Understanding the responsibilities of a facilities management company can help if you are considering this as a career option. This type of company specialises in the maintenance and improvement of the systems within an organisation. Many other businesses frequently enlist their services to oversee their facilities management requirements. In this article, we explore the concept of facilities management and the advantages of engaging in a company .
What is the role of a facilities management company?
A facilities management company is an external service provider responsible for overseeing specific facilities on behalf of another organisation. The scope of their responsibilities often encompasses the management of various types of corporate buildings, such as offices, hotels, or retail establishments. They play a crucial role in ensuring that all aspects of these structures are properly maintained, improved, repaired when needed and all health and safety regulations are strictly adhered to.
What are the Main Functions of a Facilities Management Company
Facilities management companies have a range of responsibilities, which include:
Planning and coordinating services like waste disposal, mail handling, cleaning, and catering.
Ensuring the proper functioning of essential systems such as lighting, electrical, and plumbing.
Managing contractors to address any building issues and overseeing their work.
Ensuring all staff members are well-informed about fire drills and safety protocols.
Conducting safety assessments to guarantee building security.
Evaluating the need for improvements, such as upgraded lighting or technology systems.
Adhering to regulations and standards to ensure building compliance.
Working within budgets to meet the company’s requirements.
Aligning with business objectives to assess potential room for future expansion, which may involve new offices or additional buildings.
Different Types of Facilities Management
Depending on what type of industry you are involved in, facilities management, can take many forms such as:
Overall Facilities Management
This represents a comprehensive form of facilities management that encompasses a wide array of services, making it an excellent choice for those looking to contract out all their essential services. Organisations often opt for this option when initially bringing in a facilities management team. Facilities Management professionals have the capability to deliver a diverse range of services, including the planning of various services and conducting project compliance checks.
Quality control
Quality control within facilities management is dedicated to guaranteeing that all products manufactured by a company adhere to the necessary standards. Facilities management firms specialising in quality control undertake equipment inspections to assess compliance and coordinate with contractors for necessary repairs. Additionally, they may provide recommendations for machinery upgrades when deemed essential.
Security Services
Security services within facilities management are primarily concerned with safeguarding the well-being of a company’s personnel. Their responsibilities consist of the installation and maintenance of security cameras and access control systems to ensure they remain up-to-date.
Moreover, a facilities management company that deals with your security will always be on hand to respond to emergencies. For instance, in the event of a break-in attempt, they assess the situation and promptly repair any damaged security systems.
Maintenance Projects
A facilities management company will devise maintenance schedules dedicated to ensuring the efficient operation of a building and the machinery within it. This includes tasks such as assessing the functionality of lighting systems and determining whether any maintenance or repairs are necessary. If needed, they can also engage contractors to address specific issues.
Cleaning services
Certain facilities management firms offer cleaning services as part of their comprehensive package. They directly hire cleaners and dispatch them to the companies that utilise their cleaning services. Typically, it’s the facilities management company that pays the wages of the cleaning staff, which are included in any management fee and devolves you of the responsibility. .
Technology maintenance
Technology-driven enterprises often employ specialised technology maintenance teams. For example, a bank may enlist the services of a technology maintenance team to ensure the smooth operation of all their automated teller machines (ATMs). These teams are responsible for monitoring the network and making necessary repairs to the systems as needed.
Staff support
Certain facility management companies offer employee support services. They may conduct training for staff members on topics such as fire safety and provide guidance when specific aspects of the building are not functioning as intended.
This type of service is usually tailored to the unique requirements of each company since different businesses have varying needs. Many facilities management companies are adaptable and can engage in discussions to determine whether a company would benefit from such support services.
Property Management
Estate Agents and Letting Agencies often enlist the services of companies that do facilities management in Manchester to oversee their properties. These facilities management companies ensure that the properties remain clean and well-maintained while they are listed on the market. Additionally, they may offer cleaning services for homes that have recently been vacated by occupants.
How to use a facilities management company
If you’re a senior business executive or manager, you might contemplate the option of contracting an external facilities management company instead of employing an individual facility manager. Here are several avenues through which you can engage the services of a facilities management company:
Outsource all Aspects of Facilities Management
If you are part of a business with numerous facilities, it’s advisable to explore the option of having a facilities management company oversee all of them. This represents the most all-encompassing form of facilities management and can guarantee uniformity and consistency across all of the organisation’s facilities.
Outsource Certain Services
If you prefer a tailored plan, you have the option to use an external facilities management company to handle specific services. Using this type of facilities management, allows you to employ a company specialising in the precise service you need. Some all round facilities management companies offer the flexibility to concentrate solely on a specific area of expertise.
Hire on a contractual basis
You have the option to engage certain facility management companies through a contract-based arrangement. This implies that you utilise their services only when the need arises. For instance, if you have security concerns that you’d like a facilities management company to assess and oversee for a specific duration, you can negotiate a fixed-term contract with them to facilitate this arrangement.
Benefits of using a facilities management company
There are distinct advantages to opting for a facilities management company as opposed to employing an in-house facilities manager or utilising existing staff members for facility management. If you’re a manager or an HR professional, understanding these benefits can aid in making best use of your budget and resources. Below are several potential benefits of enlisting an external facilities management company:
Saves money
A lot of businesses have no real need for a full-time facilities manager, as the routine tasks involved in such a role are not demanding enough for a full time commitment. Opting for a facilities company can be a cost-effective approach, potentially saving your team money.
Specialist service
Managers may opt to delegate their facilities management to a specialised company due to the depth of expertise they bring. Facilities management firms typically employ multiple facilities managers with a wealth of collective industry experience spanning many years. Consequently, these companies often have professionals on board who can provide expert guidance and advice.
Consistency
Facilities management companies tend to have greater longevity compared to individual team members, and they typically adhere to a specific and standardised approach for managing their teams. When you engage a facilities management company and establish a long-term working relationship with them, you can have confidence in the consistent fulfilment of your company’s needs to the same high standard. Employing a facilities management company also helps ensure a seamless transition during staffing changes, with work consistently meeting the expected high standards.
Control over business operations
Although outsourcing might initially appear as if you’re relinquishing control, engaging a facilities management company can actually empower you as a manager or leader to exercise more oversight over multiple projects.
When collaborating with a facilities management company, you benefit from a single point of contact for the management of a wide range of services. In contrast, many companies that handle their facility management internally often have a number of different individuals working on various facets, which can complicate things and lead to delays and confusion.
Higher quality of service
Since a facilities management company operates as a distinct business entity, they allocate their resources to consistently enhance their services. This includes independent staff training and the procurement of high-quality tools essential for their operations. This proactive approach can result in cost savings for a client company, as it eliminates the need for in-house staff to undergo training and adaptation to their roles.
Allows you to focus on Other Areas of the Business
When your organisation engages a proficient facilities management company, your teams may gain additional time to concentrate on other aspects of the business. This newfound time can be utilised by your team members to enhance their productivity, allowing for increased focus on various tasks without the need to worry about facility-related matters
