Brücken/Frankfurt am Main, 19 June 2024 – In 2023, the market for electronic security technology in Germany recorded an increase in sales of 3.6 percent to more than 5.3 billion euros. “Overall, growth in 2023 was slightly lower than in the two previous years. In addition, there are considerable differences between the individual trades – but the important thing is that everyone was able to grow,” said Dirk Dingfelder, Chairman of the ZVEI Security Association. “The trend towards the integration of electronic security technology through digitalisation and networking has been confirmed. The market is continuing to develop towards networked products and systems, and the importance of the software component and accompanying digital services is steadily increasing,” said Axel Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. (German Security Technology Association).
The fact that the building sector can and must make a significant contribution to the success of the energy transition not only increases its political relevance, but also contributes to the positive market development of electronic security technology: “Wherever security technology can make a recognisable contribution to improving the energy efficiency of buildings, it is supported by politicians,” explained Dingfelder. The promotion of lift shaft smoke extraction and ventilation systems to save CO2 is a concrete example of this.
On the other hand, business development in the security technology sector is strongly influenced by the construction industry. “The signs for construction are not particularly good at the moment,” says Schmidt. “In particular, the number of new building permits, which recently fell by around 25 per cent, is a cause for concern.”
The legal framework also presents particular challenges: “The European Construction Products Regulation presents us with new processes in standardisation. The consequences are far-reaching and not yet fully foreseeable,” said Dingfelder. “The personnel situation in the security market is also becoming more and more problematic,” added Schmidt. The shortage of skilled labour is significantly increasing the pressure on the industry.
Individual sectors grow at different rates
Sales of fire alarm technology - by far the largest trade in electronic security technology, which is also heavily dependent on the construction industry - rose by 3.3 per cent to 2.51 billion euros in 2023. Voice alarm systems increased by 2.3 per cent to a turnover of 133 million euros.
Video systems once again recorded above-average growth with an increase in sales of 5.9 per cent to 790 million euros. The wide range of possible applications and the flexibility of video security technology in combination with other technologies ensure continued high growth. Access control systems also performed well in the market with an increase of 6.8 per cent to 485 million euros.
Growth in robbery and burglar alarm systems was again somewhat weaker in 2023, increasing by 1.0 per cent to 900 million euros. The discontinuation of subsidies from the German development bank KfW for private burglary protection is having an effect here, although the number of residential burglaries has recently risen again significantly.
Smoke and heat extraction systems including natural ventilation (RWA/NL) recorded a slight increase to 177 million euros. On the other hand, other technologies such as call systems in accordance with DIN VDE 0834, escape door systems, personal assistance calls and other systems and components enlarged significantly by a total of 5.8 per cent.
About the BHE
With over 1,200 member companies, the BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. is an important association for security technology. A strong community of competent individuals and companies forms the basis of the BHE's success: through their active participation in the BHE technical committees and other bodies, the member companies (around 78% installers, 20% manufacturers and 2% planners) ensure rapid solutions.
The BHE is a communication and information platform for all those involved in security issues. In this sense, it promotes the exchange of opinions between member companies and in particular with users, security officers and other persons and institutions responsible for security issues.
Contact for the press:
Anke Sepp, telephone: 06386 9214-11, e-mail: a.sepp@bhe.de
About the ZVEI
ZVEI represents the common interests of the electrical and digital industry and associated service companies in Germany and internationally. The association has more than 1,100 member companies and 170 employees in the ZVEI Group.
The industry employs around 900,000 people in Germany (as of April 2024). In 2023, its turnover was around 238 billion euros.
The electrical and digital industry is one of the most innovative economic sectors in Germany. Product innovations account for a fifth of the sector's turnover. One in three innovations in the manufacturing industry as a whole originates here. Almost a quarter of all R&D expenditure in the manufacturing sector in Germany comes from the electrical and digital industry. Every year, the sector spends around 20 billion euros on R&D and more than seven billion euros on investments.
Contact for the press:
Ingrid Pilgram, telephone: 069 6302-259, e-mail: ingrid.pilgram@zvei.org
You can find this press release and a chart on turnover development on the Internet at www.bhe.de.
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