THE KEY TO SUCCESS
Ecovert FM is a fully integrated company with a staff that provides a level of service quality that is unmatched in Kuwait's facilities management industry.
BIOGRAPHY
Elie Emile Khalife has over 30 years of experience in total facilities management, hotels, and international corporations. Guided by his international experience and deep-rooted understanding of facilities management, Khalife has been leading Ecovert FM Kuwait since 2008. Previously, he held key positions in various corporations where he was responsible for the pre-opening of major five-star hotels. With experience in disaster recovery management and running facilities management operations across the GCC and MENA region, he continues to drive and grow Ecovert across the GCC. Khalife holds a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from California State University and PDP from Cornell University.In what ways did your partnership with Bouygues help develop your business in Kuwait?
We incorporated the company in 2008, and Bouygues became an active partner during the initial stage, bringing most of the know-how. Bouygues has a 35-year history in facility management, which it implemented in multiple PPP projects. Facility management is a key contributor to such long-term projects, where costs must be accounted for. Its know-how has strengthened Ecovert FM. It provided us with all the policies and procedures, manuals on cleaning services and health and safety, quality management, audits, and all other considerations. Notably, we operated for a year before we took on any projects in order to modify the documentation to the local market. Thereafter, we assumed our first project in 2008. Simultaneously, we began the implementation of a central help desk to manage all our projects. We implemented all policies and procedures, the uniform system of accounts, as well as management of utilities, and so on. At present, we rank among the leading facility managers in Kuwait. One of our major projects is Al Hamra Tower, which we have been managing since 2010. Another such project is Kipco Tower, which we managed for the first three years. Our third major project was Jaber Ahmed Cultural Center. In total, we have around 28 projects in Kuwait, including universities. We have contributed significantly by properly managing cleaning services, security, and operations, and auditing cooling systems to curb the operational costs of the site.
How did all the knowledge from Bouygues apply in Kuwait?
Facilities management was a new industry in Kuwait. Bouygues brought the systems that can be implemented to enhance the operation and prolong the lifetime of a property. It provided the benchmarking for every sector. For example, hotels calculate their energy consumption for a certain task, and those numbers are calculated against consumption and measured against a benchmark. This helps us identify where utilities are being misused and fix the problem. Clients have recently become more aware of their energy consumption. We have been recording utility consumption for the projects we have been running since 2008. We have historical data that we always provide to our clients, and that helps us better monitor all aspects of the site and offer the best adapted solution.
In a highly price-sensitive market such as Kuwait, how does Ecovert FM differente itself from its competitors?
The market is price driven. Eventually, we are hoping that our extra services will highlight the value of our cost. Our clients benefit from a significant ROI. This has the ability to shift a price-driven market to professional market. Many properties in Kuwait are not being properly maintained, and as a result, the lifespan of those buildings is being reduced. Furthermore, neglecting maintenance over time means more expensive renovations. It is much more cost-effective to properly and constantly maintain a building. We have been able to build long-lasting relationships with our clients. Once they see our added value, they stay with us.
What benefits can your customers enjoy through your fully integrated solutions?
Fully integrated companies like ours can provide an unmatched quality of service and responsiveness in the event of maintenance issues. Our people are trained to detect, assess, and report any issue to the adequate department. We want to ensure the client always receives a five-star service. We allocate 2% of our revenue to training because better training equals to better services.
What are your goals for 2019?
Our main goal is to expand the business. We are opening several new branches, one of which is dedicated to testing and commissioning, a vital component in the maintenance of equipment at the highest level. We will continue to train our staff, and monitor our customer satisfaction. At present, we are running at a level of around 94% customer satisfaction, and our goal is to maintain a level of above 90%. Lastly, we want to increase our net profit.
THE KEY TO SUCCESS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Adel Abdul Wahab Al-Majed , Chairman, Kuwait Banking Association (KBA)
Through a broad array of information, specialized committees, staff expertise, and other resources, KBA supports Kuwait's banks as they perform their critical role in energizing the economy and helping communities thrive.
read articleInterview
Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)
KDIPA adopts a proactive approach to attract value-added direct investments supported by an integrated promotional strategy serving Kuwait's developmental goals in line with its National Vision 2035.
read articleCommuniqué
Legal Reform and Infrastructure Projects Spell Opportunity for Foreign Investors
Along with the introduction and modernization of new laws and regulations, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to transform Kuwait into an international center for commerce and industry by 2035 is already being implemented through Kuwait's National Development Plan. Coupled with the promulgation of progressive FDI regulations, these new opportunities spell positive news for foreign companies looking to conduct business in Kuwait.
read articleFocus: Developing connectivity
Connecting the Dots
Today, connectivity is hardly indispensible for individuals and the companies where they work. Kuwait's smart cities, considered elsewhere in the book, will thrive on it, and meanwhile the nation continues to register notable business deals from the informatics sector.
read articleInterview
Khalid Abbas , Country Manager-Kuwait, Unilever
Contributing to the improved health and wellbeing of communities and reducing environmental footprint are key priorities for Unilever, which is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of up to 1 billion people globally by 2020.
read articleInterview
Mohammed Yousif Soud Al-Sabah , Board Chairman & Director, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR)
PAAAFR has adapted a package of policies to face challenges inherent to deserts, hot climate, and water scarcity, bringing Kuwait closer to achieving national food security, one step at a time.
read articleInterview
Yang Chunsen, Vice President/ Chief Representative, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCME) Kuwait
CSCME is a technology-driven company that leverages its R&D and long-standing partnership with the government to increase its participation in the future development of Kuwait.
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