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Move will help Imdaad align its strategic priorities with the UAE's vision of becoming a global innovation hub
Dubai, UAE – In a move that heralds the facilities management (FM) industry’s shift towards an innovation-led future, Imdaad, a Dubai-based integrated facilities management solutions provider with a strong presence in the GCC, today announced plans to set up a dedicated Research and Development (R&D) department within its head office in Dubai.
The decision to establish an in-house R&D unit comes as part of Imdaad’s commitment to align its business with the UAE National Innovation Strategy 2021, which recognizes innovation and research as fundamental pillars of a knowledge-based, highly productive and competitive economy.
Jamal Abdulla Lootah, Group CEO of Imdaad, said, “With this strategic move, we take a significant step in making our business more self-sustaining by creating a culture of innovation that will give rise to new opportunities and enable us to shape the future of our industry keeping in mind the needs of our customers and the community at large. Imdaad is constantly looking to build its innovation capabilities, and having a dedicated R&D department will allow us to develop and rapidly bring to market breakthrough products and services that will catalyze our company’s growth and contribute to the overall advancement and growth of the FM industry in the region.”
He added, “The UAE has established itself as the innovation hub of the Middle East, and far-sighted government initiatives such as the National Innovation Strategy and Smart Dubai are set to propel the country into one of the most innovative nations in the world. As a homegrown Dubai-based business, Imdaad is committed to contributing to the UAE’s vision to use innovation as an engine for economic growth and social development.”
For the first year, Imdaad has committed to spending 3 percent of its revenue on setting up and developing a sustained R&D function, and the financial commitment will increase in later years depending on the business needs. The R&D activities will primarily be focused on three areas – engineering, business, and the environment – with water, renewable energy, fleet, services, and development of indigenous products identified as key areas of priority.
“Imdaad has outlined an ambitious goal of reaching AED 1 billion in revenue within the next three years. We also aim at being the first FM solutions provider in the region to have ownership of intellectual property in the form of patents and copyrights. By facilitating the incubation of innovative products that are made locally in Dubai, the R&D department will play an instrumental role in helping Imdaad achieve its strategic goals and making its business future-ready while positioning the company as an innovation champion that is aligned with the strategic direction of the UAE,” Lootah said.
The R&D team, which will function as part of the Marketing department in line with Imdaad’s strategy to ensure alignment of product development efforts with marketing priorities, will collaborate with fresh graduates and students from leading UAE universities, providing an opportunity for young talents, particularly UAE nationals, to develop their skills and gain hands-on research and product development experience. The Human Capital team at Imdaad, which is tasked with selecting and recruiting talented students from top universities, has established a roadmap for the training and development of the young recruits and interns, with an emphasis on how to identify existing and emerging problems and devise practical solutions to address these problems.
The R&D unit is envisioned as a profit center, and the Marketing department has established a set of metrics to measure its ROI (Return on Investment). The team will also conduct market research on an ongoing basis to identify issues and challenges in the Facilities Management business and understand the evolving needs of customers.
“Facilities management is an industry that is intricately linked to the entire built environment as it enfolds diverse aspects such as technology, safety, energy and sustainability, mechanical and electrical management, waste management and more. Innovations introduced in the FM industry, therefore, have the potential to make a significant impact in improving the living and working environment. Imdaad is taking the lead in moving the industry, and the broader ecosystem, toward an innovation-led future with the establishment of a dedicated R&D unit,” Lootah concluded.
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© Press Release 2017
