AS THE robust growth of the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry continues to drive the economy of Cebu, KMC Solutions, a provider of flexible office space and co-working space, expanded its business in Cebu with a 970-seater space.
Riccardo Corsini, vice president for marketing and strategic partnership of KMC Solutions, said the potential in Cebu with its ecosystem of startups, entrepreneurs and established IT-BPM firms remain to be a driver of growth for office sub-segment – flexible workspace.
“We already had a good feel of Cebu for a while and there was more demand growing and a lot of clients, local, international or even based in Manila that really started to specifically ask for more space here,” he told SunStar Cebu.
KMC Solutions occupies the 16th and 17th floors of Skyrise 4B tower in Cebu IT Park. Corsini said each floor features co-working spaces, private offices, training rooms, breakout areas and large open event spaces for events and corporate functions.
“Ultimately, everyone can create office spaces where you work but it’s really the kind of environment that you’re able to create that makes a difference,” Corsini said. “It’s the kind of space that gives you a lot more freedom in terms of variety of office spaces,” he said.
KMC Solutions provides 24/7 onsite IT support.
In Cebu, Corsini identified the outsourcing industry as the biggest driver for office space demand and expansion of foreign brands that are moving to the country. More businesses are also gearing toward the idea of being more open in their working spaces as stakeholders are on their toes for the next big thing, especially in technology.
“It is being able to share the space with the likes of an industry shaker because it’s a way to mingle with innovation in the country,” Corsini said.
The flexibility and practicability of work spaces also appeal to firms because they get an overview of their costs and they manage their time against what their clients require of them, he added.
Founded in 2010, KMC Solutions is a pioneer in the Philippines’ co-working and flexible workspace industry and has experienced substantial growth since its inception. Today, KMC boasts of over 13,000 members across 36 office floors in 21 buildings throughout Metro Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.
Funding
Recently, the company announced that Association of Southeast Asian Nations Industrial Growth Fund has invested in KMC Solutions and has injected a new capital to drive the company’s rapid expansion throughout the Philippines. The funding will aid KMC Solutions in achieving its aggressive growth targets for 2019.
In a report by Colliers International, flexible workspace will see a 10 percent growth per year over the next three years in Manila as foreign and local operators have been expanding footprint.
Maricris Sarino-Joson, Colliers International Philippines director for office services, said second-tier cities like Cebu are attractive for workspace operators.
“Large flexible workspace operators should consider partnering with officials of second-tier cities that are viable outsourcing destinations. The project teams of outsourcing firms could start operating in co-working facilities in these cities where they could train college students who the IT-BPM could tap in the future. Among the most attractive second-tier cities for BPM operations are in Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Clark in Pampanga, Laguna and Davao,” she said. (JOB)