The company said it plans to offer both hard and soft facilities management services from the new office in the heart of the high-tech business district of Sophia-Antipolis.
Turner FM executive director Keith Glennister told TheFB that Turner FM had been looking at establishing a base in France for some time as many of its US and UK clients have business operations in France that need to be serviced.
'Nice is a strategic position for Turner FM, with many research establishments and a strong client base,' he said.
'This is a big investment for the group and we took a long time to decide to open there.'
Glennister said that most of the companies were interested in facilities management as a way of reducing running costs. Many of the companies are looking at multiservice opportunities that provide them with a 'truly open book policy on operating costs'.
At the moment there are just two choices for companies in France — management services contracts and single service provision.
A number of UK companies have tried to roll-out facilities management services in France, usually from a base in Paris, most have so far been unsuccessful.
But Glennister and Turner FM have not been deterred by this and plan to open an office in Paris in 12 months' time.
Source
The Facilities Business
