Securitas AB history, company profile (overview) and history video
Securitas AB is a security services company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Its services include security guarding, remote video solutions, aviation security, electronic security, fire and safety, enterprise risk management, intelligent security, home alarms, and others.
The company operates in North America, Europe, Ibero-America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.
HISTORY
Securitas’ history began in 1934 when Erik Philip Sörensen acquired Hälsingborgs Nattvakt in Helsingborg, Sweden. Sörensen also acquired additional security companies in Southern Sweden and merged all companies to form Förenade Svenska Vakt AB.
In 1949, Sörensen founded Securitas Alarm.
In 1972, all the companies owned by Sörensen were gathered under the collective Securitas name.
In 1981, Securitas was divided between Sörensen’s two sons. The international operations developed into Group 4 Securicor, while the Swedish operations continued as Securitas.
In 1983, Securitas in Sweden was sold to Skrinet.
In 1985, Skrinet sold Securitas to Investment AB Latour.
In 1988, Securitas acquired the Swedish lock company ASSA.
Between 1989-1991, Securitas acquired companies in Norway, Denmark, and Portugal, and established operations in Hungary.
In 1991, Securitas was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
In 1992, Securitas acquired Esabe in Spain and Protectas with operations in France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
In 1994, Securitas acquired Finnish Abloy which was later merged with the Swedish lock company ASSA.
In 1997, Securitas Direct was established as an international division, and The Cash Handling Services operation was established as a separate unit within Securitas.
In 1998, Proteg was acquired in France and Raab-Karcher was acquired in Germany.
In 1999, the company acquired Pinkerton, one of the largest security companies in the U.S.
In 2000, Securitas acquired Burns, which was also one of the largest security companies in the U.S.
In 2001, Loomis, Fargo & Co. was acquired in the U.S.
In 2004, The Security Systems division acquired Bell Group plc. in the UK and Eurotelis in France.
In 2006, Securitas’ divisions Loomis Cash Handling Services AB, Securitas Direct AB, and Securitas Systems AB were transformed into independent, specialized security companies. Securitas Systems and Securitas Direct were listed as separate companies on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
In 2007, Securitas was organized into Security Services North America (USA, Canada, Mexico and Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations), Security Services Europe, and Mobile and Alert Services.
In 2008, Loomis Cash Handling Services AB was listed as a separate company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
In 2010, the company acquired Reliance in the UK, becoming one of the largest security companies in the U.K.
In 2016, Securitas acquired Diebold’s Electronic Security in North America, Infratek Security Solutions in Norway, Draht+Shutz in Germany, and JC Ingeniería in Chile.
In 2018, the company acquired Alphatron Security Systems in the Netherlands, Automatic Alarm in France, and Kratos Public Safety and Security in the US.
In 2019, Securitas acquired Global Elite Group (a security services provider to the aviation industry) in the US, the electronic security company Allcooper Group in the UK, and the alarm monitoring company Staysafe in Australia.
In 2020, the company acquired Techco Security in Spain, FE Moran Security Solutions in the US, and Stanley Security’s electronic security businesses in Germany, India, Portugal, Singapore and Switzerland.
With more than 345,000 employees and over 1,300 branch offices, Securitas AB is considered one of the largest security services providers in the world. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.securitas.com/en.
**Video published on YouTube by “Securitas Sverige AB“