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• Five-star resort awarded Green Globe Platinum Certification achieving 93% score after recent independent sustainability audit
• Hotel cuts CO2 emissions by more than 1,800 tonnes and saves 3.94 million kWh of electricity and 7.38 million gallons of water  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Sofitel Dubai The Palm has successfully achieved Green Globe Platinum Certification highlighting the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and its support for the UAE’s transition towards its net zero 2050 goals.

The five-star property, which is part of the Accor Group, received the international certification after achieving a 93% rating during an independent sustainability audit and assessment carried out by Farnek Green Globe’s preferred partner in the MENA region. The hotel complied with or exceeded more than 380 sustainability indicators.

Commenting on the award, Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek said: “Sofitel Dubai The Palm has successfully achieved Green Globe Platinum Certification, by showcasing measurable results, marking five years of continuous certification.

“This milestone demonstrates the hotel management’s ongoing commitment to sustainable operations, advancing sustainability within the hospitality sector and positioning it among the top Green Globe-certified hotels in the UAE.”

Solar panels on the hotel’s roof provide 50% of its hot water requirements and through other energy efficient upgrades, retrofits such as LED lighting and smart controls plus building systems optimisation, the hotel managed to save 3.94 million kWh of electricity, reducing its carbon emissions by 1,779 metric tonnes.

Total water consumption was reduced by 7.38 million gallons which saved an additional 35 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. One of its key water saving initiatives was to drain the condensation from the hotel’s air conditioning and recycle it to irrigate 27,000m² of landscaped gardens. Preventative maintenance and aerators fitted to all water taps in public areas also contributed to the overall savings.

The hotel’s recycling initiatives also mitigated an estimated 10.67 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and avoided 2,579 sqm of landfill space through improved waste segregation and higher recovery rates.

In terms of awareness and training the hotel also scored highly. The engineering and training departments work together to create awareness amongst staff. The hotel updates staff about its energy and water saving performance, as well as conducting monthly ‘green team’ meetings. Hotel guests are also engaged through educational touchpoints and sustainability-themed activities.

Procurement was another area under scrutiny and the hotel’s commitment to the responsible purchasing and implementation of eco-friendly materials and products in accordance with Accor’s commitment to sustainability, was noteworthy.

Located on Palm Jumeirah, the resort opened in 2013, boasts 361 hotel rooms, 182 serviced apartments, four private villas, a 500-metre private beach, six swimming pools and 11 distinct restaurants and bars.

Christophe Schnyder, Managing Director of Sofitel Dubai The Palm, said: “We are very proud to receive Green Globe Platinum Certification. This achievement is the result of hard work and dedication by the management team and all Heartists over many years, highlighting our long term commitment to sustainability.”

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Photo caption: Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek with Christophe Schnyder, Managing Director of Sofitel Dubai The Palm.

• DWTC achieves Green Globe ‘Gold’ Certification for sustainable management and complying with international best practice
• Certification part of strategic effort by both venues to support UAE 2050 net zero goals

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) have been awarded Green Globe Certifications and are the only two events venues in the UAE and wider Middle East region to achieve that international standard, thanks to their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and contributing positively to their local communities.  

The management teams across both locations ensured that their respective properties complied with or exceeded, more than 380 sustainability indicators, during an independent audit and assessment by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-based, sustainability consultancy Farnek. 

Both DWTC and DEC achieved 92% scores during the audit, setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the UAE, showcasing measurable achievements, while demonstrating exceptional leadership in sustainable venue management. 

“DWTC has successfully achieved Green Globe Gold Certification, marking five years of continuous certification. Meanwhile, DEC has shown consistent improvement over the past three years and is on track to achieve Gold Certification, building on two years of steady progress,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek. 

Initiatives carried out across both venues included installing high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, enhanced insulation, low-flow plumbing, smart irrigation, locally sourced/recycled materials, low-VOC finishes, construction waste management, integrated solar energy, and smart building systems. 

Other more specific highlights mentioned in the report were 100% aerated water taps, faucets and motion-sensor basins, on-site reverse osmosis (RO) facility which purifies greywater for reuse in cooling towers, air-conditioner condensate and Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) reused for landscape irrigation. 

Purchased cooling was decreased by 6% through the adoption of energy-efficient measures, and a 9.3% reduction in waste sent to landfill was achieved, while diverting 30% of total waste to a designated waste-to-energy facility. 

In addition, both venues also have partnerships with International Charity Organisation, Dubai Autism Centre, UAE Food Bank, and Red Crescent to further improve their community impact. 

“Sustainability is a core priority at DWTC. Our comprehensive ESG strategy underpins our efforts to reduce environmental impact while aligning with leading global and national frameworks. Green Globe is a globally-recognised benchmark for sustainable tourism and events and achieving certification for the fifth consecutive year underscores our long-standing commitment to embedding sustainability across our operations,” remarked Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Green Globe Certification strengthens a venue’s ESG credentials, offering measurable, third party-audited performance across environmental, social, and governance pillars, providing international event organisers with a certified low-impact venue option, supporting their own corporate ESG, sustainability reporting, and SBTi-aligned net zero commitments. 

“By reducing the carbon intensity of conferences, exhibitions, and MICE events, DWTC and DEC position themselves as preferred partners for climate-conscious event organisers, locally, regionally and internationally,” added Al Nahdi. 

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Photo: L – R: Ghanem Al Marri, Acting Manager – Customer Experience, Customer Care Department, DWTC; Ali AbdulQader, Senior Director – ESG, Venue Management and Business Support Department, DWTC; Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability and Consultancy, Farnek; and Josphat Kihara, Sustainability Manager (Circularity and Certification Lead), Farnek 

Purpose-built for high volume, the comprehensive future-ready, AI-powered centre, is set to heighten the level of cost-efficient, tech enabled and sustainable hotel operations

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has opened a new state-of-the-art hospitality training centre at Farnek Village in Jebel Ali, Dubai.  

Farnek’s new ‘Hospitality Academy’ sets a new benchmark for hospitality-focused service training across the region, with the added benefit of technology integration, by bringing together hospitality operations, AI-driven performance assessment, robotics and sustainable technologies. Hotel partners will now be able to experience, at first hand, how Farnek prepares, upskills and certifies its hospitality workforce at scale. 

Julian Khalil, Managing Director of Farnek, said: “The Farnek Hospitality Academy, represents the future of hospitality workforce training immersive, digital, intelligent, and built around real hotel environments. Our partners can now see in one facility how our teams are trained, monitored and certified to deliver consistent five-star standards at scale.” 

The academy encompasses dedicated zones, which replicate real hotel operations, allowing trainees to work in specific hotel environments identical to the properties that they will serve in. Primary facilities include a full hotel suite with bathroom, which has over 100 AI-verified checkpoints, aligned with international standards. 

Housekeepers practice cleaning, bed-making, turn-down, linen-handling, amenities, detailing and guest experience preparation, such as room layouts and to build high volume training capacity, the academy has four additional specialised rooms with extra beds of different sizes. 

“With over ten beds, a full suite, and AI performance scoring, we can train large numbers of attendants quickly and accurately, while ensuring every room standard is met,” added Salomé Joubert, Head of Soft Services, at Farnek. 

The academy introduces a market-first, AI-powered hospitality training and assessment programme. Using AI-assisted smart glasses, trainees are assessed live while cleaning a full guest room, with pre-defined checkpoints automatically verifying every task, cleaning standard, and workflow in real time. 

Beyond cleaning accuracy, the system intelligently confirms room setup and amenity counts instantly identifying missing or removed items such as bathrobes or amenities ensuring full room integrity and owner transparency. Each session measures time, precision, and completeness, generating a digital scorecard that benchmarks performance objectively. Only trainees who meet Farnek’s minimum quality thresholds successfully graduate, setting a new standard for consistency, accountability, and hospitality excellence. 

The academy has a dedicated technology area which showcases Farnek’s Hybrid Cleaning Unit (FHU) the company’s signature model that combines robots and humans into an integrated team. Hotel clients can watch live demonstrations of how robots can be deployed in guest corridors, BOH areas and other large open spaces areas such as ballrooms. 

Farnek group company HITEK AI, powers the centre’s full digital ecosystem, including Housekeeping+ for room status and digital supervision, FlexiGuest which provides guest check-in and service oversight and CAFMTEK which delivers comprehensive FM digitalisation. 

“Together, these systems enable end-to-end visibility of operations, workforce performance, and service efficiency, which are critical for high-standard hospitality contracts. By combining HITEK, robotics, and sustainability, we are not only improving housekeeping quality, but we are also transforming the operational model of hotels,” said Javeria Aijaz, the Managing Director of HITEK AI. 

The sustainability zone at the academy provides ESG solutions which are tailored for hotels. The area demonstrates Farnek’s full hotel-focused ESG suite of products such as POWERTEK (energy analysis and optimisation), CARBONTEK (carbon footprint monitoring), WASTETEK (waste management) and Hotel Optimizer, which is designed for hospitality efficiency.  

“The sustainability zone supports hotels looking to strengthen their environmental credentials and reduce operating costs in line with UAE Vision 2031 and global ESG commitments,” added Farnek’s Director of Sustainability and Consultancy, Muna Al Nahdi. 

The centre also has a dedicated kitchen and stewarding area which allows practical training in BOH workflows, washing and specialised cleaning, hygiene compliance, managing food waste and recycling systems. 

At present, Farnek deploys over 700 staff, servicing multiple hospitality contracts worth more than AED 80 million, covering premier hotel brands that include Kempinski, Sofitel, JW Marriott, Millennium, Emaar, Grand Hyatt, and Atlantis Dubai.   

“The academy will ensure that Farnek continues to deploy highly trained, tech enabled hospitality teams, throughout the UAE for various disciplines within the hospitality sector, offering a competent and cost-efficient model,” added Khalil.    

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates: UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company and leading provider of carbon offset solutions Farnek has been officially registered under the Evident Registry as an approved provider of I-RECs (International Renewable Energy Certificates), which represent renewable electricity attributes. 

In a separate but complementary milestone, Farnek has also signed an agreement with EKOenergy, the international renewable energy ecolabel. The EKOenergy label is applied to eligible I-RECs that meet additional environmental and sustainability criteria and is required for LEED Zero certification, providing organisations with a high-integrity pathway to demonstrate credible renewable electricity sourcing and compliance with advanced green building standards. 

I-RECs are market-based instruments that certify the generation of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity from renewable energy sources. They function as a tracking system that allows companies and individuals to credibly verify their renewable energy usage and support the development of sustainable energy, both in the UAE and internationally.

All procurement, documentation, and project information are made available through Farnek’s recently launched Emirates Carbon platform, a free, open-access platform offering carbon footprint calculations, direct access to high-quality offset programmes, certified carbon credits, as well as International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs).

