G4S

G4S

G4S is one of the world’s largest international security services providers and was formerly known as Group 4 Securicor. It came about in 2004 as a result of a merger between Securicor plc and Group 4 Falck A/S’s security business. Today G4S is the largest employer listed on the London Stock Exchange with over 500,000 people employed in more than 100 countries across the world. G4S also has a secondary listing in Copenhagen.

The main operations of the company today are:

• Manned security - providing security guards to individuals, businesses, governments and sporting events
• Electronic security systems - installing and maintaining security equipment
• Financial services - transporting cash and valuables between businesses, banks and ATMs
• Security solutions - providing security consultancy and training to help people reduce their risk

History of G4S

The company has its origins in a guarding business founded Copenhagen in 1901 by Marius Hogrefe. As society has changed and the years have gone by, the need for more and more security measures has increased. Group 4 Falck’s security business and Securicor had grown steadily into the security markets to become global companies providing security solutions. July 2004 saw Group 4 Falck’s security business merged with Securicor to create the world’s second largest security provider.

The European Commission approved the proposed merger on the condition that Group 4 Falck Cash Services UK (Scotland), Securicor Luxembourg and Falck Security in The Netherlands were divested. On 20 July Group 4 Securicor shares begin trading on the London stock exchange.

G4S Cash services

As a global provider of cash services, G4S has years of experience providing a wide range of services for all industries, but especially the bank and retail industry. They specialise in the movement of cash and valuables, notes, coins and precious metals by armoured vehicles. G4S has developed information systems which allow efficient planning of routes and services to track the movement of cash and valuables throughout the network. They also provide cash management systems that include managing bank cash stocks, counting and reconciliation of bank and retailer cash and the delivery of cash for ATM machines.

G4S also specialises in ATM Outsourcing that includes the forecasting of cash usage, ATM maintenance, cash replenishment and reconciliation services.

G4S security services

Security solutions are a requirement for all industries so G4S have a specialist range of services to help manage risk, security and safety. Complete security solutions combine manned security, electronic security and risk assessment and training to provide security for governments, public authorities and commercial companies