< Previouswww.fm-middleeast.com 30 July 2020 PLATINUMSILVER FACILITIES & CONTRACTING GARY READER OF SERVEU WINS FM EXECUTIVE AWARD Gary Reader, general manager of ServeU, took home the cov- eted FM Executive of the Year award. According to a judge, “ServeU’s turn- over has increased 38% since Gary joined and contributed to more than AED200m in new contract wins and the expansion of the company across several business sectors. He implemented multiple tech- nological integrations which led to the entire service delivery and operational approach being transformed to paper- less. He took the initiative to reduce carbon emissions by switching the entire fleet of over 4,000 staff transport buses to B20 Biofuel. An overall well accom- plished leader who has taken ServeU to new heights, placing it in the premier league of FM companies”. Reader commented: “Being simply nominated by ServeU for this award showed us that there is a high apprecia- tion for what we have achieved, to go on and be not only shortlisted, but to win in a category of tough competition, shows the recognition for people working within the industry here in the ME. “ServeU is continuously evolving and it is fantastic to see a company that has already achieved so much within the FM industry be able to achieve even more and knowing the part that you and each member of your team have played in this evolution. We have seen an immedi- ate positive reception from our digital audience after the news was announced on our social media. It also trigged an increase in engagement by 45%.” In the highly commended prize, there were two winners. One went to Eng. Ansari, CEO of Adeeb Group. Eng. Ansari said: “I really enjoy working for Adeeb Group as CEO and also appreciate my entire team of Adeeb, who are our valuable assets, with whose support it has been made possible to win this Highly Commended Award for the FM Executive of the Year for the second time.” The other highly commended were to Stuart Harrison, CEO of Emrill. Harrison said: “Emrill’s success would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of every employee. I’m so proud of how the team has adapted and thrived despite the challenges of the last few months. It’s an honour to work with people so committed to deliver- ing excellent services and continuously improving.” READER IMPLEMENTED MULTIPLE TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATIONS AT THE FIRM Gary Reader, general manager, ServeU. Highly Commended: Engineer Ansari from Adeeb Group Stuart Harrison from Emrill FM_1507_30_FM Awards_11312310.indd 3029/06/2020 12:03:08 PMwww.fm-middleeast.comwww.fm-middleeast.com July 2020 31 TAHER ALI MAQBOOL FROM SERVEU RECEIVES UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR AWARD Taher Ali Maqbool from ServeU won the Unsung Hero of the Year award. One of the judges remarked that the individual demonstrated a high level of integrity and honesty. On 28th June 2019 Maqbool started his cleaning shift at Al Sabkha parking area where he found 15kg of gold worth AED2.5m in a black bag, and without hesitation, he handed the 15kg of gold to the authorities. In recognition of his honesty, this person was given a plaque by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); in addition, ServeU promoted him as a team leader for the level of integrity shown. Gary Reader, general manager, ServeU, on behalf of Maqbool, said: “It is a great honor for Tahir to be recognised by the most reputed and well-known award ceremony in the FM industry. This recognition not only encour- ages him further but has made him extremely proud, it is also an inspiration to others. “Tahir set a great example of what trust and honesty is for all our staff, who, on a daily basis deal or come across personal belongings. He has inspired our whole team with his honesty when presented with a rare opportunity. The recognition from FM Middle East Awards has only added further value and appreciation from that he has al- ready received from ServeU and RTA, which sets a positive trend for ServeU’s staff.” The highly commended unsung hero for this year went to Amanath Shahal from Emrill. The jury appreciated the Shahal’s prompt action while executing his du- ties as a lifeguard at Oceana Residences, located in Dubai’s Palm Jumeira. In September last year, Shahal res- cued a four-year-old boy from drowning. Shahal said: “I’m so proud to win this award. I get to do a job I love, helping people stay safe and being part of such a great company.” Highly Commended: Amanath Shahal from Emrill MAQBOOL DEMONSTRATED A HIGH LEVEL OF INTEGRITY AND HONESTY, A JUDGE AT THE FMME AWARDS STATED CATEGORY Taher Ali Maqbool. FM_1507_31_FM Awards_11313285.indd 3129/06/2020 12:03:57 PMwww.fm-middleeast.com 32 July 2020 PLATINUMSILVER FACILITIES & CONTRACTING EJADAH CROWNED OVERALL FM COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2020 Ejadah won the Overall FM Company of the Year at the FMME Awards 2020. With 97% contract reten- tion, Ejadah manages over 116 million square feet of portfolios in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra, Al Ain and RAK. With a clear focus on implementing forward oriented innovation, the dem- onstrates its credential as one of the leading services provider of customer experience management, said one of the judges. In 2005, Ejadah became the first FM brainchild of the Dubai Hold- ing Group. Today, Ejadah consists of three operating verticals that span all segments of the FM cycle – Idama (Facilities Management), Arkan (Secu- rity Management) and Shabaka (Unit Services). The firm has grown exponentially over the past year