NEWS

Facilities Delegation Journeys to China

VIENNA, VA—September, 2007—International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) invited a group of over 30 U.S. and international facilities managers, consults, owners, architects and industry partners to travel to China to meet with facilities counterparts. The U.S. industry delegation, which was headed up by Teena Shouse, VP of ARAMARK and former Chairperson of IFMA, represented well over 200 million square feet of facilities space came from a wide variety of industry segments. Included in the group were representatives from Harvard Medical School, Turner Broadcasting, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Broward County Public Schools, Clay County Missouri, Lincoln Military Housing, Qualcomm, the Department Of Energy and others form Police, Governments from the Netherlands, Bermuda and Canada as well.

"It was a chance to not only learn and see how the Chinese look at facilities management practices," stated David Carrithers an IFMA delegate and Vice President at Centennial, "but it allowed for in-depth, broad conversations on U.S. practices, trends and challenges as well among all the delegates"

The trip went to a variety of facilities and cities within mainland China, including Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai. Facilities teams and locations visited included a hospital, petro-chemical, high tech and offices, commercial, bottling plant, historical sites, hospitality and hotel, retail, etc. "One of the highlights of the trip in my mind was the tour of the Shanghai Pu Nan Hospital" stated Carrithers, "not only was the tour and following exchange of ideas wonderful and in-depth - the sense of shared desire by both cultures to do the best job possible in meeting their facilities goals and missions was evident. There was a clear connection to the sense that facilities, the proper and professional development of these mission critical facilities were strategic to the long term success of the organization."

Another highlight of the trip was the chance to see the 2008 Beijing Olympics facilities under construction. The pace, the volume of activities and the sense that this was a chance for China to be on the main stage of the world in 2008 was evident everywhere. It felt like a city within a city was being built by sheer willpower and might. The theme of the 2008 Olympics is, "One World, One Dream" and the whole country was in full swing to show their unity and vision to the global community in 2008. The "birds nest" stadium at the heart of the Olympics was amazing and when completed will be the largest stadium in the world.

Key Thoughts From The Trip By Carrithers

• Facilities management is a relatively new concept to the Chinese. It was evident that there is recent revelation that there is direct value in the quality and proactive maintenance and up-keep of facilities to the long term return on the investment into buildings and facilities. The idea of the lifetime value and the lifecycle of a building are new.
• Facilities management as a career is new as well. That specialized skills and training for those leading and driving the facilities is new and in high demand and regard.
• Passionate interest by the Chinese in anything dealing with technology and facilities development, management and improvement is high. Almost a sense that the Chinese counterparts were more knowledgeable or driven to learn about technologies and how these technologies can help the facilities.
• Safety and employee health concerns are developing and taking shape in China, while not at the same levels and standards as the US the fact is the Chinese facilities leaders understand this and are taking steps towards improving these areas.
• Sustainability and green facilities are of great interest. There is a push underway in China to find out any and all things dealing with facilities sustainability and green practices. There was a sense that the difference between the US delegates and the Chinese counterparts was that for the US people it is a passion, almost a drive that is personal and visionary for the US facilities leaders. While the Chinese it was more of a business, calculated drive to the logic of this important topic in the industry.
• All business in China is based on relationships. The ability to do work in the country requires knowing people, customs and how the Chinese think. It is not so much about brand or price, instead a sense that the two parties can work together towards a common goal. That once established these relationships are long term.
• Openness of the Chinese facilities people to new ideas, approaches and thinking. Also very direct and open dialogue on the history of China, the government (good and bad) and the freedom to talk with anyone and go anywhere. Also the fact that the Chinese people have a good sense of humor and are down to earth was refreshing.
• Sense that the future of facilities management in China is taking shape now. That there is an understanding that the facilities and what they mean strategically are clear within China.

"This was a once in a life chance to see a culture, a people and how they think from the inside out" stated Carrithers. The demands of facilities people, globally, are a similar demand. This came out in every interaction. The common spirit, the singular focus of facilities performance forged a clear understanding that facilities and those that serve them globally is a one world, one industry reality. Carrithers concluded, "we all came back with a renewed sense of purpose that America is setting the vision and direction for the facilities management industry globally. This renewed sense comes with an increased responsibility to share, communicate and demonstrate this leadership here in the US as well as globally."

As part of the trip, Carrithers was able to share thinking and insight around Centennial, job order contracting and performance-based construction. "Not only was it exciting to be the first to discuss and bring JOC to China, but to also share with the other delegates as well of the value of performance-based construction" concluded Carrithers.

Additional Information:

What is IFMA?
IFMA-DelegationToChina
An Introduction to Job Order Contracting - Performance-Based Project Delivery

About Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc.: For more than 15 years, Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc., has been a leader in construction services supporting government, educational and business facilities and infrastructures, with construction projects focused on renovation, rehabilitation and repair. To date, Centennial has supported over $1.5 billion in project solutions for its diverse customer base. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, the firm has over 45 offices nationwide. For more information go to www.cce-inc.com or contact David Carrithers, vice president of marketing, at 703-287-3042 or contact@cce-inc.com.

Photos are available upon request.

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