Broll acquires WSP Group Africa’s facilities management team

Broll Property Group, the Johannesburg-based property investors, has acquired WSP Group Africa’s facilities management team to oversee their 65 m sq ft portfolio.

The group – who have one of the largest portfolios on the continent – manages properties across 15 countries, including: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Namibia.

Broll announced the acquisition of WSP Group Africa’s facilities management team in a press release earlier this week, revealing the new division would operate under the mantle of Broll Facilities Management Financial.

Representatives claimed the merger will bring a range of professional skills to Broll, such as Technical Services, Condition Assessments, Soft Services, Health and Safety, Energy and Utilities, Waste and Environmental, Catering and Vending, Business Support and Asset Management.

Malcolm Horne, CEO of Broll, said in his announcement: "The acquisition of WSP Facilities Management is a complementary fit to our current service offerings, culture of service excellence and is a key milestone in the group's vision to be recognized as the service provider of choice in all markets that we operate.

"The synergy for us was not only relating to the culture of the staff but also the absolute professionalism and skill level that is abundantly obvious in the team as well as the ISO rated systems and procedures."

A prime motivational factor behind the merger is said to be the addition of a 24/7 call centre, which will add substantial value to the company as well as providing a necessary service as the group looks to continue its expansion.

Commercial property take up on the continent is running at record levels, with serviced office group Regus reporting 40% year on year increase in demand whilst countries such as Rwanda have been quick to offer tax incentives to new businesses.

Horne continues: "Multinational companies operating on the continent often never see the difference in how we manage facilities and what they are used to at home. We believe in offering the clients the edge to succeed by simply keeping their house in order."

The much-lauded team of 200 will be led by the former COO of WSP Facilities Management, Rowland Gurnell, who intends to maintain their customer-centric approach to procedural efficiency. He said the merger "will help strengthen Broll's position as a leading facility management company, offering a much wider repertoire of services from a single source."