Two international facilities management contract companies, Atalian and Servest, have merged to form Atalian Servest. This new FM outsourcing company has a turnover of three billion euros, employs more than 125,000 and operates in 33 countries across four continents. The merger follows the formation of a joint venture between the two in 2016.
Both privately-owned businesses are geographically complementary; with Servest based and operating in Bury St Edmunds in the UK, and Atalian, headquartered in France and operating in Europe, the United States, south-east Asia and Africa offering facilities services including cleaning, catering, security, building services, energy management and compliance, front of house, landscaping, waste management and pest control to clients in the private and public sectors.
Through its work with global ICT services specialist Getronics, the new entity says it will also focus on further developing its technology-led workspace solutions including tools focused on workspace management, managed cloud, unified communications and applications. This will enable Atalian Servest to provide what it terms a seamless FM and mobile technology offering to its client base. The merger comes at a time when workplace management is increasingly focused on digital transformation through the development of smart buildings and the Internet of Things.
Matthieu de Baynast, Group CEO at Atalian said: “Our two organisations are very complementary with like-minded business approaches based on an entrepreneurial strategy where organic and acquisitive growth are of equal importance. The merger of our organisations will enable businesses to have more choice when looking for a global FM partner.”
Rob Legge, Chairman UK and USA at Servest, said: “At a time when the Brexit deal is creating headlines about the UK’s exit from Europe, this is a genuine story of UK and European harmony and collaboration. Many of our multinational or global clients are looking for a more standardised service delivery across geographies and can now benefit from our approach wherever they are based. The merger also demonstrates the strength of and optimism within the facilities management and outsourcing sectors both in the UK and around the world following a turbulent time in the market place.”
The merged group’s executive management team will see Chairman of Atalian Franck Julien and Group CEO, Matthieu de Baynast, joined by Kenton Fine assuming the role of Vice Chairman of the Group, with Rob Legge becoming Chairman UK and USA.
