supportive environment where our meaningful impacts on people, environment As a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, people can thrive. and communities. SMEC is part of a family of specialists. Professionalism We act in the best interests of our clients and deliver innovative solutions with high standards of excellence. 6 7 Our people & communities Our people Balancing purpose and action Continued focus on supporting gender equality Apart from its devastating economic effects, the Supporting female participation and retention in COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the engineering continues to be a priority not only for lives of many people, including members of our SMEC SMEC but also the industry at large. family, their relatives and friends. We are proud of and grateful for the resilience, fortitude and drive of In 2020, SMEC Australia was proudly recognised by our workforce who came together around a singular the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer focus: protecting the safety and health of our people, of Choice for Gender Equality. This citation is a leading maintaining operational resilience and exceeding our recognition program designed to encourage, recognise commitments to our clients and partners. and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces. Our employees and With SMEC operating around the world in over 35 business prioritised key improvements in flexible work countries, many of our people were no strangers to practices, industry leading parental leave policies and collaborating in remote, albeit globally connected learning and development programs. teams. Still, as lockdowns and other restrictions came into play during 2020, SMEC offices, teams We also partnered with Cultivate, a research-based and employees mobilized quickly to support our sponsorship program in Australia, aimed at assisting communities and stakeholders by taking steps to female employees to progress into leadership protect health and wellbeing. We supported our positions. The program connects members of SMEC’s clients to deal with any impacts on their projects senior leadership team with emerging female leaders and continued to deliver quality technical services. who benefit from mentoring, sponsorship and Internally we increased morale and productivity formalised support. We look forward to running this through creative team building initiatives. program again in 2021. The Anganwadi Project in India, At our core, SMEC’s mission is simple: to build trusted supported by the SMEC Foundation partnerships to solve problems through design and engineering. It's this drive that has guided our teams during these unprecedented times and helped us to balance action with purpose as we look to redefine excellence. Our communities It is safe to say that there has never been a Asia Despite the challenges of COVID-19 delaying some more pressing need for community assistance works, two key projects to improve infrastructure and support for recovery from the impacts of and educational facilities in Vietnam and India were the