Q. Gunnebo has gained remarkable positioning worldwide in the fire & security solutions industry; please share with us how did the company achieved this position?
Gunnebo as a company has grown through organic and inorganic means. Since 1995, we have made more than 40 acquisitions within the security field. For Fire & Security solutions, the foundation was laid in the year 2000 when the Minimax business in India, and an equivalent business in Indonesia was acquired. Fire & Security business in India is predominantly regulated by local regulations and since the year 2000 Gunnebo has invested significantly in the development of the Fire and Security products in India.
A key to success is our ability to produce top quality products often exceeding the specifications laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Today a vast majority of our products are either BIS or UL/FM certified and delivers quality of performance which is unmatched in the industry.
Q. Gunnebo has been operational worldwide; please outline its overall business activities (tie-ups, associations, reach, network)?
Gunnebo is present directly or indirectly in more than 130 countries across the globe with 12 manufacturing sites spread across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The key market segments that we operate in are the Banking sector, Public and Commercial Buildings, Industry Buildings and the Retail market segments. Our key offerings include Fire security, Safes & Vaults, Cash Handling, Electronic Security, Entrance Security, System Integration and related services.
Across the globe, we have very strong relationships with the banking industry, where our business relations often dates back to more than 100 years in history, through some of our flagship brands such as Chubbsafes, Fichet-Bauche and Steelage.
Our solutions in the areas of Access Control, Fire Security and Storage of Valuables are widely accepted for applications in Public & commercial buildings and Industrial & high-risk sites.
Gunnebo is a global leader in the Entrance Security space which includes Speed gates, Turnstiles as well as Ticket gates for Mass Transit Systems and Security Gates (Boarding and Immigration) for Airports.
Over the past 20-25 years we have also developed very strong relationship with retailers across the globe with our offerings in Retail Security which includes Cash Handling and Electronic Article Surveillance solutions.
Q. Can you elaborate more about the product portfolio & it’s applications?
Safes & Vaults:
Product list:
- High Security Safes with Biometric Access Control
- Fire & Burglary Resistant Safes
- Fire Resistant Filling, Record and Media storage cabinets
- Vault Doors & Strong Room Doors
- Safe Deposit Lockers – Standard & Modular
- Automated Robotic Locker Systems
- Home & Office Safes
- Safes for ATM’s
Cash Management:
Broad range of Cash Deposit, Dispensing and Recycling Solutions
Products include:
- Currency Sorting Machines
- Cash Deposit Machines
- Cash Recycling Machines
- Note and Coin Vending Machines
- Retail Self Service Payment Kiosks
- Comprehensive software to manage the Complete Cash Cycle
Entrance Security:
Global leader – offering control over people and vehicle movement to, from and around a site
Products include:
- Speed Gates
- Boarding and Immigration Gates for Airports
- Ticket Gates for Metros
- Turnstiles
- Interlocking Doors
- Security Doors & Partitions (Bullet/Blast/Fireproof etc)
- Vehicle Access
Retail security:
Complete Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) solutions for retail
Products include:
- Antennas
- Tags
- Labels
- Mobile stands
- Safer
- Detachers
- Deactivation equipment
Fire Security:
BIS-certified solutions to prevent fire in offices, industrial buildings, hotels & restaurants
Products include :
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fire Hydrants & Hoses
- Flexible Hoses & Sprinklers
- Automatic Panel & Room Fire Protectio
- Kitchen Hood Fire Protection
- Enclosures
Q. What are your plans to position these products in India & as well as in global market ?
Gunnebo is the world’s No 1 supplier in the physical security segment especially in the safes and vaults. It operates under global brands like Chubbsafes, Steelage, Hamilton safes, Fichet Bauche and Secure line. Gunnebo has installed over 40,000 machines in the retail cash management sector and is a leading player through its brands Safepay and Sallen.
