[Sponsored] For over 30 years, a Centurion-based company has helped define how security technology is designed, deployed and supported in South Africa. Originally known as CellSecure, and now operating as ArxTech, the company’s evolution mirrors the changing risks and rising expectations of the environments it protects.
To get a clearer sense of how the business has expanded its focus and what the name change represents, we sat down with several of ArxTech’s directors at the company’s headquarters.
Back in the 1990s, CellSecure made waves as the first company to use SMS technology to communicate with alarm systems. “We were solving problems no one else had even thought of yet,” says Anton van der Merwe. “That early innovation mindset is still central to everything we do.”
Fast forward to today, and the company has rebranded as ArxTech, reflecting a broader focus beyond cellular technology. It now delivers a comprehensive range of locally designed and manufactured security products and services.
“It is important we keep control of quality, reliability, and compliance,” says Hendrik Snyman. “That is why our entire operation remains proudly South African, with key ICASA and ISO certifications to back it up.”
ArxTech’s full-service approach includes risk consulting, system design, installation, maintenance, monitoring, and even intelligence services. Nana Maleka explains: “We have never wanted to supply only hardware. We partner with clients to understand their unique threats and environments, and we build systems that fit their needs. Our job is to make sure their security works today and can move into tomorrow.”
SmartArx: Designed for scalability
ArxTech’s flagship SmartArx range is aimed at commercial, industrial, and residential clients and is built around client needs rather than brand affiliations. Systems are either integrated with existing infrastructure or developed from the ground up, based on a full threat and vulnerability assessment.
The range includes perimeter and intrusion detection, remote monitoring, access control, and CCTV with analytics. Because the platform is developed and built locally, clients have direct access to updates, support, and tailored configurations.
Stories from the field: Why experience matters
It is one thing to mention innovation, but ArxTech’s track record reflects its real-world impact.
Back in the early 2000s, for example, a financial institution was unknowingly bleeding funds from an ATM located inside a casino. A custodian was making unauthorised cash ‘loans’ to himself, removing money and replacing it after playing the tables. Because he balanced the machine, the audits ultimately came up clean.
ArxTech’s ATM management system changed that. It logged every access event in real time and quickly flagged the custodian’s irregular activity. The result? A successful internal investigation and a permanent fix to a previously invisible loophole.
“We have always believed that good security should make the invisible, visible,” says Hendrik Snyman. “Whatever the case, our job is to detect what others miss and respond before it becomes costly.”
It’s a philosophy that’s played out across industries, sometimes in ways you would not expect.
When a poultry farmer suffered a catastrophic livestock loss after a ventilation failure went unnoticed overnight, ArxTech stepped in. Their monitoring system now provides real-time alerts if fan motors fail or temperatures rise above the threshold. The solution has since been adopted across multiple agricultural operations.
The late ’90s also brought an increase in ATM bombings, with South Africa as an early target. ArxTech’s unique cellphone-based monitoring, initially a workaround for signal issues, became a lifesaving early-warning system. “In the first year alone, we helped stop over 600 ATM bomb attacks,” Snyman recalls. “We could pick up drill vibrations before the blast and get armed response onsite, on time. When criminals know you are onto them, they move on.”
And it is not just banks. When a Rosslyn manufacturer faced nightly theft of car parts, ArxTech’s wireless, low-power alarm system turned things around. “The thieves kept cutting power, but our system does not rely on electricity to the extent other systems do,” Snyman explains.
ArxTech's footprint even extends into agriculture, where monitoring water flow and equipment is crucial. The company empowers farmers with tools and information so they can manage their own operations confidently, rather than simply providing technology and walking away.
Looking ahead: A future-ready partner
With a national footprint of qualified installers and an in-house technical team, ArxTech ensures systems are expertly installed and maintained for peak performance. Their 24/7 monitoring centres and intelligence services add layers of protection and insight, making them a trusted partner across industries, from banking and mining to healthcare and energy.
“Changing our name from CellSecure to ArxTech was not just cosmetic,” Erick Coombs stresses. “It reflects a company that has grown beyond its origins, while keeping that original spark of innovation alive. Our focus is on smart, connected security solutions for today’s complex risks.”
ArxTech’s commitment to South Africa runs deeper than security.
The company’s level 2 B-BBEE status and active social investment programmes demonstrate a long-term commitment to uplifting communities, ensuring their growth contributes to a safer and stronger society.
In a world where threats evolve fast, ArxTech’s blend of experience, local manufacturing, and forward-thinking design makes it a natural choice for businesses serious about security.
“Our past informs our future,” Maleka sums up. “And that future is all about staying ahead, in technology, in service, and in partnership.” Want to future-proof your security?
Contact ArxTech today to find out how local innovation can protect your business. Visit www.arxtech.co.za or call
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