IBM has restructured its facilities management operation across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) following the reappointment of three suppliers in a competitive re-tender.
The new deal, which covers 30m sq ft at 600 locations across EMEA, takes effect in January 2002, lasting until the end of 2006. IBM declined to reveal its value.

Michel Jacquot, IBM's director of real estate and site operations, told TheFB the decision to re-tender was made at the end of last year and that 17 companies were identified as possible suppliers. The aim was to deliver a consistent level of service across EMEA and to add coherence to the regions in terms of their country rosters.

In 1996, IBM became one of the first multinationals to outsource facilities management across Europe in a five-year deal divided among Johnson Controls, Elyo — a division of French utility giant Suez Group — and German operator Zander.

Under the new deal, Johnson Controls retains IBM's north/Nordics region, but loses control of Belgium, which moves across to the west region. The south continues to be operated by Johnson Controls, but now as a joint venture with Fiat. The partnership gains Spain, which was operated by Elyo. Elyo successfully re-tendered for the west region, adding newcomer Egypt to its roster.

Source

The Facilities Business