Property | General
EFS has enough contracts till 2016
Facilities management firm expands into India
- Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 February 2, 2012
- Image Credit: Photo courtesy: Emcor
- Tarek Chauhan
Dubai: Facilities management service provider Emcor Facilities Services (EFS) said it has won enough major contracts to keep it busy until 2016.
A top official pointed to projects across the Gulf that have strengthened EFS's contract backlog, including the UAE, where the facilities management (FM) industry is expected to generate $1.4 billion per year over the next 25 years.
"In the last two months we have won contracts with projects including Dubai Creek Villas, Harvey Nichols, Musanada, Kuwait Real Estate, TGC, among others," Emcor Group Chief Executive Officer Tarek Chauhan told Gulf News.
EFS had a presence in only six countries a year ago but has since expanded to 12 and has its sights on Egypt, Lebanon and India, where it recently launched operations.
"Our India strategy is based on organic growth as well as acquisitions. Our plan is to grow organically," he said.
Strategic partnership
"We are currently looking at forging strategic partnerships (which) will help us leverage on mutual strengths — such as laundry, catering, cleaning companies."
But in a competitive market, Chauhan said holding on to clients is the key.
"The company understands that in order to be leader in the regional FM landscape, the key is 100 per cent contract retention," Chauhan says.
The company last year streamlined its information technology service infrastructure through a $5 million enterprise resource planning software that includes Oracle and JD Edwards.
And Chauhan was upbeat about the year ahead.
"The year 2012 will be the year of growth. We are optimistic of crossing our budget target," he said.
"But we need to be vigilant to mitigate the impending risks, mainly the lack of skilled manpower and the retention of it. This could pose a challenge and affect our growth.
"The facilities management industry is re-inventing itself. Facilities management is a tool for asset management — to offer longevity of the asset, effective asset life cycle management and make the asset sustainable. It is about sustainability and that's what the industry must strive to achieve."
Accredited
The new EFS FM Training Institute and its facility will conduct certified FM courses accredited by the International Facilities Management Association.
In March it is launching its "train the trainers" programme followed by three-week foundation courses and a 12-week FM course for young engineering graduates and select young professionals.
The training centre, which will start operations in a few weeks, will have a capacity to train 150 professionals at a time.
"One of our priority is to train UAE nationals and help them take decisive role in the local FM industry.
"For this, we are tying up with the Higher Colleges of Technology and other institutions," Chauhan said.
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