In the Real Estate Services business segment, Investis pursues two activities throughout Switzerland: Property Management and Facility Services. Being among the leaders in the sector, the Group companies seek to develop forward-looking services that focus on maintaining the value of the properties and customers’ quality of life. This business segment generated revenues of CHF 182 million in 2023, with an EBIT margin of 9.9%. 

Property Management witnessed a slight decline in revenue to CHF 59.2 million, rents under management came to CHF 1.53 billion.
Facility Services achieved revenue of CHF 123 million, a rise of 8.5%.

The segment thus contributes around 40% of the Group’s EBITDA before revaluation/disposals. The segment focuses on high-quality services and organic revenue growth with EBIT-margin consolidation as well as a further push on digitalisation.

Property Management

The residential real estate sector has continued to exhibit positive growth for property owners, with very low vacancy rates. However, in the commercial property sector, there has been a decline in demand due to the bleak economic outlook coupled with the rise in flexible working models and employees’ home offices. This has caused additional expenses and reduced fees, as they are closely tied to the rented space.

Privera has successfully implemented the introduction of Garaio REM, establishing itself as a trailblazer among other providers. It is the foremost national real estate management company to possess contemporary real estate software. In the forthcoming years, it can now intentionally concentrate on process digitalisation and automation. With the new core system and the potential for further development, Privera anticipates sustainable growth from 2024.

With the appointment of new members to the extended management team, Privera is bolstering its operational areas. The company aims to broaden customer trust, enhance market reputation and prioritise the integration of artificial intelligence solutions into its portfolio. Initial projects are already underway and will be executed by 2024. Collaborative efforts and inter-group exchange expertise are crucial. Strengthened internal networking among employees will enable better cross-selling opportunities to be realised.

FACILITY SERVICES

The main brands active in Facility Services are Hauswartprofis/Conciergepro, Home Service, Rohr , Analysis^LAB, and Aatest.

In the 2023 business year, it was evident that the trend of digitalisation in the facility services sector was gaining momentum. Owing to market conditions, there is an increased expectation for optimising and streamlining work processes through technological advancements. Hauswartprofis has taken several initiatives to meet this expectation and to gain a competitive edge by creating distinctive advantages. The market environment resembled that pre-pandemic. It was met with elevated price pressure and a demand for improved efficiency. Since the year 2022, inflation rose significantly, but only a limited amount of it could be transferred to the customers. As a strategic solution, Hauswartprofis implemented digitised administrative processes, which included ticketing systems, automated notifications and robotics.

The medium-term corporate strategy is geared towards the expansion of customer relationships and loyalty. Hauswartprofis offers significant value by systematically preparing and providing FS property data. The growing customer base can now directly access the CAFM (computer-aided facility management) system and benefit from the relevant data provided. Successful involvement in tenders have resulted in the growth of the customer base. This highlights the utmost professionalism demonstrated by Hauswartprofis.

Innovations were meticulously placed where they would produce the most significant outcomes. To illustrate, a novel bot was integrated that reduces multiple manual functions in the back office, yet enhances data consistency. Additionally, there was advancement in machinery, encompassing the launch of automated cleaners, and equipment for removing weeds and trimming hedges.

For the upcoming year, there will be a focus on advancing the digitisation of training measures, particularly through utilising video-based learning content. 

Home Service faced numerous challenges during the previous fiscal year. Alongside established providers, there has been a rise in smaller start-up competitors seeking customer attention through price undercutting. In response, the company has prioritised measures aimed at strengthening customer loyalty. Observations indicate that clients are now more attentive to visible service provision, posing questions regarding both price and services offered. Home Service had to accept elevated prices for consumables from our suppliers. This, in turn, resulted in increased pressure on margins. Additionally, the pandemic has raised awareness around quality – especially with regards to cleanliness, which has become a central concern in the context of condominium ownership.

