Securitas has acquired security services company Agency of Security Fenix (ASF) in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the sum of MSEK 70 (MCZK 170).
ASF provides security services – including mobile patrols and monitoring – for a range of clients, and boasts 1,250 employees in the Czech Republic and 200 in Slovakia. The company has annual sales of approximately MSEK 164 (MCZK 395).
ASF is a well-established company with a broad vertical market coverage and a good customer portfolio. Its clients inhabit the banking, office building and state contract sectors. The company is the third largest market player in the Czech Republic.
With this acquisition, Securitas becomes the market leader in security services in the Czech Republic, with annual sales of MSEK 463 (MCZK 1,115). At the same time, Securitas will enter the market in Slovakia with the sales of MSEK 25 (MSKK 70).
ASF was consolidated within Securitas just prior to Christmas on Friday 19 December.
Moving into south east Mexico
The world’s largest security solutions concern has also been on the acquisition trail in Mexico, striking a deal to acquire the assets of the security services company Grupo Guardias Blancas. With this acquisition, Securitas will expand its operations to include the tourism and maritime sectors in the south east of Mexico.
The purchase price is estimated at approximately MSEK 16 (MMXN 27).
With 1,500 employees, Guardias Blancas posts annual sale of approximately MSEK 69 (MMXN 116). The company is a specialist in security services for the tourism industry in the south east of Mexico (specifically the states of Quintana Roo, the Yucatan and Guerrero), but also runs operations in the retail and commercial business as well as in the maritime sector.
The Mexican security services market is very fragmented, with the market leader holding approximately 3% of the market. Securitas is currently the third largest private security company in Mexico, with a strong presence in the northern part of the country. With this, acquisition Securitas now becomes the second largest security services company in Mexico with annual sales of approximately MSEK 428 (MMXN 720).
The acquisition will be consolidated in Securitas AB as of 1 January 2009.
