Balanced security at food and beverage manufacturer

For the past 13 years, Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has partnered with Securitas for security at the headquarters for its Portuguese operations outside of Lisbon. A combined solution for security has evolved to protect the facility without hindering dialogue with the public.

Nestlé has four plants and a head office in Portugal.  The company focuses on nutrition, health and wellness and it produces powdered milk, bottled water, coffee and cereals. In addition, there is also a main logistic distribution center, and three local distribution centers.

At the head office near Lisbon, two receptionists from Securitas – one of Nestlé’s recommended suppliers for European operations – manage the visitors’ system and hand out badges and, behind the glass window, the switchboard is also staffed by Securitas.

The roles are part of a combined security solution that includes technical equipment, says Facility Management Director Rui Dionisio: “Originally, we chose Securitas simply because of the name, and the geographical position. Today, we have a combined contract that includes the technical equipment.”

Dionisio explains that the contract evolved due to a technology upgrade during 2006 in which Securitas played a key role in formulating the approach. “I believe a security contractor is in a better position to evaluate the security level and they can help with advice. When we implemented the system, we consulted with Securitas what to use.”

Working together, the two companies were able to reduce the number of patrols while creating more flexibility by combining services for the reception area and switchboard. “It is more cost-effective for us, now that we can combine those two services,” continues Dionisio. “The reception service is an access control function and the staff there takes turn with the switchboard staff, so there is constant back-up.”

Securitas also staffs the access gate 24/7, monitors cameras and patrols the property inside and out. In a highly competitive market, one challenge is to protect the company’s know-how without hindering dialogue with the public. For Dionisio, it’s a question of balance: “We don’t want to stop people from coming here, because interacting with people is very important,” he says. “What we don’t want is people in the wrong areas.”

One of the added values for Nestlé is that the security officers know the site well enough to not only look after it in terms of protecting it from unauthorized access, but can go the extra mile. “The security personnel here have been with us for a long time, and it’s good that they know us, know the site,” he says. “When the night patrol officer spots a water leak and reports it, he also ensures it is taken care of, and that is added value for me.”

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