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In 2009, EMCOR Facilities Services Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (EFS KSA) won the contract to provide full facilities management services to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) for a period of ten years.

The largest single contract won by the firm this year, it includes the management, assistance, inspection/auditing, recording and reporting of all facilities management and services; plus overseeing the collective maintenance requirements of the entire Jeddah-based development.

There are several challenges to be overcome by the firm for the project. These include the managing of service providers while the construction of the project is completed; plus the recruiting of suitably qualified personnel that have good cultural knowledge as well as general Middle East experience.

EFS mobilised its workforce into Saudi within eight weeks from the project inception despite being its first project in the Kingdom. “Our extensive regional experience ensured our success and we are now in a steady state of operations across the township,” explains EFS KSA general manager John Kelly Quinn. EFS’ offering of integrated services and systems carried out to recognised international standards was another primary reason for the firm winning the contract reports Quinn.

As well as providing a geographical expansion for EFS, the KAUST project is enabling the firm to widen its product portfolio. “Some of the services required are allowing us to broaden the range of services we can offer our clients in the future ie sports and recreation management; events management; food services and hospitality management; plus marina, beach and waterways management,” concludes Quinn. A positive outcome all round for the firm.

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• Know your market: ensure that you are up to date with the types, number and scale of projects that are ongoing and upcoming

• Be prepared to change: being open to expansion into new geographic areas or different market sectors can increase the number of potential contracts available

• Keep up to date with the latest technologies and techniques so you are able to offer potential clients the best possible service

• Individually tailor your service package to meet client-specific requirements rather than offering set solutions

• Ensure your firm is accredited to relevant international standards and operates within their requirements

• Be available when needed: ensure that your firm has the resources available in order to mobilise within the timescale that the client require