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City US Wins 2023 First Coast Healthiest Companies Platinum Award

May 4, 2023

City Facilities Management (US) LLC (City), the self-delivery retail expert in integrated facilities maintenance, building and engineering and sustainability, is proud to have earned the Platinum Level Award from the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council (FCWWC) for its best in class wellness programs. City is one of only 20 companies to receive the prestigious award this year. The FCWWC recognizes…

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2023 Facilities Management Trends

May 2, 2023

In the transition to a post-COVID world, the grocery store industry has its work cut out for itself. Not only are sales falling short of projections now that consumers are no longer confined to their homes, but unprecedented inflation, labor shortages, supply chain issues, and stricter net zero legislation bring additional challenges. This all adds up to increased pressure on…

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Low GWP Refrigerants: What Supermarkets Should Know

April 10, 2023

Those who can remember when depletion of the ozone layer by CFC refrigerants forced the US food retailing and other industries that require refrigeration to phase them out in the 1990s are likely experiencing déjà vu as food retailing and other industries make yet another transition to a whole new generation of refrigerants that are kinder to the environment. In…

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Smart Building Technologies for Grocery Stores: What Facilities Managers Should Know

March 13, 2023

Perhaps the hottest trend in facilities management, “smart” building technologies aren’t just on the rise — with the number of smart buildings expected to increase from 45 to 115 million over the course of 2022 to 2026, it’s clear smart building technology is being adopted at an accelerating rate. But where does the grocery industry stand in all of this?…

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Tech Talk

HVAC Licensure Versus Certification

January 23, 2023

The New Year has arrived, and with that comes those with resolutions of developing their careers and education over the next 12 months. If you’re a technician looking to break into or develop your career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field, trying to decide which path is the best for you can be complicated. In this month’s…

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Reactive Maintenance vs. Preventive Maintenance vs. Predictive Maintenance

January 18, 2023

In facilities management, maintenance can be said to fall into four main categories. While all of them have their place in an FM strategy, failure to maintain a proper balance by leaning too hard on reactive maintenance can be detrimental to a retail business. In addition to reducing operational capacity, it can result in higher maintenance costs, lower employee retention,…

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6 Elements of a Successful Preventive Maintenance Program

January 12, 2023

One of the biggest opportunities in the facilities management field today is without a doubt making the shift to a preventive maintenance model. Not only does an effective planned preventive maintenance program (or PM program, for short) result in significant savings in emergency maintenance repairs, but it also extends the life of equipment and boosts employee retention. As the Director…

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How to Manage a Convenience Store

January 10, 2023

While things are looking up for the convenience store industry now that we’re on the other side of the pandemic, there are still a number of challenges facing convenience store operators in 2023 and beyond — from high gas prices and unprecedented inflation to the rapidly evolving expectations of consumers and increasing competition as other business sectors try to meet…

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Outsourcing Facilities Management Pros & Cons

January 5, 2023

In a recent report, McKinsey revealed that outsourced facilities management services now make up more than half of the total FM market in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The researchers list several market trends that have made outsourcing a more viable option for facilities management. These include: Slowing economic growth in several large countries Global trade conflicts that…

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Blog

Winter Storm Preparation for Facilities Managers

December 22, 2022

Facilities leaders, get ready. Winter has barely started, and already it looks like it will live up to predictions for an eventful season with lots of snow, record-breaking cold temperatures, a few “significant weather disturbances” across the country, and an active storm pattern throughout the eastern half of the country. While retail facilities managers are certainly capable of a lot,…

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Blog

What Is Integrated Facilities Management?

December 20, 2022

According to McKinsey, outsourcing services now make up more than half of the total facilities management market in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Various models exist within the market, and not all facilities management solutions are created equal. The report goes on to say, “Companies that track emerging trends and invest in the right organizational capabilities will be…

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Tech Talk

What Separates a Good Technician From a Super One

December 15, 2022

There is no doubt that technicians juggle a lot. It doesn’t matter the day of the week or the time of the year, every day is just as busy as the last. Employees that excel are those who not only stay afloat in such busy times, but also develop the qualities that allow them to thrive. In this month’s Tech…

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Blog

Winter Checklist for Facilities Managers

December 13, 2022

Just as with anything in facilities management, when it comes to mitigating the impact of the winter season, taking a preventative approach is always the best — allowing facilities managers to avoid issues before they lead to costly repairs, customer issues, lost product, and threats to personal safety. We spoke with Brendan McGael, Snow Manager for City US and seasoned…

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4 Grocery Trends Facilities Management Leaders Should Know for 2023

