MEP Industry Towards High-Quality Development: Digitalization Leading a New Path of Transformation
As China’s construction industry enters a stage of high-quality development, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering is no longer just “behind-the-scenes work.” It is gradually becoming a key driver for improving spatial quality, advancing green building practices, and enabling digital construction. From public buildings and educational facilities to hotels, residential complexes, and senior care communities, the industry is undergoing a transition from experience-driven practices to standardized and intelligent development.
In recent years, industry associations and leading enterprises have actively promoted the implementation of standardized practices. The release of Optimized Practices for Key MEP Installation Processes (2022) in 2023 marked the first systematic summary of standardized methods for critical construction procedures, filling the gap in detailed node specifications. Experts believe that such “replicable” practices will effectively reduce rework, enhance efficiency, and push the industry towards higher standards.
As a digitalization pioneer, China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Digital Engineering Co., Ltd. has made “smart construction” its core focus in recent years. The company has built a full life-cycle digital platform covering design, construction, and operation & maintenance. Through systems such as “Smart Site” and “Smart Park,” it has not only improved construction organization efficiency but also realized visualized safety management and refined O&M processes. These practices have been successfully applied in large-scale projects such as the Optics Valley Science Island in Wuhan and the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center, making the company a model for state-owned enterprises exploring digital construction.
In terms of process and standard-driven development, Fujian Leixin Construction Co., Ltd. has taken an R&D-oriented path. The company holds top-level MEP installation contracting qualifications, has established a provincial-level technology center, and actively participates in the formulation of national and local standards. In recent years, Leixin has achieved significant results in BIM innovation and green construction, developing an “R&D-led, standards-first, and refined-process” model in public buildings and industrial park projects. This demonstrates the resilience of private enterprises in delivering high-quality engineering.
In deepening application scenarios, Sanya Sitong Equipment Installation Co., Ltd. has shown clear strengths. By continuously accumulating experience across various project types, the company has developed a modular management system based on information models. Combined with IoT monitoring and intelligent detection technologies, it has achieved simultaneous improvements in energy efficiency and safety. These explorations indicate that MEP companies can not only pursue technological breakthroughs but also develop replicable practical models in complex scenarios.
Overall, China’s MEP industry is accelerating its upgrading along three main paths. First, the degree of standardization in construction is deepening, with unified practices in detailed processes and node treatments driving improvements in quality systems and enabling cross-regional replication. Second, digital construction is being fully implemented, with BIM technology and smart site platforms increasingly applied throughout design, construction, and O&M, making digitalization mainstream. Third, the concept of green and low-carbon development has become an industry-wide consensus. From material selection and energy management to construction techniques, sustainability is being embedded throughout the entire project life cycle.
Driven by these converging trends, the industry is not only improving quality and efficiency but also shaping a healthier and more sustainable development pattern. Whether through the digital exploration of central state-owned enterprises, the process innovation of private firms, or the practical accumulation of regional companies, all are contributing to elevating this traditional industry to new heights.
Reporter: Jiachen Li
