Cooperation between the city and property maintenance

Äänekoski's strategic partnership 

The city of Äänekoski and Äänekoski Kiinteistönhoito Oy have signed an agreement on close cooperation regarding the maintenance of properties and sports facilities, cleaning services, area maintenance, green services, courier and food transport, and security services. The goal of the strategic partnership operating model is to achieve cost efficiency and better services for residents.

The change in the operating method of property maintenance services started in 2021 based on the decision of the Äänekoski city council, when it was decided that Äänekoski Kiinteistönhoito Oy will provide services only for the city of Äänekoski. Based on this change, a strategic partnership operating model was tailored between the city of Äänekoski and Äänekoski Kiinteistönhoito Oy, which covered all support services that Äänekoski Kiinteistönhoito Oy provides to its owner. 

With the help of the strategic partnership operating model, considerable cost efficiency has been achieved and internal processes have developed in a better direction. 

Developing and improving services requires long-term work. The strategic partnership development process will continue in Äänekoski until the end of the council term until 2025 - but also after that, and it can be used as a model for other industries and other city activities as well. The strategic partnership operating model can also be utilized elsewhere in the municipal field.

The strategic partnership of the city of Äänekoski has attracted interest in other Finnish municipalities as well, and people from further afield have visited it. Äänekoski is also a pioneer in the development of cooperation with its subsidiary nationwide.

Strategic partnership in Äänekoski:

• Strategic partnership is an operating model based on strong trust and cooperation.
• The operating model has common goals and objectives.
• The partnership is managed by a joint organization, which is not a traditional hierarchical organization.
• A participatory operating model that takes into account even more users.
• The operating model of the strategic partnership is constantly being developed.
• The costs of a strategic partnership are already clear at the budget stage, so forecasting and budgeting is easier.

Cost effectiveness:

• The cost efficiency has been compared to the situation in 2020.
• Cost efficiency also takes into account the efficiency of processes and the resulting savings.
• In terms of property management, cost efficiency was achieved both through the streamlining of processes and the expansion of the contract.
• Property management was able to be produced 23% more efficiently than in 2020.
• In terms of the real estate management subcontract alone, the reduction in the number of invoices has calculatedly saved €54 during the first two years.
• The number of invoices has decreased because the contract is significantly broader than before. Previously, only the part of the property management was included in the contract, otherwise everything was invoiced separately, e.g. minor maintenance repairs and user services. For the entire partnership, 4400 fewer invoices were sent than in 2020.

Resident satisfaction:

• According to the city's resident survey 2023, the quality of the property management service and the satisfaction of the property users with the service is at a good level. In 2024, the results of the resident survey were also good. Read more here.
• However, the goal was better services, i.e. a commendable level, so that goal was not yet achieved.

You can give feedback on the services and help develop them through the feedback service of the city of Äänekoski: 

Feedback service of the city of Äänekoski

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Release 23.8.2024 February XNUMX: The joint effort of the city of Äänekoski and Kiinteistöhoido has brought savings of millions

Release 17.5.2024 February XNUMX: Annual inspections of playgrounds are currently underway

Release 13.5.2024 February XNUMX: According to the resident survey, people in Äänekoski are satisfied with the city's basic services

Release 5.7.2023 February XNUMX: Äänekoski's properties and green areas are managed with close cooperation and more cost-effectively than ever before

Presentation material 2023

Thesis, Erika Räihä (2023): A strategic partnership operating model as part of the development of real estate services

Contact persons:

City structure manager
Erika Räihä
040 762 3811
erika.raiha@aanekoski.fi

Branch manager
Riitta Tikkanen
040 167 9805
riitta.tikkanen@aanekoski.fi