Speech by 2M Indranee Rajah at the World Workplace Asia Pacific 2024 Conference Opening Ceremony
Jul 23, 2024
Good morning. I am delighted to be here today with this distinguished audience of local and international leaders in the Facility Management (FM) industry.
To all those who have come from other countries, a warm welcome to Singapore!
Importance of the FM industry
The FM industry touches our everyday lives. You perform the important work that ensures that our homes and workplaces are safe, clean and well-maintained.
As an industry sector, the global FM industry has grown at more than 8% per year, and is expected to cross the two trillion US dollar mark in the coming years. [1]
Transformation of FM Industry
The FM industry is also on the cusp of transformation, advancing sustainability goals, harnessing innovation, and pursuing greater integration.
First, climate change is a major concern, and buildings-associated emissions account for up to 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The FM industry, being a trusted steward of buildings, plays a critical role in helping achieve global net-zero goals.
Second, technological innovations will change how FM services are delivered. The use of robots, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and artificial intelligence can improve efficiency and enable more responsive FM services.
Third, the FM industry plays an important role in shaping our urban experience. Thus, more integrated FM services can improve the well-being and lived experience of building and facility users.
Today I would like to share how Singapore’s FM industry has collectively responded to the changing landscape to deliver positive outcomes in three key areas, and offer some thoughts on the road ahead.
Advancing Sustainability Goals
First, sustainability. In support of national decarbonisation efforts, the buildings sector has committed to achieving three targets, or “80-80-80 in 2030”, under the Singapore Green Building Masterplan.
The first is to green 80% of buildings by Gross Floor Area by 2030;
The second is for 80% of new developments to meet Super Low Energy standards from 2030; and
The third is for best-in-class buildings to achieve 80% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels by 2030.
The FM industry is a key player in realising these targets. FM companies have been partnering stakeholders across the built environment value chain, to promote ‘Design for Maintainability’ or DfM.
This requires developers, building owners and designers to incorporate maintainability considerations into building designs. For example, Lendlease has brought in its FM team to advise on the redevelopment of Shaw Tower. The FM team suggested using more advanced fans for the building’s new air distribution system, to improve energy efficiency and reduce downstream maintenance.
Input like this not only benefits the environment, but also yields cost savings across the building’s life span.The FM community has also been building up its sustainability-related capabilities. For example, earlier this year, SIFMA hosted a Sustainability Boot Camp as part of BuildTech Asia 2024 at which experts shared practical methods to achieve greater energy savings.
Today, I am pleased to launch SIFMA’s new Sustainable Net Zero Organisation (SNZO) Certification Scheme.This scheme recognises FM companies which take active steps towards achieving net zero emissions in their operations and service offerings. As demand for sustainable buildings grows, FM companies with such capabilities will be well positioned to seize these opportunities. Please join me in congratulating the first batch of nine FM companies that have met the scheme’s requirements and will be receiving their certificates today.
Interested companies may approach SIFMA for advice on the certification pathways and training opportunities available.
Harnessing Innovation
Next, innovation. Over the years, Singapore’s FM companies have been harnessing innovative technologies to improve productivity. If you take a walk around Jewel Changi Airport, you will see robots performing cleaning, security patrol and even guest concierge services. Jewel’s FM service provider, Certis, has also deployed a suite of IoT sensors and Smart FM solutions to automate monitoring and optimisation of building operations.
Innovative technologies have also transformed FM jobs and uplifted the industry’s image. Smart FM solutions enable FM staff to be more responsive to guests and clients. As a result, the FM industry is now recognised for being progressive and adding value. The current state of technology adoption is the culmination of many years of effort and collaboration across building owners, FM companies, and our agencies.
These include the National Robotics Programme’s RoboCluster for FM and BCA’s Built Environment Accelerate-to-Market Programme, which help firms develop and testbed their innovations, and deploy them commercially. Some of the FM companies, startups, and research institutions that have been participating in these programmes have set up booths outside. Do visit them to learn more about their innovations, and explore collaborations.
Last year, we set up the Built Environment Innovation Hub, or BEIH. The BEIH is an open space for collaboration, and regularly hosts technology exchange and networking events. These events showcase cutting-edge solutions to industry pain points, and foster collaborations amongst companies, innovators, and government agencies. All members of the FM industry are invited to participate in these events, and provide us with ideas and feedback on how the BEIH can continue to support your firms.
Integrated and Aggregated FM
Third, the integration and aggregation of FM services. Singapore’s FM industry has been progressively adopting more integrated and aggregated FM models, or IFM and AFM. Managing different FM services on an integrated platform, and aggregating FM services across several buildings, allows economies of scale to be achieved. Some of the early adopters of IFM and AFM models have reaped up to 20% in productivity improvements, as well as cost savings.
To accelerate the adoption of IFM and AFM in Singapore, BCA launched a $30 million IFM and AFM grant in 2022. This grant co-funds up to 70% of the qualifying costs to develop IFM and AFM initiatives. FM company CBM Private Limited and its partner City Developments Limited tapped on the grant to implement a platform called ‘digiHUB’. This centralised smart system integrates maintenance, cleaning and security services across four buildings to improve productivity.
I am pleased to announce that the IFM and AFM grant will be extended to 2028. The qualifying criteria will also be revised to allow more FM firms and building owners to benefit. I encourage all FM companies and building owners to make full use of this support to achieve the next bound of FM transformation. You can approach BCA for more details.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that the FM industry is uniquely placed to make our built environment greener, smarter, and more liveable. To do so, the community needs to forge new partnerships and develop new ways of delivering FM services. Industry conferences, like this, are important platforms for the industry to take stock of progress, share new ideas, and foster collaborations. I would like to thank IFMA and SIFMA for hosting this conference, and I wish you all a fruitful and enjoyable day ahead. Thank you.
[1] Data from IFMA's Global FM Impact Report 2023.