“Being an approved provider of I-REC supports corporate decarbonisation pathways which are aligned with the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and provide a credible, internationally recognised mechanism for reducing Scope 2 emissions,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek.  

“It also enables organisations targeting Scope 1 and 2 net-zero goals by 2030, to bridge gaps where infrastructure, regulation, or on-site technology limits renewable energy adoption. Furthermore, IRECs ensure transparency and traceability, reducing risks of greenwashing and supporting audit-ready ESG reporting,” she added. 

Farnek’s registration under the Evident Registry enables issuance and provision of certified I-RECs and EKOenergy-labelled certificates. The Emirates Carbon platform centralises access to certificate procurement and documentation, project information and traceability, automated Scope 2 emissions reduction calculations and integration with dashboards for reporting and verification on Farnek’s CarbonTek, a premium enterprise solution that tracks full Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across operations and supply chains. 

It also prioritises UAE renewable energy sources where possible, aligned with SBTi best practices, offers access to high-quality international I-RECs when local availability is limited and ensures all certificates comply with international carbon accounting rules and UAE MRV frameworks. 

In addition, Emirates Carbon enables organisations to source renewable electricity attributes at any scale, from small annual requirements to large portfolios consuming thousands of megawatt-hours. It supports organisations in demonstrating real climate action through renewable electricity adoption, not compensation mechanisms. I-RECs also verify that the electricity claimed by an organisation comes from certified renewable sources within the country or approved off-site projects, meeting SBTi and GHG Protocol standards.

Dubai-based home maintenance specialist launches unique digital service for customers with swimming pool maintenance contracts

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 17 December 2025: UAE-based sustainable and technology-driven home maintenance specialist Hitches & Glitches (H&G), part of the Farnek Group, has introduced a unique digital reporting system for its customers with swimming pool maintenance contracts. 

H&G’s comprehensive Smart Swimming Pool Cleaning Reports allow their customers to receive a digital report after every cleaning visit, which keeps customers fully updated about the general condition of their pool including water quality, along with any relevant before and after images. 

The instant reports detail all pool and pump cleaning, plus other parameters for pool temperature, acid, chlorine and bromine testing, as well as calcium hardness and total alkalinity.    

H&G launched the initiative to ensure that their customers are fully informed about the health and overall condition of their swimming pools, providing transparency and building trust. 

“Our customers can instantly see the before-and-after condition of their pool and the water quality parameters, helping them understand the maintenance performed and the current health of their pool,” commented Zohaib Azhar, Director of Operations at Hitches & Glitches.  

“These free reports are automatically exported as a PDF and sent directly to the customer’s registered email address immediately after the service,” he said. 

If any quality issues are highlighted a follow-up work order is automatically generated, detailing the required repairs or further maintenance. 

“Discerning homeowners who have invested significant amounts of money in private swimming pools, are understandably looking for professionals to maintain their pool. They understand that quality maintenance preserves and enhances the aesthetic and functional condition of their pool, as well as offering greater home asset appreciation. 

“This is particularly relevant if they travel extensively or use the property as a second or holiday home. An undetected leak, for example, can not only waste enormous amounts of water, but it can also do untold damage to the pool, its surround and even building foundations, if not rectified in a timely manner,” added Azhar. 

To streamline the process, property owners and property managers can also follow the progress of any additional work using H&G’s home maintenance app, (developed in-house by Farnek’s smart FM solutions company HITEK AI) from initial reporting to completion and allows customers to approve and pay for any materials that may be required to complete the job online. 

H&G’s technicians attend regular training, to ensure that they are fully conversant with the latest pool technology, as well as health and safety regulations. 

H&G has designed a range of annual maintenance packages that specifically include swimming pool and water feature maintenance, tailored to the property type and encompassing a comprehensive range of services.  

This includes MEP services (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), which on occasion can form an integral part of repairing faults with swimming pools.  

Presently H&G’s home maintenance division has more than 1,500 active Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC), valued at over AED 26 million, serviced by 240 qualified technicians. 

• Advanced HITEK AI digital platform reduces incident recurrence when predictive RCA is implemented
• Provides 30–50% faster response through real-time video alerting systems
• Offers 25% average cost savings on safety manpower and manual inspections due to AI automation
• Improves safety compliance during internal audits by 35% when using AI-driven surveillance

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Middle East-based HITEK AI, a part of the Farnek group of companies, has launched a significant upgrade to its innovative SAFETEK digital safety management platform. By incorporating AI-enabled Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and AI-integrated smart CCTV hazard detection, the platform now offers a smarter, faster, more cost-effective solution, with improved compliance for health and safety professionals across multiple industry sectors.

Its AI-Enabled Root Cause Analysis (RCA) module uses pattern recognition, historical incident data, and real-time contextual inputs to identify the underlying causes of an incident. It leverages machine learning models trained on regional and site-specific data to pinpoint recurring risks and human factor trends and can be used to generate predictive insights rather than just reactive conclusions.

 

In addition, HITEK has added an AI-Integrated Smart CCTV Hazard Detection System to SAFETEK, which can now connect with AI-enabled smart surveillance systems to analyse live camera feeds for safety-related anomalies…such as unsafe or unusual behaviour, unauthorised access, PPE non-compliance and potential hazards like oil spills or improper material storage. By using deep learning-based object detection the system triggers real-time alerts to safety teams, enabling instant mitigation.

“Built on robust object detection models, it provides a scalable, automated layer of oversight that reduces the need for manual inspections while ensuring high standards of workplace safety. These new features were added in direct response to client feedback for more proactive and insightful analysis and automated risk detection. The market is becoming more technically advanced and requires more mature AI functionality. Traditional manual audits and post-incident reviews, while necessary, simply take too long and cause delays in the reporting process.

“Our goal is to ensure that safety leaders are empowered with real-time visibility, early warnings, and automated analysis to prevent incidents before they escalate, in complex environments especially where there is public interface with the operations or workforce, such as airports, shopping malls, and large commercial facilities. However, it is also particularly relevant to other sectors such as construction, manufacturing industries and plants, refineries and factories,” added Aijaz.

According to industry experts, when predictive RCA is implemented, there is up to a 40% reduction in incident recurrence, a 30–50% faster response through real-time video alerting systems, 25% average cost savings on safety manpower and manual inspections due to AI automation and facilities using AI-driven surveillance have also reported over 35% improvement in safety compliance during internal audits.

“The upgraded platform features deliver even faster incident response times, fewer repeat cases, and reduced reliance on manual inspections. AI-powered RCA identifies underlying issues and autocompletes reports, while smart CCTV alerts management teams about unsafe behavior in real time. This improves efficiency, supports ISO-aligned compliance, and also ensures consistent oversight across all sites,

 

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About HITEK

HITEK Services is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation.
Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption.

For more information contact info@hitek.ai

About Farnek

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment.

Taha Omar to oversee Farnek’s burgeoning security operations in UAE capital

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities managemet (FM) company Farnek has appointed Taha Omar as Head of Security in Abu Dhabi for its expanding security division.

With more than two decades of experience in the Abu Dhabi security sector, bilingual Egyptian national Omar will be responsible for developing clear goals that align with corporate strategy, identifying priority activities and assignments, allocating resources to complete work schedules efficiently, as well as managing risk, contingency planning and incident response.  

More specifically, Omar is currently directing a training course at Farnek’s employee accommodation centre in Abu Dhabi, to ensure that all of Farnek’s security officers are fully trained in self-defense Karate. The mandatory training, which is an essential part of UAE licencing requirements for security personnel, is being delivered by a team of certified trainers from the UMAI Training Institute and should be completed by the end of this year. 

Julian Khalil, Managing Director of Farnek said, “Taha has a wealth of experience in the security sector, particularly in Abu Dhabi. He understands how that sector operates, he’s commercially astute and has an outstanding track record. Based at our office in Abu Dhabi, he is now responsible for managing our security operations in the UAE capital as the demand for security solutions continues to grow.”  

Prior to his appointment, Omar had spent more than 19 years with Abu Dhabi-based Spark Security, as operations manager. 

Commenting on his new role, Omar, who graduated from the Industrial Secondary School in 1998, said: “Farnek is one of the leading players in the UAE security sector, with an extensive range of smart, sustainable and cost-effective solutions.  

“As Farnek’s market share continues to expand in Abu Dhabi, I will focus on enhancing our operational efficiency, while delivering quality solutions, on time and within budget, providing added value to our customers.”      

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Photo: Taha Omar, Head of Security AUH, Farnek. 

30 autonomous cleaning robots now deployed across 5 major airport locations

Smart teamwork! Essa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President – Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports (4^th from left) and Markus Oberlin, Group CEO, Farnek (4^th from right)” along with senior executives

Dubai, UAE, November 2025: As part of a five-year facilities management partnership, Dubai Airports and leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, are deploying more than 30 autonomous cleaning robots across five major airport locations – Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Concourse D, Dubai Cargo Village, and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Explaining the strategic motivation behind the decision to introduce robotics into the airport environment, Essa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President – Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports said: “The decision was driven by a simple goal – to make our operations smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable. Cleaning robots help us deliver a consistent level of service across the airport while using resources more efficiently. It’s part of how we’re applying technology to improve both the guest experience and the working environment for our teams, in line with Dubai Airports’ smart airport strategy and long-term sustainability goals.”

The robots, which are seamlessly integrated with Farnek’s physical cleaning teams as part of its pioneering Farnek Hybrid Unit (FHU) model, are setting superior standards in operational excellence and innovation – integrating robotics, digitalisation, and sustainability to redefine how airport cleaning and hygiene is delivered.

“This is one of the largest robotic cleaning programmes in the Middle East’s aviation sector. It positions Dubai Airports as a global reference for smart FM integration – combining automation, digital platforms, and sustainability under one operational model,” said Markus Oberlin, Group CEO, Farnek.

“The contract renewal marks a new chapter – one built on proven partnership, smarter processes, and a shared drive for continuous improvement. What we’ve achieved together is not just automation; it’s a model for how intelligent FM can operate at scale,” added Oberlin.

Following the success of this rollout, Dubai Airports and Farnek will explore next-generation robotic models, enhanced AI analytics, and performance-based sustainability metrics. The objective is to build a fully adaptive, data-driven cleaning ecosystem that dynamically aligns with passenger movement and operational demand.

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About Farnek:

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: HITEK AI, a pioneering leader in intelligent digital facility management solutions, part of the Farnek group of companies, is set to unveil its latest technology at the upcoming Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) CONFEX 2025 which opens tomorrow (Tuesday 28 October) at the JW Marriot in Dubai Marina.

Underscoring its market leading position in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, HITEK AI will occupy a prominent position on the exhibition floor at the event. The company’s technical experts will provide live demonstrations of its cutting-edge AI-powered technologies, which are designed to revolutionise how facilities are managed.

