Latest industry reports indicate that the UAE is home to some 107 retail facilities which include shopping centres, multi-use commercial facilities and regional mall chains. It is a reality that the presence of such a significant number of retail complexes in the UAE is indicative of its thriving retail industry.
However, amidst the current economic downturn, these retail centres are tasked with a never-ending need to retain not only their shoppers but also the tenancy of retail outlets. In this case, the race is tight and mall managements are exploiting every possibility of retaining their shoppers and tenants as well. One of the obvious means is provision of convenient and clean shopping environments.
Since its inception in 2005, Ibn Battuta Shopping Mall has been an icon for the region’s retail shopping industry. However, behind the beautiful diverse architectural sceneries that are characteristic of this mall, there lives an unsung hero for its retail success – its professional cleaning contractor. With a total size of 325,000 square meters, a gross leasable area of 110,100 square meters featuring 275 retailers, 50 restaurants and food outlets, 21 cinemas and 18 toilets; Ibn Battuta shopping mall features six courts, each with a distinct architectural theme: the Andalusia Court, the North African Court, the Egyptian Court, the Persian Court, the Indian Court and the Chinese Court.
Major Dubai master developer- Nakheel is responsible for the ownership, development, management and marketing of this mall. Clean Middle East magazine talked to the company’s general manager for Ibn Battuta Mall, Bernice Boshof, and she highlighted the contribution of cleaning to this mall’s success.
"Professional cleaning of a mall," she said, "sets the tone for the entire shopping experience."
"Cleaning is so perceptible ," she added, "that shoppers may not necessarily notice when a mall is clean, but they will surely notice when it is dirty."
She said that competition between shopping centers in the region is quite high, and shoppers have very high expectations. In order to deliver clean, efficient and standard services that exceed shoppers’ expectations, significant portion of Ibn Battuta Mall’s budget is allocated for professional cleaning services.
"Cleaning is the biggest single contract that we have here in this mall. To us, it is one area that we cannot afford to ever skimp on."
Prioritizing cleaning at the mall, according to Bernice, requires a successful and committed cleaning contractor. As such, it is cleaning contractor Enviro, which has been tasked with providing professional cleaning services to this mall.
Reflecting on Enviro, Bernice said that she is impressed by Enviro’s "wonderful working relationship" with its staff, who are committed to working beyond expectations even in the face of unexpected challenges."
She recalled an incident when there was an emergency in the mall and hailed the commitment of the cleaners. "There was a time when significant areas in the mall were flooded, including the tenants’ premises. Enviro’s employees worked through night, vacuuming and cleaning the mall, making sure it was ready for operations the following day."
With an average visitor flow of about 1.1 million shoppers per month, Ibn Battuta Mall reflects a perfect masterpiece for retail shopping in the Middle East. However, according to Nakheel Shopping Mall’s operations manager at Ibn Battuta, Alan Champion; contract cleaning in a diversified setting with complex finishes like Ibn Battuta requires specialized cleaning and maintenance procedures and abilities.
Alan conceded that there are many cleaning companies in the market; however, not all are prepared to look after a shopping mall. "Not all of them can look after cleaning in a retail setup. One of the things that we would not want to do is to put a wrong company on the job," he stressed.
"From the architectural interests of this mall, it is not just cleaning of walls and floors. The mall has a complex design, which also calls for complex cleaning and management procedures," said Alan.
"You have a large number of shoppers passing through our mall and after shopping, they tend to reflect upon their experience at the mall. A good experience brings them back to shop another time," noted Alan.
The overall environment, according to Alan, is an essential element which should be put into consideration in an endeavor to enhance the shoppers’ and tenants’ experience in a mall. "One thing that is important to understand is that it is important to have a comfortable working and shopping environment for everyone around here," he said.
"One of the steps that we take is making sure that the cleaners use the right cleaning procedures and products, which will not affect the tenants, the shoppers, and the general public."
While routine cleaning is a must to do in and around the mall, the cleaning contractors at Ibn Battuta have devised ways of enhancing the mall’s environment and at the same time reducing water and energy costs. "They have
come up with effective cleaning methods that use less water and electricity, which has yielded enormous water and energy savings. For instance, as a means of energy management, they switch off all the lights during night hours."
Enviro, a cleaning contractor, delivers general and specialized cleaning and maintenance services to the mall which includes provision of high, medium and lower cleaning services, polishing, scrubbing, waxing, window cleaning, and pest control.
Enviro deploys 105 specialised cleaners at the mall, who, according to Amin Sulaiman, Enviro’s general manager, are tasked with professional cleaning of the mall’s diverse architectural themes. "We have trained cleaning staff who are specialized for different purposes. Some are specially trained for washrooms, floors, high level cleaning, exterior cleaning, etc. Therefore, maintenance of such different architectural settings in this busy retail environment does not pose any operational challenges to us."
Talking about the cleaning pattern, Shamira Mohd, Enviro’s operational manager at Ibn Battuta, said that they carry out general cleaning in and around the mall on a daily routine, interim cleaning once every three months and deep cleaning every six months.
