Group 4 Securicor
Encyclopedia
G4S plc is a global security
services company headquartered in Crawley
, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest security company measured by revenues and has operations in more than 125 countries. With over 630,000 employees, it is the world's second-largest private sector employer (after Wal-Mart Stores
).
G4S has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange
and it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index
. It has a secondary listing on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange
.
in 1901 by Marius Hogrefe originally known as Kjøbenhavn Frederiksberg Nattevagt and subsequently renamed Falck.
In 2000 Group 4, a security firm formed in the 1960s in Belgium, merged with Falck to form Group 4 Falck. Following the decision by the British Government in 1993 to enter into a contract with Group 4 to provide security for prisons, the company was embarrassed after a series of security blunders, including escaped prisoners. In 2002 Group 4 Falck went on to buy Wackenhut
. In 2003 Group 4 Falck signed a Detention Services Contract with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (Australia). Under this contract Group 4 Falck took over direct control of Australia's refugee detention centres from Australasian Correctional Management
, owned by its subsidiary Wackenhut
, which had run them since 1998. In 2004 Group 4 Falck merged with Securicor
, a security firm founded in 1935 in London, to form G4S.
. In March 2008, it was announced that G4S were taking over Scottish Rock Steady Group
– who carry out stewarding at major sporting and music events mostly in the UK. Rock Steady events have included Live8 concerts in London, Scottish FA Cup Final & the Download Festival
. In April 2008, G4S acquired RONCO Consulting Corporation, one of the world’s premier humanitarian and commercial mine action, ordnance disposal and security companies.
In May 2008, the Company acquired ArmorGroup
International. Also in May 2008 G4S plc completed its £355 million acquisition of Global Solutions Limited. In December 2008 G4S and UNI, the global union, announced the launch of an Ethical Employment Partnership, which will drive improvements in standards across the global security industry. Also in December 2008, G4S and the SEIU reached an agreement to end their long dispute and establish a framework to work together in the interest of employees. In 2009, G4S continued to acquire companies: Secura Monde International Limited and Shiremoor International Engineering Limited, together, the UK’s leading specialist banknote and high security technical and commercial advisory companies; All Star International, one of the premier facilities management and base operations support companies providing services to the US Government; Adesta, US-based provider of integrated security systems and communication systems; and Hill & Associates Consultants Limited, Asia’s leading provider of specialist risk mitigation consulting services.
In 2008, G4S also acquired Touchcom, Inc. for $23 million . Touchcom, Inc. is located in the Burlington/Bedford, Massachusetts
area. The rebranding of Touchcom, Inc. to G4S is scheduled to be completed by January 1, 2012.
In 2009, an Aboriginal man from Western Australia died of heat stroke after being transported in a G4S (then GSL) van without air conditioning or water. Criminal charges were never laid despite a GSL company spokesperson admitting there were "grounds for concern". This came after GSL had already been criticised in 2005 for their handling of Australia's detained immigrants in a report undertaken by former Head of Queensland's Corrective Services Keith Hamburger. The G4S helicopter robbery
occurred on 23 September 2009 in Sweden. Both G4S' own security and the police work were criticised.
flight 77, at Heathrow Airport. Security guards kept him restrained in his seat as he began shouting and seeking to resist his deportation. Police and paramedics were called when Mubenga lost consciousness. The aircraft, which had been due to lift off, then returned to the terminal. Mubenga was pronounced dead later that evening at Hillingdon hospital. Passengers reported hearing cries of 'don't do this' and 'they are trying to kill me'. Scotland Yard's homicide unit is investigating after the death became categorized as "unexplained". Three private security guards, contracted to escort deportees for the Home Office
, were released on bail, after having been interviewed about the incident.
17th October 2011, G4S has announced it will buy Danish facilities management group, ISS A/S
in a deal worth £5.2 billion. The merger will create the world's largest security, facilities management company. Within two weeks, the deal was killed due to lack of shareholder support. G4S' chief, Nick Buckles recounted the events of the failed acquisition, which cost the company 10s of millions of dollars, as "...one of the most bruising experiences of my life". A combination of institutional investors who led the response and the minority shareholders who followed, objected to a variety of factors, not the least of which was the additional leverage and debt the deal would introduce to G4S' balance sheet. General consensus is that lack of planning for shareholder response on the G4S side doomed the deal shortly after the ink dried on the paper.