At this year’s event, HITEK AI will showcase its latest cleaning robots and present its advanced hologram technology. Participants at the event will be given the opportunity to experience firsthand how these innovations – alongside HITEK AI’s solutions from digital employees to advanced analytics – are shaping the future of the FM sector by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and security.

As the Middle East region’s most anticipated event in the Facilities Management (FM) industry, MEFMA CONFEX 2025 serves as the premier platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation in the FM sector, bringing together FM professionals and decision-makers from across the Middle East region.

Featuring both a conference and exhibition, the event will spotlight the latest advancements, solutions and best practices driving excellence in the regional FM sector. The CONFEX will also include the 4th edition of the prestigious MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM 2025, recognising outstanding contributions and achievements within the industry.

Building on the success of previous editions, this flagship gathering will bring together key stakeholders, organisations and thought leaders shaping the FM industry, offering valuable opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions, explore emerging trends, and contribute to the future of Facilities Management throughout the region and beyond.

HITEK AI can be found at stand numbers 13 and 14 in the exhibition area of the MEFMA CONFEX.

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About HITEK

HITEK AI is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption.

Any FM Company that would like to adapt the power of digitalization can contact HITEK AI on info@hitek.ai.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21 October 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has appointed Salome Joubert as its new head of soft services.  

Reporting directly to Managing Director Julian Khalil, Joubert has been given the overall responsibility of managing strategic planning, quality control, and sustainable innovation.

“Salome is a seasoned hospitality and soft services leader with over 15 years of experience managing large-scale operations across the UAE and internationally. She has successfully led the opening of multiple five-star hotel properties and major entertainment venues,” said Julian Khalil, Managing Director of Farnek.

“She is a hands-on leader, that has successfully employed cost optimisation strategies and is committed to international standards of excellence. She will be an integral part of our senior management team, and I am looking forward to working closely with her,” added Khalil.

In her new role, Joubert will oversee the delivery and performance of Farnek’s soft services division, ensuring operational excellence, service quality, and sustainability. She will also lead process improvements, vendor management, and team development across multiple sites.

Joubert, a South African national, began her career in 1997 as a housekeeper with Hilton Hotels and after nine successful years, joined Accor as a complex executive housekeeper and two years later in 2013, she was appointed cluster executive housekeeper for Damac in Dubai. Joubert has spent the last seven years working as senior manager of soft and support services for UAE-based integrated energy and multi-technical services company Enova.      

Joubert commented: “Farnek has an enviable reputation in the UAE FM market. The company invests heavily in training, sustainability, innovation, and technology, which are the key elements that support a more cost-efficient and sustainable operation. I am delighted to have joined such a progressive and forward-thinking organization.”

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Photo caption: Salome Joubert, Head of Soft Services, Farnek.

About Farnek:

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

Leading UAE-based smart and green FM company unveils innovative digital platform offering businesses carbon footprint calculation, verified offset programs, and international carbon credits and certification 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 September 2025: UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company and leading provider of carbon offset solutions Farnek, has launched Emirates Carbon, a free, open-access platform offering carbon footprint calculations, as well as direct access to high-quality offset programmes, certified carbon credits, and International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs). 

Unlike complex enterprise systems, Emirates Carbon gives individuals, SMEs, and events a simple way to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as travel- and event-related footprints.  

For larger organisations, the platform is also integrated with CarbonTek, Farnek’s premium enterprise solution that tracks full Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across operations and supply chains, providing advanced dashboards, analytics, and compliance reporting. 

The platform also offers expert-backed carbon neutral pathways, guided by ESG and sustainability professionals, with seamless access to third-party verification and assurance for credibility and compliance.  

“Emirates Carbon empowers organisations to understand, manage and reduce their carbon emissions,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek.  

“In partnership with Farnek, business leaders can make informed decisions that not only benefit their own companies, but also contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment,” she added. 

Delivered through a powerful digital ecosystem, Emirates Carbon supports the UAE’s new Carbon Law and its upcoming national MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) framework, ensuring businesses can align with compliance requirements while taking voluntary climate leadership steps.  

Its offsetting options cover both internationally certified credits, such as Verra and Gold Standard, and, in the near future, locally generated credits once the UAE National Carbon Credit Registry is operational. 

Farnek launched the platform to support the UAE government’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, by empowering businesses and individuals to measure, manage, and offset their carbon footprint transparently. Emirates Carbon also helps corporations strengthen ESG performance and positions the UAE as a regional hub for certified carbon markets and sustainability innovation. 

“Moreover, Emirates Carbon can improve the efficiency of reporting emissions by up to 30%. It supports carbon-neutral events, hotel stays, and travel, as well as hundreds of facilities, organisations, and individuals across the UAE and the wider Middle East. 

“The platform scales across industries such as real estate, hospitality, aviation, and finance, accelerating corporate Net Zero pathways while underscoring the UAE’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and climate action,” said Al Nahdi. 

For more information visit www.emiratescarbon.com 

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About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.  

For more information log on to: www.farnek.com 

Leading UAE-based total FM company accelerates roll out of intelligent robotic cleaners across UAE  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10 September 2025: Farnek Services LLC is expanding its Hybrid Unit (FHU) model across the UAE, integrating human expertise with robotic technology to deliver smarter, more sustainable cleaning solutions.

du Telecom, always seeking innovative ways to enhance services, is one of the first partners to roll out our Hybrid Unit concept — working with Farnek to integrate FHUs into cleaning operations and create new efficiencies, powered by HITEK AI’s CAFMTEK platform for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized workflows.

With over 30 robotic cleaners already deployed and 60 more on the way, the FHU model is transforming services across aviation, hospitality, banking, retail, and education.

Unlike one-off robotic deployments often seen in the market, Farnek’s FHU model represents a system-wide upgrade, designed for efficiency, precision, and sustainability. 

“This is not just about deploying robots – it’s about transforming operations. Our Hybrid Units are smart, connected, and scalable. They’ve become a core part of how we deliver better outcomes for our clients,” said Julian Khalil, Managing Director, Farnek Services. 

The FHU model seamlessly distributes cleaning tasks between autonomous robots and human operatives. Robots handle repetitive, time-consuming routes, while humans focus on value-added, detailed, or sensitive tasks.  

“This dual-force model significantly reduces labour overlap, elevates performance standards, and optimises resource allocation – without displacing jobs,” added Khalil. 

Farnek aims to deploy over 100 robotic units by mid-2026, while evolving the FHU model to integrate with new sectors including healthcare, education, and industrial zones.  

“As ESG pressures and cost-efficiency demands grow, the FHU model provides a clear path for clients to modernise operations while delivering measurable ROI,” said Khalil. 

Farnek’s partnership with SoftBank Robotics through its digital sister company HITEK AI ensures top-tier hardware, while CAFMTEK, HITEK’s smart FM platform, serves as the digital brain of the operation.

All robots are fully integrated with CAFMTEK’s mobile and web dashboards, enabling real-time tracking of cleaning performance and completion status, battery levels and downtime, as well as maintenance alerts and service requirements. 

The system can auto-generate service requests, deploy robot tasks on demand, and deliver performance analytics directly to FM supervisors. 

“Our robots are not just machines – they’re smart, autonomous units connected to an ecosystem that enables real-time decisions, predictive maintenance, and optimised workflows,” added Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director, HITEK AI. 

Today, Farnek’s Hybrid Cleaning Units are already operating across Dubai Airports, du telecom, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi University and Nord Anglia School among others. Furthermore, the model is being rapidly scaled to serve new markets, new verticals and new clients, with 24/7 operations. 

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Photo caption: Julian Khalil (left) with Mohammad Majid, Director Projects and Facilities Management at du 

For more information log on to: www.farnek.com 

About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.  

About HITEK 

HITEK Services is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. 

For more information visit info@hitek.ai  

Five-star hotel achieves Green Globe certification Gold rating for consistent improvement in sustainable management and compliance with international best practice

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3 September 2025: The Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City Hotel in Dubai, has been awarded Green Globe certification’s Gold rating, a premier worldwide certification and improvement programme developed especially for the travel and tourism industry. 

The hotel’s management team ensured that the property complied with or exceeded, more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators, during an independent audit and assessment by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, UAE-based, sustainability consultancy Farnek. 

The results so far have been remarkable. Between 2021 and 2024, the hotel has reduced its energy and water consumption by 7.8% and 21.9% respectively. Total utility costs were reduced by 9.4% and CO2 emissions from utilities were lowered by 5.7%. In addition, CO2 emissions by guests over the same period, fell significantly by 37.1%.

Alfio Bernardini, General Manager, Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Green Globe certification, for the fifth successive year. This clearly reflects our commitment and continuous efforts to reduce our impact on the environment. 

“We have established comprehensive sustainability targets across energy, water, fuel, carbon, and waste management and robust monitoring systems are in place to track progress and drive continuous improvement through corrective actions.  

“In addition, we have implemented a combination of active and passive energy-saving measures to enhance energy efficiency. Some of our notable passive strategies include the use of fixed solar film in our signature Bytes restaurant and designated hotel parking areas, along with the application of low-VOC, high-gloss paints to enhance natural lighting and further reduce energy use.” 

Farnek’s dedicated consultancy supported the hotel throughout the Green Globe auditing process as well as conducting an ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit which provides hotel management with a breakdown of energy consumption by end-use, identifying specific areas for improvement, and estimating costs and savings for Energy Efficiency Measures. Farnek also set up a carbon offset programme for the hotel’s own business travel. 

Muna Al Nahdi, Head of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek, said: “Achieving Green Globe’s Gold rating demonstrates a long-term commitment to continuous sustainability performance. The entire management team at the Grand Plaza Movenpick, are committed and fully aware of their responsibility for the environment they operate in and that message is regularly conveyed to staff, guests and the local community.” 

Located in Dubai’s vibrant Media City, the five-star Grand Plaza Movenpick, inspired by Middle-Eastern culture, has 235 luxury hotel rooms and suites offer stunning views of the Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Golf Club. 

It’s state-of-the-art convention centre can accommodate up to 800 guests in addition to nine smaller meeting rooms. In terms of dining experiences, the hotel offers a diverse range of international cuisine and entertainment across five restaurants, lounges and bars.  

Having signed its original partnership agreement with Green Globe in 2009, Farnek has subsequently certified well over 100 hotels and leisure facilities in 38 cities across the MENA region, enabling members to save in excess of 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million and more than two million cubic metres of water valued at approximately $5 million. 

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Photo caption: Alfio Bernardini, General Manager of the Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City (third from right) with his management team. 

About Green Globe Certification 

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries.  Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).  

For information, please log on to www.greenglobe.com 

About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services to across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.  

