For almost every purchase in life, cheaper is not necessarily better value. Yet, when it comes to homes, buyers often deceive themselves into thinking that, if there are similar sized homes in the same location, then the lowest priced home is better value. This is not true and potentially an
Leading UPS manufacturer, CENTIEL, has teamed-up with G4S Facilities Management to provide critical power protection services for clients based on the Channel Islands. With CENTIEL’s 4th generation, three-phase, modular UPS system now successfully deployed in two data centers on Guernsey, G4S Facilities Management’s engineering staff are undergoing extensive technical training
Building services provider J S Wright has launched a new maintenance company to serve homeowners and property managers in London. Wright Maintenance will service and repair heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems for the entire life of any residential building, whether or not the equipment was installed by J S
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in
East Grinstead, 19 February 2019: The Facilities Event, the leading exhibition dedicated to the UK’s facilities and workplace industry, has announced top FM experts who will be tackling the industry’s biggest challenges during a packed seminar programme at this year’s event held at NEC, Birmingham on the 9-11 April 2019. The
By Aleš Špetič, CEO and co-founder of Klevio When you consider the design of modern buildings, you probably don’t think of the computer. The PC was invented in the 1970s as a way for workers to be more productive. It ended up changing the way that modern workplaces were designed. Miles
Those who buy and sell property often know when is the exact right time to buy. Entry points are the easier part of the equation since most investors instinctively know a good deal when they see one. However, investors struggle with realising when is the right time to get out
The importance of sustainability to facilities management organisations continues to be very high, according to the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management’s (IWFM) 2018 Sustainability Survey. This year’s survey had 242 respondents. Four in 10 are at managing director and senior management level – the people who hold the most
Lax enforcement and minimal awareness of vital hygiene regulations in both private and public buildings run huge risks with the health of people in Scotland, a leading Scottish facilities maintenance expert has warned. Colin Chambers, managing director of Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance, believes that properties in Scotland are vulnerable due
For almost every purchase in life, cheaper is not necessarily better value. Yet, when it comes to homes, buyers often deceive themselves into thinking that, if there are similar sized homes in the same location, then the lowest priced home is better value. This is not true and potentially an expensive mistake. Value is not cheaper. Value is spending wiser and investing in the future. Economists judge value on three criteria: efficiency, effectiveness and economy, whilst investment is about future returns. Taking these in turn: Efficiency: Is your new home the best design for you and your lifestyle? How far is it to work, shops or schools? Is the public transport good enough? Can I get to see my friends and family as easily as I would like? Are the bedrooms big enough for a decent sized wardrobe? Effectiveness: Does the kitchen/living space create a family hub? Where will the children do their homework? Do I have a utility area? Where is the visitor parking? Do I have a useable private garden with patio? Do I have a good-sized balcony or terrace in my apartment? Economy: Are the kitchen appliances up to expectations? Do I have fast broadband? Do I have a well-specified home with quality doors, furniture and fittings? Investment: Am I part of a much larger development where my home has little individuality? Will my new home hold its premium because I am in a good area with few new homes? Is the quality of my home including fittings, sufficiently good to ensure that it will present well when I sell? On many larger developments, you are probably paying for a house type that has been repeated many times and similar to homes on other developments built in the area. And, as every small compromise adds up, the positive advantage of ‘cheaper’ is outweighed by the negative impact of the home’s imperfections. It may not be good value and will certainly not be a wise investment. If you want real value, you have to look beyond price. At Troy Homes, the directors are involved from the outset to ensure the homes are designed with the customer in mind. Invariably their homes are bespoke, to ensure they fit the location and market. Even as the site is built, they may need to make changes to improve the home. They invest all their own personal knowledge and drive for excellence in every home. And this is reflected in the Troy Home you buy – every detail has value with the focus on exceeding customer expectations. When you search for property online, your criteria will be limited to location, price, size, new/old, etc. These are all important, but they are one dimensional. Such a yes/no, black and white search needs a holistic approach – is this the best home for me for now and in the future? What will my home be worth when I sell? Will it be unique and desirable? If you can positively answer these questions you would have bought a value-for-money home. By Richard Werth, CEO of Troy Homes
