AIM Services, the Auckland Council-owned maintenance services business unit, has been sold to facilities management company Programmed.
The sale follows a robust evaluation process and marks the beginning of new and improved opportunities for AIM Services employees and the work programmes they manage, Council said in a statement today.
Council’s Finance and Performance Committee Chair, Desley Simpson says the sale of AIM Services was a bold move on behalf of the council but one that delivers many positive outcomes for Tāmaki Makaurau.
“The sale of AIM Services reflects the council’s commitment to delivering the services that Aucklanders need in the most efficient and effective way and delivering better value for money for ratepayers,” she said.
“We recognise that AIMS is performing well but with Auckland Council as its ‘parent’ organisation, it lacks scale to realise its full potential and to be cost effective compared to other service providers – a new owner will develop and grow the business while providing career opportunities for AIMS employees.
“This means continued high-quality maintenance services; the potential for innovation and improvement in those services over time; proceeds from the sale being returned to the council and cost savings for the council.”
Auckland Council Group Chief Financial Officer, Peter Gudsell said that throughout the negotiation process, Programmed demonstrated all of the qualities the council was looking for in a new owner for AIM Services and new employer for the council staff.
“In Programmed, we believe we have found an organisation that can take what AIM Services has built up over many years and do even greater things,” he said.
“While part of this process means we have to say goodbye to a team that is part of the Auckland Council whānau, we know that this is the right decision and one that will see the AIMS team offered professional and career development opportunities that the council doesn’t have the scope or expertise to provide.
“In return, we know we will see Programmed provide high levels of service for Auckland, under the existing facilities maintenance contract that it will continue to deliver.”
Managing Director and Group CEO at Programmed, Glenn Thompson said: “We are really pleased to welcome all the existing AIM Services staff to Programmed and to work closely with them on identifying a career growth path. Auckland Council and Programmed are value aligned organisations, and we are confident that AIM Services employees will benefit from this move.”
“The acquisition of AIM Services into Programmed, where we currently employ 2,800 people across New Zealand will strategically increase our business footprint in Auckland. And being able to continue to provide critical maintenance support to public areas, will boost our ability to support the employment outcomes for the local community.”
Mr Thompson said Programmed intended to offer all AIM Services staff roles on the same terms. In addition, Programmed has also offered to provide roles to the existing leadership and support teams, he said.
The sale and purchase agreement for the sale of the council-owned maintenance services business unit was signed on Friday 10 December, with Council and Programmed now embarking on a transition process for the transfer of the business.
“We expect the transition of AIM Services to Programmed to be complete by early April 2022. At that time we will also be in a position to publicly disclose the final sale price,” Council said in a statement.
