SS Facility expects higher demand

From the Star dated 20 march 2009...

PETALING JAYA: ISS Facility Services Sdn Bhd, an integrated office facility maintenance company, sees increased demand for its services amid the economic downturn as it provides cost savings, says managing director Simon Lim.

“Contrary to market expectations, we see a marked increase in customers’ interest in what ISS has to offer,” Lim said.

“I think our customers can no longer afford inefficiencies in their operations and are looking for methods to step up performance without necessarily investing in fixed costs,” he added.

Lim said most companies spent too much money hiring different service providers for the maintenance of company facilities, and that they could save much if they just hired one company to do it.

“What remains to be done is to push for horizontal integration, which is the bundling of multiple services under one provider at multiple sites,” he told StarBiz.

This would mean getting one company to do things such as contract cleaning, pest control, washroom services, office support services as well as mechanical and electrical engineering services.

Another way was to outsource, Lim said.

“Outsourcing allows customers to focus on what they do best and at the same time, allows for flexibility. In times such as this, the ability to re-deploy staff in a productive manner is a key advantage.

“Customers are also wary of vendors (of facilities services) which may not be able to deliver on contracts because they are under-capitalised and cannot ride out the economic crisis,” he said.