A major part of the reason for the spectacular growth in the South African security industry is the increasingly important contribution it makes to the protection of company assets and the management of risk.
"The South African industrial sector has become far more security conscious, partly in response to the insistence by insurance companies that it minimise risk, but also in response to the global drive toward more effective management and control," said Security Association of SA (SASA) President Allan Hadfield.
Another factor that has forced corporate South Africa to pay more attention to the solutions offered by the security industry are the requirements of new legislation: In terms of the amended Basic Conditions of Employment Act, companies are required to conduct and record risk assessments of their operations.
Mahogany Row's growing infatuation with the industry is accurately reflected in the evolving profile of visitors to and exhibitors at Securex Cape '99, Cape Town's second regional trade exhibition showcasing the security, protection and safety industry.
Securex visitor profile changing
"Over the years we have noticed that the Securex visitor profiles were changing; today, we are attracting decision makers from a far wider spectrum of disciplines. For instance, more financial directors, risk consultants and IT professionals are taking a keen interest in the technologies and services on display," said TML Reed Exhibitions Manager Tom McCafferty.
"Preliminary indications are that the Securex Cape '99 visitor breakdown is likely to confirm this tendency."
A total of 65 000 complimentary tickets to the exhibition have been sent out, most of them to personalised databases owned by exhibitors and TML Reed. "Financial institutions and risk management companies are showing far greater interest in receiving invitations than was the case in 1997," said McCafferty.
The exhibitor profile of Securex Cape has also evolved in the past two years: A far greater proportion of exhibitors is participating in the international event (Securex Gauteng), in addition to both regional shows (in Cape Town and Durban).
Regional differentiation disappears
"If there ever was a regional differentiation of products and services, that seems to have disappeared," said McCafferty. "Today, the security industry is supplying a truly national demand - the solutions that are appropriate in one centre, are more than likely to have ready markets in other parts of the country."
This is reflected in the fact that almost 70% of the exhibitors at Securex Cape '99 also exhibited at the international event at Gallagher Estate in Midrand during March this year.
"Of course, Securex Cape is 40% larger than it was in 1997, so there are quite a number of new exhibitors going on show for the first time," said McCafferty.
Among the latest additions are Cape-based FSS Risk Management; turnstile and boom manufacturer Millennium Access Technologies; Ziton Fire Detection Products; and Pretoria-based Electronic Security Products.
While the growth of Securex Cape '99 forced TML Reed to find larger exhibition premises, this first could also be the last time the event is located at the Culemborg Exhibition Centre.
"We have heard rumblings that Culemborg may cease operating as an exhibition arena in the near future," said McCafferty. "If that is the case, we will certainly have to look for other options in the region. Whatever happens, Securex Cape will certainly continue as long as the market demands it."
Securex Cape '99 will be open to the trade from 10h00 daily from 29 September to 1 October.
For complimentary tickets or further details contact Jacqui Eggart at TML Reed's Johannesburg offices on telephone (011) 886 3734; fax: (011) 781 1270; e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.security.co.za
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