UFM was founded in Kuwait, in 2008 as an affiliate of United Real Estate Company (URC) which is a part of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) (KIPCO) to serve as a facility services provider for the group’s facilities and projects. UFM specialises in facilities and property management by applying the most recent technology and techniques.
Ahmad Yousef Al-Kandari, CEO, UFM, says: “Our portfolio has expanded out of KIPCO Group to include different sectors of facilities such as smart and traditional buildings, oil and gas, governmental and private facilities, high-rise office buildings, commercial towers, sports facilities and other sectors.”
Currently, United Facilities Management (UFM) is a leading provider of integrated facilities management services with over fourteen years of experience in delivering complete and comprehensive property and facility management services.
Adopting the concept of a culture of excellence and quality in business, UFM dedicates its resources to the highest standards in delivering its services. Al-Kandari says: “Our priority is to engage with the property owners and stakeholders and work closely with them to devise the proper serviceability, operability, sustainability, and maintainability solutions. UFM is up to date with the latest trends in the facilities and property management services to achieve its objectives.
“UFM Integrated Facilities Management services are assured to provide an effective, responsive, sustainable and supportive environment within which end users, be it individuals or organisations, can achieve their business or operational objectives.”
Ibrahim Mohamed Abdellatif, COO, UFM, adds: “UFM provides a one-stop-shop for all services related to commercial activities, operation, maintenance, safety and security and other activities required to manage, operate and sustain a building or a facility of any type.”
UFM services include facility and property management, infrastructure and technical maintenance, health and safety, sustainability, energy management, safety and security, cleaning, pest control, landscaping and other value-added services.
Abdellatif says: “We adopt proven processes, building management technology and economies of scale that will help our clients significantly reduce their facility operating costs. Our services maximise the efficiency of facilities through strategic sourcing, reductions in energy consumption and responsive engineering services. Our FM model assures the life cycle of assets to the international standards that maintain value of our clients’ assets.”
Talking about the safety and security of the facilities UFM manages, Abdellatif says: “Our facility security and safety plan aims at protecting assets, personnel, and sensitive information and eventually protecting the organisation’s business and the interests of our clients. We provide our clients in different sectors with the latest technology and services in managing security and safety solutions including CCTV systems and monitoring the visitors and materials. Our team takes all security measures to keep the resources and arrangements orderly and in place. UFM implements an effective plan based on the understanding of events that could present a threat to personnel, operations, and information.”
When it comes to the latest trends and innovations, UFM team facilitates the use of automated facility management technology such as computer-based workflow, BMS, CAFM, operations and analysis functions). Al-Kandari adds: “Mainly, we assume the required duties based on the recent innovations and technology in integrated facilities management by adopting the most recently applied systems in FM including technology–based applications, tablets, raising tickets, and quick and proper solutions. Our facility team plays a vital role in improving productivity, including deciding on the best products and solutions to introduce into the office environment. As part of their critical decision-making role, seeking out the best products and solutions intended to boost employee productivity is key.”
Additionally, Al-Kandari says: “UFM considers the necessity of determining the current operational and administrative requirements, with respect to sustainability. UFM’s understanding of Integrated Facilities Management Service (IFMS) is expressed through its holistic approach, the application of innovative solutions and the comprehensive integration of services to deliver an efficient, sustainable, and responsive environment to any managed facility. UFM applies legal requirements to comply with environmental laws as it applies to services provided and meets environmental and sustainability standards. We apply sustainable solutions through pre-emptive maintenance & unified monitoring.”
UFM’s track record includes many notable and high–profile facilities management projects such, as the Central Bank of Kuwait, Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, State Audit Bureau, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC), KIPCO Tower, and more than 200 facilities managed by UFM.
One of UFM’s prestigious clients’ facilities include Gulf Investment Corporation, which was the first financial institution established under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through an agreement signed between the constituent nation-states. UFM assumed responsibility for managing this duty with its highly qualified team in all aspects including cleaning, security, maintenance, hard services, and soft services. Since then, UFM has proven its ability to handle its assignments and activities in the building effectively and efficiently.
Abdellatif says: “Moreover, we are continuously working to develop the concept of total facilities management in GIC to be in line with the recent innovation in the FM industry and achieve more benefits for our clients.”
Abdellatif concludes: “We maintain a good relationship with our clients understanding their requirements. Our motto is not to be only a service provider but a business partner for our clients.” UFM is developing FM techniques and systems to meet clients’ expectations.
“We are a customer-oriented company working round the clock to offer complete satisfaction to our clients. We keep pace with changing technologies. We give immense importance to client’s technical specifications and business type while offering our products and services. We have managed to create a system enabling our people to identify almost any problem within a limited time to enable the concerned to manage and handle it.”