Facility Management Prepares for 2022 in Hungary

Experts expect robotics, automation and chemical-free, environmentally friendly cleaning technologies to take off in this area of business. The National Association of Facilities Management and Building Services Providers (LEO) is positive about the year ahead, despite the challenges, and expects the market to continue to grow.

The rise of the home office has brought fundamental changes to office buildings. Attracting staff back to the office is a challenge for most companies. Today, a high level of IT coverage is a standard requirement and there is also a demand for comfort and relaxation. On the services side, robotics and automation are coming to the fore, the emergence of which is more due to labour shortages than to the pandemic. The facilities management sentiment index for the last quarter of this year closed at a particularly good 53.06, according to a recent report.

It is no surprise that the covid has also shaken up the facilities management sector and brought about changes, particularly in the office market. The home office has significantly transformed the way in which people want to work, and there is competition with the comforts of home in office design. The biggest issue for the future, however, is no longer the pandemic but the shortage of staff and skills. Skilled maintenance workers and managers are being lured by the construction industry with high salaries.

Taking a broader view of the facilities management market, there are other changes to look out for, the report says. Expected economic growth of over 5% is associated with an increase in order books. A booming construction industry will bring both extra revenue and wage pressure as it saps labour. A 20% minimum wage increase - despite the employer contribution cuts - will result in double-digit wage inflation. A 2-3 times increase in the price of electricity and gas causes the cost of buildings to rise. Finally, it is also essential to mention that the drastic increase in the price of raw materials also raises the price of tools, materials and components used by facility managers. The big question is what kind of price increases can be achieved by facility managers in such a turbulent market environment at the end-of-year price negotiations.