"Due to the size of the mall, we also have different sets of teams who clean during working hours and while the mall is closed. Shoppers have to see a fresh new mall every morning," she added.
Operational mode
The following specifications are always applied as per the
requirements for each location in Ibn Battuta
DAILY
Wash hand basins, shower trays, surrounds, pipes and taps
· The inside and outside of sinks and shower trays are cleaned with the specified
chemical
· The external surfaces of the fittings, taps, traps and all pipes and supports to the
fittings are washed
· down with hot water and a detergent with dry polish
· All shower heads are scrubbed
· Cleaning of all shower screens, walls and partitions is required
Urinals
· All internal and external glazed surfaces of urinals and surrounds are cleaned with
specified chemicals
· Particular attention is given to waterless urinals which are wiped with hot water and a
neutral detergent
· Enviro institutes a programme of regular descaling using urilock oils, in order to avoid the build up of uric acid, verdigris and other stains
Toilets/Washrooms
· The inside of pans is scrubbed with WC brush and a specified chemical, with
particular attention given to traps
· Surface stains are removed as prescribed for urinals
· The exterior of pans and seats is washed with hot water and neutral detergent
· High level surfaces, door faces, tops, and bottoms of partition walls and faces are
wiped clean with hot
· water and a neutral detergent
· Toilet rolls are replaced as required
Tiled and resilient floor surfaces
· Sweep tiled and resilient surfaces with dust collecting mop.
· Damp mop common rooms, foyers, passages, lift areas, kitchenettes and food preparation areas.
· In other areas, sweep with dust collecting mop and remove stains
· with detergent.
Unpolished floor surfaces
· Sweep unpolished surfaces with hair and fiber broom. Remove spillage and litter from
internal stairways, fire stairs and basement areas
Timber surfaces. (where applicable)
· Vacuum, mop and buff daily.
Carpet surfaces, rugs and mats
· Promptly remove spillages and fresh stains from carpet surfaces,rug and mats.
· Fully vacuum foyer and entry areas, common rooms and
· executive suites.
· Remove litter and vacuum to restore to a clean condition.
-
Viola Communications to install public sanitation
The technologically-advanced facilities will have an automatic cleaning
mechanism
-
UK’s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors sets FN standards
White Book will act as a definitive practice guide to advise clients on best practices in facilities management processes
-
UAE’s Farnek Avireal partners with Swiss myclimate to offset carbon footprint
UAE’s Farnek Avireal partners with Swiss myclimate to offset carbon footprint
-
Transguard acquires multi-million dollar Emaar Hospitality Group security contracts
Transguard’s FM division has also been awarded a full security service provision contract for Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre properties
-
Thiess Services Middle East to provide FM services to the Gary Player Golf Academy
The contract was awarded to Thiess Services Middle East (TSME) by Troon Golf, operators of the Saadiyat beach golf course
-
Teupen’s Access Solutions
Export Regional Sales Manager Francis Stenton highlights the relevance of Teupen’s tailor-made access solutions to the Middle East FM market
-
Saudi Facilities and Asset Management conference focuses on need to include FM in university syllabus
Saudi Facilities and Asset Management conference focuses on need to include FM in university syllabus
-
Saudi Arabia FM market projected at $100bn
Saudi Arabia FM market projected at $100bn
-
Safe aerial access Teupen
Hermann Leusder, technical manager Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH, Gronau, Germany informs about how the subject of safety has been dealt with by the company
-
Reactive and preventive maintenance: intuitive flexibility is the route to success
Sadhvi Sabherwal talks with the Operations Manager of Al Shirawi FM to learn more about preventive and reactive maintenance
-
Qube Global Software releases latest version of Qube Property Management Software
The enhancements in this latest release of Qube focus on providing users with customer service and income generation tools
-
PermaFrost –Environmentfriendly technology to help facilities reduce energy consumption
EMRILL, a leading facilities management (FM) services provider in the UAE has installed PermaFrost to their residential clients for more than four months and is now expanding the program to their commercial clients
-
Omniyat Holdings launches multi-discipline Facilities Management firm
Omniyat Holdings launches multi-discipline Facilities Management firm
-
Olive-VFM sponsors Bahrain property show
Olive-VFM sponsors Bahrain property show
-
Modus LLC brings novel approach to FM deliverables in the Middle East market
As the economy struggles to recover, Modus assists clients in the development of robust building management practices designed to save costs
-
Middle East Facilities Management Association sees the light of day
The association also signs up Berkely and eSolutionsMaximo as founder members
-
Middle East contributes major chunk to Interserve Contracts
Middle East contributes major chunk to Interserve contracts
-
Managing the built environment effectively through total FM solutions
Editor Asfia Khan writes on how the recent acquisition of a renowned MEP contractor by FM service provider Transguard points to the existence of a mature, project-led UAE FM market
-
Malaysian-based integrated FM service provider expects
Commercial buildings to bring new business opportunities for Radicare in the Middle East through subsidiary, Modern Technology
-
Landmark properties sets up facilities management division
Division set to benefit property owners
-
Khidmah wins multiple contracts with the Abu Dhabi Municipality
Khidmah wins multiple contracts with the Abu Dhabi Municipality
-
Khidmah wins management contract for MAG214
Khidmah provided services that reduced fixed costs of the contract by 40% as compared to the previous year
-
Interserve secures UAE military contract
Interserve, a British building services company has won a multimillion-dollar facilities management contract with the UAE Armed Forces for more than 220 ...
