This year's Security 50 ranking includes 11 new faces from all corners of the globe and all product sectors. The U.S. is well-represented, with GE Security and FLIR breaking into the top 10, and L-1 Identity Solutions close on their heels at 16th. Asia continues to be strongJVC of Japan, Hikvision of China, Commax of Korea and Hi Sharp Electronics of Taiwan successfully placed in the ranking. In Europe, Nedap (Netherlands), Texecom (U.K.) and Geutebruck (Germany) helped make 2007's ranking a diverse one. By product group, the majority of this year's new participants are in video surveillance. Video surveillance providers include FLIR, JVC, Hikvision, Commax, March Networks, Hi Sharp Electronics and Geutebruck. GE Security and Nedap have more diverse portfolios in multiple domains, while L-1 Identity Solutions is in biometrics and Texecom is in alarms. From this band of newcomers, it appears that emerging security players are finding profits in the video surveillance sector.
This year's Security 50 ranking includes 11 new faces from all corners of the globe and all product sectors. The U.S. is well-represented, with GE Security and FLIR breaking into the top 10, and L-1 Identity Solutions close on their heels at 16th. Asia continues to be strongJVC of Japan, Hikvision of China, Commax of Korea and Hi Sharp Electronics of Taiwan successfully placed in the ranking. In Europe, Nedap (Netherlands), Texecom (U.K.) and Geutebruck (Germany) helped make 2007's ranking a diverse one. By product group, the majority of this year's new participants are in video surveillance. Video surveillance providers include FLIR, JVC, Hikvision, Commax, March Networks, Hi Sharp Electronics and Geutebruck. GE Security and Nedap have more diverse portfolios in multiple domains, while L-1 Identity Solutions is in biometrics and Texecom is in alarms. From this band of newcomers, it appears that emerging security players are finding profits in the video surveillance sector.
No. 4: GE SECURITY
GE Security, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the General Electric Co., is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries and approximately US$2 billion in annual sales. GE Security offers one of the industryˇs broadest product portfolios, covering explosives and narcotics detection, intrusion and access control, video surveillance, key management and fire detection. GE Security products are used to protect people and property across a wide range of industries, including aviation, law enforcement, banking, education, health care, mass transit, residential and retail.
GE Security was honored with the Frost & Sullivan 2007 Global Market Leadership Award for Container Security Devices for its CommerceGuard container security solution.
No. 6: FLIR SYSTEMS
FLIR Systems is a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of thermal imaging and infrared camera systems. FLIR products are used in a wide variety of applications in commercial, industrial and government markets, internationally as well as domestically. The company offers a variety of system configurations to suit specific customer requirements. Its business is organized into the following three divisions: Thermography, Commercial Vision Systems and Government Systems.
Thermography products are generally sold for commercial and industrial applications, generally where temperature measurement is the primary requirement. The Commercial Vision Systems division is focused on commercial markets where the primary need is to see at night and in adverse conditions. The Government Systems division provides enhanced vision capabilities to a wide variety of military, paramilitary, law enforcement, public safety and other government customers.
No. 7: JVC
The JVC Professional Electronics division manufactures surveillance video equipment, audio equipment, professional video equipment and projectors. Its products include network video recorders, IP dome cameras and high-resolution CRT and LCD monitors. JVC solutions are suitable for installations such as prisons, campuses, parking garages, railway stations and other environments. Its video solutions are scalable and enable remote surveillance. JVC partners include Paxton and Milestone, whose software solutions are integrated with JVC hardware.
In the Professional Electronics segment, JVC sales in Japan declined year-on-year. Sales of security products, including surveillance camera systems, were strong, but sales of professional audio products were sluggish. In markets outside of Japan, sales of security products grew steadily, while sales of professional HDV camcorders were up significantly. The headquarters of its parent company, Victor Co. of Japan Ltd., is in Yokohama, Japan.
No. 11: NEDAP
Nedap's Security Management, which includes access control systems, payment, fire and burglary alarms, surveillance and biometrics, recorded a substantial increase in revenue, due partly to a very large contract. This market group has increasingly switched its attention from hardware to software. This is clearly reflected in the increase in added value and, accordingly, in profit.
The distinctive character of software-based solutions sets them apart from hardware-based systems. The distinctive power of Nedap's AEOS security platform is modular structure of the software, which enables it to respond quickly to new security needs and wishes based on changing circumstances.
When it comes to security, it is important to have tailored solutions. To develop customized solutions, it is essential to have a close relationship with the customer, a broad knowledge of security, an awareness of changes, familiarity with the business and a wealth of experience on which to draw. In this area, service is key.