Gunnebo is a Global leader -offering control over people and vehicle movement to, from and around a site. When it comes to high end entrance and perimeter protection products, Gunnebo solutions remain second to none. Most of the vital high risk buildings, factories, defense establishments and embassies across the globe are protected by Gunnebo. In India we want to position our solutions as the preferred choice within the business segments we operate in. Customers often choose a solution from Gunnebo, knowing well that we are one of the few who can provide him peace of mind!
Q. Please brief us about Gunnebo’s corporate governance & corporate responsibility missions?
The foundation for Gunnebo’s CSR engagement lies in the Global compact Principles & the UN declaration of human rights. Besides this, Gunnebo runs local CSR engagements in most of the 32 sales companies. In India Gunnebo endeavours to increase its safety blanket from its customers & shareholders to the community at large; and create long lasting social impacts for the well-being of its stakeholders.
Q. How do you foresee “India” as a potential market, what are the prospects?
India is already the third largest market for Gunnebo. We have experienced healthy growth since 2010 which was driven by favorable market conditions and significant investments in capacity expansions at our Halol plant. Our strategies are in place to continue with double digit growth for the next 3-5 years. We expect this growth coming from all the market segments that we are present. Our business with banks will still be the dominant part of our business at-least for the next 3-5 years. We see interesting opportunities within the Fire Safety & Entrance Security business, where we still have many untapped market segments.
In 2015 we launched a brand new range of fire fighting solutions for industrial kitchens and flexible hoses and sprinklers under the brand Gilpro as we foresee a tremendous growth within the hospitality industry, as well as within office- and industrial buildings and high risk sites. Another interesting growth opportunity lies within the extension of mass transit – metro systems and airports.
Last but not least the retail market in India provides huge opportunities to be cashed on from various Security solution providers. Here we see a tremendous potential for Cash Management solutions, Electronic Article Surveillance and Fire Security products.
Q. According to you how do the global security solutions industry is performing?
This is an industry that normally has an average growth-pace of 2-4% above GDP growth, so performance as such is pretty good! Requirements for fire safety solutions, electronic security, entrance and perimeter protection products are high due to the enhanced threat perceptions.
Q. What are the strategies adopted by you to counter the competition for maintaining Gunnebo’s positioning in the fire & security solution industry?
Some of the challenges faced by the customers particularly in the fire and security industry are lack of awareness on the quality standards and lack of access to quality products and services.
Gunnebo being the only multinational manufacturer particularly in the fire extinguisher segment maintains its market positioning by supplying quality products through its century old brand Minimax and Steelage. To cater to the demands of a wide variety of customer segments ranging from residential and commercial buildings, hotels and high risk industries, Gunnebo offers customized products suiting the various applications.
Q. What are technology trends that are driving the security solutions business?
Innovation has always remained a key driver in the security solution space. Over the last 1 year Gunnebo India has introduced several new products like the “Firespot” room protection system and “InstaproteKt” Kitchen hood fire protection system. The Firespot system offers a cost effective alternative to a more expensive gas suppression system. The InstaproteKt is a modular and simple PLC controlled fire protection solution for kitchen fires in hotels and industrial kitchens.
We live in a smart world, businesses are looking at adopting technology to bring in operational efficiencies. For example, Businesses handling large volumes of cash are looking at deploying solutions that help them automate the process of cash management in their operations.
Q. Can you elaborate more about the factors that are affecting the security solutions business?
The global security market covers a wide range of products and services associated with the safety and protection of businesses, people and assets.
The underlying drivers behind the development of the security market are economic growth, a higher standard of living, and urbanisation. Greater need for security and identity checks, reduction of overheads for operatinal efficiencies, as well as growing threats from terrorism and crime are important factors influencing the security solutions space.
Q. Lastly, being the prudent leader of the company where do you want to take Gunnebo in near future?
I want Gunnebo India to be recognized as the industry thought leader of security solutions in our core segments, offering high-quality solutions, supporting customers in making their business more safe and efficient thereby giving them peace of mind. Gunnebo is and should continue to be THE business partner to rely on!