December 8, 2022

With COVID-19’s impact on consumer habits and expectations, grocery retailers have had to make significant changes over the past three years, forcing facilities management leaders to adapt and innovate as needed. It turns out this was valuable experience — as we emerge into the post-pandemic era, it’s clear there are only more changes on the horizon for grocers in 2023 and…

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Blog

4 Grocery Shrink Reduction Strategies

December 6, 2022

From keeping up with the latest consumer expectations to managing net zero legislation standards, grocery retailers have enough challenges as it is threatening their profitability to let grocery shrink cut significantly into their bottom line. This makes shrink reduction increasingly critical for facilities managers in the grocery space. Keep reading to learn some of the most cutting-edge shrink reduction strategies…

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Must-Have Facility Management Software Tools

December 1, 2022

With technology evolving at a rapid pace, facilities management is quickly transforming into a less labor-intensive and more efficient industry. But with so much change and a confusing market for solutions, how do you know which facility management software is the right fit for your company’s needs? Keep reading for some insights into this hot topic. FM Software: The Challenges…

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Guide to Hiring a Facilities Management Company: 10 Things to Know

November 29, 2022

As a facilities leader, you understand better than anyone that choosing the right facilities provider or facilities management company for your organization is a high-stakes proposition. While budget pressures will push cost reduction high on your list of requirements, you know you don’t want lower pricing to come at the expense of quality, reliability, and staying competitive. You’re also aware…

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4 Convenience Store Trends to Grow Your Business in 2023

November 24, 2022

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s unique impact on convenience store retailers, it’s been difficult over the past couple of years to predict even the next quarter — let alone begin investing in long-term business strategies. But the industry has not only started to level out in 2022, it’s actually starting to look up, largely thanks to c-store operators’ willingness to innovate…

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Blog

5 Retail Construction Trends for 2023

November 22, 2022

Strategies that help brands adapt to rapidly changing customer behaviors and sustainability-driven market forces are at the forefront of the latest retail construction trends. “Retailers saw an acceleration of existing trends due to the pandemic and I think we’ll continue to see rapid change as a permanent characteristic of the market,” said Bill Lawrence, Vice President of Program Management at…

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Blog

IoT Solutions for Retail: What Facilities Leaders Should Know

November 17, 2022

The Internet of Things, or IoT for short, is a hot topic in the retail industry — and for good reason. By connecting devices and machines to the internet, IoT solutions for retailers can collect vast amounts of data that can be used to improve efficiency and make better decisions about everything from predictive equipment maintenance to customer experience.  How…

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Tech Talk

Vehicle Maintenance Tips for the Winter Months

November 17, 2022

The Winter season will be here before we know it, and there is no question that it is one of the busiest seasons for Facilities Maintenance (FM) companies. That’s why it’s important for technicians to ensure that all vehicles are in great condition for optimal safety and performance. With slippery roads and cold weather, Winter in all areas of the…

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Blog

3 Steps to Sustainable Refrigeration Management for Grocery Retailers

November 15, 2022

When it comes to sustainable refrigeration, natural refrigerants are attracting most of the attention. But while grocery and superstore retailers must work toward transitioning to natural refrigerants to meet stricter federal and state regulations, it’s an expensive and complex proposition that requires a long-term strategy.   Fortunately, there are additional actions grocers can take right now to make refrigeration more sustainable,…

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Blog

How to Create an Energy Management Plan in 7 Steps

November 1, 2022

As energy prices rise, business and facilities management leaders need an effective energy management plan to help minimize the impact on profitability. Depending on your industry and location, energy costs can take a significant chunk out of your bottom line. Moreover, businesses face increasing pressures from consumers and governments to reduce their impact on climate change by lowering their greenhouse…

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Tech Talk

How SOUNDTech+ is Changing the Game for Technicians

October 27, 2022

In August, City announced the introduction of SOUNDTech+ powered by DST, the City-branded ultrasound predictive maintenance tool. This technology is the first of its kind in the retail space utilized to extend equipment life and lower total costs for grocers and retailers, and City technicians have been quick on their feet in rolling the tool out to dozens of City’s…

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Refrigeration Rack

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Sustainability in Retail: 4 Trends to Jump On in 2023

October 25, 2022

It seems like only yesterday that American retailers were forced to make significant changes to the way they do business thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they’re about to see the retail landscape altered forever again: In light of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which offers (along with other historic legislation) uncapped tax credits for clean energy reform and has…

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Blog

3 Cost-Saving Benefits of Predictive Maintenance Technology

October 20, 2022

Can ultrasound technology, a type of predictive maintenance technology, really detect equipment failures before they happen? That’s the question City US facilities management leaders set out to answer recently when they conducted a series of grocery store pilots to test SOUNDTech+ ultrasound technology, the City branded predictive maintenance tool powered by DST. Based on the results of the 10-month pilot,…

