Anthony King is director of Kings Security, an eleven branch company stretching from Middlesbrough to Exeter. Although Kings is carving a name for itself as a “baby national” that is embracing new technology, Anthony still gets a kick out of seeing the company name on a bell box, and the installers’ crick neck from looking up!
SI: So why and how did you enter the security industry?
AK: A family business, Kings was first established by my father in 1968. I worked as a student during the summer of 1986. The intention was to go on to university but I loved the job so much it was put on hold – permanently as it turned out!
SI: Overall, have things got better or worse since then?
AK: The industry has improved immensely but still has a long way to go. As the industry consolidates, work is drying up for smaller companies. A negative effect is the impact this has on price as they all compete for the business. SI: What is the best and the worst thing about being an installer?
AK: The sense of pride in seeing your bell box fitted to a building would have to be the best. I guess I’ve got every alarm fitters ‘crick in the neck’ which comes from permanently looking up to see who’s got their name on a bell box! The worst thing is trying to change peoples’ mind set. Security systems are often perceived as a ‘grudge purchase’ rather than looking at systems as an important and indispensable utility
SI: If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
AK: The above mind set. We are grossly under-valued as a service provider. We are responsible for protecting millions of pounds worth of assets and yet clients still want to pay peanuts – and we all know the other half of that proverb.
SI: What is the biggest threat facing the industry?
AK: Two or three years ago I would have said unregistered cowboys. Now, thankfully, they are disappearing as standards are tightening. Today I would have to say IT. Companies that don’t keep abreast of new developments in IP, digital reporting etc will be left behind.
SI: How have DD243 and EN50131 affected you?
AK: Massively, and thankfully in a positive way. The revised standards have allowed Kings to re-address and represent ourselves in a way that differentiates us from much of the competition.
It also makes the “cheaper option” unviable.
SI: How do you view your inspectorate?
AK: As purely that, ‘an inspectorate’. They offer nothing in the way of advice and the standards don’t always take into account what are often overriding commercial aspects to a job, and that is their shortcoming. SI: Is there too much red tape now, or is the move towards greater regulation long needed?
AK: Regulation is great and we need still more.
I love this industry and the more professional it becomes the better. Seemingly cheap system providers go bust. One company sold thousands and thousands of units, all with 15 year guaran-tees. The unsuspecting consumer was not made aware that the guarantee lay with the freelance installer. Try calling any of these guys now!! Two favourite quotes of mine are: “Buy cheap pay twice” and, “The bitterness of poor quality, lingers long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten.”
SI: What is the most memorable installa-tion you have ever done, and why?
AK: Our first installation for National Tyres about five years ago now. They had faith in us and gave us our first break into the national market place ~ the stuff dreams are made of.
SI: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at work?
AK: Being constantly told we have been bought by ADT. Rumours abound in this industry. To paraphrase President Bush (the first one) “Read my lips …hell will freeze over” before I sell this company to ADT. Next question …
SI: How do you see your business deve-loping and adapting in the next ten years?
AK: We see ourselves today as a “baby national” I literally cannot wait to see how Kings matures over the coming years. The excitement of realising our potential is immense.
SI: What types of installations will be growth areas for you?
AK: CCTV is huge. That, together with large retail installations is where I see the future.
SI: What type of equipment have you had most trouble with, and why?
AK: This is a personal thing, but having two small babies, I just cannot grasp the mechanics of sterilising bottles!
SI: Do manufacturers take enough notice of your opinions?
AK: Generally no, although they may listen to the larger nationals. Also manufacturers’ product portfolios tend to be very wide and are driven mainly by compliance with BS standards.
SI: What type of equipment is generally the most reliable?
AK: The standard of equipment nowadays is superb and reliability is not a problem.
SI: Do you see IP technology as an opportunity or a threat?
AK: A massive opportunity which will revolutionise the industry. The majority of our industry is at least five years behind technology. We should be embracing technology not running scared. Many installers do not have broadband and if you mention ’email’ their eyes glaze over.
SI: Do installers have enough industry ‘say’?
AK: The ones who get involved do. For those people in life who criticise and condemn, if you asked them what positive contributions they are making, they would be taken aback. Many instal-lers are NACOSS registered out of necessity. Some 700 out of probably ten times that number are members of the British Security Industry association. It is they who are getting involved and driving change. One of my pet hates is whingers. Make a difference, get involved. SI: How has installing affected your private life?
AK: What private life? SI: If you had your life again, would you become an installer?
AK: I’ve loved every minute of it. It has given my family a great standard of living, and given my staff a fantastic opportunity to be a part of our success. From that perspective I wouldn’t change a thing. The only caveat being that if I was entering the business today, starting from scratch I would have serious reservations, as in spite of my love of a fight and challenge, I think the barriers to entry would be incredibly difficult to overcome. SI: Thank you Anthony.