-
International green certification body adopts UAE energy reducing FM technology
Green Globe International has adopted Farnek Avireal’s Hotel Optimizer technology to rebrand it GreenRevMax - for green revenue management
-
Initial Saudi Group and Mace Macro to offer facilities management services to KSA
Initial Saudi Group and Mace Macro to offer facilities management services to KSA
-
Industry awaits Dubai’s strata regulations
Industry awaits Dubai’s strata regulations
-
Imdaad named ‘Overall GCC FM Company of the Year’
Imdaad reaffirmed its service excellence credentials when it was named "Overall GCC FM Company of the Year" at the Facilities Management Middle East Awards 2010.
-
Imdaad launches HomePro Maintenance Services to assist residential owners
Imdaad, a leading regional integrated facilities management solutions provider, announced the launch of its recent major initiative, Imdaad HomePro Maintenance Services, an exclusive service division offering clients comprehensive maintenance programme to help protect and preserve homes.
-
Imdaad gets Certificate of Appreciation for services to
The Certificate is in appreciation of Imdaad’s delivery of free maintenance services to the facility over the past year
-
Imdaad enters into the Abu Dhabi FM market
The Dubai-based company will provide waste management, pest control management and recycling services to the community
-
G4S acquires All Star International Facilities Management
G4S acquires All Star International Facilities Management
-
Farnek Avireal shows how to reduce energy consumption as electricity tariffs rise in Sharjah
Farnek Avireal survey details multi-million dirham impact on commercial and residential property in Sharjah and believes its energy saving module can reduce consumption by 25 percent
-
Farnek Avireal launches green cleaning initiative
Colour-coded cleaning process uses only sustainable chemicals and reusable cloths
-
Farnek Avireal invests intelligently to achieve next-generation cleaning
Asfia Khan finds out how the company has invested in Kiehl’s ProMop System to clean and prepare Microfiber mops and cloths
-
Farnek Avireal helps UAE hotels in race for ‘Green Globe’ accreditation
The company has signed up The Palace The Old Town in Dubai and Miramar Resort in Fujairah to help the hotels save money and the environment
-
FacilityONE Protects Schools with Facility Information Initiative HAWK(TM)
Company introduces the HAWK Program which helps to watch over school children
-
Faber targets increased revenue and entry into UAE this year
The Malaysian Faber Group Bhd, a leading player in the integrated facilities management (IFM) and property development sector, is targeting a revenue growth of 12 to 15 per cent this year.
-
Etisalat FM sponsors conference during CityScape 2009
Etisalat FM sponsors conference during CityScape 2009
-
EMCOR Facilities Services Group partners with ACWA Holding; launches operations in KSA
The move is part of EMCOR’s Middle East expansion plans
-
Emcor and Heriot-Watt University to develop future leaders in facilities management
Emcor Facilities Services Group Ltd (EFSG) has announced a partnership agreement with the School of Built Environment (SBE), Heriot-Watt University in Dubai
-
Dubai municipality holds seminar on air conditioning energy standards
The Qualification and Building Studies Section in the Buildings Department of Dubai Municipality, in cooperation with Emerson Climate Technologies
-
Drake & Scull wins MEP contracts worth Dh182m
Drake & Scull wins MEP contracts worth Dh182m
-
Dohaland signs FM joint venture with Linc Facility Services and Masraf Al Rayan
An agreement has been signed that ties up three organizations into a Facilities Management joint venture. DOHALAND, Linc Facility Services and Masraf Al Rayan Bank
-
DIP awards security and cleaning contracts for Single Business Tower
DIP awards security and cleaning contracts for Single Business Tower
-
Cleaning and maintenance at heights: a goldmine of challenging opportunities
Despite traditional means of accessing facilities at heights, rope access is fast gaining momentum as one of the preferred means for cleaning and maintenance at heights. Muhammad Sekagya reports on different high-access solutions from Grako.
-
Century Management Consultancy broadens its range of FM services in UAE
The Century Management Consultancy (CMC) group has officially announced the addition of Australian-based
-
Burj Khalifa: A challenge to the science of facilities management
Sadhvi Sabherwal talks to Ali Al Suwaidi, Senior Director, Operations, Burj Khalifa, and member of Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) to find out how the world’s tallest tower is being managed
-
British Institute of Facilities Management forms expert panel for Jordan
FM consultants Gulfhaven to join the panel
-
Bahrain airport signs facilities management deal with Hochtief
Bahrain airport signs facilities management deal with Hochtief
-
A recruiter’s take on the GCC FM job market
As the UAE’s FM industry grapples with the recession, one thing stands out – the need for
qualified people to run the show. Muhammad Sekagya finds out why.
