Allied Universal

History

Allied Universal started as two different companies: AlliedBarton and Universal Protection Services.

AlliedBarton

Main article: AlliedBarton

AlliedBarton was founded as Allied Security in 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a provider of contracted security guards and related services.

In 2004, Allied Security acquired Malden, Massachusetts-based Security Systems Inc. (SSI) and Atlanta, Georgia-based Barton Protective Services to form AlliedBarton Security Services - creating the largest American-owned contract security services company in the United States.

Universal Protection Service

Main article: Universal Protection Service

Universal Protection Service was founded in 1965. It started as a janitorial company and expanded into security by 1969.

After the 2016 merger

In 2016, AlliedBarton and Universal Services of America merged to form Allied Universal. In February 2017, the company officially began operations under its new name. After the merger, Allied Universal was considered the largest security company in North America.

In January 2018, the company paid $90,000 to settle a religious discrimination lawsuit from a Muslim employee in California who sought a religious exemption to the company’s grooming standards and was fired. In response to the allegations, the company issued a statement saying these “isolated incidents are not indicative of our culture and work ethic,” and it has “zero tolerance against sexual harassment.” A related case was later voluntarily dismissed at the plaintiffs’ request. In July, Allied Universal announced the purchase of Georgia-based US Security Associates along with its affiliate Staff Pro for $1.5 billion.

In 2019, the company was attacked with a ransomware scheme by the Maze group that turned out to be a stunt designed to warn companies about system security flaws. In December, majority owner Wendel sold most of its stake in Allied Universal to a Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), and a new investment group led by investment company Warburg Pincus and an affiliate of the investment company J. Safra Group.

In January 2021, Allied Universal acquired Atlanta-based competitor SecurAmerica.

In December 2020, the Board of Directors and shareholders for British security firm G4S unanimously accepted a takeover offer of 5.1 billion USD from Allied Universal. The acquisition was completed in April 2021, creating a combined company of 800,000 employees, with revenues of more than 18 billion USD.

In June 2023, it was reported that Allied Universal subsidiary G4S would be divesting completely from Israel in response to years of campaigning from the G4S Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement for its involvement in Israel and the resulting “reputational damage”. Allied Universal was also said to have divested from Israel.

Services and operations

Allied Universal provides security products and services, including access control, intrusion, alarm detection, and IP-based video systems; janitorial; transition planning; green cleaning; and staffing services. Allied Universal operates in the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. As of February 2022, it employed about 800,000 people.

References

References

1. (2019-06-20). "Mark Mullison, CIO at Allied Universal Discusses Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and the Launch of HELIAUS".
2. "Steve Jones Chairman/CEO".
3. "Offices - Allied Universal".
4. Pelts, James F.. (2016-08-04). "How the nation's largest security-guard firm adapts to changing threats". [[Los Angeles Times]].
5. (2016-05-03). "Universal Services to Merge".
6. (2021-03-16). "G4S saga ends as shareholders accept $5.3 billion Allied Universal offer". Reuters.
7. Bray, Chad. (2015-06-30). "Wendel Agrees to Acquire AlliedBarton Security for $1.67 Billion". The New York Times.
8. (2004-05-24). "Allied Security to acquire Barton Protective Services - Atlanta Business Chronicle".
9. (July 28, 2015). "Memphis security giant Guardsmark bought". Memphis Business Journal.
10. Cosgrove, Anne. (2016-08-01). "New Allied Universal Formed, Offers Security Services". Facility Executive - Creating Intelligent Buildings.
11. (2018-05-18). "LaDonna".
12. (2018-05-18). "Durham City Council Approves Contract With Company Accused of Harassment, Discrimination".
13. (2018-07-15). "Allied Universal to buy U.S. Security Associates for $1 billion".
14. (2020-11-02). "Maze ransomware shuts down with bizarre announcement".
15. (2019-12-16). "Allied Universal Holder Completes Sale". OCBJ.
16. (2021-01-21). "Allied Universal acquires SecurAmerica".
17. Ragusa, Paul. (2020-12-08). "G4S agrees to be acquired by Allied Universal".
18. Shabong, Yadrisa. (2021-03-16). "G4S saga ends as shareholders accept $5.3 billion Allied Universal offer". [[Reuters]].
19. "Report: Private security firm G4S to divest from Israel". Middle East Monitor.
20. "Allied Universal Security Services LLC". Bloomberg.
21. (July 9, 2020). "California security company Allied Universal to hire hundreds in Central Florida".