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Blog

Retail Store Storm Recovery Best Practices

October 17, 2022

Massive power outages. Catastrophic flooding. Extreme heat and cold. U.S. homes and businesses suffered an estimated $169 billion in economic losses from both named and unnamed storms in 2021, according to the AON Weather, Climate and Catastrophe Report. The most recent five years (2017–2021) averaged nearly 18 weather disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion — compared to about 8…

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Blog

5 Ways to Boost Equipment Uptime and Protect Assets

October 13, 2022

Maintenance may not be sexy, but facilities management leaders know it’s the key to increasing uptime for critical assets and equipment — delivering savings straight to your company’s bottom line. To cut repair costs and avoid losing revenue when essential equipment goes down, savvy facilities managers can focus on these five steps below to maximize equipment uptime. What is equipment…

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News

City US Earns Best Company Compensation and Perks & Benefits Awards

October 12, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC is thrilled to have been awarded with two of Comparably’s Q3 2022 awards: Best Company Compensation and Best Company Perks & Benefits. Based off team member feedback and their sentiments on City’s total compensation package, perks and benefits, City was able to compete against 70,000 other large-sized qualified companies and rank amongst the best. We…

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Blog

Energy Case Study: Delivering Sustainable Energy Solutions

September 13, 2022

With 633 stores, fuel stations, offices and distribution centers, this supermarket retailer accounts for 0.3% of the UK’s total electricity consumption. Our collaborative approach to the design and delivery of sustainable facilities management actively supports their financial and sustainability goals. Together, we are reducing their costs, emissions and energy consumption. City have worked in partnership with the retailer for over…

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The Easiest Way for Grocers to Reduce Shrinkage

September 12, 2022

These days, grocery store owners are facing a slew of emerging challenges — like inflation, rising food prices, changing customer preferences, cyberthreats, new omnichannel competitors, and more. With so many factors impacting the bottom line, reducing product loss — also known as shrinkage — is increasingly important for grocers.  Read on to learn why inventory shrink harms grocery stores and…

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Tech Talk

“Growing” Up the City Ladder

August 30, 2022

Are you looking for a place where your aspirations and career goals are nurtured? At City, we offer a wide range of development opportunities and supportive leadership that guides our team members along their journeys, no matter their level or department. In this edition of Tech Talk, we take a deeper look at our Exterior Services Team (EST). Exterior Services…

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News

City Introduces Case Cleaning Offering

August 25, 2022

City Facilities Management (FL) LLC has enhanced its self-delivery model with its newest offering, case cleaning. Alongside its comprehensive FM services, this additional service delivers proven energy and operational benefits by cleaning the equipment to allow proper airflow, ensuring refrigeration cases will run optimally for City’s partner. The creation of this new service began after a discussion with City’s grocer…

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News

City US Partners with DST to Transform its Predictive Maintenance

August 16, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC, the self-delivery retail expert in integrated facilities maintenance, building and engineering and sustainability, has begun a long-term partnership with Discovery Sound Technology (DST), transforming preventative maintenance into predictive maintenance. The machine-learning ultrasound technology detects impending critical equipment failures, providing real-time data for City’s techs to find and repair equipment before it fails.   In addition, the…

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Blog

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Facilities Managers

July 19, 2022

(Updated June 2023) Flooding, structural damage, and fallen power lines are only a few of the potential risks retail stores can face in the event of a hurricane, leading not only to product and revenue losses but also the inability to provide essential items to the communities they serve. Even a small tropical storm can have devastating effects. However, by…

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News

City US Awarded Best CEOs for Diversity

July 13, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC is honored to have received the Best CEOs for Diversity award from Comparably in Q2 of 2022. Comparably award winners were determined from over 15 million ratings left on Comparably over the last 12-month period (June 24, 2021 through June 24, 2022) and compared against 70,000 other qualified large-sized companies. Comparably’s Best CEOs for Diversity…

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News

City US Launches the City Divercity Council

June 21, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC, the nation’s largest privately-held integrated facilities maintenance company, recently announced the launch of the City Diver“city” Council. The Divercity Council is a cross-functional grouping of team members from varying partnerships and job titles across the US business. The Council was created in response to a desire to strengthen company culture and efforts to advance diversity,…

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Tech Talk

Supporting Technician Wellbeing

June 14, 2022

There is no doubt that technicians in the field face all kinds of stressful situations in their day-to-day jobs, whether battling exhaustion, heat illness or any other number of risks. One of the most common issues technicians face is fatigue. Fatigue is the feeling of low energy and exhaustion that interferes with normal daily activities. The National Safety Council (NSC)…