Home Service sets itself apart from its competitors by providing tailor-made solutions. To address the margin pressure, the company plans to reinforce quality control at their properties. To cut costs, they will optimise the tours and area distributions, thus reducing the total number of kilometres driven. Additionally, there will be an increase in internal employee training. Home Service aims to expand its operating area, achieve more growth and achieve a higher density of properties. The success is evidenced by securing significant projects such as the “Lokstadt Winterthur” contract for 200 flats or the technical contract for the Avia Osterwalder Tower in Oerlikon.

The post-pandemic economic situation had an impact on the 2023 financial year. The rise in inflation prompted certain customers to reconsider, renegotiate or decrease their cleaning subscriptions. Rohr addressed this by expanding customer relations through key account management. → Additionally, sales initiatives were intensified in the new markets of Central Switzerland, Basel, Bern and French-speaking Switzerland. This resulted in a visible surge in the demand for specialised cleaning services (windows, facades, and basic cleaning). The supply chain for cleaning products improved, although energy expenses soared substantially, necessitating a reasonable cost alteration. Rohr is facing skilled labour shortages, making the recruitment of cleaning personnel progressively challenging. The exceptional loyalty levels are an outcome of the transparent culture of appreciation.

One result of the pandemic is the ongoing digitalisation of internal procedures, (particularly in administration and sales). Moving forward, the automation of processes will continue to be prioritised to improve service quality as well as eliminate errors and downtime. Sales programmes will concentrate on opportunities outside of the central market while still maintaining its importance. The management acknowledges the correlation between contented employees and enhanced customer satisfaction. Hence, specific strategies are being employed to uphold the staff. The revamp of IT infrastructure will also be a priority in the forthcoming year.

Sustainability is a must-have for customers and Rohr meets this requirement through ongoing electrification of the vehicle fleet, eco-friendly cleaning agents and transitioning from paper to digital processes. The company also focuses on the emerging sector of photovoltaic systems.

The financial year of 2023 saw two significant trends for Analysis^LAB. Firstly, a surge in demand for asbestos analysis due to the pent-up needs following the pandemic. Secondly, an increase in competition, especially in western Switzerland. Analysis^LAB tackled these trends by enhancing its association with market players via customised IT solutions that catered to their requirements, both on-site and administrative. The lab will continually enhance and broaden its research and development efforts in partnership with multiple collaborators. It proudly holds the position as Switzerland’s leading market player and expert in the identification and assessment of harmful substances in building materials and the atmosphere.

While we moved our headquarters to Biel/Bienne in Spring 2023, our core business continued uninterrupted. Effectively incorporating Aatest AG’s distinctive products into the system for administering orders, analyses, and reports proved to be a success.  Such an effort was essential to sustain multiple digitalisation initiatives.

In 2024, an internet platform dedicated to asbestos testing will be launched with the goal of streamlining order placement and automating the entire process until the customer receives the report. Analysis^LAB SA is currently prioritising the use of artificial intelligence for asbestos analysis in research and development in collaboration with a microscope manufacturer. Furthermore, building on the existing network with potential clients, the company aims to expand synergies with group companies.

The 2023 fiscal year witnessed a decrease in demand due to the pandemic. Although the order volumes in the beginning of the year were below the level of 2019, there has been a significant improvement since summer. Aatest has observed conspicuous rise in health-consciousness, resulting in an increase in inquiries about asbestos risks by tenants and property owners. Additionally, the escalating energy prices have influenced the construction industry. Aatest is facing a surge in demand due to the service portfolio’s appealing pricing. Our explicit goal is to be a desirable partner for minor conversion and renovation projects. Aatest has been able to grow its testing volume, even in a more fiercely competitive market, thanks to its high-quality services and expertise.

Aatest aims to introduce modern state-of-the-art and digital solutions for swift asbestos testing for private individuals and laypersons in the near future. In collaboration with the Analysis^LAB’s laboratories, Aatest caters to a wide range of services and therefore, can access all pertinent audience groups. The expertise of building pollutants affords synergistic benefits within the group and facilitates enhanced assistance for clients in the real estate industry.