Gunnebo has a long and proud history stretching back centuries. From a small engineering company founded in Sweden in the 1700s, today Gunnebo AB is a listed company delivering security solutions to customers across the globe.
1764
Gunnebo Engineering is founded in Gunnebo, a small community on the east coast of Sweden. The company focuses on the production of nails and chains for the shipping industry.
1993
HIDEF Kapital AB is founded, Bjarne Holmqvist is the CEO. The venture capitalist company has got MSEK 400 from the Swedish national employer’s funds, and the mission is to invest in order to save and restore Swedish businesses after the major property- and financial crisis in the country in the beginning of the 1990’s. From start, industrial companies, many sub-contractors to the car industry is acquired.
1994
HIDEF acquires EA Rosengrens AB, the first security-focused company in its portfolio. HIDEF becomes a listed company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
1995
Gunnebo Engineering is acquired by HIDEF and the group’s name is changed from HIDEF to Gunnebo AB. In parallel, Gunnebo AB adopts a strategy focused on delivering security.
Around 40 major acquisitions and divestments are made between 1994 and 2008. (PDF).
2005
Gunnebo Engineering is split off from Gunnebo AB. As a result, Gunnebo AB becomes 100 per cent focused on security. By now, the company is made up of more than 40 acquisitions from the security sector and its turnover has now grown from MSEK
0.8m in 1993 to almost MSEK 8 000 (MEUR 860).
Holmqvist retires as President and CEO and is succeeded by Göran Gezelius. Gezelius begins the Gunnebo One Company project, with the goal of creating an integrated security group with larger organic growth and higher profitability.
2006
Gunnebo is re-structured as part of the integration programme Gunnebo One Company and is able to offer complete security solutions to primarily customers within Banking, Retail, site protection and any customer in need of efficient solutions for secure storage, primarily in Europe but also in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.
2009
On March 1st Per Borgvall is appointed new President and CEO of Gunnebo AB. A Operations unit is established and three regions created, North Europe, South Europe and ROW (Rest of the World), gathering all Customer Centre sales operations.
In September Gunnebo reaches an agreement with a number of banks regarding the terms of refinancing. The new financing is providing on market terms until January 31, 2013 and is subject to the completion of the Rights Issue. Read more about Gunnebo´s Right issue.
2010
The next step in Gunnebo´s development is focused on improving profitability and cash flow through, among other things, improved margins, reduced cost and increased customer focus. Gunnebo will also concentrate on product development, market investments in Asia and the Middle East as well as further investments in the important global Service business.
In April Gunnebo opens an office in Shanghai, China to be closer to its Chinese customers and actively participate in the development of security solutions for the Chinese market, primarily public transport and high street banks. The operation in China will focus on procurement, production and sales. The procurement function applies to the entire Group and therefore helps strengthen Gunnebo’s competitiveness globally.
In December Troax is sold to Accent Equity. The sale is made in light of Gunnebo’s new strategy, which is based on focusing the operation on the Bank Security & Cash Handling, Entrance Control, Secure Storage and Services segments.
2011
In August, Gunnebo strengthens the platform for Entrance Control through the acquisition of South African Alltech.
In September, the Perimeter-Protection business is divested to Procuritas Capital Investors IV. Also this divestment is made in light of Gunnebo’s new strategy, which is based on focusing the operation on the Bank Security & Cash Handling, Entrance Control, Secure Storage and Global Services segments.
Gunnebo now operates in 30 countries with own subsidiaries, has 5,300 employees and a turnover in excess of €580m.