September/October Edition

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 19 What is facilities management? Facilities management (FM) is a €1.2 billion industry in Ireland responsible for ensuring that businesses operate efficiently and provide a safe working environment. By analysing and integrating key components of the business, FM creates seamless operations that are not only cost and time-efficient but also improve the working conditions and wellbeing of the workforce. FMs rely on quality products to ensure optimal efficiency and safety throughout the service/product chain. In times of crisis, facility managers are the first point of contact to determine risks and suggest appropriate solutions. They are at the frontline of creating a successful and profitable business by being experts in logistics and regulations, streamlining processes, and facilitating efficiency through reliable products and services. The growth of the facilities management industry in Ireland Since its emergence in the 1970s, the Irish FM industry has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years and with global forecasters expecting a recurring annual growth of 11%. In fact, the FM industry is expected to be worth over $1.62 trillion globally by 2025. But why is it growing so rapidly? 1) Outsourcing With ever-increasing importance being placed on effective FM, many businesses are turning to industry experts and outsourcing the role to purpose-built FM companies. 2) Economic regulations In the electric industry, there is strong regulation surrounding waste management and employee working conditions. At Demesne Electrical, they have adopted FM practices to ensure that they comply with waste regulations and to create a safe working environment for staff by designing safety manuals, protective equipment and have instilled a preventative rather than reactive safety culture. 3) Demand forvalue-added services With the modern customer now demanding and expecting companies to deliver more than a standard service, FM is often relied upon to identify and implement means in which businesses can create a value- added service. At Demesne Electrical, they do everything in their power to delight customers, often going above and beyond the norm; in turn, they get rewarded with brand loyalty. 4) The internet of things (IOT) The IOT is a global phenomenon that connects the physical and digital worlds through smart technology to monitor consumer behaviours. By analysing the behaviours of Demesne Electrical customers they create a wealth of accurate data that can be mined to identify and implement positive changes within the business, making them easy to do business with. Addressing new challenges in the wake of COVID-19 With the current crises due to COVID-19, facility managers are challenged with selling and delivering a product/service to customers with limited contact and creating a safe working environment for their staff. Demesne electrical pride themselves on being innovative, forward- thinking and having the ability to overcome challenges. These traits have allowed them to excel during this pandemic by supplying products that support FM in commercial, industrial and retail businesses to prevent the spread of the virus and to do so in such a way that both staff and customers are protected. Their signalling equipment helps to control numbers within a business while a hands-free door handle reduces contact points to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. They also provide equipment to ensure that your investment in electronics, modems, IOT - the new life force of many businesses - can be monitored, regulated, and protected. As staff return to their place of work, Demesne Electrical are proud to work with facility managers from a range of industries to meet each new challenge head-on, and find solutions to ensure safety and productivity for all. www.demesne.ie