From modest beginnings to market leadership, Ley Choon has grown into one of Singapore’s most respected integrated infrastructure firms.

Ley Choon Group’s (“Ley Choon”) journey began in 1990, when the Toh brothers founded the company as a subcontractor specialising in water pipe laying. Operating from a compact container office in Woodlands Industrial Park E, the firm started with just 15 employees and an annual turnover of approximately S$1.2 million. That same year, it secured its first main contractor project – an early indication of the growth trajectory that would follow.

Iconic golden trucks of Ley Choon

In just two years, with the successful completion of its first gas pipe laying project in 1992, Ley Choon was upgraded from Grade L1 to L2 contractor under the “Cable/Pipe Laying and Road Reinstatement” (CR07) category. This enabled the company to tender for public sector projects up to S$0.5 million. Fast forward another two years, the company began securing multiple contracts with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and diversified into road milling and patching services. Its license was subsequently upgraded to L4, expanding its eligibility to bid for projects of up to S$3 million in value.

Transmission gas pipe laying

STRATEGIC GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION

The early 2000s marked a transformative era for Ley Choon, characterised by growth in scale and a diversification of capabilities. Undertaking more work from PUB, the company secured the majority of contracts under the Five-Year Pipeline Replacement Programme. This period also saw its relocation to Bukit Batok, accompanied by a workforce expansion that surpassed 100 employees.

Founders of Ley Choon Constructions Pte Ltd

Strategically integrating both vertically and horizontally, Ley Choon next obtained the highest level of CR07 grading (L6), qualifying it to tender for public sector projects of unlimited value. This milestone coincided with the company’s move to a larger facility at 61 Senoko Drive and also marked its entry into NEWater pipeline installation, further broadening its technical repertoire.

NEWATER pipe laying

During the period, acquisitions became a key lever for expansion. The purchase of Teacly (S) Pte Ltd in 2004 saw Ley Choon enter the cable laying industry, while the subsequent acquisition of Chin Kuan Engineering and Contractors Pte Ltd extended its reach into more infrastructure projects. And with a landmark S$25 million contract from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for traffic light system maintenance and installation soon after, Ley Choon successfully moved into the urban infrastructure domain.

Innovation and capability-building remained central to the company’s strategy. Between 2007 and 2008, Ley Choon embraced trenchless technology, commissioned its first asphalt recycling plant, and secured two major NEWater contracts worth S$48 million. Its workforce grew in tandem, reaching 320 employees as the company scaled up to meet rising demand.

Resurfacing of taxiways at Singapore Changi Airport

By the close of the decade, Ley Choon had diversified into airfield maintenance and high-pressure gas pipe laying. This saw it secure a S$15 million taxiway resurfacing contract from Changi Airport Group, while also establishing a construction waste recycling plant – demonstrating a growing commitment to sustainability. Its licensing was upgraded to reflect its expanded capabilities and its headcount tripled to 900.

The momentum continued into the next decade, underpinned by additional major airfield and expressway contracts, along with further licensing upgrades. Ley Choon also embarked on its first overseas venture, securing S$54 million in civil engineering and water treatment contracts in Brunei, and undertaking a watershed subsea pipeline installation to Jurong Island. The company then established a presence in China and relocated its headquarters once more to Sungei Kadut, signalling its readiness for regional expansion.

Live valve installation

A defining milestone came in 2012 with Ley Choon’s listing on the SGX Mainboard. The following years saw the company’s order book surpass S$200 million, its operations expand into Sri Lanka, and the commissioning of one of Singapore’s largest asphalt plant. By 2014, Ley Choon had its CW02 license upgraded to A1, the highest grade and allowing for public sector project tenders of unlimited value. It also saw them move into a new integrated headquarters at 3 Sungei Kadut Drive, complete with office facilities and worker accommodation – an embodiment of its commitment to operational excellence and employee welfare.

INTEGRATED CAPABILITIES AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Today, Ley Choon is a fully integrated main contractor with capabilities spanning civil engineering, roadworks, utilities, and sustainable construction technologies. Through its self-perform model, the company boasts an operational philosophy that bypasses subcontracting in favour of in-house execution across the entire project lifecycle. From cable detection and trial trenching to excavation, pipe laying (including micro-tunnelling and HDD), road reinstatement, and final milling and patching, every phase is managed internally. This approach ensures consistent quality, seamless coordination, and the highest safety standards across all worksites where safety receives equal priority as productivity. Backed by a strong safety culture and training framework, the company has earned industrywide recognition from clients.

