With 4,100 employees based in Hamburg, G4S Germany boasts a good presence in guarding, mainly in northern Germany. The company has a well diversified contract portfolio with a stable customer portfolio. Sales in alarm monitoring amount to 6 million Euro.
The acquisition is in line with Securitas’ overarching strategy for security services operations in Europe, complementing its existing German operation both in terms of customers and geography. According to Alf Goransson, Securitas’ president and CEO, the deal also affords Securitas a solid platform from which to continue its strategy of refinement and specialisation of services for the benefit of its customer base. It should contribute positively to Securitas’ earnings from next year onwards. Restructuring costs of 3-5 million Euros are expected in 2008.
With this acquisition, Securitas in Germany will enjoy total sales of 537 million Euros generated by 19.000 employee, and a market share in the guarding market of approximately 14%. The acquisition is subject to approval from the German competition authorities.
Securitas has also undertaken a study of G4S’s guarding operations in France, but has subsequently decided not to pursue this opportunity given anticipated competition considerations.
Securitas buys security services companies in Uruguay
As part of its strategy to grow the business in Latin America, Securitas has acquired the security companies SATS and Servicios de Seguridad in Uruguay. The acquisitions will give Securitas a market leading position in Uruguay (with a 16% market share in the formal guarding market).
SATS and Servicios de Seguridad are nationwide companies with 20 years’ experience in the security sector. The majority of the business is geographically located to the cities Montevideo and Canelones. Combined, the two companies have operations in guarding, monitoring and alarm response services. The companies boast a combined total of 1,500 employees.
After the acquisitions, Securitas will enjoy total annual sales in Uruguay of approximately MSEK 111 (MUYU 365) and the services of 2,200 skilled employees.
The acquisitions were formally integrated within the Securitas business at the beginning of this week.
New public web sites launched
Securitas has also launched its new public web sites featuring a strong focus on potential customers and employees. The sites reflect Securitas’ business strategy with clear customer focus and specialised offerings.
Securitas has pursued a long-term strategy of continuous benchmarking, Best Practice transfer and tailored training programmes at all levels in the organisation. The result is a solid base of industry knowledge, which Securitas is now making available to the public on these new sites.
The sites (which include the Group public web site and 23 country-based public portals), are user-friendly and have a new graphic design. To attract potential employees to the company, a new Human Resources section makes it easy to read about career opportunities and apply online for any vacancies.
Securitas president and CEO Alf Goransson told info4security: “Our new public web sites will be a useful and valuable source of information for potential customers and employees, as well as existing customers and employees. We have created truly customer-focused web sites where our specialised offerings are clear for each of our customer segments. We have achieved this milestone by sharing our knowledge and having our existing customers share their experiences as well.”
