Industry divided on consolidation, according to SSN News Poll

YARMOUTH, Maine – For this month’s news poll we asked our readers, are market acquisitions where they need to be, or are things consolidating to the detriment of the industry?

Unsurprisingly results were fairly skewed between familiar battle lines as larger corporate entities hold differing views to their small business counterparts. Poll results show that while challenges posed to business remain the same, the lay of the land has changed for many.

Diving right into our first question, we asked readers,

Is the current trend of acquisitions in the industry sustainable?

Of the available responses, 28.57% said that “Yes, the consolidation is a result of reducing excess in the post-covid market economy,” while the same percentage said, “No, current trends are harmful to consumers and bad for innovation and competition.” Nearly half of the responses, 42.86%, couldn’t be sure.

“The industry has been in flux since I began back in late 2001 regarding brands, products, and who owns what,” one Security Systems News reader commented. “We watched GE breakup their security; SBD do the same; and now Carrier. Timing and opportunity, does it make business sense and Schneider thought it did to the demise of Pelco. Now look what Motorola is remaking Pelco into...”

Is the current industry amenable to new businesses?

Almost no responses outright favored industry condition with regards to starting a new business, only 7.14%. Double that percentage believed instead that the environment has become too hostile and unforgiving to businesses trying to break into the industry.

“Small businesses are impacted greatly and making it difficult to compete against larger corporations who are, at times, unsavory in their business practices,” one reader commented.

“It’s not an even playing field these days,” said another.

Regardless, an overwhelming percent of survey responses, 78.57%, held that the challenges faced by new businesses are the same they’ve ever been.

Does the security industry need more oversight from governing bodies to ensure fair business practices?

42.88% of respondents said that no, the market will regulate itself. 21.43% believed that regulation was needed to address the needs of small business and consumers. 35.71% were satisfied with current government regulation and said the existing systems are working as intended.

That’s it for this month, our current poll is available now and asks readers to share their thoughts on Biometrics and their applications.