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Topsgrup Acquires 51% Majority Stake in a Usd 140 Million British Security Company - 'the Shield Guarding Company Limited'

In the first ever overseas acquisition by an Indian securitycompany, TOPSGRUP with a market capitalization of Rs 1000 crores (07-08) hasacquired a 51% majority stake in UK’s leading security service provider ‘TheShield Guarding Company Ltd’ for an all cash deal of Rs 125 crores.

According to Dr.Diwan Rahul Nanda, Global Chairman & Managing Director, TOPSGRUP, “Shield’s acquisition in the United Kingdomwill act as a strategic gateway for our global growth plans in the comingyears. Shield with its great business ethics coupled with a strong managementteam and a loyal customer base has great synergies with TOPSGRUP. We envisage alot of cost and experience sharing benefits across both companies that willbenefit the Indian and the British customers and employees as well. This is a proudmoment not only for TOPSGRUP but for the entire Indian security industry”

Currently, TOPSGRUP is India’spreferred security solutions provider with a human capital base of 65,000employees partnering with over 6,000 customers through its pan India networkof 110 offices. TOPSGRUP through its aggressive organic and inorganic growthdrive is poised to achieve revenues in excess of Rs 1000 crores by the end of thecurrent fiscal. Very recently, TOPSGRUP also acquired a Rs 35 crore SouthIndian security company called Guardwell Detective Services Private Limited.Some of TOPSGRUP’s key partners include Tatas,Birlas, Reliance, Airtel, Oracle, HSBC, Stanchart, ICICI, Future group amongstothers

The Shield Guarding Company Ltd, one of the top 10 marketleaders in United Kingdomwas established in 1987 and has an esteemed clientele spanning from WaltDisney, Fujitsu, Nokia / Vertu, Master Foods, Broadgate Estates, Ove Arup,Halliburton KBR, Porsche amongst many others. The British firm offers specializedsecurity services in the areas of manned guarding, door supervision, CCTVpublic space surveillance, vehicle immobilization and cash in transit. Shieldcurrently partners with over 350 customers, employs over 2500 human capitalassets and operates out of four offices in the United Kingdom.

According to GerryPaxton, Executive Chairman of Shield, “thestrategic partnership of two nationally leading security brands augurs well forthe rapidly growing global security industry which is estimated to cross the US $230 billion mark by2015. Shield is known for its business values, its focus on quality of serviceand commitment to the customers and its employees and we are delighted that wehave found a perfect match in TOPSGRUP”.Shield promoted by Gerald Paxton recorded a turnover of US$ 121 million (Rs484 crores) and a profit before taxation of US$ 4.5 million (Rs 18 crores) forthe year 2007-2008. It is poised to achieve revenues in excess of US $140 million(Rs 560 crores) in 2008-2009.

TOPSGRUP, the first Indian MNC security provider offerstailor-made security solutions including manned guarding, electronic securitysystems, investigation, facility management, cash management, consultancy,advanced training and emergency response service called TOPSLINE 1252. TopsSecurity Limited, the flagship company of Topsgrup, holds the distinction ofbeing the first security firm in India to land private equityfunding in 2007. Last year, ICICI Venture invested Rs 115 crore ($28 million)for 13.69 per cent equity stake, while Indivision (the investment arm of FutureGroup) increased its existing stake in the company from 4.94 per cent to 7.08per cent with an additional investment of Rs 25 crore ($6 million) taking itstotal exposure in TOPSGRUP at Rs 57 crore. Well known stock investor RakeshJhunjhunwala also owns 10.8 per cent stake in Tops and is a director on the prestigiousboard.

Closer home, the security industry,which is being termed as the ‘sunrise industry’ in the corporate sector; isestimated to be Rs 2,500 crores, fragmented by the unorganized sector at Rs 1500crore. It is growing at a staggering compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25per cent, and is expected to be a dominating sector in the coming years. Thesecurity industry worldwide is currently pegged at $141 billion that includesguarding, investigation and electronic security.

About the Author

Started as a free lance writer earlier for Maharashtra Herald Newspaper, then with the Pune-Mid-Day. Have also contributed for articles on websites

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