OBI

OBI opened its first store in 1970 located in Hamburg with 12 employees and a space of 870 m2. By 2006, OBI employed more than 37,000 people over a total store surface of 3.2 million m2. That same year, OBI also achieved €6.6 billion in turnover. The stores all operate under the ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) philosophy, a shopping concept where customers choose what they need for any home improvement project, repair, or remodelling, from carpentry to gardening and plumbing.

OBI Hungary

OBI opened in Hungary in 1994. As in OBI’s other international markets, OBI Hungary displayed continuous growth from the beginning. Presently, there are more than 22 OBI shops in Hungary and the company has become a market leader on the DIY home market. In addition to this success, OBI won the ‘Superbrands ‘ award in 2004 for all of Hungary a testimony to the fact that OBI puts its customers’ needs first.

Pre-existing situation & UTCFS’s role

OBI experienced security problems and multiple thefts, particularly related to the perimeter of its stores. Despite having a video camera system, security was unable to pre-empt burglaries and thieves found their way to valuable goods undetected. Clearly, OBI needed a vastly improved security system and turned to UTCFS for assistance in addressing this challenge.

UTCFS’s Solution

Understanding that burglaries often went hand in hand with the breaching or cutting of the fences surrounding the site, UTCFS presented its solution, directly addressing this challenge. UTCFS recommended the Intelli-Flex fence protection system, which offers a vast security solution. It is solid and equipped with sensors that indicate when a fence is cut or breached. With Intelli-Flex in place, security guards are able to monitor and respond to the system with ease and extreme efficiency. Thanks to this tightened shop security, OBI reduced burglaries around the clock and has renewed confidence in its entire security system.