For more information, please log on to www.farnek.com 

Dubai-based home maintenance specialist acquires series of contracts with premier brands such as Address, Vida & Four Seasons – number of luxury branded properties expected to double over the next five years 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 13 August 2025: UAE-based sustainable and technology-driven home maintenance specialist Hitches & Glitches (H&G), part of the Farnek Group, has experienced a significant increase in demand for home maintenance in Dubai’s luxury branded residential market sector. 

More than 13,000 branded units were sold in Dubai alone during 2024, an increase of 43% compared with the previous year, according to property consultancy Global Branded Residences (GBR). Dubai’s branded residential inventory currently boasts in excess of 132 developments and 43,000 units, with that number expected to more than double by 2030. 

“With luxury branded residences increasing their share of Dubai’s booming residential property market and attracting high net-worth investors with equally high standards and expectations, naturally the quality of maintenance service levels needs to meet, if not exceed those expectations,” commented Zohaib Azhar, director of operations at Hitches & Glitches.  

“Discerning buyers who are willing to pay a premium of up to 69% compared to non-branded residences are understandably looking for professional home maintenance. They understand that quality maintenance preserves and enhances the aesthetic and functional condition of their property, as well as offering greater asset appreciation. 

“This is particularly relevant if they travel extensively or use the property as a second or holiday home. To deliver exceptional service, two critical factors have emerged – technology and training,” added Azhar.    

H&G’s smart technology platform, which was developed in-house by Farnek’s smart FM solutions company HITEK, benefits international luxury property owners. H&G’s home maintenance app enables owners and property managers to follow the progress of their planned maintenance and other service requests from initial reporting to completion and allows customers to approve and pay for any materials that may be required to complete the job online.

“Demand for home automation continues to grow exponentially, particularly as international investors, can manage these gadgets and their account remotely.  

“In terms of training, it is essential that technicians attend regular training, to ensure that they are fully conversant with the latest technology, high-end branded kitchen appliances, expensive flooring materials and furniture, as well as the latest international health and safety regulations,” added Azhar. 

Recognising this trend over three years ago, H&G formed a specialist unit of highly trained technicians to service the luxury residential sector.  

“Our technicians attend regular training sessions at our dedicated centre in Fanek Village. Prior to deployment, a quality supervisor checks each technician for uniform compliance, grooming standards, tools and PPE. Regular audits, and performance reviews ensure professionalism, consistency, discretion and adherence to luxury service expectations,” said Azhar. 

Presently H&G’s home maintenance division has more than 1,500 active Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC), valued at over AED 26 million, serviced by 240 qualified technicians. 

The company currently serves residents in exclusive branded residences such as Address, Palace, Vida, Four Seasons, and other ultra-luxury properties in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Creek Harbour and Jumeirah Bay Island. H&G has designed a range of annual maintenance packages specifically for this sector, tailored to the apartment or villa type and encompassing a comprehensive range of services.  

In addition to MEP services (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), air conditioning, painting, carpentry, pest control and small-scale renovations, gym equipment, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, home automation, laundry and appliances. 

“We have also witnessed a marked increase in demand for housekeepers, maids, chefs, drivers, service butlers and security, particularly within branded residences,” added Azhar. 

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About Hitches and Glitches 

Hitches & Glitches is a technology-led office and home maintenance business, and its vision statement is to become the ultimate provider of sustainable and technology-driven home maintenance services throughout the UAE. It strives to deliver excellence in home maintenance services with a focus on quality, value and sustainable best practice while being led by innovative technology, which exceeds the expectations of our customers.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: HITEK AI, a leading provider of AI-driven solutions in the Middle East, and part of the Farnek group of companies, has launched its Robot as a Service (RaaS) offering in partnership with SoftBank Robotics UK (SBR).

This innovative service integrates SoftBank’s advanced robotic cleaning solutions with HITEK AI’s CAFMTEK platform, providing a comprehensive, automated facilities management (FM) solution designed to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve operational performance across industries.

The new RaaS solution is aimed at providing businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge robotic technologies that can be seamlessly integrated into their existing FM operations. Through this collaboration, HITEK AI combines SoftBank Robotics’ state-of-the-art robots with its CAFMTEK platform to offer a unified service that includes both robotic automation and traditional FM, all managed through a single, intuitive interface.

“Our partnership with SoftBank Robotics aims to bring the future of automated FM to businesses across the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” said Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK AI. “This integration will empower organisations to operate more efficiently, reduce operational costs, and ensure high standards of service, all while contributing to government goals for digital transformation and innovation.”

SoftBank will be providing two robot types. Whiz, is a commercial collaborative robot vacuum, powered by BrainOS, the advanced commercial operating system from robotics industry leader Brain Corp. This determines the best route given the surrounding environment, continuous operation for up to three hours and can cover up to 1,500 sqm. Whiz is also equipped with sensors and mechanisms that enable obstacle detection, fall prevention and anomaly impact detection.

Another robot, Phantas, is a powerful tool that helps human teams clean better, faster, and more cost-effectively, vacuuming, sweeping, scrubbing, and dust mopping, up to 5,000 sqm per hour.

Once integrated with HITEK AI’s CAFMTEK platform, facility managers will be able to schedule and monitor routine and ad-hoc cleaning tasks performed by SoftBank’s robots.

The robots are activated for each new project site with a unique ID and mapped to the specific zones and locations in the facility.

Using the CAFMTEK platform, clients can track performance metrics such as square meters cleaned, ensuring high standards of cleanliness with minimal human intervention. The robots are also capable of handling maintenance tasks such as water replenishment and dust bag replacement, reducing operational disruption and increasing efficiency.

Integrated with CAFMTEK’s analytics dashboard, SoftBank robots send real-time data on cleaning performance, including task completion times, battery levels, and maintenance needs.

Facility managers can use this data to track the robots’ performance, identify potential issues, and make data-driven decisions to optimize resource allocation and maintenance schedules. The system can automatically generate service requests when the robots need assistance, ensuring seamless operation with minimal downtime.

HITEK AI’s CAFMTEK system also tracks the service performance of robots, including uptime, task completion rates, and service requirements.

This allows facility managers to monitor the robots’ performance alongside traditional assets, ensuring that all resources are operating at peak efficiency. Performance data from robots will be visible in both CAFMTEK’s mobile app and web interface, providing real-time insights for facility management teams.

This integrated solution is designed to be managed entirely through the CAFMTEK mobile app and web platform. Facility managers can easily activate, monitor, and schedule robots for specific tasks, while also viewing real-time performance data and maintenance alerts, all within a single platform. This ease of use ensures that businesses can leverage the full potential of robotic technology without complex system reconfigurations.

“By combining SoftBank Robotics’ cutting-edge robotic solutions with HITEK AI’s advanced CAFMTEK platform, this launch marks a significant step forward in the digital transformation of facilities management. With a focus on efficiency, automation, and data-driven decision-making, HITEK AI’s Robot as a Service offering is poised to redefine the facilities management landscape in the UAE,” added Aijaz.

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About HITEK AI
HITEK AI is a leading provider of AI-driven solutions and facilities management services in the UAE and KSA. Specializing in cutting-edge technologies, HITEK AI is committed to helping businesses achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in their operations. From AI-powered CAFM systems to predictive maintenance and robotics, HITEK AI continues to drive digital transformation across multiple industries.

About SoftBank Robotics
SoftBank Robotics is a global leader in the development of humanoid robots and advanced robotic solutions for a variety of industries. Their robots are designed to enhance productivity, improve customer experience, and revolutionize operations across a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare.

Dubai four-star property now one of just three hotels in the UAE to receive platinum certification from global sustainability organisation

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 July 2025: After successful consecutive annual Green Globe certifications over the past decade, the Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments has managed to enhance its sustainable credentials by achieving platinum certification from the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC).

The hotel is now one of only three hotels throughout the UAE that has achieved platinum certification and is in the top 5% globally, within the Green Globe programme, which is specifically designed for the travel and tourism industry.

During an independent audit and assessment carried out by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-headquartered sustainability consultancy Farnek, the property had complied with or exceeded more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators.

Farnek’s dedicated team also supported hotel management with its Hotel Optimizer, a comprehensive and data-driven energy performance monitoring software tool. Through efficient measuring, tracking, monitoring, and benchmarking of energy and water consumption, as well as waste management, the hotel was able to calculate its carbon footprint during 2024 and then make an accurate comparison with its 2014 performance.

⭐ Total Energy Consumption reduced by 18.02%
⭐ Water Consumption trimmed by 4.1%
⭐ Total Utility Costs cut by 12.61%
⭐ CO2 emissions from utilities lowered by 6.53 %
⭐ CO2 emissions per guest reduced by 30.46%
⭐ Total waste generation slashed by 72.48%
⭐ Waste rebates increased by 48.08%
⭐ Waste diversion rate improved by 178.2%.

To achieve this outstanding performance, the hotel carried out multiple retrofits, such as chiller optimization, frequency controls for fresh air handling units, and LED light installation.

The hotel also managed to reduce water consumption by fitting 300 tap aerators and diverting its waste from landfills through innovative reduction and recycling initiatives.

The hotel also offset 100% of the carbon emissions generated from business travel made by its management team.

Levent Tasbas, General Manager at Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights, said: “We are proud of our sustainability achievements over the past decade and we have now achieved platinum certification, one of only three hotels in the UAE to do so, which demonstrates our commitment to our long-term sustainability strategy.”

The Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Barsha Heights, close to Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City.

The four-star hotel consists of 1,015 suites and apartments over 41 floors and offers guests a variety of food and beverage options, a fitness centre and spa, outdoor swimming pool and meeting spaces for 100 delegates.

Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek, said: “The management team at the Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights had a clear vision and long-term strategy to adopt sustainable practices, to not only reduce its impact on the environment, but to reduce its operational costs as well.

“By following its strategic path over the last ten years, the hotel has consistently improved its performance levels year after year, which has culminated in these exceptional results. In essence, this is a win-win situation, for the environment and the hotel’s bottom line.”

Having signed its original partnership agreement with Green Globe in 2009, Farnek has certified well over 100 hotels and leisure facilities in 38 cities across the MENA region. This has enabled members to save in excess of 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million, and more than two million cubic metres of water, valued at approximately $5 million.

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Photo caption: (L-R) Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability and Consultancy, Farnek; and Levent Tasbas, General Manager at Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights

About Green Globe Certification

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

About Farnek

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services to across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

While smaller, independent, lower-cost pool maintenance providers may seem attractive, they could present significant risks. Apart from inadequate training or certification, poor water quality and potential health hazards, using inferior chemicals can also damage pool surfaces and equipment. 

Hazard detection is another integral part of health and safety. Experienced technicians can spot potential issues such as cracked tiles, excessive debris and faulty drainage. Non-compliance with local regulations can lead to legal issues and even closure, so it is essential that pool maintenance is carried out by highly trained specialised technicians and not just pool cleaners, who may not fully understand water chemistry and MEP systems.  

