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Published on August 22, 2007

Property Care Services (Thailand) believes the economic slump will slow growth in its outsource service revenues to only 15 per cent this year, from the usual 20-25 per cent.

PCS's revenues will rise to Bt3.2 billion from last year's Bt2.8 billion, Arnaud Bialecki, director of the company under the UK-based OCS Group, said yesterday.

Demand for its integrated security services, which contributes 45 per cent of revenues, is slack, he said.

Many buildings here like to use staff who are not really related to security, such as doormen and parking-lot attendants, compared with some other countries.

Buildings might also cut back on headcount, including personnel sent from PCS, said Bialecki.

He is also concerned about projects being delayed next year by investors, particularly foreign.

However, the company's six other services - janitorial, pest management, hygiene, gardening, inventory and audits and facility management - are still running smoothly.

Janitorial is the other main contributor, generating 45 per cent of revenues, followed by pest management, hygiene and gardening with 3 per cent each.

PCS is adding services to maintain its leadership in the outsourcing market and stay ahead of competitors. Late last year it introduced aviation support services featuring terminal cleaning, platform cleaning, trolley collection, handling of passengers with reduced mobility and internal plain-cleaning service.

Targeted revenues from aviation-support services alone are Bt100 million this year.

Lufthansa Services (Thailand) signed a two-year aviation support contract last April for its clients - Lufthansa, Austrian Airline, Etihad Airways, Finn Air and Swiss Air.

PCS is joining with S&P Syndicate, a major restaurant chain and food business operator, to set up Food House Catering Services with Bt10 million in registered capital.

The new company is working on its service model and marketing plan before launching the catering service in October.

PCS is also negotiating to acquire a Thai company providing building maintenance service with 300 employees and annual revenues of Bt120 million.

Bialecki declined to reveal investment details or the name of the local company but expects the new service to be launched late this year.

The outsource-services market still has good potential despite many companies tending to cut costs, Bialecki said.

Outsourcing firms can help companies save time and cost by helping to manage the all the necessary human resources for the jobs.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation