Garda has 1,800 workers in war zones
Private security in iraq, afghanistan. Two big acquisitions in last 2 years land Montreal firm in Baghdad's Green Zone
MARY LAMEY, The Gazette Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
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Where most people see trouble, Stephan Cretier sees opportunity.
The president of GardaWorld Security Corp. has more than 1,800 employees providing security to diplomats, aid workers and companies doing business in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This kind of work is a growing business," he said in a telephone interview yesterday. "It's more risky, but also more profitable."
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Font: ****The Montreal-based Garda plunged into the personal security business in a big way two years ago with its $67.25-million acquisition of Vance International Inc., one of the largest private-security operations in the world. It followed that with the purchase last December of Kroll Security International, based in London. KSI is a leading risk-management company in the region.
The takeovers have helped vault Garda to fifth position among the world's private security providers.
With 50,000 employees and annual revenues in the $1.5-billion range, it still trails North American leader Brink's Co. with revenues of $2.5 billion U.S. last year.
Currently, Garda is active in Baghdad's Green Zone, where it provides security to the British Embassy and to non-profit groups including USAID and the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, where it provides personal security to the Anglican vicar of Baghdad, Rev. Andrew White.
The foundation recently recognized GardaWorld with its inaugural peace prize.
"GardaWorld has provided an outstanding service to every aspect of our work in Iraq and, in reality, is the biggest contributor to our efforts of peace-making," White said in a press release. The foundation promotes reconciliation among Iraq's various religious groups.
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Private security in iraq, afghanistan. Two big acquisitions in last 2 years land Montreal firm in Baghdad's Green Zone
MARY LAMEY, The Gazette Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Article Link
Where most people see trouble, Stephan Cretier sees opportunity.
The president of GardaWorld Security Corp. has more than 1,800 employees providing security to diplomats, aid workers and companies doing business in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This kind of work is a growing business," he said in a telephone interview yesterday. "It's more risky, but also more profitable."
Email to a friend
Printer friendly
Font: ****The Montreal-based Garda plunged into the personal security business in a big way two years ago with its $67.25-million acquisition of Vance International Inc., one of the largest private-security operations in the world. It followed that with the purchase last December of Kroll Security International, based in London. KSI is a leading risk-management company in the region.
The takeovers have helped vault Garda to fifth position among the world's private security providers.
With 50,000 employees and annual revenues in the $1.5-billion range, it still trails North American leader Brink's Co. with revenues of $2.5 billion U.S. last year.
Currently, Garda is active in Baghdad's Green Zone, where it provides security to the British Embassy and to non-profit groups including USAID and the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, where it provides personal security to the Anglican vicar of Baghdad, Rev. Andrew White.
The foundation recently recognized GardaWorld with its inaugural peace prize.
"GardaWorld has provided an outstanding service to every aspect of our work in Iraq and, in reality, is the biggest contributor to our efforts of peace-making," White said in a press release. The foundation promotes reconciliation among Iraq's various religious groups.
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