with employee count now crossing the 8,000 mark and several prestigious contract wins including Meraas City Walk, Box Park, Kempinski Hotel and Residences, Em- erald Palace, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Global Village, currently some of the most iconic projects in the region. Talking about the win, Tarek Nizameddin, senior executive director, Ejadah, said: “We are thrilled for being selected as the overall FM company of the year. This category is recognised as ‘THE’ industry award and wining it reflects Ejadah’s commitment to offer the best to our clients with the focus on innovation, our people and customer centricity. “Ejadah has very big plans for the future. We will continue the enhance- ment of our services by focusing on innovation and technology, training & development of our team and expand- ing to new segments and regions. “I would like to add that during these unprecedented times that the whole world is currently experiencing and navigating through, the future is about our ability to think differently. And here comes the role of FM companies to leverage emerging and disruptive technologies to come up with compel- ling digital value propositions to the customers in specific and our commu- nities in general.” Ejadah has invested in the latest facilities management technologies and continue to provide premium services to their wide portfolio with the use of drones, robots, advanced computer aided systems and apps as well as Arti- ficial Intelligence and the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) to ensure operational efficiency. The highly commended was Emrill who was lauded by the judges for being a household name and industry vet- eran. This FM firm continues to evolve and seek the appetite to develop as a worldwide FM solutions provider. On Emrill’s plans for the future, Stuart Harrison, CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our achievements, which is a credit to how hard the whole team has worked over the past year. In 2020, we’re going to continue to focus on redefining the client experience through continuous THE FIRM HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH EMPLOYEE COUNT NOW CROSSING THE 8,000 MARK FM_1507_32-33_FM Awards_11309592.indd 3229/06/2020 10:20:20 AMwww.fm-middleeast.com July 2020 33 CATEGORY improvement and innovation, raising regional FM standards and developing our talented people.” Many of the innovations Emrill has launched over the last twelve months have resulted in increased efficiency and time saved. For example, its efficiency-enhancing app enabled a system-driven approach for housekeep- ing activities, increasing productiv- ity and proactivity. Using their smart devices, housekeeping staff can follow a set route and tasks are automatically triggered when they are in the vicin- ity of required work. Following the app’s launch, Emrill has been able to reallocate a significant portion of its manpower to other sites while still completing the same number of tasks as before in a shorter period of time with zero complaints. Highly Commended: Emrill The Ejadah team in pic. The fi rm consists of three operating verticals that span all segments of the FM cycle. FM_1507_32-33_FM Awards_11309592.indd 3329/06/2020 10:20:46 AMSUPPLIER FOCUS www.fm-middleeast.com 34 July 2020 The UAE has traditionally been a global marketplace with products sourced from all over the world. This opens competitive options for finding the best value products and materials, especially when it comes to those needed for the nation’s infrastructure projects. However, while monetary “value” is always a consideration in sourcing these materials, quality must remain king. This is all the more important as COVID-19 reshapes global supply chains and some infrastructure players look to new alternative providers. The quality consideration is particularly true in areas like power cabling and wiring. There is actually a huge discrepancy between market leaders and grey market suppliers. Unfortunately, the presence of counterfeit and uncertified cables is a global phenomenon. Even the use of legal but untested cables has started to climb in recent years, as they are almost always cheaper to produce and store. Cables tested for fi re safety are designed to withstand heat. WHY ACCREDITATION IN THE REGION’S POWER CABLE INDUSTRY IS BECOMING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS ALIKE? COUNTERING COUNTERFEIT CABLES By Ashish Chaturvedy, head of marketing, Ducab FM_1507_34-35_Supplier Focus_11311912.indd 3429/06/2020 10:30:17 AMSUPPLIER FOCUS www.fm-middleeast.com July 2020 35 construction. They bear hallmarks that certify them for the applications they’re intended for, whether that is for use inside residential projects, in public transport systems, or to simply connect your coffee maker in the kitchen. Again, uncertified cables are generally substandard. This can cause poor performance, damage equipment, and can pose a fire risk. Not only can they cause a fire, but they can hinder evacuation measures when used in residential and commercial buildings. Cables tested for fire safety, on the other hand, are designed to withstand heat, and, most importantly, have low smoke and fume emissions that provide extra time to escape in a fire emergency. For developers and business owners in the UAE today, buying from the source is always the best way to ensure cabling products purchased are genuine. When that’s not feasible, requesting safety hallmarks and certifications is a must, and should be easily attainable in purchase orders. Manufacturers can do everything possible to earn quality