Leading UPS manufacturer, CENTIEL, has teamed-up with G4S Facilities Management to provide critical power protection services for clients based on the Channel Islands. With CENTIEL’s 4th generation, three-phase, modular UPS system now successfully deployed in two data centers on Guernsey, G4S Facilities Management’s engineering staff are undergoing extensive technical training to be able to provide first level support, PAN Island. Wayne McKane, critical power and HVAC engineer, G4S Facilities Management confirms: “We chose CENTIEL as our partner and trusted advisor to deliver these important projects as the company is a leading manufacturer at the very forefront of the industry. At the start of 2018, we were looking for a truly modular solution to ensure efficient running and maintenance of systems within data centres, where our staff could be easily trained to exchange modules if required. We were also looking for the very latest technology to ensure maximum availability combined with a low total cost of ownership and CENTIEL ticked all the boxes. “So far, only CumulusPowerTM, CENTIEL’s 4th Generation Modular UPS has been installed on the Islands,” continues McKane. “However, the association between our two companies now means G4S will have access to CENTIEL’s full product range to fulfil the needs of our valued client base regardless of their size or power protection requirements.” Louis McGarry sales manager, CENTIEL confirms: “The G4S Facilities Management team visited our R&D facility and factory in Switzerland earlier last year as part of their selection process. Dealing directly with a manufacturer can have numerous advantages in terms of speed of implementation and the replacement or supply of spare parts for example. CENTIEL provides comprehensive training and ongoing support for our partners, plus we are planning numerous marketing and technical seminar ventures to showcase our industry leading product and joint service capabilities with G4S Facilities Management in the future.” CumulusPowerTM known for its “9 nines” (99.9999999%) system availability and low total cost of ownership through its Maximum Efficiency Management (MEM) and low losses of energy, has now been installed in datacenters and comms rooms in over 60 countries across five continents. More than 50 MW of critical power loads are now protected with CumulusPowerTM in locations across the world including: the UK, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic and now the Channel Islands. For further information please see: www.centiel.co.uk
Building services provider J S Wright has launched a new maintenance company to serve homeowners and property managers in London. Wright Maintenance will service and repair heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems for the entire life of any residential building, whether or not the equipment was installed by J S Wright. Landlords, property management agents, housing associations, care providers, and homeowners will benefit from 24-hour repair service and preventative maintenance and service plans delivered by mobile engineers. The Wright Maintenance management team will be led by associate director Toby Guise, head of quality Ben Wright, and service team leader Steve Brown. Marcus Aniol, managing director of J S Wright, said: “We launched our new company to build on the success of our maintenance department in meeting the many requests we were receiving from landlords and occupiers of new-build apartments across London to service and maintain the equipment we had installed and for which they had become responsible.”
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. “Membership of BESA is a recognized badge of quality within the industry and we are delighted to have been admitted to membership” said Colin Chambers, MD of Platinum whose business provides regular facilities maintenance programmes for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors. “BESA acts to gain agreement from a wide range of specifiers, clients and insurers to ensure that membership is a requirement in a high proportion of future tenders”, he said. Platinum deals with a range of building compliance issues from ventilation cleans, kitchen canopy and extract cleans, water hygiene and legionella testing and plant room maintenance for all types of buildings, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and shopping centres, nursing homes and housing associations. Its specialty lies in bringing water, heating and ventilating systems up to the legal standard. The company was presented with its BESA membership certificate at a Scottish Vent Hygiene Forum earlier this year by Rab Fletcher, BESA Scotland Chair, and Iain McCaskey, Head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. “Membership of BESA is a recognized badge of quality within the industry and we are delighted to have been admitted to membership” said Colin Chambers, MD of Platinum whose business provides regular facilities maintenance programmes for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors. “BESA acts to gain agreement from a wide range of specifiers, clients and insurers to ensure that membership is a requirement in a high proportion of future tenders”, he said. Platinum deals with a range of building compliance issues from ventilation cleans, kitchen canopy and extract cleans, water hygiene and legionella testing and plant room maintenance for all types of buildings, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and shopping centres, nursing homes and housing associations. Its specialty lies in bringing water, heating and ventilating systems up to the legal standard. The company was presented with its BESA membership certificate at a Scottish Vent Hygiene Forum earlier this year by Rab Fletcher, BESA Scotland Chair, and Iain McCaskey, Head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland.
