Marna van der Walt, CEO of Excellerate Property Services, says the move is exactly the kind of business-boosting strategic property decision they would advise their own clients.
Bringing around 850 people from its various businesses under one roof, Excellerate Property Services is consolidating into new Johannesburg headquarters.
“Excellerate on Summit” is at 3A Summit Road in Dunkeld West, and is co-owned by Sanlam and Excellerate Holdings Limited, the holding company of Excellerate Property Services.
The approximately 8500 m2 building rentable area of the office park is large enough to house all Excellerate’s companies based in Johannesburg. This includes JHI Property Services, Excellerate Facility Management, Excellerate Valuations & Advisory, Enforce Security, Interpark, Sterikleen, Eradico Pest Services, Katanga, Fresh Canteen, Chattels Event Management, Green Machine, Kgodisa Training Academy, First Technical, Syenap Properties, Y-Zone and Creative Tension.
Marna van der Walt, CEO of Excellerate Property Services, says this move is exactly the kind of business-boosting strategic property decision they would advise their own clients to make in similar situations.
Van der Walt believes that, in a market where businesses are seeking ways to be both more efficient and more productive, the advent of large corporate headquarters, which bring together multiple companies or divisions, is on the rise. Recent and current examples of this include PwC, Sasol, EY and Discovery.
“Apart from the obvious rent savings achieved when moving from multiple buildings to a single base, it can also be a strategic leap forward that strengthens communications and processes between companies. In our case, it positions Excellerate to work as a true one-stop property services shop, in every sense,” she says.
“It’s good for our bottom line and improves our performance. Under one roof, we can put our heads together and deliver the quality, innovative cost-effective integrated property solutions we promise our clients. ”
Excellerate is pioneering fully integrated, self-performing property solutions in Africa. “Group synergies play an important part in delivering the best results to our clients,” says van der Walt. “By consolidating our operations in a single location, we’re able to work together better and unlock even more value and opportunities.”
Besides being a hub for Excellerate’s businesses, its new headquarters enhance accessibility, integration of group strategy and innovation. It has also opened new possibilities, like moving towards a joint operational services and control room.
Importantly, Excellerate’s new headquarters were also selected with the well-being of its staff in mind.
“The park-like environment will bring our people closer to nature, with green open spaces to relax and recharge in. These great, green views help create a healthy working environment that boosts creativity and inspiration,” says van der Walt.
Excellerate on Summit has its own coffee shop, an on-site gym, is accessible to transport and benefits from nearby retail and banking facilities. It also features a secure data centre and backup power supply.
Van der Walt adds: “Quality corporate headquarters also support good business by helping to attract and keep talent at a company, driving productivity and profitability.”
Excellerate is already fully operational from its new headquarters and the last businesses will be settled in by 1 June 2015.