standards and demonstrate them. But it will take sustained cooperation between UAE industrial entities, government regulators, and local retailers to minimise risk to life and property moving forward. Ashish Chaturvedy, head of marketing, Ducab. FOR DEVELOPERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE UAE TODAY, BUYING FROM THE SOURCE IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE CABLING PRODUCTS PURCHASED ARE GENUINE. Whether intentional or not, the use of counterfeit cabling products not only funds dubious businesses – it puts lives at risk. Such cables pose a threat when brought into homes, commercial buildings, infrastructure projects, and so on. Especially now that more of us are learning and working from locations that we weren’t just a few months ago, cabling and wiring must be up to the task of carrying power to those alternative locations where it’s needed most. UAE government offices have done an admirable job of keeping the grey market in check. Yet it is also up to developers, business owners, and even consumers to be mindful of what they are purchasing. Genuine cables are tested to industry standards for both performance and Taking Individual Responsibility Most individuals won’t know—or have control over—the kinds of wiring used within our offi ce and home. Nonetheless, there are some best practices we can all keep in mind when it comes to managing power: • Buy genuine branded goods. Trusted cabling brands come with certifi cations that they have passed required safety standards. If this is not mentioned on the product, check online before you consider buying. • Don’t overload sockets. If an extension cord is designed to support four appliances, don’t overload it with more than that, as there is an exponential risk of overheating the cables. • Minimize open wiring. Exposed wiring is subject to conditions that may not be suited to the product. Whether it is water, dust, or even sunshine, wiring needs to be used as specifi ed on the package. • Avoid uncertifi ed repairs. Again, cheap is not always best. If you’re gett ing repairs done, ask to see any cabling that is being replaced, and the packaging in which it came in. • Remember to switch off . Even when you do use the best cables available, switch sockets off at the wall and unplug electrical goods if they aren’t in use. This will extend their lifecycle and avoid catastrophes while you’re out. FM_1507_34-35_Supplier Focus_11311912.indd 3529/06/2020 10:30:28 AM RECRUITMENT 36 July 2020 www.fm-middleeast.com With less people able to fl y to international destinations for relocation, companies have moved towards hiring locally By Gary Segesdy, director of Bigfi sh Recruitment T here is no denying that FM recruitment in the region has been hugely impacted by the recent events relating to the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a company, in Quarter 1 of this year we saw significant activity within the GCC recruiting for positions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. While it was a very positive start to the year, nobody could foresee the events that awaited us all around the corner. Within a matter of weeks offices across the country were closed, and all staff were required to work from home. At Bigfish, our steady flow of work was reduced to a mere trickle, with only a handful of our existing assignments continuing to their conclusions. “NEW NORM” IN FM RECRUITMENT Airports and borders were closed overnight, meaning successful candidates were unable to relocate. Months later these individuals are still left in limbo, waiting for the world to open back up so they can make the journey to begin a new chapter in their lives. Despite the setbacks faced by all of my industry professionals, I am pleased to report that we have navigated our way safely through the choppy waters thrown up by COVID-19. It has not been an easy ride but and I can honestly say the level of effort, commitment and sacrifice shown by all of our staff members, has left me humble and very proud. Personally speaking, we have been luckier than most and have managed to retain all of our employees during this difficult time, but sadly this has not been the case for many companies and individuals working in recruitment and specifically the FM sector. Salary reductions and redundancies have largely been the norm for the majority of businesses, and many FM service providers and clients have either been asked to reduce headcount due to the reduced workloads, or general cost savings due to the economic slowdown. A recent poll containing over 100 FM professionals, stated that over 30% of people had either been made redundant or suffered a salary reduction due to the pandemic. In response, we have seen a large increase in the number of direct applications as well as a huge response to the various job advertisements placed. FM_1507_36-37_Recruitment_11310074.indd 3629/06/2020 10:33:33 AMRECRUITMENT July 2020 37 www.fm-middleeast.com Since the ease of lockdown, we have seen an overall increase in activity, however, companies seem to be very cautious at the moment, preferring to put a hold on recruiting now until they get a better feel for the market and outlook, post COVID-19. Couple that with the summer months ahead and the postponement of EXPO 2020, we are not expecting to see a huge leap in activity any time soon, but it is very important for us all to remain positive and to focus on what can we do to anticipate the ‘new norm’. So, what exactly will the ‘new norm’ be, and how can we prepare to stay a step ahead of the curve? An obvious behavioural change is the increased