New firm Assured Quality Facilities Management (AQFM) has opened for business.With more than half a century of experience between them, Ross Smith and Allan Doughty teamed up to start the buildings and facilities management operation.“We saw some gaps in the marketplace, and the principal gap was a facilities company in Bermuda that was totally client-focused,” said Mr Doughty.“That is our bedrock principal.”Each of the two men have about 30 years experience. Mr Doughty was in the field of occupational health and safety, while Mr Smith has been a facilities manager for some of Bermuda’s largest office buildings.Mr Smith, the new company’s president, is a member of the Institute of Facilities Managers and began his career as an electrician, ultimately becoming an electrical mechanic. He was a facilities manager for more than 12 years, five of which were managing the facilities of large financial institutions.Allan Doughty’s focus has been on occupational safety and health (OSH). As an occupational safety, health and environmental consultant, he has conducted OSH risk assessments for a number of facilities in the areas of telecommunications and petroleum operations, both in Bermuda and the Caribbean, as well as implementing safety management systems for several large institutions, and OSH audits for a number of local companies.The partners are aware they are opening their business during an economic downturn. “We are at the bottom of the cycle,” said Mr Doughty. “Which is not a bad place to start.”Today, building owners are exploring the option of outsourcing their facilities management as a cost-saving measure. “Everybody is looking at the bottom line — they are forced to in the economic conditions in which we live.“Everyone is looking for a return on their investment — and anyone dealing with a client has to be able to address that need.”And although AQFM are new, they already have a book of accounts.AQFM’s services include both commercial and residential facilities management. They provide regulatory compliance inspections and reporting and emergency evacuation procedures and drills. Other services include spatial planning, project management, occupational health and safety compliance and ongoing maintenance.AQFM explains they are “ ... a Facilities Management Company (and) we pride ourselves on our wide offering of superior facilities management services and all that it entails. We were formed out of the need of building owners having difficulty adequately maintaining their own buildings without the proper knowledge of local regulatory compliance codes and manufacturer’s standards, as well as the expertise needed to meet them.“AQFM is a facilities company that is branded in the principle of providing a higher level of service and quality to our clients. We are a company whose slogan is: ‘Where all facilities needs are met and the quality is assured.’ This isn’t just our slogan, it is who we are.”For more information call 292-2238, or e-mail AQFM@tbinet.bm