Compass Group India leads the way in Facility Management with automation and innovation
CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Joel Anthony, CEO, Support Services, Compass group India
To begin with, please tell us about Compass Group India, and especially the role of Support Services in creating a holistic experience for the clients.
Compass Group India, a fully-owned subsidiary of Compass Group PLC, has been a prominent player in the global market for over 75 years. Since 2008, we have been dedicated to serving the diverse needs of the Corporate, Healthcare, and Education sectors in India, maintaining uncompromising global standards in food and facility management.
As far as Support Services are concerned, we manage facilities encompassing an area exceeding 160 million square feet. Our approach focuses on delivering hospitality-driven solutions, ensuring a comprehensive workplace well-being experience. Our suite of services extends to Building and Office Support, Events, Pantry Solutions, and Workplace Hygiene. From basic janitorial and technical services to advanced multi-HVAC operations and sustainability initiatives, Compass Group tailors each service to the specific needs of different business sectors. When it comes to our support services, we encompass every aspect of the workplace environment and user experience.
As the CEO of the Support Services division, what is your vision for Compass Group India for next 5 years?
Over the next five years, our vision is to achieve substantial growth, aiming for a manifold increase in our offerings and significantly expanding our presence in major Indian cities and regions. The objective is not just to enter the market but to make a significant impact that exceeds the set benchmarks while aligning with our clients’ needs. Furthermore, we are keen on diversifying into industries such as data centres and pharmaceuticals, with a strong focus on sustainability and delivering unmatched expertise.
What practices has Compass Group India undertaken to integrate technology into support service operations?
Technology in today’s times is a prominent pillar of growth. From the facility management perspective, our idea is to use technology for not only convenience but also from a health and safety perspective. Compass Group India is dedicatedly putting in efforts to harness the power of robotics and cobotics (a combination of manual and robotic work) to elevate operational efficiency, optimise labour expenses, and elevate safety across tasks such as cleaning, lawn maintenance, and building facade inspections. We are also experimenting with drones, especially for the inspection of building facades. These drones go into plumbing and electrical shafts where earlier human beings used to risk their lives to identify the issue.
Compass Group India has also acquired a majority stake in an online food-tech startup, SmartQ, which provides digital services for cafeteria management. Our facility management platform tool, known as Saarthi-FX, helps in efficient service delivery while enhancing the user experience. These integrated tools collectively create a streamlined, safe, and enjoyable experience for clients and consumers.
With special emphasis on ‘Sustainability’ on both Indian and Global websites of the Compass Group, could you please shed some light on the specific Sustainability Initiatives implemented by Compass Group Support Services division to reduce its ecological footprint and promote sustainability?
Leading with purpose in food and support services, we deeply care about nourishing communities, health, and sustainability for a better world. We have taken a multifaceted approach towards sustainability to be a brand that resonates with Indian values while maintaining our global identity.
We are leveraging innovative technology solutions to drastically reduce food waste and are repurposing food waste by using vegetable peels to make chips, nutritious dips, and pumpkin pulp to make desserts. Food waste that cannot be repurposed is efficiently converted into nutrient-rich manure for landscaping. We also go beyond our immediate operations. For instance, when we are not directly managing food services on a site, we explore opportunities to utilise wet waste for biogas production. Additionally, we are actively collaborating with suppliers to minimise the use of single-use plastics, which is a critical step towards environmental conservation. We are also working closely with suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers to ensure that our supply chain reflects our commitment to respecting and caring for people, animals, and the planet.
Within our facilities, we have implemented water-saving measures, such as aerators in taps, to optimise water consumption. We use biodegradable waste management products to minimise our ecological footprint. We are mindful of our environmental impact by using green seal chemicals that cause minimal harm to the environment. In addition, we employ housekeeping equipment that conserves water and electricity and features a zero decibel level to avoid noise pollution. Our commitment to sustainability extends to harnessing solutions for solar and wind energy to generate electricity. We also harvest rainwater and water in the atmosphere to produce drinking water. We manage zero liquid discharge facilities and prioritise paperless sites, implementing digital solutions to further strengthen our sustainability goals. These innovative strategies align with our sustainability objectives and also contribute to a cleaner, greener future.
What are the challenges faced by the support services especially in times when the workforce has drastically reduced in offices and what measures has Compass Group India taken to combat those issues?
The landscape of support services has evolved, presenting unique challenges, particularly during times when office workforces have experienced significant reductions. Key challenges include adhering to strict regulations, combating labour shortages, managing supply chain disruptions, navigating fluctuating ingredient costs, and staying updated with evolving technology. In the post-pandemic era, an additional challenge is to create an office environment that fosters a sense of belonging and productivity among employees. It is essential to make the employees feel absolutely at home in an office environment and get them to perform at their very best.
To address the challenges, we are continuously refining our operations to meet evolving regulations and ensure workplace safety. To mitigate labour shortages, we are investing in upskilling our workforce and implementing technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency. It makes us a little less dependent on labour, and at the same time, it helps us to differentiate in the marketplace in terms of the solutions that we bring to the table. Furthermore, we work closely with suppliers and logistics partners to navigate disruptions and manage costs effectively. In response to the need for an inviting office environment, we have reimagined our services to align with the changing dynamics of the workplace. Adapting to these challenges requires agility, innovation, and a deep commitment to providing exemplary support services, and Compass Group India is at the forefront of these efforts.
The Support Services industry is actually known for its diverse range of offerings. Can you share some key areas where Compass Group excels and how do you differentiate yourselves from the competitors in this space?
Compass Group’s success in the support services industry can be attributed to our unwavering commitment to creating a happier, healthier, and sustainable world every day. Our key differentiator lies in our sector-focused expertise. We excel at delivering bespoke culinary solutions and tailored facility management services designed to meet the unique needs of our clients.
With a long-standing presence in the industry, Compass Group India brings unparalleled experience, global best practices, and cutting-edge innovations to our clients. We pride ourselves on our consultative approach, working closely with clients from the initial planning stages to successful implementation. Our pursuit of excellence in all our operations and our dedication to delivering impeccable services further set us apart from our competitors. We believe in continuously raising the bar to meet the evolving needs and expectations of our clients in the support services space.
