Turnover in security branch up 7 percent in 2005

The turnover in the security and investigation branch rose by 7 percent in 2005, to around 1.5 billion euro.

Turnover up since fourth quarter 2004

Turnover in this branch of industry has shown a sharp rise since the last quarter of 2004. Turnover in the first quarter of 2005, for example, was 5 percent higher than in the same period of 2004. This growth continued throughout the year.

Turnover development in security and investigation branch

Company security main activity

Security firms are active in various fields, such as guarding company buildings, personal security (body guards) and public safety during public events. Nearly three-quarters of turnover in this branch is generated by company security activities. These include entrance security, shop security and surveillance.

Turnover specification for security and investigation companies

Substantial increase in number of firms

The number of companies active in the security and investigation industry has grown explosively in recent years: between 2000 and 2005 the number of companies rose by more than 70 percent to around 1,250. Half of these companies did not have any employees and about one third had fewer than 5 employees. The growth in the number of firms between 2000 and 2005 was mainly in these two groups of small companies.

Large companies determine the turnover

Forty-five companies in the security and investigation branch in 2005 employed 50 or more employees. This number remained at about the same level between 2000 and 2005. In spite of their relatively small number, the larger companies accounted for about 80 percent of total turnover in this industry.

Companies by number of employees

Paul Ras