Securitas AB

Infobox Company
company_name = Securitas AB
company_
company_type = Public (OMX|SSE401|SECU B)
foundation = 1934
location = Stockholm, Sweden
key_people = Melker Schörling (Chairman of the board), Alf Göransson (President and CEO)
industry = Security services
products = Alarms, guarding and cash handling services
revenue = SEK 62,908 million (2007)cite web |url=http://www.securitas.com/documents/en/AR_pdf/Annual_Report_2007.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-15 |publisher=Securitas]
net_income = profit SEK 526 million (2007)
num_employees= 231,500 (2007)
slogan = "Security solutions through people"
homepage = [http://www.securitas.com/en/ www.securitas.com]
intl = yes

Securitas AB is a Sweden-based security solutions (security guard) company. As one of the largest provider of security services in the world, the company has 230,000 employees in over 30 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Argentina. Securitas AB has service lines that include uniformed security officers, consulting and investigations, systems integration and cash-in-transit.

History

Securitas AB was founded in 1934 in Sweden. Since 1934 it has expanded and grown into various areas of the security business. This growth has come mainly from the acquisition of smaller companies, both domestically and internationally.

Securitas's business is promoted with three keywords, or "values" - "Integrity", "Vigilance", and "Helpfulness". These are symbolized by the three red circles in the company logo. In 2000, the company organized the group into "Security Services", which handles access control through manned guarding, i.e. stationary objects like receptions and visitor management; "Security Systems" which handles large alarm and surveillance systems; and "Cash Handling Services" which handle the transport, packaging, counting and storage of physical values such as cash and precious metals.

In 1999 Securitas acquired Pinkerton company and in 2001, Burns Security, both based in the United States. In 2003, these and several other American security companies were merged into a new company, Securitas Security Services USA. These acquisitions made Securitas one of the largest security companies in the world. Its world headquarters are currently in London.

As of 2007, several new companies have broken off the larger subgroups and operate largely on their own, answering only to the main headquarters. These changes in structure are still going on, but one major change is that Cash Handling Services have been renamed "Loomis", and this division is expected to be sold.

As of November 2007, the UK Cash Handling Service that had been renamed "Loomis" was taken over by HSBC and Barclays, and is now called "Vaultex UK Ltd". Loomis is still in operation as part of Securitas, but only in the Cash In Transit business.

Company profile

The Securitas Aktiebolag is a Swedish security solutions (security guard) company. It has 230,000 employees in over 30 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Argentina. The company which is now based in London has service lines that include uniformed security officers, consulting and investigations, systems integration and cash-in-transit.

In Switzerland, the group's company is called "Protectas AG", Securitas AG being a competitor. In Denmark, the group's company is called "Dansikring A/S". The company has made it a priority to have its brand name the same and recognizable throughout its operating area, and names will vary as little as possible.

Securitas is controlled by Gustaf Douglas through his company Latour. Another major shareholder is the chairman of the board, Melker Schörling.

Market

Securitas currently controls 12% of the global market. In Europe, the share is 15 percent, and 18 percent in the US. The customer base is very diversified, with every major industry represented. Smaller niches have also been a priority, such as the oil industry, and maritime operations (i.e. ISPS security, and on vessel security).

Securitas Canada is the largest security services company in Canada.

Board of directors and senior management

* Melker Schörling b. 1947, is the Chairman of the Board since 1993.
* Alf Göransson b. 1957 is the President and CEO of Securitas AB.
* Håkan Winberg b. 1956 is Executive vice President and CFO.

Robberies

The UK division of the company hit the headlines in February 2006 when armed robbers raided its cash centre located in Tonbridge in Kent. The criminals made off with £53m in what is known as the Securitas depot robbery. [cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6273864.stm
title=Jurors see CCTV of £53m robbery
publisher=BBC News
accessdate=2007-08-07
date=July 5, 2007] A Securitas van was also rammed by criminals in a stolen tractor who subsequently made off with hundreds of thousands of pounds in Warrington, Cheshire.

In March 2006 an armed gang robbed a Securitas van as it was unloading money at Gothenburg's Landvetter Airport in Sweden. [cite web
url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=3216&date=20060307
title=Gang attacks plane in Gothenburg
publisher=The Local
accessdate=2007-08-07
date=March 7, 2006]

On October 4, 2007, two armored truck guards were killed in a robbery in Northeast Philadelphia. Another man was critically wounded. The men, retired police officers, were working for Loomis--which operates as the cash handling services division of Securitas AB.

A bank surveillance photo showed the gunman walking up to the two guards, shooting both of them execution-style, and running off with a bag containing ATM deposit envelopes. The man later confessed to the killings.

References

http://www.loomis.com/en/Investors-and-media/Financial-reports/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20071005_City_man__36__confesses_to_ATM_killings.html

ee also

* Loomis Fargo & Company

External links

* [http://www.securitas.com/ Securitas] - corporate site
* [http://www.alert-services.com/ Securitas Alert Services] - corporate site
* [http://www.securitas-direct.com/ Securitas Direct] - corporate site
* [http://www.securitassystems.com/ Securitas Systems] - corporate site
* [http://www.loomis.com/ Loomis Cash Handling] - corporate site
* [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/92/92239.html Yahoo! - Securitas AB Company Profile]