No. 16: L-1 IDENTITY SOLUTIONS
L-1 Identity Solutions is a trusted provider of technology, products, systems and solutions that protect and secure personal identities and assets. Together, its growing portfolio of companies delivers a full range of offerings targeted at managing human identity. These offerings are the cornerstone of building convenient and secure identification solutions. L-1 companies have a 20-year history of serving domestic and international governments, law enforcement and border management agencies, military branches, and commercial businesses.
Because of threats to national security and significant economic loss resulting from identity-based fraud and theft, the market requires a more secure, tamperproof means of validating claimed identity as well as issuing credentials that grant privileges for travel, physical and logical access to facilities and networks, and financial transactions. L-1 believes that the best means available today is through an end-to-end, integrated multi-biometric (finger, face, iris) recognition solution.
No. 21: HIKVISION
Hikvision is dedicated to the continuous research and development of video encoding, decoding and processing technologies, and highly reliable digital surveillance products. The Chinese supplier provides advanced H.264 solutions for digital surveillance security industries based on its patented algorithms.
Its products range from audiovisual compression boards to embedded net DVRs and multi-purpose DVSs. Hikvision provides the latest software development kits to partners with online technical support. Its products are designed and produced by its 650 employees, which include 300 engineers in research and design. Hikvision's products are widely used in security surveillance systems for public security, banking, telecom, law enforcement, transportation, residences and warehouses.
Partners include Texas Instruments, whose DaVinci chipsets are used in Hikvision DVRs. Hikvision and TI established a laboratory in 2006 to promote the development of video surveillance.
No. 22: COMMAX
Commax, located in Sungnam, Kyunggi-Do, Korea, is a leading company in home automation with the largest market share for video door phones. The Korean government supports the company, as Commax is a member of the digital home network business consortium led by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication. Commax is also participating in development of an affordable home network system for a domestic robot platform and smart environment project lead by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.
No. 23: MARCH NETWORKS
March Networks draws upon a rich heritage of IP-based networking and video processing technologies to design, implement and support network digital video systems. These solutions help businesses enhance security, work more effectively and protect themselves against theft and fraud.
Its software portfolio combines visual and business intelligence with exceptional video network management. March Networks solutions enable organizations to dramatically improve loss prevention, risk management and surveillance programs and gather business intelligence with applications such as LP data mining and financial transaction investigation.
Network and mobile video recorders provide scalable recording and real-time monitoring over wireless and wired IP networks, offering customers a range of platforms for different environments that support analog and IP camera integrationall managed with March Networks enterprise-level software.
No. 37: HI SHARP ELECTRONICS
Hi Sharp Electronics, established in 1987, provides a variety of high-quality and cost-effective products. Revenue for 2006 climbed to $40.8 million, representing growth of 15 percent from 2005. The company manufactures full product lines in LCDs, cameras, DVRs and other peripherals that offer a wide range of video surveillance applications for all fields of industry.
Its headquarters are located in Taiwan. Spread out over 72,000 square feet, the facilities house more than 200 employees. The Taiwanese supplier is dedicated to research, development, manufacturing and marketing of high-quality CCTV solutions. It has successfully produced CCTV-integrated systems and services, which have contributed to its competitive advantage.
No. 38: TEXECOM
Established in 1986, Texecom is an award-winning manufacturer of intruder alarm products, including a full range of motion detectors, control panels, perimeter protection devices, heat and smoke detectors, external sounders, and power supplies. In 2005, Texecom Ltd. became a member of the Halma Group of Companies.
Texecom's commitment to uncompromising product design has been recognized by the worldwide security industry in achieving product and corporate awards. All Texecom products are designed to comply fully with British, European and international standards for safety and performance. Texecom products are protected by U.K. and international patents, trademarks and registered design rights.
No. 47: GEUTEBR
CK
Geutebruck is an industry leader in the field of video surveillance. Security professionals worldwide turn to Geutebruck products for monitoring of industrial production processes, securing peripheries of power stations or keeping an eye on department stores and banks. Security managers of government facilities, industrial corporations, financial institutions and utility service providers rely on the German manufacturer whenever they need professional video surveillance systems from a single supplier.
Solutions include the MultiScope video management system and video motion detection technology. Geutebruck maintains direct subsidiaries in the U.K., France, Russia, Slovenia and China, and representatives and sales partners for Geutebruck products offer their services all around the world. The supplier is based in Windhagen, Germany.