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.
The 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.
“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,” says Councillor Simpson.
Auckland Council Group Chief Financial Officer Peter Gudsell says, 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.
“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,” says Mr Gudsell.
Glenn Thompson, Managing Director and Group CEO at Programmed, says that, “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.”
Dr Claudia Wyss, Auckland Council’s Director of Customer and Community Services, acknowledges the contribution of the AIM Services team to her directorate and the council whānau.
“We would like to thank the AIM Services team for their excellent contribution to our communities for many years, and look forward to their ongoing work with the council as part of their new parent organisation,” says Dr Wyss.
Programmed intends 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.
The sale and purchase agreement for the sale of the council-owned maintenance services business unit was signed on Friday 10 December 2021 and the council and Programmed will now embark 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.
Horticultural services at Pukekawa Auckland Domain (The Wintergarden and nurseries) will continue to be delivered by the council.
- AIM Services currently provides full facility maintenance services for the Albert-Eden, Aotea Great Barrier, Puketāpapa, Waiheke and Whau local board areas.
- The sale excludes horticultural services for Pukekawa Auckland Domain (e.g. The Wintergarden and nurseries).
- Maintenance services for Aotea Great Barrier and Waiheke Island are included in the sale as no viable alternative could be identified during the sale process – this was worked through extensively with potential purchasers. Additional arrangements are in place for waste services on Waiheke.
- Chamberlain Park maintenance and golf course operation will be included in the sale, under a one-year contract to allow for the procurement of a specialist golf course operator.
