Helping FMs to choose the best (and strongest) suppliers

By Greenlite Group

04 Jul 2019

apple-business-businessman-7064.jpg

Technology providers are offering increasingly complex services. So, in the first of our series of articles on the big challenges faced by facilities managers (FMs) we talk through why it’s vital for SMEs to undertake proper ‘stress tests’ of potential partners.

It would be a rare facilities manager indeed who claimed that they were under-worked and occasionally at a loose end. Far, far more common is the FM who faces the headache-inducing worry of maintaining the constant performance of numerous critical building systems – including air conditioning, lighting and heating – and negotiating the economic and company-political challenges this entails.

As core lighting systems have increased in complexity, it’s not surprising that FMs are more inclined than ever to outsource responsibility for some systems to third-party specialists. The extent to which this sector has expanded in recent years is underlined by a recent forecast from Frost & Sullivan that the global outsourced FM market is likely to be worth $1 trillion by 2025.

Of course, choosing the wrong supplier can lead to all kinds of problems – financial, practical and logistical. So with the complexity of third-party services continuing to grow, it’s never been more important to routinely stress-test suppliers to ensure you obtain the quality and service you need.

Supplier health checks

In an uncertain world, stress-tests can provide valuable peace of mind about a supplier’s present and future stability. Basic measures here include checking supplier’s payment terms – as requests for early payment can indicate that a business has cash-flow issues – and undertaking some due diligence by reviewing company accounts filed at Companies House and scrutinising business credit reports with a company like Dun & Bradstreet.

Other issues to consider include the history and track-record of the company – something that can be established with even a fairly routine web-search – and its ability to provide detailed technical information about its systems and services. It’s also worth scrutinising any specific funding schemes that the supplier supports. 

Above all, it’s vital to resist the lure of ‘easy thrill’ of opting automatically for the cheapest supplier. By undertaking fulsome research, it’s often possible to identify a supplier who can not only enable cost-efficiency of systems and services, but also offer the kind of deep, expertise-based collaboration that results in partnerships lasting many years.

If you’re an FM and looking for external support for to help your organization with its big energy and estate management challenges, drop us a line or give us a call.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Greenlite Group

Latest news

1

Louise Leyland promoted to director role at PWA Planning Louise Leyland And Paul Walton

Louise Leyland promoted to director role at PWA Planning

16 Jul 2025

2

Muller UK and Ireland to invest an extra £45m into Skelmersdale site The Skelmersdale Muller site

Muller UK and Ireland to invest an extra £45m into Skelmersdale site

16 Jul 2025

3

COSMO reveals opening date for Preston’s £45m+ Animate entertainment and leisure destination Suzanne Wink and Kan Koo MBE with Bella And Hola

COSMO reveals opening date for Preston’s £45m+ Animate entertainment and leisure destination

16 Jul 2025

4

Farleys Solicitors celebrates the official opening of East Lancashire office Farleys new office

Farleys Solicitors celebrates the official opening of East Lancashire office

16 Jul 2025

5

Calls to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ – our future leaders Sub36 event

Calls to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ – our future leaders

15 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin