The GCC’s property markets are charting a course to recovery after 2016’s quietude due to low oil prices and, it appears, construction activity will also shift gears in the months to come.
All signs point towards a busy 12 months for the region’s FM providers and as annual budgets are finalised this month, it is worth examining how equipment investments can be maximised by FM teams in the upcoming year.
The equipment rental segment is on a high in the Middle East, driven by demand from the local construction and FM sectors.
Already, Haulotte electric lifts assist with the routine FM and cleaning of the holy mosque, the Masjid Al-Haram, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
As regional operator outfits grapple with reduced fluidity in the aftermath of last year’s low oil prices, equipment rental options – a combination of machines, technical knowhow, and safety credentials – are gaining traction with FM operators.
Alain El Tawil, managing partner at Grako, is among the supporters of rental procurement for equipment his company’s needs.
Grako is a high-access cleaning specialist which features projects such as Burj Khalifa in its portfolio.
The following pages list El Tawil’s top three factors that make the ideal equipment rental partner.
1. Maintenance
“The quality of maintenance provided and turnaround time in case of breakdowns is critical,” El Tawil says.
“Machines do break down and if that happens, then the supplier must, ideally within an hour, get to where the machine is.”
2. Price
“Even if you did want to buy a machine, you’d have to consider that prices have gone up in the last year,” El Tawil continues.
“Currency fluctuations have had an impact, but demand for these machines is also very high, which is driving up their market value.”
3. Relationship
“All companies I rent machines from are a phone call away from me, and that’s the kind of professional partnership you want when you’re working with equipment companies,” El Tawil adds.
“In turn, we treat them well. We ensure there are no payment delays from our end, because equipment rental companies might already face those from the construction sector.
“We also make sure we aren’t squeezing [their prices] to the maximum.”
