Burns International Security Services

[copelandamuffy]

http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/120940.html

Anyone ever work for Burns International Security Services?
I worked for them for about 7 years.
I had a falling out with Pinkerton and did not want to go to some
small company. I chose Burns International Security Services and
worked for them from 1991-1998.

And a brief history lesson;

The company's founder, William Burns, has
been described as the world's finest detective, and served as the head of the
government agency that became the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

When both Pinkerton and Burns were competitors. Both claimed they were
the world's largest Security Guard company.

Sadly both Pinkerton and Burns were merged with Securitas
To this day I cannot understand why one of these two names were
not kept on.

You felt some pride walking into a coffee shop and someone
who was history wise and knew something about William Burns,
founder of the FBI, or Alan Pinkerton the farther of the Secret
Service would make a nice comment about who you worked for.

[N. A. Corbier]

I'm missing something here.

[Mr. Security]

http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/120940.html

Anyone ever work for Burns International Security Services?
I worked for them for about 7 years.
I had a falling out with Pinkerton and did not want to go to some
small company. I chose Burns International Security Services and
worked for them from 1991-1998.

And a brief history lesson;

The company's founder, William Burns, has
been described as the world's finest detective, and served as the head of the
government agency that became the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

When both Pinkerton and Burns were competitors. Both claimed they were
the world's largest Security Guard company.

Sadly both Pinkerton and Burns were merged with Securitas
To this day I cannot understand why one of these two names were
not kept on.
You felt some pride walking into a coffee shop and someone
who was history wise and knew something about William Burns,
founder of the FBI, or Alan Pinkerton the farther of the Secret
Service would make a nice comment about who you worked for.

At first, I didn't care for the name Securitas either. But I have to say it is growing on me. As we all know, Securitas is based in Europe and they probably wouldn't approve of an American name for their company. (I know they still use PGS, etc.)

Think of it this way. If Airbus had bought McDonald-Douglas instead of Boeing buying them, do you think Airbus would change its name to McDonald-Douglas?

[hrdickinson]

I was with Burns from 1978 through 1985. I was the VP and Treasurer in Briarcliff Manor, NY in 1982 when the Burns family sold their collective shares (51%) to Borg Warner. They then made a tender offer for the remaining shares.

Borg Warner folded Burns under their subsidiary, Baker Industries, Inc., the parent company of Wells Fargo Guard, Alarm, Armored, etc. As you know, they marketed their products with both names for a while. More than once Burns and Wells Fargo would try to underbid each other on a local contract. Malcolm Baker didn't see the humor in that!

Years later (approx 1994), the two senior Baker guys (not Malcolm) left and started US Security Associates and then purchased Advance Security in Atlanta, their platform acquisition.

No, I am not old enough to have known William J. Burns!

[copelandamuffy]

Yes it is true both Burns and Wells Fargo did bid against each other
For what ever reason during my tenure at Burns from 1991-1998, I wore
a Wells Fargo uniform. Same Providence, Rhode Island branch office,
and same supervisiors.

Back in the 1990s Burns offered what was called the Burns promise:
For what ever reason Burns did not offer to the client exceptional
service, or Service Guarantee Requirments, then Burns would provide
Guard Service at no charge to the client.

Also in 1990 Burns had 130 offices throughout the world.
Pinkerton had 150 offices throughout the world

Pinkerton was bought out by Tom Wathen and California Plant Protection
Tom Wathen was a good guy. I think Pinkerton may have survived if he
was still the CEO.

[Andy Taylor]

I worked for Burns for a few months in the mid 90's. I found not much to like about them. Low pay and being treated like a number instead of a person. I felt they didn't have any respect for me or my knowledge or experience.

Securitas does still use the Pinkerton name. Around here anyway Pinkerton does special events that Securitas doesn't want. I occasionally work for them if they have something interesting that doesn't interfere with my main job. I recently work a county employee strike for them. They pay on a 10-99 and the pay is quite good.

[hrdickinson]

Pinkerton was bought out by Tom Wathen and California Plant Protection Tom Wathen was a good guy. I think Pinkerton may have survived if he was still the CEO.

For what it's worth, I believe the Pinkerton family first sold it to American Standard who then sold to CPP. By the time Tom bought it, it wasn't the same company. You're right, he did a heck of a job restoring the reputation.

[copelandamuffy]

I believe the 4th generation of Pinkertons sold to American Brands.
Pinkerton and the "eye that never sleeps"
Miss those days.

[Mr. Security]

I will say this about large companies that merge: The larger they become, the harder it is to maintain quality. I wish the mergers had been blocked by the government. Water under the bridge now though.

[hrdickinson]

I believe the 4th generation of Pinkertons sold to American Brands.
Pinkerton and the "eye that never sleeps"
Miss those days.

American Brands, that's right, what was I thinking!