East Grinstead, 19 February 2019: The Facilities Event, the leading exhibition dedicated to the UK’s facilities and workplace industry, has announced top FM experts who will be tackling the industry’s biggest challenges during a packed seminar programme at this year’s event held at NEC, Birmingham on the 9-11 April 2019. The free-to-attend programme will be hosted from a central theatre, The Facilities Hub, and will consist of 18 sessions featuring 30 of the most knowledgeable professionals in the UK’s FM industry today. All session content is CPD accredited and will be delivered across what the organisers are calling the ‘Five pillars of FM’. These five streams cover key elements within the FM profession and include cleaning services, security, catering, property management and support & technology services. “Our aim has been to design a programme which appeals to all levels of FMs working in the UK today. We know that there are many time pressures on those who are keen to attend The Facilities Event. This year our focus has been to deliver valuable training sessions with very practical take-aways with content that attendees can use to improve working practices at their organisation.” says Rachel Godfrey, Event Manager, The Facilities Event. Those attending The Facilities Event 2019 will also get free access to its co-located events; The Fire Safety Event, The Health & Safety Event and the brand-new The Security Event. Each event features its own professional seminar programme and a host of global brands demonstrating their technology and services. From legislative trends in health & safety to essential fire safety and security updates, the four events provide the ultimate opportunity for FMs at every level to update themselves on vital business knowledge. Godfrey explains “By attending the sessions and meeting with this year’s exhibitors, FMs will have the opportunity to create a personalised event experience and find real solutions to the issues that facing their business. We guarantee that those who attend will learn skills, experience and touch innovative technology and meet new industry colleagues.” Free visitor registration is now open, visit www.facilitiesevents.com to claim your free badge. Interested in exhibiting? Contact Rachel Godfrey on 01342 333714 or email rgodfrey@western-be.co.uk.
By Aleš Špetič, CEO and co-founder of Klevio When you consider the design of modern buildings, you probably don’t think of the computer. The PC was invented in the 1970s as a way for workers to be more productive. It ended up changing the way that modern workplaces were designed. Miles of copper and fibre cable were strung throughout modern high rises. Extra outlets were installed to make sure that employees had a place to plug in. The open floor plan was added as the computers weren’t as loud as the typewriters they were replacing. Builders at the time were reacting to what customers wanted and what they showed us was a willingness to indulge in forward thinking. We all know what happened next, what we saw develop in the new offices filtered across into our homes as the PC was adopted by the consumer market, and with it came the copper and fibre cables. If the PC was invented to help people get their work done, modern buildings are designed to benefit residents and to help building managers work less. Designing for a digital world is no different now than it was back in the 1970s. Builders, architects, and developers need to look at the digital landscape and respond to what the customer requires. Digital is not going away Much like the PC at the time, the trend of all things digital is not going away. The vast majority of us carry the same computing power of those early PCs in our pockets. What the modern smartphone allows is access. Access to information and community, but it can also offer access to physical places too. Digital keys and live video displays help building managers and end-users alike. Digital keys allow businesses to manage and secure offices more efficiently. The modern workplace is portable and flexible. Just like in the design of an open floor office in the 70s, builders of today need to focus on the demands of their clients on building design. In order to attract tenants, you’ll need to provide a series of modern technologies. Mainly internet access, physical access using technology as a driver, and control over the buildings systems with remote access. The view from the top If you look at the Auto Industry, you’ll see a lot of future-proofing. Manufacturers, have moved to a digital-first footing. From prototype design to facility management, they operate in a digital version of all things physical. This drastically reduces the costs of building a physical model and testing it in a windtunnel. It also reduced costs by being able to idle certain aspects of the business from a computer. This Digital Twinning is a big trend and should be looked at as a model for modern