Energy efficiency, decarbonization and digital technology, the new deal for multi-technology

The multi-technical services market is attractive in more ways than one. The outsourcing of technical equipment maintenance by the majority of companies has created a vast playing field for specialized service providers, estimated at more than 18 billion euros in 2023 according to Les Échos Études. This activity, although less exposed to economic cycles than installation work and often displaying more comfortable margins, remains under pressure. Service providers are subject to strong price pressure weighing on their profitability, even though they must make increasingly large investments to meet the challenges of energy performance of buildings and the well-being of occupants.

Focus on predictive maintenance

Energy efficiency is now a central pillar of the maintenance offer. Driven by the recent energy crisis, clients are stepping up their investments to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. But this trend goes beyond simply reducing consumption: it now includes ambitious commitments in terms of decarbonization and carbon neutrality, particularly under the impetus of the Tertiary Decree. Services are thus evolving to integrate explicit objectives for reducing CO₂ emissions, with solutions based on renewable energies, infrastructure renovation and digitalization. Among the promising innovations, the low-carbon performance contract (CPBC) is starting to make headway and could become a new standard in the medium term. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies – artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) – it is becoming possible to centralize data, optimize the management of installations and anticipate failures thanks to predictive maintenance. Although some solutions, such as digital twins, are still in the experimental phase, they are already redefining the contours of services and also contracts, with integrated performance guarantees.

Between consolidation and new ambitions

This rapid market change is pushing service providers to broaden their scope of action by developing global offers. The management of multi-site, multi-trade and multi-activity contracts is becoming a key asset in meeting the new challenges of building operation. In this context, the maintenance of technical installations is positioned as a strategic lever, contributing both to the valuation of real estate assets and the improvement of the working environment. External growth is the preferred means for all players to acquire/strengthen their business skills and extend their geographical network, in a context of shortage of qualified technicians. In a hyper-fragmented French market, the major maneuvers are not over. In the medium term, several competitive dynamics are expected to transform the landscape. The multi-technical majors – Vinci Facilities, Engie Solutions, SPIE and Equans –, with their technological mastery and their ability to manage complex contracts, are expected to strengthen their leadership. But these players must also deal with increased competition in more accessible segments, where dynamic challengers are gaining ground. Some multiservice players, after reorganization phases, could also come back with reinforced strategies. Finally, start-ups like Deepki are shaking up the market thanks to innovative solutions adapted to new challenges. Although their operational power remains limited, their agility and expertise make them attractive partners… and potential targets for large groups.

€18,3 billion: The size of the VLADGRIN multi-technical maintenance market (Source: Les Echos Études, market estimate for 2023)

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.