Kuala lumpur: ACE Market debutant ISF Group Bhd is set to benefit from Malaysia's data centre expansion by securing more projects this year. Managing director Jeff Ai Boon Chen stated that the company, which provides end-to-end industrial and commercial piping solutions, is currently engaged in several data centre projects across the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ai highlighted that data centre projects are characterized by their quick turnaround, typically completing within 12 to 18 months. Despite not yet reflecting in the company's order book, ISF Group is actively tendering for new projects and anticipates securing additional data centre projects this year.

Ai further explained that data centre projects currently account for 47.5 percent of the group's revenue, with the rest coming from residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, and healthcare projects. He emphasized the company's strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for data centres to boost revenue.

In response to the increasing workload, ISF Group plans to expand its workforce by hiring more professionals, including beam modellers, engineers, project managers, and quantity surveyors. Currently, the company employs 220 construction personnel, with most projects executed using in-house manpower. However, Ai acknowledged the continued reliance on subcontractors, especially when project deadlines are tight.

ISF Group made its debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia at 50 sen, a premium of 17 sen over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 33 sen, with 50.14 million shares traded. The IPO raised RM61.15 million, with allocations including RM11.35 million for establishing and expanding operational facilities, RM2.05 million for developing existing business activities, RM1.85 million for workforce expansion, RM1.20 million for loan repayments, RM39.90 million for working capital, and RM4.80 million for listing expenses.