Axis orbits into Canada

February 24, 2005 CHELMSFORD, Mass. - As demand for IP-based security products continues to surge worldwide, Axis Communications established a sales office in Toronto this month to create a broader market reach of the company’s technology. “We decided to start focusing on that market with IP video and surveillance solutions,” said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager at Axis Communications. “We are obviously looking to grow our business in Canada and that’s the main goal.” With its U.S. headquarters based here, this is the company’s first office in Canada. Within North America, Axis also maintains a sales presence in San Diego and Mexico City. The company is based in Lund, Sweden and has offices in 15 countries, overall. According to Nilsson, 73 percent of the company’s revenue last year was derived from network video sales. Axis reported SEK 691 million ($100 million) in net sales during 2004. Founded in 1984, Axis manufactures network cameras and video servers, as well as develops proprietary software and chips. The company’s product line targets applications in security, surveillance, remote monitoring and document management. Although there are already companies in Canada that offer IP-based security products, Nilsson said the market was small enough to handle another player. “We felt it was appropriate to have a presence,” he said. For now, the new office will be staffed with one person and will ramp up as sales grow. Robert Moore will head the location as Canadian sales manager. He is charged with overseeing operations and handling business development activities and network video sales. For more on this story, see the April issue of Security Systems News.