UK security exports on the increase, say BSIA members
Security exporters from the British Security Industry Association’s Export Council have reported a further increase in the demand for British security products and services in 2015 from overseas buyers.
In an annual survey conducted by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), members of the Association’s Export Council – a dedicated forum for BSIA member companies who are focused on extending their business to overseas markets – report their experiences of exporting in the past 12 months and their expectations for the coming year. In this year’s survey – which was launched during UKTI’s Export Week – respondents revealed that there continues to be a high demand for British security products and services, with 60 percent citing an increase in overseas business during 2015, and a further 30 percent stating that the level of business had remained the same.
Further increases in overseas trade are expected for 2016, with a clear focus on the Middle East as an important market for the UK’s security sector. 40 percent of respondents identified the Middle East as the single most important target market and 80 percent of respondents are looking to increase their level of business in this region. Over half of respondents attended Intersec Dubai in 2015, which reflects the clear importance that this region has for UK security exporters.
“This annual survey has enabled us to build an accurate picture of emerging trends experienced by UK security exporters operating on a global scale,” comments Daren Wood, Membership and Export Services Manager at the BSIA.
“The level of overseas business for our Export Council members continues to increase year on year and in an increasingly global marketplace, we expect more and more UK-based companies to turn to overseas markets in the future.”
Interestingly, 2015’s survey shows that for 40 percent of respondents, overseas distributors are the most important target vertical market, compared to previous years were critical national infrastructure, utilities and government have ranked highly.
Daren adds: “The UK enjoys a positive international reputation when it comes to the provision of security products and services, in part due to the innovation which has become synonymous with the UK’s security industry.
“Despite this, there are still several barriers that UK security exporters are facing. For over half of the respondents, the most significant challenges relate to cost or price pressures and the continued burden of local certification costs. The existence of third-party certification schemes in many European countries continues to be a significant barrier – particularly for members of our Security Equipment Manufacturers section – in that there is a requirement for products to be tested to different standards depending on which country they are to be sold in, which is both time consuming and expensive.”
However, the outlook for 2016 remains positive; 100 percent of respondents expect their company’s export business to increase over the coming 12 months. Anecdotally, members of the Export Council cited that they expect the introduction of more IP based schemes and a healthy demand for integration and home automation.
“BSIA members will continue to capitalise on the demand for British products by growing their presence at key international trade shows, such as Intersec Dubai, Security Essen and IFSEC SE Asia. To support members to attend overseas trade shows, the BSIA organises UK Pavilions at several key trade events, thus forging productive trade links between UK security companies and overseas buyers from around the world.” concludes Daren.
For more information about becoming a member of the BSIA’s Export Council, visit: www.bsia.co.uk/export-council.aspx
