< Previous10 April 2026www.fm-middleeast.com QUOTES IN THEIR WORDS… What diff erentiates us is the ability to apply FM insight across design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance The fi rst question that needs to be addressed is whether your business has been structured to be resilient during such momentary periods of uncertainty This move highlights the strategic role of FM and encourages stronger lifecycle thinking and a clearer understanding of total cost of ownership Mohamed Fiaz Khazi Entrepreneur & MD, Euro Systems Joseph John Group CEO & Founder, RONS Group Ali Alsuwaidi Vie President, MEFMA Derek Robins Associate, BSA Law Comfort improves and energy use declines, with the façade serving as a carefully engineered layer rather than a decorative element FM_Apr2026_10_Word of Mouth_13866774.indd 10FM_Apr2026_10_Word of Mouth_13866774.indd 1007/04/2026 17:2607/04/2026 17:26www.fm-middleeast.com NEWS 12 April 2026 Farnek Group is Supporting the Wellbeing of its Employees while Delivering Vital Services in the UAE Following the initial Iranian missile strikes on the UAE, Markus Oberlin, Group CEO of Farnek, convened the company’s executive emergency response coordination group. Decisive action was needed to establish a common operating strategy and ensure timely, clear communication between senior leadership, operations teams, and on-the- ground supervisors. Oberlin provides more detail on how this was achieved: “Farnek is currently operating under what we describe internally as ‘heightened monitoring and controlled operations.’ In practical terms, that means Farnek is closely monitoring developments, while maintaining business continuity across our various projects. “Although we are not yet in full crisis mode, we fully and readily support our clients operating in elevated threat-level environments, while continually monitoring our own impact readiness. Changes in site risks, conditions, and manpower fl uctuations are not unusual, so our response has not escalated to a crisis level at this time. “While some individual client sites have experienced signifi cant disruption or are operating under precautionary restrictions, our formal escalation triggers for full internal crisis management have not yet been met. Under normal business continuity frameworks, including ISO 22301, that distinction matters.” PRIORITISING EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING Julian Khalil, Managing Director at Farnek, said: “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our employees while maintaining essential services for our clients. Our teams continue to deliver services reliably while supporting our workforce during this period.” Ryan Mitchell, Director of QHSEW, has been conducting team briefi ngs particularly at Farnek Village where over 5,000 employees are accommodated. Oberlin added: “We also introduced a short workforce feedback channel to gauge how employees are feeling and whether they need any emotional support.” Where conditions permit, Farnek continues social engagement activities to foster unity, morale and a sense of normalcy. Decisive action was needed to establish a common operating strategy and ensure timely communication between leadership, operations teams, and on-the-ground supervisors FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 12FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 1210/04/2026 12:4710/04/2026 12:47April 2026 13www.fm-middleeast.com NEWS “Industry Must Work Together During Uncertain Times,” Says ADEEB Group CEO Cs regional tensions continue to unfold, companies across the built environment sector are closely monitoring the situation while prioritising stability in day-to-day operations. For FM and MEP service providers, maintaining uninterrupted service, while also ensuring workforce safety and supporting critical infrastructure remain top priorities. ADEEB Group says its operations across the UAE have remained steady, with projects continuing as planned across its portfolio. Dr Ansari Wahid, Group CEO of ADEEB Group, said the company is continuing to support clients across critical sectors while ensuring strict adherence to safety standards and regulatory guidance. “At ADEEB, our operations have remained stable, and it is largely business as usual with heightened focus on safety continuity and service quality across all our projects in the UAE,” he said to FM Middle East. “Our teams on the ground have shown remarkable resilience, professionalism and commitment, and I am extremely proud of the way they have responded,” he added. MESSAGE TO THE INDUSTRY Sharing a message with the MEP and FM community, Wahid said periods of uncertainty highlight the importance of stronger coordination across the built environment ecosystem, calling for closer collaboration between clients, service providers, suppliers and regulators. “First, this is a time for collaboration and solidarity across the FM and MEP community,” he said. He also pointed to continued investment in workforce development, digital capabilities and sustainable practices as key pillars for long- term industry resilience. Maintaining transparent engagement remains equally important in preserving confi dence and stability across operations. “Clear communication and transparency with all stakeholders is essential to maintaining trust and stability,” he said. “We remain deeply committed to our stakeholders – our clients, employees, partners and the wider community – and see our role not only as a service provider, but as a responsible partner in maintaining safe, effi cient, and reliable built environments.” The company’s operations across the UAE have remained steady, with projects continuing as planned across its portfolio FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 13FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 