Through its self-perform model, (Ley Choon) boasts an operational philosophy that bypasses subcontracting in favour of in-house execution across the entire project lifecycle.

24/7 Operations Command Centre

Ley Choon’s long-standing relationship with PUB exemplifies its operational excellence. For over 35 years, it has served as PUB’s most reliable urgent repair contractor. The company’s 24/7 Operations Command Centre (OCC) is a testament to its forward-thinking ethos. Equipped with a proprietary portable CCTV system and real-time monitoring capabilities, the OCC oversees all site activities, identifies safety observations, and captures best practices for training and reward purposes. It also functions as a round-the-clock emergency hotline, ensuring rapid response to critical incidents such as pipe bursts or cable faults.

EMBRACING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

Ley Choon has emerged as a pioneer in digital transformation within the infrastructure sector. Its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered road inspection system has revolutionised defect detection and reporting. What once required a team of inspectors and hours of manual labour is now accomplished by a single vehicle equipped with a mounted camera and AI software. The system identifies and categorises over 1,000 defects of different severity per session, generates detailed reports within four hours, and tracks the progression of each defect over time. This data-driven approach enables holistic maintenance, targeted repairs, and optimised resource deployment. Integrated with job scheduling, job recording, and dashboard functions, the system covers the whole workflow from end-to-end, promising a seamless and timely process in one single platform.

Sustainability is deeply embedded in Ley Choon’s operations. It was among the first in Singapore to commission an asphalt plant with recycling capabilities and has worked closely with the LTA to incorporate up to 30% recycled asphalt in road construction.

The company’s recent collaboration with Life3 on the Life3 Urban Sustainability Hub (LUSH) reflects its commitment to environmental stewardship. Life3’s mission to accelerate sustainable living resonated strongly with Ley Choon’s values – the potential to achieve bio-asphalt by adding MicroAlgae.

RESILIENCE, RENEWAL, AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Between 2015 and 2016, Ley Choon faced significant challenges, including project-related losses and rising debt. In response, the company undertook a comprehensive organisational restructuring, entering into a Debt Restructuring Agreement (DRA), divesting properties, implementing redundancies, and streamlining operations. From 2017 to 2023, it focused on business sustainability by concentrating on core competencies and the local market. This also saw it move to improve its capital structure, optimise costs, and enhance project management. In 2024, Ley Choon successfully fulfilled all DRA obligations ahead of schedule. Its order book surpassed S$300 million for the first time, signalling a robust return to growth and a renewed trajectory toward long-term success.

The four founding brothers continue to lead with humility, compassion, and unity – sharing a steadfast commitment to the company’s mission.

Despite its scale and public listing, Ley Choon retains the heart of a family business. The four founding brothers continue to lead with humility, compassion, and unity – sharing a steadfast commitment to the company’s mission. Through more than three decades of success and overcoming challenges, their stewardship has helped maintain the company’s upward trajectory. This familial ethos extends to the entire organisation and to its focus on workforce growth.

Ley Choon places a strong emphasis on internal talent development, offering a robust Learning & Development platform accessible to all staff. Employees are encouraged to pursue courses of their choice, often fully sponsored by the company. Several team members have earned Master of Business Administration (MBA)degrees or advanced from general workers to project managers and directors. Workers also receive regular training to enhance their technical skills and safety awareness.

2024 Yunnan company trip with family members

BUILDING A LEGACY

Ley Choon’s journey from a small subcontractor to a leading main contractor – complete with its own asphalt plants, recycling facilities, and digital infrastructure – speaks to its relentless drive for vertical growth. Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its civil infrastructure footprint in South Asia, bringing its integrated model and technological capabilities to new markets.

At its core, Ley Choon is youthful, dynamic, and unafraid to evolve. It embraces change, learns from setbacks, and continuously strives to do better. With a strong foundation, a culture of innovation, and a people-first philosophy, Ley Choon is not just building infrastructure – it is building a legacy.