B+N Referencia Zrt. is the sole player in the domestic FM sector with an in-house R&D department. By developing technological solutions for a safer future as a market-leader in the CEE Region, the company is shaping not only the Hungarian, but also the regional industrial landscape.
Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi: „I am convinced that technological innovation has an increasingly important role in this traditional sector”
B+N Referencia Zrt. is the only facility management company in Hungary with a research and development (R&D) department. The department was set up several years ago and today a team of 25 highly qualified employees are working there. “It’s no exaggeration to say that through their work, we are shaping the future of the facility management sector, in line with the ‘Industry 4.0’ philosophy. In addition to our day-to-day operations, we are also ensuring the continuous improvement of our services. I am convinced that technological innovation has an increasingly important role in this traditional sector” – fmnewsroom quotes Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi.
Workig on a technological breakthrough preventing epidemics
Technological innovations by this department are now available to the entire international group. These include the autonomous industrial cleaning robot ROBIN, launched in 2019, and the mobile UV disinfection device developed in 2020. “In the near future, a revolutionary technological breakthrough, metagenomic analysis and prediction, will enable us to detect pathogens on different surfaces. This method will allow rapid detection of infectious colonies and prevent a possible epidemic. This unique development will drastically reduce the risk of infection in hospitals and increase patient safety while in the workplace, it protects the health and safety of workers” – the CEO tells Diplomacy&Trade.
Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi
Market leader in the CEE region – Synergies and cost efficiency
The company became a regional FM provider in 2021 and is now present in seven countries. According to Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi, the international expansion was a logical continuation of the company’s market leadership position at home. In 2021, B+N Zrt. acquired the ISS Group’s interests in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Slovenia and Hungary. This was followed by the acquisition of INWEMER in Poland in January 2022. In September 2022 the company entered the Bulgarian market as well. “We have 100% ownership of our local companies in all countries. With these steps, we are the market leader with full coverage of the Central European region. With nearly 21,000 employees, we cover 16.5 million square meters of space.”
Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi adds that being present in international markets means continuous learning and knowledge transfer. “We have successfully integrated the acquired companies into our company. We have developed a coherent strategy and harmonized day-to-day operations. Our size, which is now also significant at the European level, and our broad service portfolio offer our clients a number of advantages. Our synergies and cost efficiency give us a strong competitive advantage in all markets.”