1310/04/2026 12:4710/04/2026 12:47www.fm-middleeast.com NEWS 14 April 2026 JLL Appoints ENGIE Solutions to Manage Facilities at B1 Mall in Al Barsha, Dubai Global real estate company JLL has appointed ENGIE Solutions to manage its facilities and deliver integrated hard services, soft services, security, and specialist systems management, including chiller plant maintenance, at Al Barsha’s B1 Mall. ENGIE SOLUTIONS’ AND JLL’S EXPERTISE The appointment by JLL highlights ENGIE Solutions’ growing reputation for delivering end-to-end FM services across complex, high-footfall commercial assets in the UAE. Benjamin Adebiyi, Senior Director, Head of Building Management at JLL MENA, said, “JLL brings its global expertise and regional market knowledge to ensure the asset performs at the highest level. The selection of ENGIE Solutions refl ects our commitment to partnering with best-in-class FM providers that deliver integrated, technology-driven solutions for complex built environments.” Graham Easton, Managing Director, ENGIE Solutions, said, “We are proud to partner with JLL on The B1 Mall, a destination that refl ects the community spirit and lifestyle aspirations of modern Dubai. "Our integrated facilities management approach ensures that every visitor’s experience is supported by seamless, reliable, and safe building operations.” SCOPE OF CONTRACT ENGIE Solutions will maintain multiple, complex water features throughout the mall. A dedicated on-site team, supported by ENGIE Solutions’ regional head offi ce, will provide around-the-clock operational coverage across the mall’s retail, F&B, and common areas. ENGIE will also pilot a proof of concept (POC) for smart washroom services, with IoT sensors installed to enable data and analytics to enhance the customer experience and promote sustainability. It provides a technology-enabled FM approach through its Smart O&M platform, which acts as a digital backbone for operations. This enables real time asset monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, detailed energy consumption analytics. Energy audits and performance reviews will be conducted to identify effi ciency opportunities and ensure that best operational standards are consistently maintained FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 14FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 1410/04/2026 12:4710/04/2026 12:47April 2026 15www.fm-middleeast.com NEWS Muheel Partners with UK’s SFG20 to Advance Maintenance Governance in Saudi Arabia Muheel Facilities Management (Muheel FM) has entered into a strategic partnership with SFG20 to explore the structured adoption and localisation of globally recognised maintenance standards within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT The agreement establishes a collaborative framework under which Muheel has positioned itself as SFG20’s fi rst strategic delivery partner in KSA and the GCC, focusing on embedding SFG20’s internationally recognised maintenance specifi cation framework into Muheel’s operations, creating consistent, auditable maintenance regimes, a stronger lifecycle governance, and a clearer performance assurance for asset owners and operators. In subsequent phases, the partners will explore how SFG20 can be tailored to relevant Saudi requirements, including the SBC-Saudi Building Code, to support local compliance needs. By combining Muheel’s operational leadership in KSA, delivery capability, regional expertise, and commitment to quality and innovation with SFG20’s internationally benchmarked maintenance framework, the partnership aims to elevate FM governance and compliance standards across the Kingdom’s built assets. DRIVING COMPLIANCE, TRANSPARENCY, & LIFECYCLE PERFORMANCE The initiative will introduce UK-structured, locally governed maintenance models aligned with Saudi regulatory frameworks, strengthening compliance, transparency of operations, safety, sustainable asset management, and long-term infrastructure resilience in support of Vision 2030. This alliance will also promote an industry- wide awareness and advance joint market positioning and thought leadership that bridges international best practice with local regulatory requirements, supporting the development of a digitally enabled, standards-led FM ecosystem for the Kingdom’s future communities and critical infrastructure. Muheel FM and SFG20 will explore the structured adoption and localisation of globally recognised maintenance standards within Saudi Arabia FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 15FM_Apr2026_12-15_News_13866775.indd 1510/04/2026 12:4710/04/2026 12:4716 April 2026www.fm-middleeast.com COVER STORY FROM UAE TO THE WORLD: JOYAIR by RONS RONS Group CEO & Founder Joseph John explains how FM expertise is driving the development of JOYAIR, a UAE-engineered, intelligent approach to ventilation, air quality and commercial kitchen solutions aligned with international standards Words by Almas Tholot Photography by Ajith Narendra FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 16FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 1610/04/2026 12:4610/04/2026 12:46April 2026 17www.fm-middleeast.com PARTNER CONTENT April 2026 17 PARTNER CONTENT FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 17FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 1710/04/2026 12:4610/04/2026 12:4618 April 2026www.fm-middleeast.com COVER STORY What diff erentiates us is the ability to apply FM insight across design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance A team of 500+ professionals at RONS Group support 3,500+ clients across infrastructure, hospitality and commercial sectors In commercial kitchens, performance is never theoretical. Systems operate continuously under high heat loads and grease accumulation with strict air quality requirements, leaving