,
Brussels Airport
, Schiphol Airport and OR Tambo Airport as well as at various facilities belonging to the US, UK, Canada and European Governments. It also operates custody facilities (including prisons) and electronic security systems. In addition, it provides cash management and logistics services for the main British and European Banks. G4S owns the Wackenhut
Corporation, a leading provider of security services in North America. They are also involved in risk management activities, consultancy and support in areas where infrastructure is limited, including services for governments, international peace and security agencies and multi-national corporations. Services also include land-mine clearance, ordnance management and training services. G4S also provides revenue protection services for railway companies across the UK. The company is a contractor in the UK Government's 'Welfare to Work' scheme.
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
services company headquartered in Crawley
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest security company measured by revenues and has operations in more than 125 countries. With over 630,000 employees, it is the world's second-largest private sector employer (after Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
).
G4S has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
and it is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index
FTSE 100 Index
The FTSE 100 Index, also called FTSE 100, FTSE, or, informally, the footsie , is a share index of the 100 most highly capitalised UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange....
. It has a secondary listing on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange
Copenhagen Stock Exchange
The Copenhagen Stock Exchange or CSE is an international marketplace for Danish securities, including shares, bonds, treasury bills and notes, and financial futures and options...
.
Origins
G4S has its origins in a guarding business founded in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
in 1901 by Marius Hogrefe originally known as Kjøbenhavn Frederiksberg Nattevagt and subsequently renamed Falck.
In 2000 Group 4, a security firm formed in the 1960s in Belgium, merged with Falck to form Group 4 Falck. Following the decision by the British Government in 1993 to enter into a contract with Group 4 to provide security for prisons, the company was embarrassed after a series of security blunders, including escaped prisoners. In 2002 Group 4 Falck went on to buy Wackenhut
Wackenhut
G4S Secure Solutions is a private security company. It was founded as The Wackenhut Corporation in 1954, in Coral Gables, Florida, by George Wackenhut and three partners ....
. In 2003 Group 4 Falck signed a Detention Services Contract with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (Australia). Under this contract Group 4 Falck took over direct control of Australia's refugee detention centres from Australasian Correctional Management
Australasian Correctional Management
Australasian Correctional Management was a private company owned by Wackenhut, a subsidiary of multinational security giant Group 4 Securicor. From 1998 until 2003 ACM was responsible for running at least six Immigration detention centres in Australia...
, owned by its subsidiary Wackenhut
Wackenhut
G4S Secure Solutions is a private security company. It was founded as The Wackenhut Corporation in 1954, in Coral Gables, Florida, by George Wackenhut and three partners ....
, which had run them since 1998. In 2004 Group 4 Falck merged with Securicor
Securicor
Securicor plc was one of the United Kingdom's largest security businesses. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but merged with Group 4 Falck in 2004.-History:...
, a security firm founded in 1935 in London, to form G4S.
2004 to 2010
In 2005 and 2006 G4S was the subject of a global campaign by union workers alleging that subsidiaries undermine labour and human rights standards. Some of these groups were organised under the banner of the SEIU funded Focus on Group 4 Securicor. This group backed protests at Group 4 Securicor's annual general meeting in London in 2005 and 2006. The 2006 US State Department Report on Human Rights in Indonesia released in March 2006 featured the on-going dispute in Jakarta with Group4/Securicor. In July 2006 the Indonesian Securicor workers had a substantial win – but the campaigners continue to support other Group 4 Securicor workers. The company disputed these claims and pointed to its strong relationships with unions around the world, including the GMB in Britain. In 2007, G4S announced a sporting initiative that supports 14 aspiring young athletes from developing countries. Called the 'G4S 4teen', the programme has the support of running legend Haile GebrselassieHaile Gebrselassie
Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. He won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon...
. In March 2008, it was announced that G4S were taking over Scottish Rock Steady Group
Rock Steady Group
Rock Steady Group Was a group of companies that was involved in stewarding and security at many major events in the United Kingdom. The three companies were Rock Steady Event Services, Rock Steady Sport Event Services and Rock Steady Security...
– who carry out stewarding at major sporting and music events mostly in the UK. Rock Steady events have included Live8 concerts in London, Scottish FA Cup Final & the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
. In April 2008, G4S acquired RONCO Consulting Corporation, one of the world’s premier humanitarian and commercial mine action, ordnance disposal and security companies.
In May 2008, the Company acquired ArmorGroup
ArmorGroup
ArmorGroup International is a British company providing private security. It was founded in 1981 and was listed on the London Stock Exchange until 6 June 2008 ....
