ITP MEDIA GROUP / BUSINESS DECMBER 2020 • VOL. 15, ISSUE 12800 30 36 www.bkgulffm.com BK GULF Facilities Management Customized solutions. Proven results. Part of DUTCO Construction Groupwww.fm-middleeast.com CONTENTS December 2020 3 UPDATE 6 Farnek makes new man- agement appointments in Abu Dhabi to increase growth 8 Emrill launches virtual employee carnival 10 Bee’ah, University of Sharjah sign MoU to pro- mote knowledge-based December 2020 VOLUME 15 / ISSUE 12 economy EDITOR’S NOTE 12 This year the FM sector was pushed into the forefront of the ongoing pandemic. Several FM fi rms have adapted and come up with innovative trends that have aff orded us a safe and hygienic environment POWER 50 14 The region’s top 50 FM entities in 2020 FM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 44 FM Virtual Conference 2020 concludes with panellists debating on the increased use of technology during Covid-19 FIVE MINUTES WITH... 58 Manuela D’Agata, ISSA international education and certifi cation director 58 Regulars 12 DOWNLOAD NOW FOR iOS, ANDROID, AND KINDLE 44 @fmMidEast@fmMidEast @fmMidEast 06www.fm-middleeast.com CONTENTS 4 December 2020 40 POWER MANAGEMENT During a crisis, one should look to digital power management and services, Waseem Taqqali, VP Field Services, Schneider Electric Gulf In-depth December 2020 DOWNLOAD NOW FOR iOS, ANDROID, AND KINDLE 4912 VOLUME 15 / ISSUE 12 @fmMidEast@fmMidEast 12 POWER 50 The region’s top 50 facilities management entities and establishments in the year 2020. The objective is to list those who are active in the FM space. @fmMidEast 49 TOP FM SUPPLIERS A brief listing of the region’s top facilities management suppliers in the year 2020. The objective is to list those who are active in the FM space when it comes to suppliers 56 SUPPLIER NEWS Find out the top facilities management supplier trends that are currently in the market, including some of the biggest digital trends set to shape the FM industry COMING UP IN FMME OCTOBER 2020 FMME’s Special Report on “Cleaning Solutions” investigate if FM firms are now up-skilling and innovating for specialised cleaning practices and acquiring relevant certifications to that effect to service its clients. To learn more about upcoming stories and advertising opportunities in future issues of FMME, please contact Vinay Ravindran through vinay.ravindran@itp. com, or +971-55-8101197. FMME ON LINKEDIN With more than 1,000 members from all over the Middle East, the FMME LinkedIn Group is the place to be to find out news, discussions and opportunities in the region’s FM industry. Email the editor at rajiv.pillai@itp.com to join the FMME LinkedIn Group and get in on the industry conversation.www.albonian.fm+971 4 223 4500contact@albonian.fm/albonianfm YOUR VISION OUR PRECISION YOUR VISION OUR PRECISION UPDATE www.fm-middleeast.com6 December 2020 Farnek makes new management appointments in Abu Dhabi to increase growth fmupdate KEEP UP-TO-DATE For all the latest FM news check out www.fm- middleeast.com L to R: Osama Abdel Hay, director of soft services; and Jonathan Caller, director of technical services and business development, Farnek. ast.cccom APPOINTMENTS UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, has appointed Jonathan Caller to the position of director of technical services and business development, and Osama Abdel Hay, to director of soft services, both based in Abu Dhabi. With a 30-year pedigree in the facilities management industry, which includes senior management positions in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, Caller will now lead Farnek’s operations in Abu Dhabi. His remit will cover all aspects of Farnek’s offering, including facilities management, security, and sustainability management. The fi rm steps up its Abu Dhabi business growth strategy with new management appointments in the capitalUPDATE www.fm-middleeast.comDecember 2020 7 Imdaad conducts driving safety initiative for its staff During his career, he has worked across a broad spectrum of sectors, including healthcare, construction, energy, and pharmaceuticals where he has developed expertise in facilities and operations management, HVAC and MEP systems, engineering and maintenance, and building management systems, amongst others. Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek, said: “Jonathan’s considerable experience in both the UAE capital and globally, will be crucial in developing and implementing our growth strategies in the emirate. “His enthusiasm, planning, stewardship and commitment to any situation, in addition to his ability to draw on three decades of experience from a cross- section of sectors and senior management positions for leading organisations, will be crucial for providing our clients with the highest levels of expertise and direction.” Prior to his appointment, Caller was Farnek’s project director for the Burj Khalifa. There, he was responsible for leading a team of over 100 technicians to ensure the 24/7 maintenance, including MEP and FM, of the tallest building in the INITIATIVE Imdaad, a Dubai- based firm that provides integrated, sustainable FM services that enhance operational efficiencies of physical assets, has successfully concluded an internal Driving Safety Initiative. The campaign saw a total of 1,619 team members participate in 149 training sessions over a two-month period. Designed specifically for employees who drive as part of their duties, the annual program aimed to enhance the road safety knowledge and capabilities of staff working across a total of 91 sites. Topics delivered during the training ranged from driving safety basics such as ensuring the vehicle and driver are in a Campaign highlights importance of safe driving as over 1,600 team members take part in training world. He also spent several years in Abu Dhabi, initially with Schneider Electric before moving to RW Armstrong as BMS/ Technical Manager, then Cleveland Clinic as operations manager for the 490-bed medical facility, and latterly hard services manager for the Abu Dhabi Investment Council headquarters, the 753,000 sqft, 29 storey Al Bahr Towers. In his new position, Caller will have specific responsibility for overseeing and directing all aspects of FM operations within Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, while identifying new business opportunities within existing and new market sectors. “Farnek has grown its presence in the capital considerably in recent years. A raft of contract wins in facilities management, and security has ensured our footprint has increased significantly. I look forward to utilising the experience garnered from other prestigious projects I’ve managed in