little tolerance for ineffi ciency. Ventilation performance directly aff ects safety, compliance and operational continuity, while poorly designed systems can quickly increase maintenance demands and lifecycle costs. For facilities management teams responsible for maintaining environments like these, the diff erence between well-engineered systems and poorly considered ones becomes visible almost immediately. Restricted access points can complicate cleaning processes, ineffi cient airfl ow can impact indoor air quality, and poorly confi gured ducting can lead to recurring operational disruptions. Over time, RONS Group identifi ed a consistent pattern: many of the challenges encountered during maintenance were often linked to decisions made much earlier at the design and installation stage. Systems that perform reliably in operation are typically those developed with a clear understanding of real-world usage conditions. Rather than approaching these issues only from a service perspective, the company began examining how engineering-led decisions could improve long-term performance outcomes. Facilities management remains central to this evolution. By extending its FM expertise upstream into design and manufacturing, RONS Group has developed an integrated delivery structure that allows performance considerations to be addressed earlier in the asset lifecycle. This one-stop approach enables closer alignment between engineering decisions and operational realities, helping to reduce performance gaps that often emerge when multiple vendors are involved at diff erent project stages. This direction led to the launch of JOYAIR, a specialised brand focused on the design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of commercial kitchen ventilation systems. “JOYAIR was developed to respond to these critical industry needs, bringing together engineering excellence, hands-on operational expertise, and the ability to deliver projects with unmatched speed and precision,” explains Joseph John, the CEO and Founder of RONS Group. RONS today supports asset performance across mechanical, electrical and civil systems, refl ecting the organisation’s evolution from specialised service provider into a multi- disciplinary FM partner. DESIGN INFORMED BY OPERATIONS Facilities management has traditionally operated at the fi nal stage of the project lifecycle, maintaining systems after installation and commissioning have been completed. However, the growing complexity of building systems is encouraging closer alignment between engineering and operations. FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 18FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 1810/04/2026 12:4610/04/2026 12:46April 2026 19www.fm-middleeast.com PARTNER CONTENT Having worked extensively across hospitality, food and beverage, and commercial environments, the company developed detailed insight into recurring technical limitations aff ecting kitchen exhaust and air handling systems. These ranged from accessibility challenges that complicated routine maintenance to performance ineffi ciencies linked to duct confi guration and fi ltration eff ectiveness. Such constraints often increase operational costs over time, particularly in environments where systems operate for extended hours under heavy demand. By developing JOYAIR, the company aims to address these considerations through solutions shaped by long-term operational experience, ensuring that performance, serviceability and durability are considered from the outset. Because these systems are developed by teams responsible for maintaining them, engineering decisions are closely aligned with real operational requirements. This alignment supports not only compliance at handover stage, but also the ongoing effi ciency, accessibility and reliability throughout the operational life of the asset. Speed of delivery also plays an important role in commercial kitchen environments, where delays in commissioning can directly aff ect business operations. By coordinating manufacturing and installation processes internally, the company is able to respond more effi ciently to project requirements while maintaining quality standards. ENGINEERING AGILITY The HVAC manufacturing sector is largely dominated by established international brands with global production networks. However, local engineering capability is becoming increasingly valuable in markets where customisation, responsiveness and coordination are critical. JOYAIR’s production model allows engineering teams to work closely with project stakeholders, adapting designs to suit specifi c spatial and operational requirements. Shorter supply chains allow faster turnaround times, while closer coordination between manufacturing and installation teams helps to reduce delays and improve consistency in delivery. The company's product portfolio includes kitchen exhaust systems, ducting solutions, air handling units, fi ltration technologies and electrostatic precipitators designed to perform reliably in environments with demanding operational needs. “JOYAIR’s strength is further supported by a dedicated research and development team, continuously working on product improvements and customised solutions based on specifi c project requirements,” says John. Integrating manufacturing capability within the wider RONS service structure also enables continuity between installation and ongoing maintenance, supporting more consistent long-term system performance. END-TO-END CAPABILITY What diff erentiates RONS is the ability to apply facilities management insight across design, On-ground collaboration ensures projects are delivered with accuracy and effi ciency FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 19FM_Apr2026_16-23_Cover story_13879940.indd 1910/04/2026 12:4610/04/2026 12:46Next >