Industry@Work

By Karina Sanchez · September 2006

Super-Sized Security

YOU read about them in the papers, you hear about them on the news, you see them at every show and they're invited to all the best parties. In fact, on most occasions, they are the best parties -- they're the popular kids in the school of security. Everyone wants to be them, everyone wants to be their friend and do what they do. These popular kids are also known as global manufacturers of security devices. They're the big names in the industry and something, whatever it might be, is going right for them.

Security equipment manufacturers are thriving. There has not been a better market for security than today's market. As manufacturing facilities realize that their once comfortable space now feels congested with added staff and more resources, these companies migrate to where there's more room to grow.

So what is it that they're doing correctly? Generating sales and providing quality products might be the most obvious answers, but there's something more integral that makes some large-sized companies do better than others. It's their culture. It's how they treat their employees, how they retain their employees and how they give back to their respected communities. It's the little extra perks that no one really boasts about.

Security equipment manufacturers are thriving. There has not been a better market for security than today's market. As manufacturing facilities realize that their once comfortable space now feels congested with added staff and more resources, these companies migrate to where there's more room to grow. It seems to be a trend for large-sized manufacturers to move their headquarters to small-sized towns. And, for the most part, it seems like they're being welcomed with open arms.

Behind Closed Doors
There's a lot going on behind closed doors that you don't know about. CEOs are realizing that there's a method to producing a quality product, and it starts with the hands that help make it.

Pelco's world headquarters is located in the bellybutton of California -- Clovis, to be exact. Its campus is comprised of eight buildings, complete with a café, gift shop, fitness center and travel agency. There's a shuttle bus, as well. In all reality, it's quite accommodating.

"It's to keep all the employees around, so they don't have to go far for lunch or to run errands. It's all right here," said Joe Olmstead, director of marketing communications for Pelco.

And from the looks of it all, employees seem all too pleased with the setup.

"I guess you can say I drank the Kool-Aid," Olmstead said.

Who wouldn't drink the Kool-Aid? Every employee you meet is happy at work and happy to work. And in today's world, not too many people are happy, especially not at work. Unfortunately, there are too many instances in which a company gets overly involved in the numbers game, ignoring its most important investment: the employees. Unhappy employees make for uncomfortable working conditions and low morale. It also fosters a high turnover rate, which can lead to more problems down the line. It's encouraging for other companies to see that there's an effort to improve employee morale at larger corporations.

Brink's Home Security recently announced the opening of its new facility in Knoxville, Tenn. Though the size of this new facility doesn't compare to the campus-wide area of Pelco, its philosophy is similar.

"We have a terrific facility that offers a very positive work environment. One of the great features of the facility is our media room, which is set up Internet café-style. Employees can get something to eat and use their break to access the Internet or watch the latest in news, sports or weather in a relaxing environment. Our employees' prompt and accurate interactions with customers are the key to creating customers for life," said Jim Hightower, managing director of Brink's National Customer Contact Center. "We're very focused on our employees because we expect our employees to be very focused on our customers."

Securing the City
There's more to security than what meets the eye. The larger the company, the bigger the staff will be. Pelco employs about 2,000 employees in a town with a population of almost 90,000. Similarly, Honeywell Hometown Solutions employs in the thousands in a town with a population of almost 22,000.

Located in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's community involvement is extensive. It focuses on three specific areas: science and math education, family safety and security and housing and shelter. Humanitarian efforts in each of these areas help to not only rebuild and improve houses, but also to help nurture and secure the families, teachers, parents and community of Morris Township.

Pelco also takes part in a number of community initiatives such as Portfolio Day, an effort that helps prepare eighth-grade students for the next chapter they face -- high school, and Toys for Tots. Nonetheless, its most impressive features is its 9/11 memorial and museum. It's a place where locals can go to remember and pay tribute to the men and women who were victims of 9/11.

Though companies such as these do make efforts to give back to the community, one of the things that locals are probably most grateful for is the increase in job opportunities that, in turn, help strengthen the economy of these small towns. In essence, large-sized companies can be tough competitors out in the business world, but behind closed doors and back at home, their efforts to nurture their community and encourage their employees shines some light to their true intentions.

So next time you're looking for manufacturers to do business with, always keep your options open, but don't be afraid to consider a super-sized security company. You might end up impacting more people than you actually thought.

This article originally appeared in the September 2006 issue of Security Products, pg. 10.

About the author

Karina Sanchez
Karina Sanchez is the former managing editor for Security Products magazine. She now freelances for Web publishers, trade magazines and corporations.


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