building design. There are many things that need to go into modern design. Consumer demands focus mainly on a few key desires. Access to the space from a computer or mobile phone and confidence in the key replacement. Control of the space, such as turning off appliances and lights remotely, and finally allowing guest access to the property; or providing access to maintenance workers from a computer or phone. What people want now is time These are just a few examples of what the new generation is coming to expect, not only in the workplace or at home, but in virtually every industry they interact with. Streaming entertainment, online-only banking, e-commerce, and software driven Teslas, are all examples of industries that didn’t exist 10 years ago and only exist now because of consumer demand. In order to satisfy the needs of the modern consumer, your building design needs to have elements that are basically a requirement in 2019. If you’re able to design in a way that will help people save time, you are truly building for the future.
Those who buy and sell property often know when is the exact right time to buy. Entry points are the easier part of the equation since most investors instinctively know a good deal when they see one. However, investors struggle with realising when is the right time to get out of an investment. If they hold on for too long, they may miss the absolute top at which to sell. At the same time, selling too early could cause the investor to miss out on potential profits. Here are some ways to know when an investment property should be sold. One of the primary considerations does not even relate to the market for the property itself. Rather, it relates to other potential investments and opportunities. The most important thing that an investor has going for them is their capital. There is never an unlimited supply of capital, and investors will continuously need to decide where their capital is best deployed. While the real estate investment may be profitable, there may be another investment that could potentially make even more money. For example, when the equities market is consistently offering a higher rate of return, it may be better to scale back in the real estate market. Alternatively, if there is another property that offers the prospect for higher income, it may warrant shifting around the property portfolio. This is known as the opportunity cost of real estate investing, and it is one of the most important considerations as an investor’s money may be tied up for a long time. On a similar note, changes in property prices or other investments may also change an investor’s asset mix. Optimally, investors should have a diversified and varied portfolio that is spread across many asset classes. This is to act as a hedge against an uncertain economic environment. For example, real estate may underperform when the equity markets are stronger. If there is a wildly profitable investment, it can mean that a majority of an investor’s portfolio consists of real estate. While realising profits is generally a good thing, diversification of portfolio is desirable as well. At a certain point, when the value of real estate holdings dwarfs other assets in a portfolio, it may be time to either take some profits or shift around investments. In addition, investors need to be aware of the current taxation environment for investment properties since that will affect the total mortgage payment on the parcel. In the UK, the taxation credit for financing costs for investment properties is being phased out and will result in a much lower credit by 2020. This means that investment properties may become less profitable depending on how they are financed. Different countries treat financing costs in various ways, and a change in the taxation structure can make the difference between a profitable investment and an unprofitable one. In addition, investors must also be aware of the potential profit on their property and what taxation rate it would mean they have to pay. As a result, investors should be closely following any possible change in the tax structure to see if it benefits or hurts their property investments. Finally, an investor should always consider their own personal financial situation when deciding whether and when to sell an investment property. While real estate investments have many positive attributes, liquidity is not one of them, unless investors can borrow against the value of their property. If an investor has a certain upcoming life event that may require more liquidity, it may be a wise idea to sell an investment property. While investors should not hastily exit investment opportunities, there are just some occasions that necessitate selling. However, life events may also mean that it would be more beneficial to maintain a property that can lead to passive income. Thus, changes in personal situations do not always mean that selling is the correct decision.
