Magnum portfolio keeps growing

THE RECENT introduction by security specialist Magnum Shield of specialised tally services was simply the next step in a process of establishing the company as a major presence in security and related interests in the country’s harbours. The first step was the introduction of a marine division by Magnum Shield Security, a member of the Bidvest Group. The services offered included onboard ship security (gangway and general ship security), crew transport and courier services, including arranging and carrying out specialised tours for ships crew, meeting crew personnel at airports, and cash to master (CTM) services. These were followed in late 2006 with a stowaway detection service. Magnum employs its own specially trained dogs, all of the Jack Russell terrier variety, as these have proved the most successful for inaccessible (except for stowaways) hideaways on board ships, together with equally well trained dog handlers who make the ‘arrest’ once a stowaway is detected. The stowaway service in fact has proved so successful at both Durban and Richards Bay that Magnum Shield’s name has reached international circles with ship owners contacting the company from abroad to make enquiries and bookings. Magnum intends building on this by taking the service to the other ports in due course. The latest addition has been the provision of tally facilities and personnel which was seen to have strong synergies with the other services already provided. “It was obvious that we should move into this allied arena,” explained Rob Hill, regional sales manager for Magnum Shield Security. Hill stresses that tally services are not an adhoc type service but that the uniformed personnel employed are fully and professionally trained and that Magnum remains contractually bound to servicing the client. With such a strong presence in the ports it was inevitable that Magnum should also relocate its marine division into the harbour at Durban, with offices and facilities at Maydon Wharf where staff can literally be ‘on the job’ in a jiffy.