GEFMA starts the 2020s with a new Executive Board team. The association's tasks and goals are diverse and challenging.
The GEFMA Executive Board met with a new line-up at the end of January. Where is the association heading in the 2020s?
Martin Schenk: There are three major topics that GEFMA has already tackled and that we will pursue in a targeted manner in the future: Digitalization, which we must enthusiastically participate in, because as it progresses, the operational requirements for all players in FM will change. We then have an obligation to advance the sustainable operation of buildings. The development of GEFMA Guideline 160 must be followed by its implementation and anchoring in the services offered by service providers. And thirdly, it's about our employees: from training to employee retention, we need to convince people of the exciting fields of work that our member companies offer.
There are two new faces on the new Executive Board: Mr. Adlhoch and Mr. Petersen. What topics and tasks do the two of them want to tackle?
Schenk: In January 2020, the new Executive Board met for a constituent meeting to define the first steps and goals that we want to achieve over the next three years. My deputies are particularly involved in this: Rainer Vollmer from RGM will focus more on membership development, including the lounges and junior lounges. Wolf-Dieter Adlhoch from Dussmann will be responsible for the tasks relating to tenders, awarding contracts and guidelines as well as the workplace and public sector. And Robin Petersen from Apleona will focus on the energy aspect within sustainability as well as the topics of technology and innovation.
Thirty years of GEFMA have been celebrated and the thousandth member has been welcomed. Isn't it starting to become difficult to set new goals for the association?
Schenk: As you say, thirty years is certainly a milestone. However, everything around us is changing and as a service provider, we have to react more quickly and flexibly to these changes on the part of our customers. Member stability shows how extremely important networks are in this respect. GEFMA offers a platform for both users and service providers to communicate the aforementioned topics for the industry and to place them in the public eye. As an association, we have to support our member companies in these future topics: with the widely known guidelines and standards as well as with a large number of white papers from the working groups.
With the new guidelines on carbon management and the procurement of facility services in the exercise of social responsibility, GEFMA working groups provide answers to current topics. Can this be seen as a step away from purely technical work towards more socio-political thinking and action at GEFMA?
Schenk: As the largest industry association in facility management, we have a very special responsibility for the environment. Our companies are the key to sustainable building operation. Up to now, we have dealt with sustainable construction - this applies to politics, society and the entire real estate industry - but far too little with the operation of buildings. Together with the Berlin School of Economics and Law, the Berlin School of Engineering and Economics and companies, we are working hard to develop an IT-based tool for measuring, comparing and reducing CO2 values. We can then use this carbon footprint to provide recommendations and advice on how to reduce emissions - something that the first companies are already demanding for their CSR reporting.
What are your personal plans for your role as CEO?
Schenk: My personal plan is to strengthen the role of the association. To this end, I will represent us in our umbrella organization ZIA. This also includes our leading trade fair Servparc and our 'Die Möglichmacher' initiative, which has twelve members and focuses on inspiring young people and career changers to join the industry. This is also a very personal wish. It has always been my concern - and will continue to be in the future - to improve the image of our industry and strengthen it in the long term. After all, the FM industry offers many options to get involved and create a secure job for yourself.
The interview was published in "Der Facility Manager" issue 3, 2020.
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