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UAE facilities management sector likely to grow 10% next year

Digital transformation will be key for industry to move forward, expert says

The UAE’s facilities management (FM) industry is expected to growth 10 per cent in 2023, as trends shift in favour of differentiated services that lead to demonstrable outcomes such as energy and cost savings and reduced tenant/occupant churn, according to an industry expert.

“The FM industry will be increasingly prefixed by the word ‘integrated’ in 2023, with stakeholders hoping to bridge silos between people, technologies and systems in facilities. It will lead to the standardisation of computer-aided facility management (CaFM) adoption and IoT-led [Internet of Things] operations. The resulting impact on tenant experiences, energy conservation/management, sustainability goals, and cost savings will invite supportive government policies and incentives,” said Sangeetha B, CEO of Amantra FM.

Sangeetha’s notions about widespread technology adoption in the industry are supported by a few tell-tale signs this year. FM operators and owners have been in the market for IoT and CaFM solutions. The increased demand has, in turn, necessitated service providers to revamp their value propositions. Those developments have worked in favour of service providers, such as Amantra. “Differentiated services, along with niche marketing, are increasingly getting the better of mass marketing FM models. Though the pandemic was a causal factor behind this shift, there are structural trends, such as digital transformation. Owners and FM operators are inclined toward service providers who may not have broad-based solutions but show visible positive outcomes in their niche offerings,” Sangeetha says.  The industry’s technology adoption will be attuned to national priorities, according to Amantra FM, which has been vocal about its commitment to the UAE Vision 2025.

Robotics-powered cleaning, which characterises higher efficiency, lower labour requirements and reduced costs, is among the niche offerings sought by owners in the UAE. Sangeetha added that hard services pertaining to (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) HVAC systems are being prioritised by owners who, following the pandemic, are more cognisant of indoor air quality (IAQ) standards. Such developments complement frameworks such as Abu Dhabi’s Safety and Security Planning Manual (SSPM) and bigger priorities like the UAE Vision 2025.

“In a nutshell, you can call the current period in the industry ‘the great re-engagement’. This juncture calls for FM companies to re-engage customers, align with their evolving expectations, and reconcile their budgets with larger goals such as sustainability. Simultaneously, there is a pressing need to re-engage employees as well, empowering their personal aspirations, ensuring their health and well-being, and creating a sense of community in the workplace. At Amantra FM, we have an open-door policy and upskilling initiatives in place. We intend to build on these strengths in 2023 while supporting facilities’ energy conservation and sustainability efforts through strategic partnerships and collaborations,” Sangeetha concluded.

About Amantra FM

Incorporated in 2020 and headquartered in Dubai, Amantra Facilities Management is a niche company specializing in non-core soft and hard services. The company is currently striking strategic partnerships and collaborating with tech-based solution providers specialising in energy conservation, management and sustainability.