I say what Obama said

Ask me to describe the FM sector in one word and I’d say ‘change’. When we established Coor in 2000 when the sector was still in its infancy in Sweden. FM was an unknown concept, customers were a few large companies and suppliers drove the market.

Now it's a different story altogether. In a single decade the FM industry has become well-established. Buyers include large and medium-sized companies and the public sector. Many clients have a clear strategy regarding operational support services.

Companies are experiencing increasing competition in their core business. Internal service is both complex and personnel intensive, and is therefore a cost driver. Many therefore choose to outsource their service to free up management resources and achieve greater flexibility in their internal service.

Efficient operational support is necessary in all economic conditions. In Nova we have a series about FM during tough economic conditions, seen from various perspectives. In this issue Erik Rydén, Director of Alvesta Municipality, talks about the factors affecting the municipality during a tough economy, and what the municipality is doing to provide good, cost-effective services for its residents.

There are strict demands and high expectations on us FM suppliers to adapt and develop services for our clients in all situations. Change is not only the message of one of the US presidential candidates, but also of the FM industry.

Mats Jönsson, CEO of Coor Service Management Group