Workers Accommodation

The Group diversified into the Workers Accommodation Business in 2011 after their successful reverse acquisition exercise and is now one of the largest providers of workers accommodation in Singapore and Malaysia. In 2024, the Group has also expanded into China.

SINGAPORE

The Group operates five Purpose-Built Dormitories (“PBDs”) and four Quick Build Dormitories (“QBDs”) under the WESTLITE ACCOMMODATION brand, which is one of the largest providers of workers accommodation in Singapore.

Amongst the PBDs, both Westlite Toh Guan and Westlite Woodlands are 100% owned while Westlite Mandai and ASPRI-Westlite Papan (both joint ventures with Lian Beng Group) are 45% and 51% owned respectively. For Westlite Juniper, the Group secured a 10-year lease commencing in September 2019, with an option to renew for another five years.

In September 2020, the Group secured a bid to be among the first to manage QBDs, which pilot new specifications for migrant workers care and pandemic management. Centurion manages four QBDs – Weslite Jalan Tukang, Westlite Kranji Way, Westlite Tuas Ave 2, and Westlite Tuas South Boulevard – for an initial period of three years, with the option to extend for one additional year. All four QBDs have been progressively operational since 4Q 2020.

The current five PBDs and four QBDs have a total capacity of approximately c.34,786 beds.

MALAYSIA

The Group’s Workers Accommodation Business in Malaysia is one of the largest providers of Purpose-Built Workers Accommodation (“PBWA”) in Malaysia. As one of the pioneers in PBWA in Malaysia, the Group’s workers accommodation and services are gaining recognition and acceptance by MNCs, local companies and their workers.

Centurion’s established portfolio of workers accommodation assets are managed under the WESTLITE ACCOMMODATION brand. As at 31 December 2023, the Group owns a portfolio of 27,373 beds across eight assets in Malaysia. With the reconfiguration of its Malaysia PBWA properties to comply with the Workers‘ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019 (“Act 446”), the bedcount in Malaysia was revised to 24,411 on 1 January 2022.

In spite of the reconfiguration and anticipating the growing demand for quality PBWA due to Act 446, Centurion has added new capacity in Malaysia for 2023, with 290 beds in 1Q 2023 at Westlite Tampoi and 770 beds in 4Q 2023 at Westlite Senai respectively following the completion of Asset Enhancement Initiative.

The Group has been making good progress in building its customer base in Malaysia and attracting the manufacturers to house their workers in its workers accommodation portfolio. Amongst its existing customers are reputable multinational electronic contract manufacturers and manufacturing companies who care for their workers’ well-being by putting them in proper accommodation. As part of their manufacturing requirement to meet the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition standards, certain companies would prefer to house their workers in proper accommodation. The Group has managed to achieve high occupancy rate for its Malaysia portfolio.

CHINA

In 2024, the Group expanded into the China market by leasing 50 flats through a joint venture, marking its first entry into this new market. The property, operated under Centurion’s WESTLITE ACCOMMODATION workers’ accommodation brand and management platform, will provide housing for 550 beds in China, Hong Kong. This strategic acquisition enhances the Group’s position as a leading provider of high-quality worker accommodations in the region, adhering to its standards of excellence.