Swimming pools are complex and expensive, so it is vital to protect expensive equipment such as pumps, filters, heaters and coolers. Identifying the early signs of wear and tear and potential failure of components through regular inspection, especially during the hot summer months, is essential to ensure that your equipment is running efficiently. 

Over time this will reduce repair bills by extending the life expectancy of your equipment in addition to saving water and energy costs. 

When choosing a provider or reviewing your existing pool maintenance contract, here are a few points for you to consider. 

1. Ensure that technicians are knowledgeable, well groomed, courteous and on time, poor attendance and reliability, especially during the busy summer season, is a common issue. Always ask for written references.  

2. Make sure your technicians are using premium branded and environmentally friendly chemicals and materials to maintain a perfect water balance and hygiene. 

3. Ask your pool technician for a regular update on the health and efficiency of your pool equipment and ask for advice about potential upgrades to more modern, energy-efficient solutions. 

4. Ask your technician about the company’s broader facilities management services. This is useful particularly when issues arise that are not confined to your swimming pool, such as electrical or drainage issues.  

5. Seek advice about energy-efficient pumps, filters, smart controls, that reduce the environmental impact and operational costs of your pool. 

6. Beyond simply cleaning, ensure that they have technical support from experienced engineers with modern diagnostic tools. 

7. Dubai’s summer heat can strain pool systems, so your technician should continuously monitor water quality and check that all systems are functioning safely and efficiently.  

It is also worth noting that any lack of adequate insurance can expose property owners to liability in case of incidents. Cutting corners on pool maintenance can also result in costly emergency repairs and jeopardise your property value.  

So, is it worth taking the risk? Well as the old adage always reminds us, ‘you get what you pay for.’ 

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About H&G 

Hitches & Glitches is a technology-led office and home maintenance business, and its vision statement is to become the ultimate provider of sustainable and technology-driven home maintenance services throughout the UAE. It strives to deliver excellence in home maintenance services with a focus on quality, value, and sustainable best practice while being led by innovative technology, which exceeds the expectations of our customers. 

Hitches & Glitches operates across luxury villa communities and commercial sectors, from schools and hotels to large residential developments. As a part of the broader Farnek facilities management group, H&G brings technical knowledge and support that many smaller, standalone providers often cannot provide.  

Multilingual and interactive digital training solution is set to transform FM training and service support with significant improvements in workforce readiness, operational compliance, safety standards and overall productivity.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: HITEK AI, a pioneering leader in advanced digital facility management solutions, part of the Farnek group of companies, has unveiled its latest innovation, an AI-driven Hologram Digital Trainer designed to transform FM workforce training and operational excellence.  

This revolutionary holographic solution integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence and immersive technology, redefining traditional training methods across multiple industries including mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, retail, commercial use and aviation. 

The HITEK AI Hologram Digital Trainer employs sophisticated AI capabilities, providing interactive and lifelike training experiences. Trainees interact seamlessly with virtual trainers capable of responding to queries in real-time, delivering engaging, personalised training sessions tailored to specific operational requirements. The innovative solution supports multilingual training in both Arabic and English, ensuring broad accessibility and efficient knowledge transfer. 

“This AI Hologram Digital Trainer represents a transformative leap in workplace training and operational management,” said Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK AI UAE. “This pioneering technology not only enhances employee engagement and knowledge retention but also significantly boosts operational efficiency by delivering consistent, scalable, and high-quality training experiences.” 

Key features of the HITEK AI Hologram Digital Trainer include real-time interactive learning, which employs engaging and responsive holographic trainers providing real-time feedback. Training sessions can also be personalised, with tailored training modules, that can address specific industry needs. Indeed, participants can also raise service requests which are integrated with HITEK CAFM and in the case of hospitality clients, through its dedicated FlexiGuest solution. 

Another key benefit is its scalable deployment, which encompasses simultaneous sessions across multiple sites which ensures uniform training standards. These immersive training experiences significantly improve knowledge absorption and subsequent application.

“Organisations adopting our innovative holographic solution can expect significant improvements in workforce readiness, operational compliance, safety standards, and overall productivity,” added Aijaz. 

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For more information about HITEK AI’s groundbreaking AI Hologram Digital Trainer and how it can enhance your operations, please visit www.hitek.ai or contact us info@hitek.ai 

About HITEK AI 
HITEK AI, part of Farnek Group, leads the region with innovative digital facility management solutions leveraging AI, IoT, and cloud technologies, fostering operational excellence and sustainable business practices. 

About Farnek

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss- owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment. 

330 additional members of staff have been mobilised to sites across the UAE to service contracts 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9 June 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has witnessed significant new business acquisitions from the UAE’s hospitality sector, valued at over AED 10 million so far during 2025. 

To service these contracts, 330 additional members of staff have been mobilised to sites across the UAE, bringing their total headcount now to over 10,000. The services to be provided include housekeeping staff, room attendants, public area attendants, technical staff, and stewards, who are all fully qualified and have been highly trained at Farnek’s dedicated in-house training facility prior to deployment.    

Overall, Farnek has signed multiple new contracts with premier hospitality brands, including Kempinski, Sofitel, JW Marriott, Millennium, Emaar, Grand Hyatt, and Atlantis Dubai.  

This new business growth follows an outstanding year in 2024 when Farnek secured new and retained hospitality contracts valued at AED 72 million mobilising 450 staff. 

Farnek is a familiar service provider to most hospitality professionals in the UAE. Besides operational support, it is the preferred partner for Green Globe Certification, a premier worldwide sustainability certification developed especially for the travel and tourism industry. Farnek audits and assesses properties which have to comply with or exceed more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators.  

Farnek has certified over 100 hotels and leisure facilities in 38 cities across the MENA region, enabling members to save in excess of 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million and more than two million cubic metres of water valued at approximately $5 million. 

In addition, just last year, HITEK AI, Farnek’s sister company, launched its Housekeeping Plus solution, a smart mobile application which provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for the hospitality sector. The app, designed specifically for hotels and resorts, streamlines housekeeping operations and automates workflow. 

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Middle East-based smart AI-powered FM solutions provider HITEK AI, which is part of the Farnek group of companies, has achieved ISO 42001 certification, the first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems.  

With a strong focus on operational excellence and risk mitigation, ISO 42001 provides a structured framework for organisations to design, develop, implement, monitor, and improve AI systems responsibly and ethically.  

“HITEK AI is the first FM-related company in the Middle East to achieve ISO 42001 and as such this gives us and all Farnek group companies a distinct competitive advantage and demonstrates our leadership by complying with international AI standards and aligning with global best practices and ethical principles,” said Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director, HITEK AI.

“This enables HITEK AI to demonstrate its leadership in AI governance and compliance, setting a benchmark for responsible AI implementation throughout the region’s facilities management industry,” she added.

HITEK AI achieved ISO 42001 certification following a long rigorous audit process conducted by Callids Global Quality & Standardization, an accredited external auditor. This involved comprehensive assessments of their process management systems, policies, risk management frameworks, data governance practices, and ethical compliance measures.  

The extensive evaluation demonstrated its commitment to aligning with international best practices and standards for AI management, security, and transparency. Throughout the certification process, the company consistently evidenced robust implementation, continuous monitoring, and systematic improvement of its AI solutions and protocols. 

“This certification is more than just a milestone for us… it’s a clear signal that HITEK AI operates with a strong, structured internal compass to govern the way we build and manage AI. In a fast-evolving landscape, where trust and transparency matter more than ever, ISO 42001 is a stamp of quality assurance that we’ve embedded ethics, quality, and accountability into the heart of our AI systems. We’re not just innovating for today here…we’re leading responsibly,” commented Ryan Mitchell, Director – QHSEW, at Farnek.

ISO 42001 also allows organisations to identify and mitigate AI-related risks, including critical errors, security threats, and ethical concerns, which supports and improves responsible decision making. 

“Moreover, our certification will improve the accuracy, reliability, and sustainability of our AI modeling and optimise AI-driven operations to realise maximum impact. Businesses working with us can rest assured that they have chosen a partner with reliable, responsible, and secure AI processes, supporting their innovation and growth,” added Aijaz. 

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Photo Caption: (L–R): Markus Oberlin, Group CEO, Farnek; Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director, HITEK; Ryan Mitchell, Director – QHSEW, at Farnek.  

About HITEK AI 

HITEK AI is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 45 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. 

Any FM Company would like to adapt the power of digitalisation, can contact HITEK Services on info@hitek.ai 

About Farnek

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss- owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment.

As the UAE’s landmark climate decree takes effect today, Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability and Consultancy at Farnek, outlines the urgent steps companies must take to comply with new emissions regulations.

The UAE Federal Decree Law No. 11 of 2024, relating to the reduction of climate change effects, becomes effective today, 30 May 2025. It mandates businesses in major industry sectors to measure, report, and begin to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

With less than five years left to reach the UAE’s 2030 sustainability targets, organisations across the country must act now to establish a baseline and develop a robust transition plan.

Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability and Consultancy at smart and green UAE-based FM company Farnek, shares her thoughts on what steps companies should be taking, to comply with the federal decree and to contribute towards the nation’s environmental objectives and the integral role of FM providers.

The Role of FM Providers in a Net Zero Future

According to Al Nahdi, “UAE-based and indeed other companies based in the wider GCC, should by now be prioritising their own 2030 net-zero goals and progressive FM providers have a duty to support them by providing building managers and owners with innovative energy management, water conservation and sustainable building solutions. Moreover, FM providers should lead by example.”

In 2022, Farnek unveiled its own roadmap to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050, which was embedded into its long-term corporate strategy. Even at that early stage we understood that climate action was a business-critical issue that needed to be addressed within our own operations and across our value chain.”

“The first step was to measure and monitor our emissions,” Al Nahdi explains. “You can’t reduce what you can’t measure.”

Farnek used 2021 as its baseline year, identifying the scope and boundaries for measuring carbon emissions. This included not just building performance (energy and water consumption), but also employee travel, logistics, procurement, waste, and efforts around recycling and renewables. Their approach aligns with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions standards.

Setting Targets and Tracking Progress

Farnek implemented category-specific emission targets, with an initial five-year reduction goal and annual reviews to track progress and adjust where needed.

“Our target by end-2026 is to reduce electricity, water, refrigerants and fuel consumption by 30%, cut waste by 10%, and lower emissions from purchased goods and services by 5%,” says Al Nahdi. “By 2030, we aim for a 50% reduction in these categories.”

To date, Farnek has already achieved a 9% reduction from its baseline – a testament to what consistent monitoring and commitment can achieve.

