SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Sodexo is best known for its food services, but we also provide facility services and facility management to more than 700 customer sites throughout North America. To further support these customers and help them conserve energy and reduce operating costs, Sodexo is introducing Energy and Construction Services.  We talked with Jason Richards and Phil Rogers, two executives who are leading the development of this new service and teaming up with our client segments to bring the offer to life.

What kind of services will you be offering?

Jason Richards:

This new offer will comprise a wide range of energy and construction services and solutions, including energy efficiency projects, monitoring and utility management, with sustainability running throughout all we do.

Our Energy Efficiency Projects range from energy audits, where we identify economic opportunities for improving energy efficiency, to remote energy use monitoring and reporting, where we interface with the building’s automation software to correct any operational issues.

With Monitoring and Utility Management we basically provide 24/7 support and consultation for utility bill management to ensure clients get the best rates. We measure against benchmarks of utility data and rates, consult on utility incentives and grant programs, and assist with procurement and supplier identification.

We also provide assistance with Energy Star and LEED certification, and can help customers investigate and pursue emerging technologies and renewable energy sources such as fuel cells, solar, wind and biofuels.

And why would someone choose Sodexo to deliver these services?

Phil Rogers:

It’s our understanding of clients that makes us unique. Sodexo is constantly looking for ways to help clients succeed — to save money, improve environmental performance and enhance quality of daily life. These elements of continuous improvement are important to our clients and a part of the ethos of our company.

This is why we have designed (and will be delivering and managing) this set of strategic energy management solutions. These services are really just extensions of the way we have been managing facilities for our existing clients across North America.

Jason Richards:

Also, our services are tailored to the specific client’s needs. Our energy solutions can be hand-picked and customized to help clients achieve their specific economic and environmental goals. These facility-related services allow clients to concentrate on creating a positive customer experience, day in and day out.

Isn’t Sodexo a food service company? Why is Sodexo offering energy management solutions?

Jason Richards:

While many people recognize Sodexo for our food services, we actually deliver a much broader range of services. We are already helping many of our 6,000 clients address their energy challenges.

We’re not moving into a new business, but making a more complete range of services available to the entire Sodexo base of customers.  We will continue to implement energy efficiency projects wherever we operate. What’s new is that we’re moving from individual projects to a broader, more comprehensive approach.

Phil Rogers:

That’s right. Sodexo serves customers in markets where energy use is intensive, such as in commercial kitchens, health care facilities and hospitals, and data centers.  Additionally, energy demand and volatility are increasing nationally, so the market for energy efficiency services is growing.

Anyone can offer reduced energy consumption, but we offer state-of-the-art, technical and technology-based solutions with sound operation monitoring and operating cost reductions in mind.  Clients in deregulated energy markets will find our management tools critical in getting them the best possible energy approach when energy prices climb.

What’s unique about Sodexo’s offer?

Phil Rogers:

The Comprehensive Energy Management Solution is holistic, yet tailored. It is truly comprehensive with a very broad spectrum of services.  

Jason Richards:

And beyond the flexibility of the offering, Sodexo represents a trusted relationship.  We’ve been with many of our clients for 20 to 30 years.  We’ve got a vested interest in our clients’ business successes, and helping them reduce operating expenses is an extension of our trusted relationship. We’re not tied to the energy industry or its technology, so our recommendations are impartial and objective with our customers’ interest in mind. Our clients appreciate and respect this.

What does this new offering mean for Sodexo?

Phil Rogers:

The launch of Energy and Construction Services is a great opportunity for our company. We will continue to provide great food service to our clients, but see a significant growth opportunity in the other services we can provide, especially the facilities services and energy services. Sodexo is much more than a provider of a single service.  Our goal is to support our clients in meeting their business and sustainability goals.  That can mean operating their highly visible food service, providing initiatives that help them motivate employees, or ensuring that they are maximizing their energy and environmental performance.  I think it’s this approach that will help Sodexo grow as a business while building on many of the good things we are already doing for our clients.

And besides, it’s good for the environment and improves the quality of daily life for the millions of people we serve each day. We’re making the world a better place and securing a better tomorrow for our clients and our company.

For more information, call our dedicated energy hotline on 1-855-SodexoE (or 1-855-763-3963) and speak to one of our on-site facilities teams, which are backed by energy and construction project subject matter experts, including Certified Energy Managers, Professional Engineers and LEED AP professionals, who can help design the right solutions to meet our clients’ diverse needs.