Utility company optimizes space to free up focus

With 3.8 million customers, this electric utility company is the largest electric company in Illinois. The client sought JLL for their similar business values and ability to best serve the Chicago-land area. The client enlisted JLL to deliver: transparency to their Facilities Management (FM) delivery due to local regulations and responsibilities, Occupancy Planning (OP) solutions and overall operational reliability.

JLL provided innovative technology and tools, transparency and reliability to the partnership to allow the client to refocus on their core business.

Transparency to their FM delivery

• JLL’s advanced technology and tools, 360 OneView and BI Dashboard, brought transparency to the client’s FM practice and presented sophisticated data and statistics in formats that gave leadership an unobstructed view of the portfolio.
• JLL’s differentiating transformation process provided transparency by assessing and evaluating SLAs and KPIs to ensure operational goals were continually met or exceeded.
• JLL’s operational and technical expertise identified operating risks and improved reliability either through better preventative maintenance or replacement if necessary. Specific examples include improving HVAC and lighting to ensure system performance and occupancy comfort.
• JLL’s project management team is in the process of building a state-of-the-art training center to solve the problem of the aging workforce in utilities companies by implementing quality training programs for new hires. It also serves to meet the goal of attracting and retaining millennial talent. JLL partnered with the client and the city of Chicago to integrate utilities training within public schools curriculum.

Occupancy Planning

• Early on with deregulation, JLL helped the client with master planning of their occupancy platform in Northern Illinois. The cost and quality of 63 owned and leased assets totaling 4 million s.f. were analyzed.
• Underutilized assets were considered for consolidation or disposition and detailed recommendations for occupancy solutions complimenting the client’s business objectives were made. JLL analyzed the client’s office administration buildings, and looked at options to densify their existing portfolio, and determine if additional spaces were needed.

• Client stated JLL understands the criticality of their business and views JLL as an important partner in managing risk.
• Expected to perform on budget on a monthly basis. Provided reliability by continually coming within 1% or 2% of budget.
• Improved health and safety through engineer engagement during weekly and quarterly face-to-face training. Also, in the process of implementing JLL’s behavioral-based safety training.
• Project management team is working toward creating more innovative workplaces and training centers to attract new talent.
• Performed data validations at 15 office buildings, totaling over 1.5 million SF.
• Accommodated additional 400+ headcount that was hired within one year – due to densification in existing sites, as well as leasing an additional 40k in space (to accommodate ~230 HC).
• Customer satisfaction score consistently above 90%.

Key Facts and Figures

• Scope of Services: Facilities Management, Occupancy Planning, Project Management
• Geographies: Americas
• Portfolio Size: 3 million sq.ft.
• Client Since: 2005, FM in 2014