Smart Tech for Smarter Sustainability

Supporting both their internal goals and client-facing services, Farnek’s tech division, HITEK AI, has developed CARBONTEK – an intelligent carbon footprint calculation tool that benchmarks energy, water, and waste audits. It tracks progress, streamlines reporting, and provides actionable insights with monthly updates.

“Tools like CARBONTEK are game changers for building owners and managers,” says Al Nahdi. “They take the guesswork out of sustainability.”

Monitoring and controlling air conditioning, water temperature and pressure, recycling, and waste management reflects the core values and determination of any company’s sustainability strategy. This is particularly relevant in staff accommodation, commercial buildings, and hotels, where employees, guests, and visitors are increasingly environmentally conscious.

Sustainability, Al Nahdi emphasises, is not only about compliance or environmental impact – it also drives operational savings, competitive advantage, and stronger stakeholder relationships.

Sustainability Means Business

Al Nahdi underscores that sustainability isn’t just an environmental imperative – it’s a business one. “There’s a strong return on investment,” she says.

In the hospitality sector, for example, energy, water and maintenance account for approximately 15% of a hotel’s total revenue. For a 200-room hotel, this could equate to over AED 5 million annually – a figure that can be significantly reduced with sustainable practices and technologies.

The Clock Is Ticking

“There is no time to lose,” Al Nahdi warns. “It is no coincidence that technology, in particular advanced AI, is associated with sustainability, offering a safe, sustainable, efficient and cost-effective return. The clock is ticking and businesses across the UAE, must start to align their business objectives with the UAE government’s Net Zero plans now.”

For FM providers and the companies they support, the message is clear: sustainability is not optional. It is essential – for compliance, competitiveness, and the climate.

Leading UAE-based smart and green FM company initiates the Farnek Hybrid Unit, integrating AI technology with traditional cleaning methods and intelligent robotic cleaners

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 14 May 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, has launched the Farnek Hybrid Unit (FHU) presenting a transformation in cleaning by seamlessly integrating human operatives with advanced and intelligent robotic cleaners.  

“Essentially the model is centered around Hybrid Units (HU), where tasks are completed without distinction between humans and robots, focusing on efficiency and quality of outcome.  

“The robotic units can handle the heavy lifting, repetitive cleaning, and large surface areas, allowing manual operatives to focus on higher value or specialised tasks, such as sanitising sensitive areas, and spot cleaning.  

“This strategic distribution of tasks enhances overall productivity while reducing overlapping and wasteful man hours,” said Julian Khalil, Managing Director, Farnek Services. 

Robots can collaborate with operational staff without traditional physical supervision, carrying out cleaning paths, recharging autonomously, and using real-time localisation and environmental perception to avoid hazards – all while cleaning up to 5,000 square feet per hour. Robots are equipped with sensors and mechanisms that enable obstacle detection, fall prevention and anomaly impact detection, during autonomous cleaning.  

The robots are also digitally mapped, ensuring 100% area coverage with precision, avoiding the typical gaps left by manual processes. Traditional vacuuming by cleaners can sometimes leave areas uncovered due to natural human error or fatigue. Robotic paths are pre-mapped and optimised, guaranteeing complete surface coverage to achieve enhanced cleaning standards. 

“Unlike human operatives, robots can be deployed in operations 24/7 without fatigue. This multi-shift capability reduces the need for additional manpower, particularly in high-traffic areas and during off-peak hours,” added Khalil.

All Hybrid Units are dynamically scheduled and monitored through Farnek’s CAFMTEK Mobile App, designed and developed by Farnek’s sister company HITEK AI. This allows supervisors to have real-time visibility, live task updates and dedicated reports. It also enables instant adjustments to manpower and robotic assignments based on real-time demand, with status updates available consistently via the CAFMTEK app on a smartphone or PC. 

“The unique aspect of Farnek’s hybrid model is our use of AI technology. Our CAFMTEK digital solution, which provides connectivity and technology integration, links the robots to operational management teams, accelerating precise, real-time monitoring, predictive cleaning and manpower requirements, as well as enhancing data-driven decision-making,” said Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK AI. 

Through optimisation, the cost savings are obvious.  Robots don’t take any vacation, sick leave or suffer from fatigue, they operate continuously, reducing any potential efficiency or cost impact due to any human or cleaning equipment downtime.  

“The maintenance of intelligent robots is predictable and scheduled, avoiding unexpected maintenance costs typical with manual equipment. With robots handling repetitive tasks, fewer human operatives are required, optimising labour costs,” said Khalil. 

Human productivity typically drops over an eight-hour shift, while robotic units maintain consistent performance throughout, minimising the cost of managing shifts, payroll, and compliance, through automated scheduling. 

“The Farnek Hybrid Unit is a transformative step to deliver commercial cleaning services. This is more than just a technology shift – it’s a cultural evolution in how we see cleaning, moving forward. Data-driven, performance-oriented, and future-ready,” added Aijaz.  

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About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.  

About HITEK 

HITEK Services is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. 

For more information visit info@hitek.ai  

UAE-based smart and green total FM company awards Fine Hygienic Holding for its commitment to sustainability during Farnek’s annual green supplier awards

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9th May 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, has acknowledged Fine Hygienic Holding as its top supplier in 2024, for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and ethical governance. 

Fine which supplies hygiene solutions to Farnek, was recognised by Farnek management for its net-zero strategy, ISO Certifications for Quality, Environment & Safety, good sustainability governance, annual carbon footprint and sustainability reporting, CSR policy and initiatives, strong worker welfare policy and for achieving the EcoVadis Silver Medal. 

Farnek had made the EcoVadis rating system a mandatory criterion, integrating it into the overall supplier evaluation score. EcoVadis, the global standard for resilient, sustainable supply chains, helps organisations manage ESG risk and compliance and improve the sustainability performance of their value chains. Their scorecards, benchmarks, tools and insights guide an improvement journey for environmental, social and ethical practices for over 150,000 businesses across 220 industries and 180 countries.  

“If Farnek is going to achieve its own net zero ambitions, then it is critical that we reduce our Scope 3 emissions, those generated through our procurement process. It is estimated that suppliers can contribute up to 65% of any organisation’s carbon footprint, so we must encourage, recognise and reward our suppliers through programmes such as our green awards, which is now in its fourth year,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek.  

Launched in 2022, Farnek’s initiative integrates environmental and social considerations into its procurement process, to bring about a more positive environmental impact, by appreciating and prioritising its suppliers demonstrating a similar commitment and ESG values. 

To achieve this, Farnek began by introducing green principles within its supply chain process, supporting its customers’ eco-consciousness, to create long term valued partnerships, which drive supply chain sustainability. 

Initially, Farnek provided training so that suppliers could understand the award criteria which also helped to increase participation by 20% this year.    

Suppliers were then evaluated throughout a eight-stage process, which started with questionnaires being sent to key partners. Once these were completed and returned with supporting documentation, companies were scored, weighting their responses for each standard. By adopting a progressive rating system, Fine was the clear winner, scoring 95 out of a possible 100. 

“All of the suppliers that submitted entries for the awards will receive feedback to help them improve their sustainability efforts. This is an integral part of our ongoing supplier engagement and supports our strategy to enhance our sustainable supply chain,” added Al Nahdi.  

For more information visit: www.farnek.com 

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Photo caption: (L-R) Markus Oberlin, Group CEO, Farnek, Seifeddine Beldi, Country Manager & Head of Key Accounts, Fine Hygienic Holding, Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek, Mira Hachem, Director of Procurement, Farnek & Zaid Zeitoun, Business Development Manager, Fine Hygienic Holding.  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 29 April 2025: To coincide with and celebrate the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Day for Safety and Health at work 2025, Dubai Municipality organised a conference at the Canadian University in Dubai yesterday (Monday 28 April), under the ILO theme of ‘Revolutionizing Health & Safety – The role of AI and digitization at work’. 

In a session moderated by Dr. Alounoud Almarzooqi, Assistant Professor at College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah, Ryan Mitchell, Director of QHSEW at leading UAE-based FM company Farnek and Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of Farnek group company HITEK AI, shared their thoughts and opinions on the subject of – ‘Navigating HSE Through Time – Past, Present and AI future’.  

Mitchell recalled what the early days of workplace safety looked like and summarized where HSE is today in Dubai: “Initially it was basic, the earliest laws were reactive, but here in Dubai, our journey really took off with Federal Law No. 8 in 1985 — it put safety on the national radar. 

“Then came the EHSMS in Abu Dhabi in 2010 and the introduction of Dubai Municipality’s safety codes – those frameworks built the solid ground we stand on today,” he commented. 

“Today, safety’s not just about avoiding harm — it’s about proactively managing risk. At Farnek, we’ve moved from audits and paper trails to real-time risk visibility and predictive HSE.  

“Using our own digital solution SAFETEK, which was developed in-house by HITEK AI, we can flag fatigue patterns, detect gas leaks, and reassign jobs before an incident even occurs — all while aligning with ISO 45001,” he added. 

The two experts also discussed pertinent issues such as Agentic AI and trusting data, over potential physical response delays, surveillance, compliance, auditing, as well as identifying those Dubai Industries, apart from facilities management providers that are leading the drive towards AI. 

“Construction, aviation and even sanitation” said Aijaz. “And in traffic, logistics, and port operations too — we’re seeing AI applied to pedestrian safety, fatigue tracking for drivers, and even zone-based geofencing for incident prevention,” she added. 

Looking to the future, Mitchell said, “In five years, I would like to see Dubai referred to as the global reference for intelligent safety — where systems predict, respond, and care. Not just because it’s futuristic — but because it respects life.” 

Other notable speakers at the conference which attracted local and regional HSE professionals, Dubai regulators, AI adopters and smart city stakeholders, included, Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO Environment Health and Safety Agency-Dubai Municipality and Saeed Alfalasi CEO of the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence Applications at Dubai Future Foundation.  

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For more information about HITEK AI contact us at info@hitek.ai  

About HITEK 

HITEK AI is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. 

About Farnek

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment. 

Over 18 years under his leadership, Farnek has evolved into one of UAE’s most innovative and sustainability-driven FM firms

When Markus Oberlin first joined Farnek in 2006, the company was on the verge of a transformation. Group CEO, Oberlin has not only overseen Farnek’s exponential growth but has also redefined how technology and efficiency intersect in the FM sector.

Here are some insights:

How do you balance operational efficiency with long-term strategic growth?

I believe that these two aspects of our business go hand in hand. Improving operational efficiency is critical to the success of any business and lays the foundation for longer term strategic growth.
“Whatever business strategy is employed, it must be based on cost-effective and efficient operations”

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the FM industry today?
Well, besides remaining competitive in the FM sector, by adding value to our market proposition and improving customer satisfaction, I believe the biggest challenges facing the FM industry today, include – adopting and embracing the latest technology and managing the accelerating trend towards AI.

