Building a landmark business

SINGAPORE'S skyline is synonymous with the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Promenade. These landmarks, as well as the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at National University of Singapore (NUS), showcase the work of homegrown construction group, Expand Construction.

Expand Construction started as a family signage business, which dwindled during the 1998 financial crisis. Founder and chairman Von Lee Yong Miang decided to quit his job at HDB amid the financial maelstrom to help his brother revive what seemed to be an unsustainable and unprofitable business.

While assessing the company's client list, an opportunity surfaced with NPa…