Awareness needed on facilities management

The number of facilities and buildings that are being introduced into the market, compensate for the persistent effects of the global downturn.

Despite this, the facilities management (FM) industry is not without its share of challenges, particularly in view of the evolving needs of customers. One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of a region-wide awareness about the benefits of these services. While most multi-nationals operating in the region — who represent the bulk of customers of most FM companies — are familiar with the benefits, a huge segment comprising end-users and small and medium enterprises continue to shy away because they remain unaware or perhaps unconvinced of such long-term incentives.

It is in this regard that we have pursued an information campaign to reach out and communicate the key messages of the industry to a much wider cross-section of the target market. I believe this is not just important for the industry to grow; it is equally beneficial to the entire society considering the wasteful practices and mismanagement of resources that has been prevalent.

Moreover, it is equally important to raise awareness about the actual cost implications of professional FM services. Most of the target audiences are currently not aware that management and maintenance costs, including energy costs, actually represent up to 80 per cent of the total building lifecycle cost, with development cost accounting for just 20 per cent. Putting these figures in proper context, a study estimates the total value of the FM market in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to reach more than $892 billion in the next 25 years, based on more than $220 billion worth of projects underway and being planned over the next five years. This figure certainly represents a huge savings potential for property owners and developers who have the foresight to invest in long-term FM solutions.

The writer is the CEO of Imdaad.