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Tech Talk

How City Invests in Technician Development

May 30, 2022

At City, we are proud to be able to offer our unique self-delivery model with the highest level of service and quality for our customers. What we are most proud of; however, is our teams and their diverse skillsets. We have made it our mission to provide continual development opportunities and resources for our team members so that the sky…

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Looking Ahead After the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 12, 2022

As the world passes the second anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown, businesses are optimistic as they are starting to recover from the pandemic. While most regions have largely adjusted to living with, and now moving past, the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions continue to impact people and businesses in more ways than one. Like the majority of businesses, City…

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Empty grocery store aisle

News

City US Announces Michelle Rodriguez as EVP of People

May 3, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC announced today that Michelle Rodriguez has been promoted to the role of Executive Vice President of People. Formerly serving in the role of SVP of Expansion Strategy & People Culture for City FL, Rodriguez is responsible for the strategic leadership of all aspects of people operations. Rodriguez, who joined City in April of 2018, reports…

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Tech Talk

An Inside Look Into City’s World-Class Training Center

April 19, 2022

Many unique indicators make City stand apart from the rest. The unparalleled professionalism, quality, customer service and value we bring our partners around the globe are only a few of those indicators. Another is our world-class, on-site training center. For George Campbell, Head of Technical Services, starting a training center was no simple feat but was entirely worth it. Campbell,…

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News

City US Awarded Best Company Outlook and Best Operations Team

April 1, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC is honored to have received the Best Company Outlook and Best Operations Team Awards from Comparably in Q1 of 2022. Comparably award winners were determined from over 15 million ratings left on Comparably over a 12-month period (March 2021 – March 2022). City US was ranked in the top 50 and compared against 70,000 other…

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How City Tackles Your Snow Problem: The 2021-2022 Snow Season

March 29, 2022

Snowstorms can cause significant issues for stores, from widespread power outages to blocking entrances and exits to sheets of ice covering the parking lots. When sudden weather hits and stores are shut down behind inches of snow, it is up to the store’s maintenance team or vendor to help keep stores and their technology up and running. On average, the…

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Vehicles covered in snow

News

City US Welcomes Senior Leaders

March 28, 2022

City Facilities Management (US) LLC is excited to recognize the following Senior Leaders. Read below how each team member will be playing a pivotal role in the growth & development of our organization as City expands its presence to the West Coast. Andrew Atkinson has joined the City US team as President of West Coast Operations reporting to Paul Smith,…

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City FL Welcomes Back Home Office Teams

March 25, 2022

This week, City Facilities Management (FL) LLC welcomed back our teams as they returned to the Jacksonville home office. As with a majority of medium and large-sized businesses, most home office team members transitioned to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the office has been occupied only by team members on an as-needed basis since March of 2020….

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Coming Together: City’s Year Beginning Meeting 2022

March 21, 2022

City Facilities Management (FL) LLC welcomed over 350 leadership and various other team members in-person (and virtually) for the first time in two years for our annual Year Beginning Meeting (YBM) in Jacksonville, Florida. Day one of YBM (March 8th, 2022) kicked off with presentations from City’s Senior Leaders. These presentations highlighted and recognized our teams’ largest accomplishments in 2021….

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City Celebrates 2021 LDP Graduates

March 10, 2022

City Facilities Management is proud to make significant investments in team member development. On January 26th, 2022, City congratulated 18 new graduates of the Leadership Development Program (LDP). Through this robust program, City strives to encourage strong leadership skills and endeavors. Selected from a pool of over 150 leaders, the 18 graduates demonstrated outstanding individual contributions as well as an…

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News

City US Named Best Company For Women

February 25, 2022

We’re thrilled to celebrate that City Facilities Management (US) LLC won its first Comparably Award for Best Company for Women in Q4 of 2021! Comparably considered over 70,000 companies for each of its 5th Annual Best Places to Work Awards. Comparably placed City Facilities Management (US) LLC on its large companies list (more than 500 employees) for Best Companies for Women. I…

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Blog

Finding Short – And Long – Term Solutions for Managing Energy Costs

January 2, 2022

Even successful supermarkets, with a steady stream of customers every day and a reliable source of cash flow, have to work hard to make ends meet financially. The market is competitive, and costs are always high, so it can be extraordinarily difficult to consistently make a profit. A typical 40,000-square foot grocery store in the United States can spend over…

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3 Steps For Developing An Improved Energy Efficiency Strategy

December 27, 2021

For just about any organization, energy efficiency should be a key goal. The beauty of focusing on more efficient energy is that it benefits everyone involved – businesses can improve their budgeting strategies by cutting down on wasted resources, and Mother Earth will be appreciative as well, as reducing pollution is always a key objective. Better energy policy is a…

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