MANILA, Philippines — Facilities Managers, Inc., an affiliate of U-BIX Corporation, celebrated its 15th anniversary Friday confident of strong business growth ahead by building on gains it has achieved when it started with just a handful of employees to a 4,000-manpower complement now.

Established in 1996, FMI, which is the master franchisee of America’s ServiceMaster in the Philippines, started humbly as a janitorial and housekeeping services network.

It has expanded quickly to property restoration arising from disasters, grounds care and landscaping, facility operations and maintenance, pest control, and housekeeping and office services, among other services.

The FMI board of directors, officials and staff were joined at the celebration by its foreign partner headed by Ralph Odman, President-International of Service Master Clean, and Bisher Mufti, President of Service Master and Vice President of Aramark Service Master.

US Commercial Attaché to the Philippines Ms. Tyrena Holley, was the special guest of honor at the celebration held at the Ayala Museum.

“Through sheer hard work anchored on high and excellent ratings satisfaction, FMI has mushroomed to 133 accounts nationwide – servicing banks, hospitals, learning institutions, financial establishments, embassies, manufacturing companies and other entities engaged in BPO,” FMI Chairman Atty. Edilberto B. Bravo pointed out.

The management team composed of Col. Demosthenes C. Doployna, managing director; Emily R. Gepilano, deputy managing director, and Teresita E. Parungao, assistant general manager, is helping Bravo operate the service company.

It has recently added a roster of big corporate clients to its clientele. Among them are Texas Instruments in Baguio and Clark, Convergys facilities nationwide, the BPO facilities of JPMorgan Chase, Insular corporate headquarters in Alabang, and a number of big banks.

It also expanded into janitorial and custodial services for hospitals, with the Makati Medical Center and Asian Hospital as its first customers. It is talking to Cardinal Santos Hospital also. Bravo said MMC also certified FMI to undertake “clean-room” maintenance on delicate facilities like operating rooms and ICU confinement.

In terms of revenue growth, Bravo said FMI is confident of achieving its P1-billion target by 2013, after attaining P550 million to P600 million this year.

Bravo told a press confernce his company is looking at expanding its franchising to central and western Visayas as well as Mindanao were growth potentials are deemed to be “promising.

In 2003, FMI was certified ISO 9001-2000 for quality management system. It was re-certified in 2009.

“We are grateful to all our partners, customers and friends who continue to believe in our capabilities to deliver services and exceed their service expectations. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we take this opportunity to publicly declare our strong commitment to quality service befitting a world-class company that Facilities Managers Inc. represents.”

“Congratulations are in order to the men and women of FMI,” said Bravo, “who, through their persistence, dedication, and continuing quest for excellence, have expanded the business into heights beyond our expectations. We couldn’t thank them enough,” Bravo said.

In his message, President Aquino said, “FMI’s dedication to abide by the standards of excellence and professionalism has contributed significantly to job-generation, to the improvement of our local industries, and, ultimately, to nation-building. Through your commitment to providing reliable and efficient outsourcing services, you have helped boost the success both of your employees and of your various clients. I wish you continued success and we look forward to a strengthened partnership with you.”