The local Facilities Management (FM) sector has grown from a mixed array of isolated services, previously perceived to be menial tasks performed by ‘unskilled labour’, to a fully-fledged service offering targeting the entire value chain. 

This is according to a study by Servest, which talks to South Africa specifically and says that, for a country that is commodity-driven and highly reliant on exports, this evolution has contributed greatly towards employment, upskilling, and access to offerings that may previously have been thought to be too sophisticated for this market. 

At the same time, organisations are facing economic challenges that are compelling them to take cost-cutting measures while enhancing the ease of doing business. So, what does this mean for local companies? There is increased potential to outsource services that are not core business functions, which, in turn, reduces its liability in regards to staffing of non-core services. This then enhances the ability to offer services to employees and clients without compromising on quality. 

Sven Smit, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery says, as a result of this industry trend, there is definitive growth expected in the FM industry over the next few years. 

“Servest’s 2018/19 Market Analysis Survey results indicate that the majority of respondents are currently looking to outsource many aspects of their facilities management requirements, including hygiene, catering, cleaning, security and even integrated facilities management itself,” he explains. 

“The Servest report was the first of its kind to assess the South African market with the purpose of understanding this sector, the needs of their potential and current clients and the market as a whole. 
“The end goal for any business is to cut costs, improve staff productivity and increase return on investment,” adds Smit. “An effective facilities management process is vital to all organisations in that it answers these requirements while helping companies achieve their business objectives.”

The forecasted growth within the local FM space not only shows that South Africa is poised for transformation across several key service lines and vertical industries, it also highlights the need for a holistic view of the sector. “It is for this reason that we have decided to co-locate Facilities Management Expo 2019with Securex, Africa’s leading security and fire trade exhibition, and A-OSH EXPO, the continent’s foremost occupational health and safety (OHS) show, for the very first time,” says Smit. 

“This allows us not only to showcase the products and services available within the facilities management market, but also the trends and changes within this space. At the same time, by running Facilities Management Expo alongside Securex and A-OSH EXPO, we provide visitors will access to the full value chain – all under one roof, and at no charge.” 

The three trade shows will take place between 14 and 16 May 2019 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.