PETALING JAYA (May 25): Assets solutions entity UEM Edgenta Bhd has reorganised its corporate structure to create greater cross-functional efficiencies and deliver positive financial results in the long run.

This was done via the streamlining of its services into three core offerings, namely consultancy, services and solutions, which are involved in four key sectors comprising healthcare, infrastructure, real estate and water.

The business realignment is part of the group's effort to further showcase itself as a 'total asset solutions' company, said UEM Edgenta managing director and chief executive officer Azmir Merican, with strategy will provide greater clarity to current and potential customers on its expertise and end-to-end services.

"The main focus for us is to lift operational and organisational capabilities because we are not just present in Malaysia," Azmir told reporters after the group's annual general meeting today.

UEM Edgenta is now present in 12 countries, including Singapore and Taiwan, which it entered via its acquisition of Asia Integrated Facility Solutions Pte Ltd, which indirectly owns UEMS Pte Ltd.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 (1QFY17), the group's net profit rose 33% to RM27.28 million from RM20.49 million a year ago, as revenue expanded 18% to RM769.02 million from RM651.82 million.

On outlook, Azmir said the healthcare and asset consultancy businesses are expected to continue to perform well. Asset consultancy contributed 52% to the group's overall revenue in FY16, compared with 49% in FY15.

As for the healthcare business, Azmir said: "We will definitely grow our healthcare space, not just in Malaysia but in Singapore and Taiwan as well. With [the incorporation of UEMS], we added 90 more hospitals to our name to make it 170 hospitals. And yes, we are optimistic about growing the number of hospitals we can service."

Meanwhile, on plans to extend its footprint beyond existing markets, UEM Edgenta chairman Amir Hamzah Azizan said business expansion can only be done if "our bases are strong", though he noted that there are still untapped business opportunities in Singapore.

"If you look at our financial figures, 52% of overall revenue comes from Malaysia... But before we dream big about going to other places, we need to make sure our bases are strong first. Having a firm base is better than scattering ourselves everywhere," said Amir.

The same is true for its aspiration to grow its business in Malaysia beyond the Iskandar region in Johor — where it is now managing 20 residential and commercial buildings in Iskandar Puteri.

"We are talking to several developers in Johor, it's a natural thing to do since we started in Iskandar. But we're very much focused on Medini and Iskandar Puteri. We might go into the Klang Valley but this would probably be in the medium- and longer-term as we must establish ourselves strongly first [especially] in Iskandar Puteri," Azmir said.