Newly published results from a survey of FM professionals by FMJ and commercial equipment specialist JLA has shed light on the key trends, opportunities and challenges emerging across multiple sectors.
Covering everything from hybrid working and sustainability to AI-powered technology and compliance, the results show that digital transformation, environmental targets and the return-to-office drive remain big priorities for FMs all over the country.
Read on to explore the key findings.
The workplace and employee experience
Collaborative office spaces are more important than ever
The shift to hybrid working has had a big impact on how organisations use and design their workspaces. 81.59% of our survey respondents told us that prioritising collaborative office spaces is important, with 44.17% rating it as extremely important.
Increasingly, air filtration is viewed as critical to a healthy workplace
A healthy workplace environment is a growing priority for employees, with air quality a key factor. 53.37% of respondents rated air quality as extremely important, and 33.74% said it was important, reflecting a growing awareness of the role clean air plays in supporting employee health and productivity.
Discover how JLA’s HVAC and air purification solutions can support FMs in creating healthier, happier workplaces.
The workplace and employee experience
Almost everyone is focusing on Net Zero goals
Sustainability continues to rank among the top issues for FMs, with 88.89% of our survey respondents telling us that sustainability is a major focus for their organisation – and 50.33% considering it a high priority.
Water conservation is rising up the agenda
Water conservation is clearly gaining importance in our evolving sustainability strategies. 41.83% of respondents said it was an important part of their FM operations, while 21.57% rated it as extremely important.
More FMs are feeling stricter environmental regulations
70% of respondents expect to manage a significant or moderate impact from tighter sustainability regulations like LEED and BREEAM. But just over a quarter of respondents – 26.14% – believe the changes will only have a minimal impact.
Procurement practices are changing
Asked about their approach to procurement and the circular economy in their supply chain, 54.9% of our respondents said they consider sustainability, while 33.3% see it as a priority. Only 1.31% of respondents said they had no focus on sustainability at all.
See how new innovations have led to JLA’s latest range of energy- and water-saving commercial laundry equipment.
Technology, data and digital transformation
More FMs are using their equipment to monitor energy and water use
Technology is playing a growing role in resource management, with 41.61% of respondents rating the ability to use digital tools to monitor energy and water usage as extremely important, and another 34.23% rating it as important.
Data is driving operational efficiency
More than half of respondents (57.7%) expect to see a significant increase in their reliance on data analytics to identify trends and improve operational efficiency. A further 28.8% expect a moderate increase, underlining the growing role of data in day-to-day decision-making.
AI-powered solutions are being adopted
AI adoption is still relatively slow, but interest is growing. 52.35% of respondents said they’re very likely or likely to adopt AI systems to improve building efficiency and automate workflows. 36.91% are uncertain, suggesting many organisations are still weighing the benefits.
Cloud-based solutions are driving remote management uptake
Cloud-based technologies are increasingly viewed as essential to future FM operations. 46.98% of respondents see remote management and real-time equipment monitoring tools as essential, while 45.64% see them as beneficial.
Explore why JLA Connect remote monitoring is giving FMs more control and assurance for laundry appliances across their estates.
Compliance and regulations
There’s rising concern over fire safety and HVAC compliance
With fire and HVAC regulations tightening, 20.57% of respondents told us they were very concerned about compliance, with another 60.91% moderately or slightly concerned. However, 15.60% were not concerned at all, suggesting a degree of confidence among some organisations.
Compliance reporting requirements are challenging
Staying on top of compliance reporting is proving almost universally tricky. 55.32% of respondents expect moderate challenges, 21.99% anticipate minor challenges, and 19.15% said they expect significant challenges as they work to meet shifting requirements.
FMs are keeping updated on building codes and standards
Most respondents told us they were actively monitoring changes in building codes and standards. 46.81% rely on proactive monitoring, while 35.46% use periodic reviews. However, around 10% of respondents reported minimal or no specific monitoring practices.
JLA can help you stay ahead of shifting regulations with free advice and proactive compliance support – get in touch today.
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