Recruiting, developing, and retaining tech savvy human capital and reducing our carbon emissions and supporting our customers and the government to achieve the same.

Where do you see the FM industry in the next decade, and how is your company positioning itself for that future?
The industry will become increasingly automated, more sustainable and as a result will have more specialised verticals. To address these challenges, Farnek has already set up HITEK, which is a dedicated smart FM solutions provider, which develops its own products in-house.

These products can be integrated into our own offering, marketed as standalone solutions to new and existing customers and in some cases provided as white label products. Farnek’s dedicated sustainability consultancy is already working on our own net zero roadmap and sharing our expertise with many of our customers.

If you could change one thing about the FM industry today, what would it be?
In an ideal world I would like proposals to be evaluated more on the value of an FM company’s overall proposition, rather than being so heavily weighted on price alone.

How is your company attracting and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive market?
Attracting and retaining the right talent, has always been integral to our success and with increased automation that will be even more crucial in the future.

Although important, it is not just about salary and benefits, which need to be competitive, but we offer a very clear career path into senior roles, with regular reviews and training at our state-of-the-art training facility in Farnek Village. We also have a ‘Farnek First’ policy whereby existing staff are always offered the opportunity to advance within the company before we recruit externally.

HR and legal expert to head up newly launched UAE technology-driven workforce provider

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 April 2025: Abdullah Al Mamoon, the Senior Vice President of HR and Legal Affairs at leading UAE-based facilities management company Farnek, has been handed the responsibility of driving the growth and expansion of newly formed Flexitalent. 

Flexitalent, which is a part of the Farnek Group of companies, integrates technology-driven workforce management solutions, through smart payroll systems, digital attendance tracking and AI-powered workforce analytics, enabling organisations to streamline staffing operations across a range of diverse industry sectors. 

“With over two decades of distinguished experience, Abdullah has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in human capital management, workforce optimization, and legal strategy. His ability to foster strong relationships between management, employees, and legal teams has enabled the company to create a positive and productive work environment that has driven long-term success,” said Markus Oberlin, Group CEO at Farnek. 

“Abdullah was instrumental in developing and executing innovative workforce strategies that align with Farnek’s broader organisational goals. His strategic vision, coupled with an operational focus, allowed the company to grow even in the face of industry challenges, positioning Farnek as a leading player in the FM sector,” added Oberlin.  

His additional responsibilities with Flexitalent mark an exciting new chapter in Abdullah’s career. His remarkable capacity to scale operations and manage large, diverse teams has set him apart as a true innovator in the field of HR and earned him prestigious HR awards from across the Middle East.  

His ability to drive innovation, streamline operations, and build sustainable workforce solutions will undoubtedly contribute to Flexitalent’s vision of becoming a leader in talent acquisition and management across the UAE. 

Abdullah commented, “In a short space of time, Flexitalent has demonstrated its ability to adapt and innovate in an evolving workforce landscape. It is not just about filling workforce gaps—it’s about creating human capital solutions that help businesses thrive in a competitive environment by meeting operational continuity and cost-efficiency goals.  

“With a strong leadership team, cutting-edge workforce solutions, and a focus on sustainability, Flexitalent is poised to become the go-to partner in workforce management for businesses throughout the UAE.” 

Farnek launched Flexitalent as a dedicated workforce solutions company to satisfy the increasing demand from businesses that want to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.  

According to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total spending by UAE-based organisations on outsourcing services was expected to reach $6.8 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7%. Carrying that growth estimate forward to 2025 would put the UAE market value at around $7.8 billion.    

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About Flexitalent 

Flexitalent is a leading manpower supply company based in UAE, providing seamless outsourced staffing and recruitment solutions. From short-term projects to long-term workforce needs, Flexitalent combines compliance, efficiency, and industry-leading technology to deliver tailored services. Backed by Farnek Group’s legacy and expertise, Flexitalent specialises in supporting industries such as logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, marketing, and more.  

For more details, visit www.flexitalent.com 

Facility managers can now proactively identify and achieve cost savings, improved performance and operational stability.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Middle East-based HITEK AI, a part of the Farnek group of companies, has launched its latest innovative solution, the Predictive Maintenance and Anomaly Detection System, which is now available within its CAFMTEK platform.  

This AI-driven tool is designed to empower facilities managers, engineers and maintenance professionals, by enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of MEP assets including HVAC, Main Distribution Board (MDB) assets as well as many others. 

“By adopting CAFMTEK’s Predictive Maintenance and Anomaly Detection System, businesses can transform their maintenance strategies from reactive to predictive. This innovative approach empowers professionals with the tools needed to reduce breakdowns, optimise operations, increase residents’ comfort and drive cost-effective results,” said Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK AI.  

Using cutting-edge machine learning models, the system predicts potential failures, detects anomalies, and provides actionable insights that enable predictive maintenance. It focuses on critical metrics unique to each asset type, providing facility managers with clarity and control over building operations. 

For HVAC, the platform analyses supply temperature and supply fan data in real-time to anticipate potential failures. It also provides early alerts when failure probability scores trigger alerts when thresholds are breached, enabling timely intervention. 

When it comes to MDB assets, real-time data for metrics such as total kWh, power factor, voltage, and current are compared against dynamic thresholds derived from historical data. 

In addition, alerts highlight specific metrics causing anomalies, aiding faster and more accurate diagnostics. And monthly energy consumption trends are evaluated, revealing inefficiencies or unexpected changes in performance.

The system has also introduced a tailored Preventive Planned Maintenance (PPM) strategy by analysing failure histories and patterns. It dynamically recommends maintenance cycles based on equipment performance, from monthly schedules for frequent issues to annual checks for occasional or adhoc failures. 

“This comprehensive approach significantly reduces unexpected failures while increasing the longevity of critical assets. By ensuring maintenance is based on actual asset conditions rather than rigid schedules, organisations benefit from cost savings, improved performance, and operational stability,” commented Aijaz.  

The system’s machine learning models continually adapt, incorporating new data to improve prediction accuracy and optimise dynamic thresholds. Each incident informs future updates, ensuring the tool evolves alongside changing operational demands. 

“With the Predictive Maintenance and Anomaly Detection System, CAFMTEK is revolutionising how facility managers maintain their HVAC and MDB assets. Our goal has always been to combine data-driven insights and AI to reduce downtime and maximise performance,” added Aijaz.  

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For more information visit hitek.ai

About HITEK 

HITEK Services is a part of Farnek Group, a leading industry expert with over 40 years of technical expertise and operational experience in Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Technology Infrastructure. Our broad range of intelligent applications is a result of people, processes, and technology empowering our customers with digital, business, and technological transformation. Our solutions are aimed at complementing leaner and more sustainable operational processes that increase productivity and reduce energy consumption. 

Any FM Company would like to adapt the power of digitalization, can contact HITEK Services on info@hitek.ai  

About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss- owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services across several sectors: Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure, and Entertainment. 

Food waste during Ramadan highlights AED4 billion year-round issue in UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 25 March 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, has composted over 290 tonnes of staff food waste over the past four years, at an average of 200kg per day, at its state-of-the-art staff accommodation centre, Farnek Village, in Dubai.

“Food waste is always a topic of conversation during Ramadan and for good reason, but it is issue year-round. It is estimated that in the UAE, 38% of prepared food is thrown out annually. Unfortunately, that percentage increases by 25% during Ramadan compared to other months,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek.

Farnek invested in a food composter with a capacity of 125 kilos which was commissioned to celebrate World Environmental Day in 2021. The machine processes all types of organic waste such as curry, roti, rice, bread, eggshells, chicken, mutton, fish, fish bones, chicken bones, fruit, fruit, vegetables, peelings and other kitchen waste.

“Food waste from the staff dining hall is emptied into the composting machine, which uses special microorganisms to break down and decompose the organic waste. The entire process reduces the original volume of waste by up to 90%, generating approximately between 12-25kg of nutrient-rich fertilizer,” commented Al Nahdi.

Food waste in landfill emits methane gas during the decomposition process, which according to experts is 25 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide (CO2). So, composting our food waste is an effective way of reducing our carbon emissions and harmful gases, as well as eliminating food disposal costs.

“Whilst serving meals to the 5,000 staff we have based at Farnek Village, we are also saving up to 400 kilos of carbon and around 200 kilos of food waste every day,” said Nahdi.

Farnek has also advised other organizations about how to manage their food waste, including hotels, commercial offices and mega sports events, concerts and entrainment destinations with large food and beverage vendors. Farnek is currently supporting du to divert more than 50kg of food waste per day from its Dubai HQ and also diverted 7.6 tons of organic waste over four days from Zayed Sports City during the Coldplay concert earlier this year.

Looking at the broader issue of waste management, Farnek through its sister company HITEK has also brought WASTEK to market – an AI-driven digital solution that can conduct waste audits, develop recycling programmes, assures regulatory compliance and monitors waste diversion performance, through data collection.

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About Farnek:

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 March 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has launched Flexitalent, a dedicated technology-driven workforce provider, offering versatile and tailored solutions for a range of vertical industry sectors throughout the UAE.

Flexitalent, part of the Farnek Group of companies, integrates technology-driven workforce management solutions, through smart payroll systems, digital attendance tracking and AI-powered workforce analytics, enabling organisations to streamline staffing operations across a range of diverse industry sectors.

Farnek launched Flexitalent as a dedicated workforce solutions company to satisfy the increasing demand from businesses that want to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

According to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the total spending by UAE-based organisations on outsourcing services was expected to reach $6.8 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7%. Carrying that growth estimate forward to 2025 would put the UAE market value at around $7.8 billion.

“Flexitalent benefits from Farnek’s many years of experience in workforce management and has the expertise to tailor staffing models that align with specific organisational needs.

“Its solutions are compliant with UAE labour laws and in addition, the company uses technology-driven workforce management tools for transparency, accountability and enhanced performance. Flexitalent can also integrate eco-friendly practices into staffing operations to support broader sustainability goals,” commented Markus Oberlin, Group CEO of Farnek.

“Since its inception, Flexitalent has already successfully onboarded over 3,000 professionals across multiple sectors, demonstrating its capacity to meet complex workforce demands with efficiency and agility,” he added.

Flexitalent offers AI-powered recruitment and selection, which utilises smart talent-matching tools to ensure precision hiring for businesses. Its Fully automated Wage Protection System (WPS)-compliant payroll ensures seamless salary processing, in line with current UAE labour laws. 

The company has managed to develop a competitive edge, not only through its flexible staffing models, but also through its AI-driven business strategy. Real-time GPS-enabled tracking of its workforce increases transparency and accountability.  

Furthermore, Flexitalent’s HR outsourcing and workforce analytics provide AI-driven insights for data-backed HR decision-making and its digital learning platforms increase employee upskilling and workforce productivity. 

