Sesco Security traces its roots back to the days when not an issue in our lives in South Africa. It was initially formed as a branch of the UK company of that name ,whose founder, Bill Robinson inturn had family and friends in South Africa. He persuaded David Luscombe, who was then running an alarm instalation company, to start up the local business in 1970.The market in those days was virtually non-existant and David created business by traveling ,helping to set up alarm instalation companies, many of which still exist today.
Real growth phase
The real growth phase for Sesco started in the late seventies and the business has never looked back, providing quality products and service, and operating with a standard of ethics not always found in the security business. Peter Cole, Sesco's Managing Director, joined the company in 1977 when the staff complement was only five people, but the business has been steadily grown on its record of excellent products and support. David Luscombe remains with the company as CEO, and the company is today solely South African owned, the UK equity having been acquired in 1980. The current shareholders are David Luscombe, Peter Cole and David's son Douglas, who is Sesco's Sales and Marketing Director.
Nationwide reach
Sesco today operates out of its Durban-based head office, with branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. There is currently a staff complement of 35 people, an increase of seven times in just over a decade and a strong indication in the growth of Sesco's business. Sesco itself operates outside of South Africa through agents, and uses this same strategy to service the needs of the community in Port Elizabeth, East London and Namibia. In the near future Peter expects that competent representatives will be appointed in other countries in southern Africa.
The art of listening
Sesco does not do any research and development itself, but the company's representatives listen closely to their customers, and new requirements are passed on to principals like Rokonet, who on many occasions have modified their already advanced products to meet specific South African requirements. The local company does not believe in the concept of broad-line distribution, and instead prefers to remain extremely close to a key group of principals which include Rokonet (Israel) for passive infrared detectors (one of the top ten manufacturers world-wide in this field) and control panels, MCDI for central station monitoring receivers, and GKB for an extensive range of CCTV cameras and accessories.
One of the latest innovations from Rokonet (very important for South African animal lovers) is a 'Pet-immune' PIR detector which will not respond (nuisance alarm!) to pets such as cats and dogs (at least those less than 45kg in weight!). Obviously the same system is not set off by the more common farm rodents that might find their way into alarm-protected areas.
Latest offerings
One of the latest products from Rokonet is its Orbit-Pro expandable control panel. Modular in design and construction the Orbit-Pro is at home in any application, be it domestic, for banks, office blocks or warehouses. In effect it offers a 'best-in-class' product for every application, being tailored to meet the specific requirements.
The advantage for installers of dealing with the same 'base' product is obvious as installing time is minimised and technicians become very familiar with trouble-shooting. The Orbit-Pro has already proved to be highly successful in South Africa, having been chosen by the discerning Nedcor Banking group as well as many of the larger retail chains. The economical Orbit 5, and the recently launched Orbit 6 and 6 + 2 control panels, which have many customer and installer pleasing features, complete the Rokonet control panel line up.
The early entry of Sesco to the electronic systems security market is evident from the wide range of what are now 'everyday products', but which they first introduced to the local industry. These include the first passive IR detectors (some may remember the earlier and unreliable ultrasonic technology), the first remote controls, and the first monitoring equipment for control stations. Sesco has a strong belief in sticking to their ‘knitting’ and see themselves as a supplier (through importation and distribution) to the alarm industry, and alarm installers remain their biggest clients.
Complete systems solutions
Through its overseas partners and a select number of local manufacturers, Sesco can provide the complete requirements of system installers. The portfolio includes access control products, power supplies and transformers, back-up batteries, warning devices, all types of wireless equipment and gate automation equipment. In addition to these Sesco offers a comprehensive inventory of CCTV equipment, including cameras, monitors, multiplexers, time lapse video recorders and pan/tilt systems.
Peter Cole believes that there will continue to be major growth in this market for security products, and that these will become increasingly sophisticated and software-based, but easier to use and install. He believes that the customer will demand higher reliability products capable of minimising nuisance alarms, and systems that really work are now essential, as the days when a sign on the wall was enough to deter intruders are long gone. Quality, reliability and service is synonymous with what Sesco offers, so the company is well positioned to take even more market share. Systems such as the Orbit Pro can already be used for building management, and control panels are expected to be used more widely in this role. Even in the domestic situation they can be programmed for tasks such as turning on the air-conditioning, pool motor and lights.
Y2K compliance, e-commerce
Like most other quality businesses Sesco took cognisance of all the warnings regarding Y2K compliance and all their products were compatible well in advance of time. As for the company's own computer systems it took advantage of the situation by spending well over a quarter of a million rand to upgrade all their computer hardware and software. Peter Cole believes that this was money very well spent and a particularly user-friendly web site has been created. Sesco is finding that the new business generated through the Internet is dramatically increasing and with its new systems the company is well prepared for e-commerce, with everyone in the company now connected to the network and using e-mail.
Service excellence
In many ways Sesco remains a family-style business, with a very low staff turnover and a personnel complement who enjoy playing after the hard efforts of sales conferences and other events. Management believes that excellent service is key to the company maintaining its leading position in the face of new competitors, and personnel are always available 24 h per day. Although not specifically mentioned by Peter Cole, a 30-year history of total customer satisfaction in the security industry is hard to beat when it comes to client 'peace of mind'.
While remaining privately owned, Sesco is not complacent and is where it is today because it realised that security electronics is a field, which is constantly in a state of change. While Sesco prides itself on acquiring the latest technology equipment, it informs and updates its installer base through regular training courses and participation in local exhibitions, especially the national Securex events.
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