FMI to forge partnership with Japan’s Duskin

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT Facilities Managers Inc. (FMI), the country’s largest hygiene solutions provider for large facilities, is forging a master franchise deal with Duskin Co., Ltd. of Japan as it seeks to expand its cleanliness management services business. Demosthenes C. Doplayna, FMI managing director, said Duskin could provide training for its staff for three years in Japan, enabling the company to further expand its reach. Duskin is engaged in the franchise business that ranges from environmental hygiene to food services. It operates in three segments: Clean Care Group, Food Group and Others. The Clean Care Group segment provides cleaning, pest control, office facility management, housekeeping, lifestyle support, uniform rental, health and beauty products, leisure goods, and cleaning equipment rental services. The Food Group segment manufactures and sells donuts, beverages, frozen dessert products. It also includes the operation of Tonkatsu restaurant. The Others segment includes hospital management, office equipment and vehicle leasing, insurance agency and overseas businesses. The company was founded by Seiichi Suzuki on February 4, 1963 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The franchise deal with Duskin is in addition to FMI’s current master franchise from Service Master Co., a worldwide service outfit whose operation began in the US. FMI, a subsidiary of U-Bix Corp. of entrepreneur Atty. Edilberto “Bert” Bravo, registered P850 million in revenues in 2018 or 29 percent higher than its P875-million performance in 2017. The company has projected a steady doubled-digit growth to at least P1.1 billion in 2019. According to Doplayna, FMI maintains 1,700 facilities management contracts among the country’s largest facilities with strong presence in the health and BPO segments. They service the country’s largest hospitals and BPO buildings. It has 5,500 all regular workers deployed to 300 locations where their clients operate. Convergys, the country’s largest BPO company, has 26 locations, while another client, Philippine National Bank, has 100 branches. “We are strong in hospitals, BPOs, and we’re growing our presence in the hotels and malls sectors,” said Doplayna. May Ann Bravo-Civil, U-Bix Corp. director and daughter of Atty. Bravo, said the company is adapting new technologies for its hospital facilities segment, using a measuring tool to gauge the cleanliness level of a facility. “With the use of new technologies, our clients can see a point of reference in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in their facilities,” said Bravo-Civil. New hygiene gadgets can easily implement measures to maintain cleanliness with the use of an app. U-Bix is the country’s largest one-stop-shop solutions provider to office and printing needs. As it celebrates its 45th anniversary, U-Bix expects to grow its revenues this year by 11-15 percent from last year’s P1.2 billion.