- Started in 2018, today with 18 branches in Germany and 2 locations in the Netherlands
- 60 million € turnover and around 700 employees expected for 2021
- Security technology expands the portfolio
Three years of CWS Fire Safety
CWS Fire Safety is the youngest division of the CWS Group and celebrates its third birthday this month. The fire protection solution from CWS was registered on 04.09.2018 and actively entered the German fire protection market in 2018 with a fresh and ambitious concept.
Geographical and service-oriented growth
Starting as a small start-up unit in the CWS Group, CWS Fire Safety is now growing out of its infancy. Turnover has doubled in 2019, tripled in 2020 and is expected to reach around 60 million euros in 2021 with around 700 employees. It all started with the idea of offering the existing CWS customers from the hygiene and workwear sector a broader service portfolio around the company building. Through the first acquisitions of the then fire protection companies TEUTO (today's Bielefeld branch) and BSC (today's Dreieich branch), the knowledge and experience in the fire protection market has steadily increased. In 2019 there were already 5 branches, in 2020 then 17 branches and now, just three years later, CWS Fire Safety already has 18 branches in Germany as well as two locations in the Netherlands.
"We have not only grown strongly geographically, but also with our range of services. In terms of fire protection, we offer customers everything from a single source. From fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems to extinguishing systems and training. In addition, we are increasingly adding security technology solutions such as video surveillance systems, alarm systems or access and time recording systems. Fire protection and security technology complement each other very well and we are pleased to be able to offer the customer such a large portfolio after only 3 years," says Dr Ulrich Schild, General Manager of CWS Fire Safety GmbH.
Well-trained employees are the key to quality
What many people don't know is that there are no classic apprenticeships in fire protection. In order to be able to work in fire protection, it is necessary to complete an apprenticeship in a trade such as electronics technician, drywall installer, water installer or similar, as well as specific further training. The Fire Safety Academy was founded so that CWS Fire Safety can offer its customers reliable and high-quality solutions. This internal training centre offers all CWS service technicians regular basic and advanced training in fire protection and security technology.
In addition to theoretical knowledge building, the focus is primarily on practical implementation. The knowledge can be put into practice directly on many sample components, such as assembly, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair. In addition to theory and practice, the exchange of experience and networking among each other is also an important goal. With this Fire Safety Academy, CWS Fire Safety clearly stands out from the market and can thus provide CWS service technicians with professional qualifications, also independently of manufacturers.
Birthday party with all branches
"This development of CWS Fire Safety would not have been possible without the great commitment of all employees, so we celebrated a digital birthday party with all branches," says Dr Ulrich Schild. In the run-up to the party, the central team sent out a birthday package with goodies and a few surprises for each employee, which were used together at the birthday party. The Bielefeld branch couldn't resist the opportunity to sing a live birthday song. "I am looking forward to the next steps with CWS Fire Safety. We are working on a wide range of topics, including further expansion, digitalisation and offering sustainable solutions for our customers," Dr Ulrich Schild continued.