use of web-based technology for group meetings and candidate interviews, where previously these would have all been done on a face-to- face basis. Moving forward we expect to see a shift towards using this form of communication more frequently. In response we are also in the process of updating our website with tips on how to prepare for online interviews. Examples include: making sure you are already of familiar with the software being used, as you don’t want technical issues dominating the interview and ruining the opportunity; being ready ahead of time in a quiet location with a suitable backdrop; and always dressing appropriately as if you were attending a face to face interview. With less people able to fly to international destinations for relocation, companies have also moved towards hiring locally. As this was born more out of necessity than a desire, it limits the client to a smaller candidate pool and in some cases the availability of specialist skills, however, finding people locally has made our job a little easier by simplifying the overall process. It is also important for the local workforce to use this time constructively to upskill themselves and to make sure they have the right skills desired by potential employees. Organisations such as MEFMA (Middle East Facilities Management Association) also offer excellent training in many areas of FM and are currently promoting deals for their online training packages. In terms of companies within the FM sector, I recently attended an IWFM (Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management) Webinar. During the discussion a panel of industry experts raised some interesting points relating to future changes expected as a result of COVID-19. Topics discussed included the importance of business continuity planning and infrastructural changes to building and technology, as well as the implementation of new regulations that will see a rise in new technology and the development of the relevant KPI’S. Workspace management, including ‘no touch’ tech for doors and elevators, as well as the emergence of AI platforms to monitor things such as social distancing, temperature scanning, CCTV, BMS and BIMS were also in the spotlight. Examples of how the industry will change were highlighted, specifically in relation to airports, stating that due to airports being less busy, fewer staff are required, and as a result more automation could be introduced. Ultimately technology will replace people in the future, and now is the time for us to prepare ourselves for this shift. As stated by IWFM, when people return to work, workplace and facilities managers will need to prepare buildings ready for reoccupation within the limits set by new regulations and help their organisations adjust to a new set of operating norms. This kind of change programme requires professional leadership and represents a great opportunity for FMs to demonstrate the added value they offer in bringing together the space, culture and technology aspects of workplace into a workplace strategy which can enable organisations and individuals to remain productive. Many FM companies are already in the process or have undergone huge diversification in terms of expanding their services, i.e. setting up in-house specialist cleaning divisions such as deep cleaning and disinfection services. As a result, we are seeing an increase in demand for people with skills in this area as well as tech savvy individuals who are knowledgeable in the areas of innovation and technology. In terms of impact, COVID-19 has affected the entire world and we all need to focus on how we can adapt and improve ourselves to remain relevant during this period. For candidates seeking work at this time it is important to be both positive and proactive but also realistic about the current job market. As well as finding a reliable recruiter to assist you, I would also recommend expanding your network through organisations such as MEFMA and IWFM to ensure you are part of the wider community and maximising your networking ability. While it is also important to mention that while it may currently be an ‘employer’s market’ with many people happy to take huge salary reductions, this may only be a short-term benefit to companies. What happens when the market starts to pick up again, and those individuals people decide to move on? Does this leave behind a bigger problem further down the line, when they are unable to replace the individual at the same cost and risk compromising their client relationship? At Bigfish, we are actively supporting our clients and candidates in any way we can through these turbulent times, and it is our continued mission to play a pivotal role in introducing the best available talent to the Middle East now, and in the future. Gary Segesdy, director of Bigfi sh Recruitment. FM_1507_36-37_Recruitment_11310074.indd 3729/06/2020 10:33:43 AM POWER SUPPLIERS 38 July 2020 www.fm-middleeast.com How to Improve Power Distribution, Supply & Management? By Ahmed Fateen, Power Systems VP – Gulf, Schneider Electric T he digital revolution has launched a new era of opportunities and challenges across all businesses. With the coming of the IoT wave companies are now realising that digital integration of power distribution systems THRIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD is not a choice, but a necessity. The way we produce and consume energy has profoundly changed. This shift is driving a new era of power distribution for buildings of all sizes and in all industries. Whether you design, build, operate, or service office buildings, shopping centres, hospitals, data centres, or college campuses, you’re facing new challenges and opportunities. There are four drivers behind the new energy paradigm: 1. More decentralisation: Energy generation is being increasingly FM_1507_38-39_Power Suppliers_11309597.indd 3829/06/2020 10:35:21 AMPOWER SUPPLIERS July 2020 39 www.fm-middleeast.com decentralised, with the use of renewables such as solar on the rise. 2. More decarbonisation: As the drive toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions grows stronger, the buildings industry holds massive potential to reduce GHG emissions. 