The importance of sustainability to facilities management organisations continues to be very high, according to the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management’s (IWFM) 2018 Sustainability Survey. This year’s survey had 242 respondents. Four in 10 are at managing director and senior management level – the people who hold the most authority to promote the sustainability agenda. Of those surveyed, 31 per cent of respondents said it was extremely important; 35 per cent said it was very important; and 23 per cent said it was important. In total, 89 per cent rated sustainability as at least important – and only 11 per cent as not or not very important. To further underline sustainability’s importance to FM organisations, 71 per cent commented that governance support of sustainability in procurement activities is viewed as either extremely important (13 per cent), very important (27 per cent), or important (31 cent). In the past year 20 per cent of FMs have noted a considerable increase in the number of tenders with sustainability criteria; 42 per cent noticed there’s been some increase; and 38 per cent said there has been no change. Environmental considerations dominate the sustainability criteria on tender forms, with 48 per cent of respondents reporting these as the most frequent criteria. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of respondents claimed tenders embrace equally a range of sustainability aspects with none given precedence. These aspects are: local economic considerations (16 per cent); social value (8 per cent); and ‘others’, which includes a mixture of sustainability, diversity and pay equality and environmental and economic (2 per cent). The importance of finding new approaches to sustainability is underlined by the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which highlights once again the need for businesses to take urgent action to combat rising global temperatures.
Lax enforcement and minimal awareness of vital hygiene regulations in both private and public buildings run huge risks with the health of people in Scotland, a leading Scottish facilities maintenance expert has warned. Colin Chambers, managing director of Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance, believes that properties in Scotland are vulnerable due to a lax enforcement regime and an almost universal ignorance of the legal requirements in both the private and public sectors. He said: “Regular inspection simply doesn’t happen, and the risks are unacceptable. I have been in this sector a while now, but I am still shocked, quite regularly, by the bacteria that is trapped in all too many, water tanks because regular mandatory checks do not take place.” His warning follows reports of a £27,000 fine imposed earlier this month on Tendring District Council in Essex following a Legionella incident in 2016 at a council-run leisure centre at Walton-on-the-Naze in which a man almost died. The court was told that after a Council decision to bring Legionella controls in-house, those responsible were not properly trained. And in a statement which is sure to focus the minds of owners of all privately-run sports and leisure facilities throughout the UK, District Judge John Woollard said Tendring District Council’s fine would have been ten times greater had it not been a public body. Every organization in the UK with over five employees is legally obliged to carry out annual risk assessments, monthly monitoring and regular checks to ensure that no stagnant water, the source of Legionella, is present in their buildings’ systems. The legal obligations on property owners, introduced by the Health and Safety Executive, (HSE) are aimed at making all non-domestic buildings in Scotland safe and clean environments. Mr Chambers said: “I worry about the reality of what we see every day in our built environment. Both Scottish and UK governments, as well as local authorities and the various agencies like the Health and Safety Executive need to beef-up substantially their inspection regimes for compliance with building regulations and hygiene standards in water tanks. “It surprises me that we have not seen more outbreaks of Legionella and other infections in Scotland because the bacteria involved in stagnant water tanks breeds wonderfully well in polluted environments, and if you have a neglected water tank, in a hotel, a leisure centre, a golf club or a nursing home, it will build up horribly”. Mr. Chambers, whose business provides regular facilities maintenance programmes for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors, is also warning non-domestic buildings owners that failure to undertake full inspections, cleaning and maintenance of ventilation systems can have severe financial consequences when disaster strikes. “I have seen instances of insurance claims for damage being pared down significantly from 100 per cent to just that which reflects the proportion of the inspection and maintenance work that has been carried out on the system, and that financial shortfall can be fatal for business continuity. “Non-domestic property owners have a duty of care towards the public and need to be aware of the cost and time implications non-compliance with the regulations could have for their companies. “They need to monitor water temperatures closely, carry-out visual inspections and make sure that their water tanks are cleaned regularly. If in doubt they should seek expert guidance to help mitigate the more damaging potential threats.”