“By leveraging these advanced HR tech innovations, Flexitalent can provide a broader range of solutions to key industry sectors such as, hospitality and events, e-commerce and logistics, manufacturing and construction, as well as retail and customer service,” said Oberlin. 

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About Flexitalent 

Flexitalent is a leading manpower supply company based in the UAE, providing seamless outsourced staffing and recruitment solutions. From short-term projects to long-term workforce needs, Flexitalent combines compliance, efficiency, and industry-leading technology to deliver tailored services. Backed by Farnek Group’s legacy and expertise, Flexitalent specialises in supporting industries such as logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, marketing, and more.  

For more details, visit www.flexitalent.com 

About Farnek: 

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.  

With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.  

For more information please visit, www.farnek.com 

DEC achieves Green Globe Certification for its commitment to sustainable practices and training programmes which support the UAE’s carbon reduction goals

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 February 2025: The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) has been recognised by the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC) programme, for its commitment to sustainable operational practices and management training programmes, that support the UAE’s net-zero ambitions.

Owned and operated by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the LEED-certified exhibitions and meetings venue was awarded GGC following a rigorous and extensive independent audit process carried out by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-headquartered sustainability consultancy Farnek.

“DEC is one of only a handful of venues in the region to be awarded GGC. During the comprehensive audit process and assessment, DEC complied with more than 380 stringent sustainability indicators, achieving a rating of 90% through a range of robust eco-friendly initiatives and training. This award demonstrates DEC’s commitment to operate in a sustainable manner and of course highlights its support of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy,” said Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek.

Regarding the venue’s operational processes and systems, DEC has adapted multiple strategies and technological initiatives to maximise thermal and water load reductions throughout its indoor environment.

Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre said, “At DWTC, Sustainability is at the core of our operations. Achieving Green Globe Certification for DEC is a testament to our ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible practices and innovative solutions that reduce our carbon footprint. From energy-efficient technologies to waste management and sustainable procurement, we continuously seek ways to enhance our environmental performance. This recognition reinforces our alignment with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, and we remain dedicated to driving positive change within the events and exhibitions industry.”

Other initiatives include a standing seam roof system which consists of multiple different layers such as recycled fibre glass and air void gaps. These materials help to reduce the amount of heat passing through the roof sandwich panels.

To promote segregation and minimise waste going to landfill, the venue has installed three-stream waste segregation systems throughout its public concourse, meeting rooms and back of house areas.

In addition, DEC has been effectively reducing and minimising its use of packaging. Within their operations DEC has reduced its dependency on cling wrap, and other unsustainable items. Suppliers are encouraged to use recyclable materials and to take back packaging material after events.

All taps, faucets and showerheads are installed with aerators and motion sensors to minimise water wastage, which has resulted in significant water savings. DEC also prioritises engaging suppliers that use biofuel to run their transportation fleets.

One key GGC criteria is to demonstrate a defined training programme helping employees to understand their role in the management of environmental, sociocultural, health, and safety practices. DWTC is dedicated to the growth and development of UAE nationals, demonstrating significant success in attracting and nurturing local talent. DWTC runs a UAE Management Trainee Program (Lami3), which equips newly graduated UAE nationals with essential business skills over two years, investing in career development for these future leaders across all business units, equipping them with the essential skills required to succeed. This includes participation in a Management Development Program at IESE University in Spain.

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Photo caption: (L-R) Muna Al Nahdi, Head of Sustainability, Farnek, and Ghanem Al Marri, Assistant Manager, Dubai World Trade Centre

About Green Globe Certification

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries.  Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

About Farnek:

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management services to across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

For more information, please log on to www.farnek.com

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to the region’s leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region’s growth story. Since its inauguration, DWTC has hosted over 6,000 events, with an estimated economic output of AED 248 billion, attracting over 38 million business visitors to Dubai.

Building on this legacy, DWTC’s second flagship venue, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), stands as a premier destination for prominent national and international mega events. Strategically aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, DEC’s recently announced AED 10 billion expansion is integral to Expo City Dubai’s vision of becoming a global business hub for exhibitions and events. Additionally, developed and managed by DWTC for Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo Village hosts a vibrant residential community with 2,273 units across four clusters, also integrated within the Expo City Dubai ecosystem.

• Market-leading FM company secures over 460 new and retained contracts throughout UAE and Saudi Arabia
• 1,500 additional staff mobilised across industry sectors such as hospitality, aviation, healthcare, events, retail and residential real estate

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 19 February 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek achieved record sales revenue in 2024, securing a host of new and retained contracts, valued at more than AED 690 million.

In total during 2024, Farnek was awarded more than 460 contracts, with over 1,500 additional members of staff, mobilised to sites across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, bringing their total headcount to over 9,000.

According to Markus Oberlin, Group CEO at Farnek, the record amount of contract wins is a testament to Farnek’s highly successful business strategy, which focuses on innovative, AI-driven and sustainable FM solutions.

“2024 was an outstanding year for new business development and contract retention. We managed to increase our market share in the UAE and in Saudi Arabia, through sectors such as energy, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, retail, commercial and residential property.

“Given the rapid growth in real estate development, demand for innovative AI-driven smart and green solutions will continue to drive the FM market throughout the GCC, as companies strive for automation, sustainability and cost efficiency.”

Farnek has steadily increased its share of the Abu Dhabi FM market with new business wins totalling AED 240 million, which includes Zayed Sport City, Etihad Airways Engineering and the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

Farnek also made considerable gains in the hospitality sector by winning multiple hospitality contracts valued at AED 72 million mobilising 450 staff.

Security was another sector where Farnek made considerable gains by winning multiple contracts valued at over AED 25 million, from major companies such as GMG, Aramex, MAG EYE, AZADEA, NAS 2 and MIZA Investments.

Farnek’s home maintenance company Hitches & Glitches, secured a significant contract with Emaar Hospitality to manage back of door services, for 14 Emaar Residence Towers featuring more than 7,000 apartments, as well as contract wins for King’s College Hospital and its clinics.

Farnek’s smart FM solutions company HITEK, has implemented its digital solutions at Sports Boulevard in Riyadh, with an additional contract for the mining company Maaden and has successfully developed and activated a cutting-edge community app for the MAG City development in Dubai plus a waste management agreement with du.

“HITEK also launched its Housekeeping Plus solution last year, a smart mobile application for the hospitality sector and its MEDTEK solution has been set up successfully and is already supporting more than 10,000 patients,” added Oberlin.

Another notable achievement in 2024 was Farnek’s support for the Burj Khalifa’s successful LEED O+M Platinum Certification. Farnek has been providing MEP hard services for the world’s tallest building since 2010.

Farnek services a wide range of industry sectors and its scope of work includes a considerable number of contracts for total facilities management (TFM) as well as dedicated hard and soft services such as MEP, cleaning, maintenance, security and housekeeping, amongst others.

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For more information, log on to www.farnek.com

About Farnek:

Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company.

With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.

Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK (Farnek Group), shares insights on AI’s rise in Saudi FM and top tech trends for 2025.

With Saudi Arabia’s iconic and innovative giga projects becoming a reality, the kingdom’s real estate landscape is expanding at a phenomenal pace, posing challenges for building managers while offering unrivalled opportunities for progressive, technically astute FM companies and professionals.

Employing advanced technology to operate these futuristic structures will be absolutely essential. As a consequence, facility managers will need to be conversant with how these hi-tech buildings function to optimise efficiency, sustainability, and safety.

In that respect, AI can no longer be considered a far-fetched dream but a necessity to manage expectations and facilitate excellence for these smart projects and the impending rollout of Saudi’s smart cities.

AI is revolutionizing building maintenance by optimizing operations, reducing costs, and enhancing the safety and comfort of tenants. With the integration of IoT, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation, AI offers a wide range of benefits that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of building management systems.

Here are my top five tech trends for the Saudi Arabian FM market in 2025:

1. AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance and Operations

Trend: AI-powered systems analyze real-time data from IoT sensors or Building Management Systems (BMS) to predict equipment failures and optimize operations. AI can integrate with building automation systems to control lighting, HVAC, security, and other essential services based on real-time data from sensors, weather forecasts, and occupancy patterns.

Impact: Minimizes downtime, extends asset life, and reduces operational costs.

AI-integrated systems can monitor HVAC performance to predict failures and schedule proactive maintenance. AI-powered sensors can detect drops in indoor air quality, triggering HVAC systems to increase ventilation and maintain healthy air quality, particularly important in hospitals and office buildings.

2. Smart and Green Buildings

Trend: Sustainability is integral to Saudi Vision 2030. Smart technologies optimize energy usage, water consumption, and waste management, aligning with green building standards and helping to achieve Net Zero targets.

Impact: Reduces carbon footprints and promotes energy efficiency.

Automated lighting and HVAC systems routinely adjust based on occupancy levels and real-time environmental conditions.

3. Digitalisation and Smart HSEQ Management

Trend: During the construction of Saudi’s giga projects, health and safety issues demand AI-based digital tools to revolutionize HSEQ processes by automating compliance tracking, audits, and incident reporting. AI can analyze historical data—such as workplace accidents, employee health records, and environmental factors—to predict potential hazards before they occur. By identifying patterns and associated risks, AI helps organizations take preventative action.

Impact: Enhances safety, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance.

AI-powered dashboards monitor workplace safety, environmental metrics, and real-time hazard alerts. AI systems can forecast when and where accidents are most likely to occur based on historical data, environmental conditions, and employee behavior, enabling proactive measures like safety training or equipment inspections.

4. Connected Workforce with IoT and Digital Tools

Trend: IoT-enabled devices and digital platforms enhance workforce productivity and safety. Wearables and mobile apps ensure seamless task allocation and real-time communication. Wearable devices embedded with AI can monitor employees’ health and fatigue levels, as well as environmental conditions, in real time. These devices can track physiological parameters such as heart rate, temperature, and stress levels to prevent accidents caused by worker fatigue or health issues.

Impact: Increases efficiency, safety, and response times.

Mobile workforce management apps can assign tasks dynamically based on location and skill. In high-risk industries like construction or mining, AI-powered wearables can detect signs of heatstroke, excessive fatigue, or abnormal vitals and trigger alerts to supervisors or medics for immediate intervention.

5. Smart AI-Driven Sustainability Reporting

Trend: AI-powered analytical tools track energy consumption, water usage, waste management, and carbon emissions in real time, generating detailed sustainability reports.

Impact: Helps FM companies meet green building standards, reduce environmental impact, and comply with Saudi regulations.

AI systems offer practical insights to optimize energy consumption and achieve sustainability targets.

With the rapid growth of smart buildings and advances in technology, it is clear that AI will revolutionize the Saudi FM market. It is no longer an option for FM professionals; they must embrace these trends quickly or risk being left behind.