3. More digitisation: Digitisation is beginning to touch every aspect of modern society. Intelligent devices are offering bright opportunities for greater efficiency, control, and value. 4. More electricity: Global electricity consumption will continue to grow at almost 2% a year, with demand increasing by 70% by 2040. In the past, it was enough to have electrical components that work together to distribute power safely, reliably, and efficiently. But to tap into the full benefits of the new energy paradigm, we all need to take a quantum step in how power and facility performance is managed. We need smarter tools that manage power reliability and optimise production and consumption. We need systems that meet sustainability goals and comply with new standards, regulations, and codes. We need infrastructure that ensures electrical components and systems are easy to implement and keeps people and property safe and secure from cyberattacks. Now more than ever, companies must harness the power of disruptive technologies to improve operations and increase business value. Our research reveals that only 15% of companies have deployed IoT technologies to support industrial applications. However, 40% of companies are piloting new IoT use cases. Advances in computational power, accuracy, integration, and communication have enabled a new era of IoT. A new breed of smart devices has emerged, including advanced energy and power quality meters, protection relays, and circuit breakers. It’s now possible to meter energy use at every key point of your facility’s power network. The question is, why is it so important to improve power distribution in a building? First, reliable power is paramount for many large and critical buildings, such as hospitals, data centres and utilities. Power outages can be extremely costly and potentially dangerous for some critical facilities. IoT-enabled architecture improves power availability and safety by continually monitoring the entire network and improving protection against shock, fire and explosion. Second, small and medium buildings have unique power distribution needs since they often operate with limited staff and resources on site. IoT solutions provide electrical equipment that monitors power quality and asset status, as well as simple cloud-based tools that automate maintenance operations and quickly apply corrective action in case of an outage. By embracing the latest advances in digitisation, businesses can take advantage of power networks with embedded intelligence that enable greater levels of understanding and control, integrated and scalable energy assets and systems that allow facility and service teams to quickly reveal and respond to risks and opportunities and new analytic applications that provide tools to accelerate and simplify decision-making. Imperatively, connectivity gives operations and maintenance teams remote control and real-time access to data. On the road to “zero net energy” facilities, the biggest game-changer is interconnectivity. With digitisation enabling deep access to real-time and historical energy consumption and power conditions, connectivity is the next important part of the story. Smart devices are at the centre of the new trend in preconfigured smart panels. The newest devices offer a number of communication options, from parallel communication links for added resilience in critical applications, to onboard web servers that make recorded data accessible from web browsers. The two biggest benefits of seamlessly connected smart devices are asset control and supervision, and data insights. The flexibility and extensibility of connected networks allow important energy assets to be supervised, including emerging distributed energy resources (DER). For example, these systems can be more accurately metered and controlled to ensure they operate at peak efficiency. In addition, power infrastructure data can be collected and transformed into insights that help enable collaboration and, ultimately, optimise energy production and consumption. By integrating power and building management systems (BMS), data can be shared or embedded between systems and platforms. This helps put insights in context, while enabling teams to gain a wider vision from a single, unified interface. It’s clear that power distribution in buildings of all types and sizes is undergoing a fundamental and irreversible change. Thanks to innovative technologies, buildings can radically improve performance, safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Now is the time to disrupt the traditional linear path from plant to plug in favour of a digitised IoT delivery model that’s so much more efficient and responsive to real-time events than we could even imagine in the past. Ahmed Fateen, Power Systems VP – Gulf, Schneider Electric. IT’S CLEAR THAT POWER DISTRIBUTION IN BUILDINGS OF ALL TYPES AND SIZES IS UNDERGOING A FUNDAMENTAL AND IRREVERSIBLE CHANGE. FM_1507_38-39_Power Suppliers_11309597.indd 3929/06/2020 10:35:31 AMNext >