International. Also in May 2008 G4S plc completed its £355 million acquisition of Global Solutions Limited. In December 2008 G4S and UNI, the global union, announced the launch of an Ethical Employment Partnership, which will drive improvements in standards across the global security industry. Also in December 2008, G4S and the SEIU reached an agreement to end their long dispute and establish a framework to work together in the interest of employees. In 2009, G4S continued to acquire companies: Secura Monde International Limited and Shiremoor International Engineering Limited, together, the UK’s leading specialist banknote and high security technical and commercial advisory companies; All Star International, one of the premier facilities management and base operations support companies providing services to the US Government; Adesta, US-based provider of integrated security systems and communication systems; and Hill & Associates Consultants Limited, Asia’s leading provider of specialist risk mitigation consulting services.
In 2008, G4S also acquired Touchcom, Inc. for $23 million . Touchcom, Inc. is located in the Burlington/Bedford, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
area. The rebranding of Touchcom, Inc. to G4S is scheduled to be completed by January 1, 2012.
In 2009, an Aboriginal man from Western Australia died of heat stroke after being transported in a G4S (then GSL) van without air conditioning or water. Criminal charges were never laid despite a GSL company spokesperson admitting there were "grounds for concern". This came after GSL had already been criticised in 2005 for their handling of Australia's detained immigrants in a report undertaken by former Head of Queensland's Corrective Services Keith Hamburger. The G4S helicopter robbery
G4S helicopter robbery
The Västberga helicopter robbery occurred on 23 September 2009 at 05:15 CET when a G4S cash service depot was robbed in Västberga in southern Stockholm, Sweden. The robbers used a stolen Bell 206 Jet Ranger as transport and landed on the rooftop of the G4S building...
occurred on 23 September 2009 in Sweden. Both G4S' own security and the police work were criticised.
2010 to present
In October 2010, three G4S-guards heavily restrained and held down 46-year old Angolan deportee Jimmy Mubenga on departing British AirwaysBritish Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
flight 77, at Heathrow Airport. Security guards kept him restrained in his seat as he began shouting and seeking to resist his deportation. Police and paramedics were called when Mubenga lost consciousness. The aircraft, which had been due to lift off, then returned to the terminal. Mubenga was pronounced dead later that evening at Hillingdon hospital. Passengers reported hearing cries of 'don't do this' and 'they are trying to kill me'. Scotland Yard's homicide unit is investigating after the death became categorized as "unexplained". Three private security guards, contracted to escort deportees for the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
, were released on bail, after having been interviewed about the incident.
17th October 2011, G4S has announced it will buy Danish facilities management group, ISS A/S
ISS A/S
ISS was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1901 and has since grown to become one of the leading Facility Services companies in the world. ISS offers a wide range of services within the following business areas: cleaning services, support services, property services, catering services, security...
in a deal worth £5.2 billion. The merger will create the world's largest security, facilities management company. Within two weeks, the deal was killed due to lack of shareholder support. G4S' chief, Nick Buckles recounted the events of the failed acquisition, which cost the company 10s of millions of dollars, as "...one of the most bruising experiences of my life". A combination of institutional investors who led the response and the minority shareholders who followed, objected to a variety of factors, not the least of which was the additional leverage and debt the deal would introduce to G4S' balance sheet. General consensus is that lack of planning for shareholder response on the G4S side doomed the deal shortly after the ink dried on the paper.
Operations
G4S provides guarding services at various airports including Heathrow Airport, Oslo AirportOslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the principal airport serving Oslo, Norway. It acts as the main domestic hub and international airport for Norway, and the second-busiest airport in the Nordic countries. A hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and a focus city for Widerøe, it is...
,
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is an international airport northeast of Brussels, Belgium. The airport is partially in Zaventem and partially in the Diegem area of Machelen, both located in the Flemish Region of Belgium.Brussels Airport currently consists of 54 contact gates, and a total of 109 gates...
, Schiphol Airport and OR Tambo Airport as well as at various facilities belonging to the US, UK, Canada and European Governments. It also operates custody facilities (including prisons) and electronic security systems. In addition, it provides cash management and logistics services for the main British and European Banks. G4S owns the Wackenhut
Wackenhut
G4S Secure Solutions is a private security company. It was founded as The Wackenhut Corporation in 1954, in Coral Gables, Florida, by George Wackenhut and three partners ....
Corporation, a leading provider of security services in North America. They are also involved in risk management activities, consultancy and support in areas where infrastructure is limited, including services for governments, international peace and security agencies and multi-national corporations. Services also include land-mine clearance, ordnance management and training services. G4S also provides revenue protection services for railway companies across the UK. The company is a contractor in the UK Government's 'Welfare to Work' scheme.