Securitas Security (Research Paper Sample)

Securitus Security
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Securitus Security
Section I – Introduction
Securitas is a Swedish based multinational security company that boasts a wide range of customers from different industries and varied customer segments ranging from small businesses, to global multibillion industries.
The services offered by the company include:
Mobile Services
The mobile vehicles are an economical alternative for medium sized organizations. The use of beat patrol together with security and service checks for stipulated zones has proven to be very effective in responding to security threats. The day and night duties of Securitas security personnel also include intervening an asset installed with an alarm system as well as locking and unlocking of rooms, warehouses or manufacturing go downs.
Specialized Guarding
Securitas security is aware that every individual customer and company has their specific security needs. Therefore, the company security services are designed in an individual and complex manner and can be reflected in the design of the service portfolio offering. The company’s specialized services are tailor made taking into consideration the client’s risk exposures and the solution requirements. They often offer a combination of both professional security personnel and supporting technical gadgets.
Technical Solutions
Securitas offers complicated personalized security solutions for any need such as burglary protection for private residencies, fire protection for rental real estates, or video surveillance and access restrictions for industrial plants.
Monitoring
The company has monitoring centers that offer surveillance based on consistent security concept. Securitas’ security experts identify hazards and set alarms for assault, burglary, elevator emergency, fire and other measures, coupled with passwords and contact details for authentication and site plans. The company is aware of the fact that the main feature of an effective security system is the interaction between an efficient monitoring center and modern safety technology.
Consulting and Investigation
Securitas has a pool of qualified expert personnel with all the requisite practical knowledge and experience of all valid laws and provisions in the very delicate security service field. Since security begins with risk awareness, the company ensures it educates the client’s employees of the potential risk at the work premises and the expected measures and responses. The faster and more expert the response is, the lesser the damages.
Securitas has employed approximately 320,000 people in 54 markets, the total sales in 2014 was MSEK 70,217 and operating income MSEK 3,505. The company operates in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since 1991. Securitas Security Company is a well-managed organization that is prepared for profitability and growth in the future.
Section II– Background
Securitas security was established in 1832 by Eugene Francois Vidocq in Paris, France. Robert Pinkerton eleven years later in Chicago established "Pinkerton & Co." which gave birth to "Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency" in 1850. It was organized and managed jointly by brothers Allan and Robert Pinkerton. Not only did the global multinational Securitas derive its foundation from this firm, but it also acted as a benchmark for the European private security industry. The first security company was set up in Europe in 1901 in Hanover and the German chapter of Securitas established a year later (Omand, 2010).
Since then, Securitas has acquired numerous security companies so as to establish its position as the global market leader in the security industry. Such acquisitions include the 1992 acquisition of Protectas-Gruppe Schweiz together with its German subsidiaries, the 1996 acquisition of DSW-Gruppe by Securitas AB Stockholm, 1998 acquisition of the Deutshe Sicherheits AG AND raab karcher Sicherheit thereby leading the market in Germany, the 1999 acquisition of Pinkerton and the German subsidiaries HBI Offenbach and WKD bisingen, and most recently the 2008 acquisition of its competitor G4S in Germany.
Other awards and commendations include: In 2004, Securitas became the first company to be RSO certified thus given the authority to establish risk analyses and plans for hazard prevention in harbor facilities. Securitas landed the largest safeguarding contract ever awarded to a private company when they offered security in 2006 Football World Cup. In 2007, the firm was awarded the security contract during the G8 summit.
Section III – Analysis
Planning
In order to maintain the global market leader position in the security industry, Securitas aims at reaching the financial performance and operational excellence targets set by the board and management. To maintain this position, the company intends to continuously scale up the value chain and enhance value addition for their customers (Drucker & Maciariello, 2008). To achieve this fete, Securitas intends to integrate all its competency areas in all-rounded security solutions and enhance its technology content share.
Security solutions and technology recorded sales of around 6% of the company’s total sales in 2012. By 2015, Securitas is hopeful of achieving a set target of triple the percentage sales in 2012. This is based in the market survey that reports a continued growth in technology, consumer knowledge, and the market potential, as well as the fact that increased technological content involved in a security contract reduces the total cost for a customer in need of a security solution. The company is also investing a lot in intelligent video surveillance in the coming years due to the growth potential growth of real-time security.
Another long-term strategy of Securitas is to widen its global footprint, so as to remain the market leader in the industry and increase customer satisfaction. Nonetheless, Securitas will be selective and restrictive on acquisitions except those that strengthen the company’s position in ground-breaking markets or technology dealings that develop synergies and competence in line with the company’s strategic path of technologic improvement and value addition.
Organization
The Securitas board together with each of the board’s committees has a clear organizational structure whereby the authority is well delegated its duties from the Board cascading to the President and the CEO down to the Group Management. Of importance to the Management are employee competence and a list of group policies, as well as procedures and frameworks (Robbins, & Coulter 2005). The group management periodically reviews the policies while the Group Management does the updating. Authority is delegated by use of an approval matrix that clearly directs all managers at different levels. A lot of emphasis is laid upon the competency and abilities of the Securitas’ Group employees, with a variety of programs and schemes designed to encourage continuous development and training. There are three fundamental values that guide the Securitas Group: Integrity, Helpfulness, and Vigilance. These values guide employees towards making consistently good judgment and decisions.
Securitas follow the principle that "all business is local" in their service delivery. The Securitas Group is divided into four Regional Associations made up of 120 branch offices in different nations. The very well experienced managing directors and regional managers drive the Securitas business "on site" in very close proximity to the customers. The services division and specialization as required by each customer are undertaken by specialized units that deliver solutions unique to every industry. For instance the European "Securitas Security Services" based in Germany, are made up of Mobile Services, Specialized Services and Alert Services.
Leadership
Most of the leaders in Securitas security are mainly democratic leaders. These leaders in particular the board chairman Manfred Buhl employs a democratic leadership style whereby he trusts the employees to protect and respect the company’s basic values and ethical philosophy as depicted in the company’s employee guide "Basic Values" (Schermerhorn, 2005). His logic is if Securitas’ employees stick by the company guide, then they will earn the customers’ trust to the company. The relationship between the managers and employees at Securitas is based on mutual respect and dignity. Mr. Buhl highly believes in the abilities of his employees as a recipe to the result the company achieves. Thus, he emphasizes on Securitas security being an attractive employer by offering good remuneration, good working conditions and capacity building through training so as to attract highly skilled employees.
By the virtue that Mr. Manfred Buhl is a democratic leader; he respects the rights of the entire Securitas Group and thus supports their inclusion into trade unions of their liking and collective bargaining agreements that are legally upheld by the local laws and principles. Furthermore, through the influence of Mr. Buhl, Securitas gives equal employment opportunities to all employees and discrimination is not condoned in the smallest sense be it during recruitment, training, compensation, promotion, termination, retirement, or on the basis of religion, ethnicity and national origin, sex, or any other distinguishing characteristic.
Mr. Buhl’s democratic leadership style is also reflected by the way Securitas enhances a productive work environment and does not in any sense condone harassment or bullying. Furthermore, the company pegs value on pr...