Securitas AG
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Securitas AG is a Swiss family company providing security services with head office in Zollikofen, regional offices in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Olten, St. Gallen, Thun and Zürich as well as 25 other branches all over Switzerland.
Securitas AG is part of the Swiss Securitas Group and not to be confused with the Swedish company Securitas AB, which owns the Swiss competitor Protectas AG.
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[edit] Services
- Individual patrols
- Area patrols
- Building-site guarding
- Holiday guarding
- Event security
- Traffic services
- Intervention and control center services
- Law enforcement
- Object and valuables protection
- Bodyguards
- Prisoner transports
[edit] History
[edit] From Foundation to World War I
Based on the insolvent company of the same name, Bernese Advocate and Colonel Jakob Spreng founds Securitas AG in 1907. At first struggling with resistance on the part of the police fearing a potential thread to its sovereign territory, Securitas gains trust through good performance. First major customer are the Swiss Federal Railways with a considerable guarding contract for railway stations in major Swiss cities, followed by public occasions like the "Eidgenössisches Schützenfest", a Federal shooting match, in Bern in 1910, where Securitas forms a detachment with the local fire-brigade and police forces.
With the Schweizerische Landesausstellung, the Swiss National Exhibition in 1914 in Bern, the company awards its most considerable contract at the time: 200 guards guarantee for area surveillance and access control. Despite the outbreak of World War I with its respective loss of manpower due to general conscripion, Securitas AG is now established throughout Switzerland. In the years 1917 and 1919, contracts with the organisers of the Swiss trade fair in Basel and the Comptoir in Lausanne follow. These institutions count to the company’s regular customers until today. On. November 27, 1917, Jakob Spreng dies age 54, and his successor Alfred Geiser enters upon the office as General Manager.
It is at this time, when the authorities first notice the services of Securitas AG. In 1919 then, the company is assigned for security duty on Swiss food deliveries to war-damaged eastern states.
Even on the sector of social welfare, the company proves itself as a public-minded employer. In 1907 already, eleven years before the foundation of the Swiss public sector insurer Suva, an accident insurance is introduced. From 1918, health insurance as well as widow’s and orphan’s pension follow. 1925, a staff pension fund is established, and in 1934 all employees enter the unemployment insurance.
[edit] The "horrible Thirties"
After the untimely death of General Manager Alfred Geiser in 1928, Jakob Spreng junior takes over the leadership of the Securitas AG. The Great Depression, ignited by the Wall Street Crash in 1929 doesn’t leave Securitas AG unscathed. The company puts in great efforts not to lose private or corporate contracts due to austerity measures. It is in these times though, that Securitas gains reputation: The newly founded League of Nations employs Securitas AG as security service in its headquarters, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, where the guards protect delegates, show visitors around, monitor entrances and inspect journalists.
[edit] From World War II to the 1950s
In 1939, guarding contracts follow at the ice hockey world championships in Zürich and Basel as well as the National Exhibition in Zürich. The outbreak of World War II demands flexibility: Due to the rising counts of break-ins and thefts during the black-out, patrol areas get staffed highter and patrol frequencies are heightened. To bypass staff shortages due to general conscription, the guards’ wives take over their husbands’ nightly rounds. During the so-called "Anbauschlacht" or "cultivation battle" to insure the nation’s food supplies, the company is assigned a piece of acre above Cademario in Ticino, where potatoes are being cultivated.
In 1943, the first collective labour agreement is conceived between the trade-union VHTL and Securitas AG. It is in this year, when an internal compensation fund is established, which pays child benefits until they are established by law.
In 1948, the affiliate Securiton AG is being founded. The company produces alarm systems of the same name for windows, doors, safes and "specially prepared window and display case panes".
During the soccer World Championships in 1954, Securitas is present in a large number along with military and police forces. Even at the so-called "Miracle of Bern", where Germany becomes world champion against its adversary Hungaria, Securitas guards are on duty at the press center and other special access points.
On November 18, 1958, Jakob Spreng junior dies at age 65 and his son Manuel Spreng becomes General Manager.
For service efficiency reasons in the constantly growing patrol areas, Securitas acquires appropriate means of transportation. In 1959, the first actual service car, a Citroen, is purchased. During the 1950ies, the nationwide distribution of security systems demands more and more on-site interventions.
[edit] From the "wild Sixties" to the new millennium
In 1963, Securitas Express AG is being founded, which specializes in money and valuables transports. In 1964, the National Exhibition EXPO in Lausanne takes place, where 300 male and as a milestone in company history also female employees provide security services in brand new uniforms. It is because of these new uniforms, that the Securitas hostesses are being called "Les anges bleus" – the "blue angels".
In the 1960s, today’s Federal councillor Moritz Leuenberger temporarily works as a Securitas guard.
In addition to a busy Bee Gees concert in February 1968, the Interessengemeinschaft Telekommunikation und Systeme TUS is being founded; a project of Securitas and the Cerberus company with the business objective of realizing a reliable telecommunications system for alarm and status signals.
Based on the telecommunications system TUS35, Securitas establishes the first control center in Basel "as nerve center of the new alarm network" in 1969. This control center allows numerous signals to be received differentiated and to be forwarded to the appropriate stations.
Early in the 1970ies, Securitas launches a nationwide poster campaign to call attention to itself. At the Rolling Stones concert in Bern in 1972, Securitas guards around the stage and at the emergency exits are wearing specially-made T-shirts, because the organisers wish no uniformed guards inside the concert hall. It is in that year, when the business division money and valuables transports are sold to the internationally established MAT Transport AG. Although Securitas still offers escort duties, the company has seized doing money and valuables transports.
For security and efficiency reasons, the management decides to create an own radio network in 1977. In 1979, two years later, Securitas owns the largest private radio network in Europe at the time.
The 1980s are characterized by official visits like the Queen Elizabeth II of Britain or the Pope John Paul II. Further, personal and object security specialists become responsible for all security measures concerning the Swiss embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut. In 1989, one of the guard’s main tools, the control watch, is being replaced by an electronic reading device, which allows a much easier data analysis.
In 1991, the Securitas uniform is being refurbished: Along with new colours and cuts for uniform jacket and service pant or service skirt, the kepi is being replaced by beret and combination cap.
During the 1990ies, quality management and improvement faces important changes. Securitas AG is being certificated by quality management norm ISO 9001 and introduces an intern diploma in 1993, which acts as a model for the Federal diploma for security specialists.
In 1996, Samuel Spreng is being appointed as General Manager by the board of directors and takes over the operational leadership of the Securitas Group on January 1, 1997. His brother Manuel presides the board of directors until his demise on February 9, 1999.
[edit] The 21st century
At the 6th Swiss National Exhibition Expo.02 in 2002, Securitas not only takes part by means of services, but as an official partner and sponsor. In that year the uniforms as well as the corporate identity of the company is being refurbished and modernized.
In 2007, Securitas AG celebrates its centenary.
