Spain - Safety and Security Spain - Safety and Security

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

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Last Published: 6/24/2019

Overview
Safety and security is defined for Spain’s Country Commercial Guide as the equipment and services used to protect the assets of a person or an organization by creating safe, secure, risk-free conditions. Security pertains to protection against criminal activities and threats (real and perceived) such as employing a guard or installing video cameras, while safety is concerned with the protection of human lives and assets against hazards (mishaps and accidents).

Security Equipment

Spain’s security equipment manufacturing industry is roughly a USD1.9 billion industry, making it the fifth largest in Europe. National production consists of basic products like fire extinguishers, locks, and safes, although there is some production of more sophisticated items such as access controls. However, national manufacturing capacity is not sufficient to meet local requirements. Spain has a trade deficit equivalent to ten percent of its security equipment demand and relies on imports from key trading partners like China, France, Germany, Italy, UK, and the U.S. This makes the U.S. a great supplier source for the Spanish demand (1).
The strongest growth is seen in the segments of access controls, closed-circuit TVs and other upper-end electronic security products, and systems. Double-digit annual increases in product demand are estimated to continue through 2019. This reflects the impact of technological advances and falling costs that have made electronic security equipment more attractive, as well as the continuing influence of measures passed following the 2004 Madrid and 2017 Barcelona terrorist attacks.
The increasing installation of high-value biometric access controls, such as those identifying a person by their fingerprint or vein pattern, will also boost sales in Spain as companies and government facilities look to upgrade to more effective technologies.
Much of Spain’s security equipment production is comprised of small and mid-sized firms. The most relevant Spanish manufacturers include: Bunker Seguridad Electronica, DORLET, Fermex Electronica, Grupo Aguilera, and JR Sistemas de Seguridad. Foreign multinationals with security product plants in the country include ASSA ABLOY, Ingersoll-Rand, Sony, and United Technologies (via its Onity unit). ASSA ABLOY’s Talleres de Escoriaza SAU (TESA) unit manufactures mechanical locks and related accessories from plants in Guipuzcoa and Madrid, while the A2 Software unit produces software for locking systems from a factory located in Tarragona.

Barriers

It is strongly recommended that U.S. manufacturers have local representation if participating in public tenders in Spain in order to be competitive.
Payment terms, which can be significantly long in some cases, may act as a barrier to an effective conclusion of distribution and sales agreements. The exchange rate evolution and the long-term financing required in some cases should also be taken in consideration.
The August 2017 Barcelona terrorist attacks and the 2015-2017 attacks across Europe have focused greater attention on the threats posed by terrorists and have acted as a spur for Spanish authorities to enhance emergency planning and response capabilities. While Spain has a tradition of quite effective coordination among its counter terror and public safety agencies, some inter-agencies coordination problems are an obstacle
to harmonized efforts to carry out the country’s counter terror and public safety missions. This phenomenon increases the national markets due to duplication of purchased systems.

(1) Fredonia Inc. https://www.freedoniagroup.com/

Leading Sub-Sectors

• Video Surveillance Systems (including: CCTV/Video surveillance, Video Management, Video Analytics);
• Intrusion Detection/Burglar Alarm systems (including: Door alarm monitoring, Sound and glass break sensors, Security system monitoring);
• Electronic Access control System (including: Proximity and Smart cards, Electromechanical locking solutions, Biometrics);
• Entrance Solutions (including: Mechanical locks, Automated gates, Vehicles barriers, Turnstiles, Roll-up doors);
• Physical Security (including: Fencing, Grilles, Bullet resistant glazing, Mechanical window coverings, Safes, Locks);
• Scanning Equipment (including: Narcotics/explosive/metal detectors, Scanning and screening equipment);
• Article Surveillance Systems (including: RFID systems, proximity tag systems);
• Personal Protections Products (including: Goggles, Bullet proof vests, Mace);
• Protection services (including: Bodyguards, Security guard services);
• Consultancy Services (including: Risk analysis, Risk management, Disaster recovery, Business continuity, Organizational resilience);
• National Security (including: Counter terrorism, Border security, Critical infra., Command & control, Law enforcement eq.);
• Fire & Rescue (including: Fire/smoking detection, Fire suppression, Fire proofing, Leak detection, Protective gear)

Current Market Trend

There is increased demand for integrated solutions, such as security solutions that cover on-site and immediate response personnel, intelligent video surveillance systems, biometrics solutions, electronic security, alarm systems, and fire-related security systems to help increase a city’s resilience and response time.
The Spanish economic context and austerity measures still have a clear impact on safety and security demand. Nevertheless, there are many products that are expected to maintain a high degree of interest in the market, such as explosives detection equipment, equipment for forensic and investigative units of police department, law enforcement, and high-end surveillance systems.

Opportunities

In general, U.S. safety and security products enjoy an excellent reputation as being high quality and state-of-the-art. Teaming with a Spanish counterpart should be considered a primary option in order to develop an effective market access strategy. Most multinationals in the sector are present in Spain directly or through partners.
Spain’s market for safety & security products is sophisticated and well served. Local defense and security companies are well entrenched in the Spanish security market. Even with a preference for locally manufactured products, foreign products can usually compete strongly based on price and innovation (2).In the safety area, wildfire firefighting equipment and services are also in demand. Partnering with a Spanish company that has successfully participated in public tenders is recommended. 

(2) http://homelandsecurityresearch.com/2017/03/spain-public-safety-homeland-security-market-2018-2022/

Specific Sector Opportunities

• The European Commission passed a legislative framework requiring all hold baggage screening in Europe be equipped with European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Standard 3-approved explosives detection systems (EDS). Airports must have these systems in use by 2018 in the U.K., 2020 in the rest of Europe, and 2022 in countries with specific circumstances. Increasing security threats have led to higher needs for detection, enhanced regulatory standards, and the need for increased efficiencies (3). 

• The Fire Safety Equipment sector in Spain also presents several opportunities for fire prevention and fire control initiatives. Spanish tender notices, project information, procurement news, procurement plans, and contract awards can be found at this link: http://www.globaltenders.com/tenders-spain/spain-fire-safety-security-tenders.php/.

• Port Security - One of the greatest challenges to the development of a smart port is the rising threat of cyber-attacks and the need for increased cyber and physical security. Ports around Spain have begun to install cameras at terminal entrances to keep a registration of vehicles accessing port territories as well as systems of so-called “remote security” to provide security personnel with wireless devices, direct access to port databases, control of cargo activity, vehicles, and/or persons inside the port to promote smart port security technology. Furthermore, because many companies invested in the port industry are responsible for physical goods as well as customer data, many ports require modernized and guarded security systems. The U.S. is a great source for these types of innovative technologies (4).

• Personal Defense Sprays - The personal defense spray industry is growing in popularity in Spain with their recent integration into the police force; however, each brand must be duly approved by the Permanent Interministerial Commission of Weapons and Explosives (CIPAE) and authorized by the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (4).  Personal defense sprays are defined as weapons that release gases or aerosols, as well as any device that includes mechanisms capable of projecting substantially intoxicating, toxic, or corrosive substances according to Article 5.1 b) of the Weapons Regulation (Royal Decree 137/1993, of January 29) (5). In recent years, the General Directorate of the Police has given into public pressures, gradually distributing pepper spray among the police force while private security guards may only use the spray if expressly authorized; otherwise, it is forbidden (6).

  Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.

More Information

Spain Safety and Security Trade Development and Promotion