Abu Dhabi and implementing that to the benefit of existing and future clients,” he said. A certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management satisfactory condition before embarking, to maintaining a safe speed and driving in dangerous weather conditions. Participants also received expert advice on the correct way to deal with collisions and emergencies, as well as how to avoid accidents through the practice of defensive driving. Marwan Othman, executive director of Human Capital and Administration at Imdaad, commented: “We are proud of our team members for successfully completing this important aspect of their training. A sound knowledge of road safety is not only essential for the effective delivery of services in the FM sector, but also a transferable skill that extends (IWFM), Caller has an MBA in Executive Facilities Management from Sheffield Hallam University. Osama Abdel Hay will utilise over 15 years of experience to support Farnek’s growth in the capital. He joins after successfully leading a team of FM professionals at Dubai Mall, before which he managed all soft services for Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), including Abu Dhabi International Airport, the second-largest airport in the UAE. “Osama is passionate about enhancing the customer experience through soft services, a trait that will be invaluable to our customers in Abu Dhabi. He has garnered a wealth of knowledge relating to operational planning and FM soft services during his time at organisations including Emaar and ADAC, which will now be implemented to our operations in the capital,” added Oberlin. Hay has a BA in Business Administration from Abu Dhabi University as well as a host of industry-specific qualifications including the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS), and Project Management Professional (PMP). into our team member’s daily lives and enhances the safety of the communities they serve. At Imdaad, we have always prioritized the personal and professional development of our employees and will continue to ensure that they receive all the support they need to thrive and grow.”www.fm-middleeast.com UPDATE 8 December 2020 The annual carnival, which takes place over three months, has undergone a dramatic change in 2020, becoming a mostly virtual event EVENTS Emrill launched its employee carnival for the thirteenth consecutive year, kicking off celebrations with a virtual torch relay. The annual carnival, which takes place over three months, has undergone a dramatic change in 2020, becoming a mostly virtual event. In previous years, the carnival presented Emrill employees with the opportunity to come together to participate in team sports, activities and a range of events designed to promote health, physical and mental wellbeing as well as fun. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing guidelines still in place, this year’s event will see the majority of activities taking place online. Stuart Harrison, Emrill’s CEO, explained the importance of the event and how it has been adapted: “Emrill has always prioritised the engagement and welfare of its workforce. We understand creating a work culture that recognises and engages employees, providing them with an excellent ‘people experience’ increases retention and loyalty, which in turn helps the company to recover from market disruptions faster. This year has been difficult for everyone and COVID-19 has been the catalyst for a lot of changes. We have more people working remotely than ever before, so we needed to take extra steps to ensure employees still feel connected and part of the Emrill community. “In 2020, we launched the ‘Happier Together with Emrill’ initiative to further cement our culture of health, safety, happiness and wellbeing. Emrill’s carnival has always played a significant role in our efforts to ensure our employees feel empowered to achieve a healthy work-life balance as well as helping us to contribute to the UAE’s Happiness Agenda. Often, our employees are the UAE’s unsung heroes and they have been on the frontlines of the pandemic since the beginning, delivering services that have been invaluable in the fight against the virus. Cancelling the carnival and missing the opportunity to celebrate our employees simply wasn’t an option, so we are using technology to create a digital event that will allow us to come together virtually.” NEWS IN BRIEF Deep retrofi t of buildings with 50% energy savings achievable in the UAE, study states Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, unveiled the results of its study ‘Advancing Deep Retrofi ts in the UAE’ at the virtual EmiratesGBC webinar. According to the study, a majority (84%) of the respondents, including consultants, suppliers, manufacturers and ESCO experts, agree that more than 50% energy savings are possible in the UAE through deep retrofi t. Transguard Group launches self- service payment kiosks Transguard Group launched an on-site, self-service kiosk called Transguard Pay. The kiosk makes it easier than ever for site-based staff to stay connected with friends and family in their home countries. “Conveniently located within each of our accommodations, Transguard Pay enables our site-based employees to recharge their local and international mobile lines and to top up their data plans right from their residence,” said Greg Ward, managing director. A number of services are currently available, including top ups and bill payments for Etisalat, du and international mobile phone accounts, as well as payments for satellite television accounts and the ability to use multiple entertainment recharge coupons. Emrill launches virtual employee carnival UPDATE WHAT’S THE STORY Tadweer opens expanded used tire recycling facility in Abu Dhabi What’s the story? Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) announced the opening of its expanded used tire recycling facility in Abu Dhabi. What are the details? To ensure the facility’s success, Tadweer has contracted with Tarheel Collecting Wastes, an Abu Dhabi-based fi rm with over 10 years of extensive expertise in waste management and environment services. Under its partnership with Tadweer, Tarheel collects and cleans used tires prior to their recycling and treatment at the dedicated facility. What did the experts say? HE Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer, said: “The opening of our expanded used tire recycling facility is aligned with Tadweer’s strategic objective of converting used tires from an economic burden into a valuable economic resource. In addition, the expanded facility will go a long way in saving energy and cutt ing related costs.”Next >