Growth trajectory
Driven by innovations in design and construction and the introduction of sustainability regulations, Imdaad CEO Jamal Abdulla Lootah tells Dan McAlister about the opportunities that lie ahead
Some businesses may see the underdevelopment of their sector as a challenge, but for Imdaad CEO Jamal Abdulla Lootah, it’s all about opportunity.
Observing that the practical value of facilities management (FM) is increasingly acknowledged worldwide, Lootah says the concept of FM itself remains relatively new across the GCC and wider Middle East.
Yet he believes this only serves to underline the huge growth potential for FM services in the region; an opportunity that has spurred an investment spree in new technologies and more innovative solutions, within the company, that match the specific needs and expectations of existing and potential clients.
“This is an important trend as it underlines the strategic importance of FM services as a tool for sustainable growth and development. Property owners, business enterprises and developers now realise the value of sustainable management and maintenance of their facilities,” Lootah says.
Today, Imdaad has integrated specialised waste management services in its portfolio along with waste recycling services.
“Such integrated FM services are growing in popularity as they give our clients complete freedom to operate in a safe, secure and clean work environment, which results in greater productivity and efficiency,” he adds.
“Our ability to deliver a truly comprehensive range of integrated and sustainable FM solutions has been a major USP for us,” he continues.
Imdaad recently signed a two-year contract to provide FM services to Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex in Dubai, covering MEP equipment and systems, AC, civil works, IT works, soft and hard landscaping and street lighting.
The Dubai projects have also paved the way for growth into neighbouring Abu Dhabi where specialised sustainable FM solutions are in high demand, due to the introduction of green building policies.
The company states a commitment to focus on acquiring environmentally friendly equipment and adopting sustainable practices and techniques across all operations.
Independent Business
Imdaad has been operating for more than three years as an independent business entity, yet the company’s overall experience in facilities management (FM) spans over 25 years.
Imdaad began in 1986 as a civil engineering division handling AC maintenance and basic FM services. The company’s portfolio of services expanded in 1989 to include waste management, pest control, sewage services, environment, and health and safety. Through a joint venture agreement signed in 2002, the company started to provide outsourced facilities management services. Imdaad was formally inaugurated in 2007 as an independent business entity with a mission to provide integrated FM solutions in the UAE and across the region.
Commenting on the growing pace of the FM sector, Lootah says technology will play a crucial role in meeting the ongoing demands of an ever-innovating construction industry, further commenting that Imdaad continues to invest in such equipment and the development of staff, to meet both these needs and its own environmental goals.
He is quick to highlight the impact integrated solutions can have on both the environment and sustainable growth of any business enterprise.
“There is a growing need for specialised FM expertise in the Middle East because of the pace of development that is happening across the region. The potential for growth in the Middle East is certainly huge in light of the region’s vast untapped markets. Imdaad’s roadmap for long-term growth therefore includes the entire Middle East region as a key destination for our services,” he says.
