Kws - Kieler Wach Und Sicherheitsgesellschaft Mbh & Co Kg

What Kws - Kieler Wach Und Sicherheitsgesellschaft Mbh & Co Kg does

KWS (Kieler Wach- und Sicherheitsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG) is a German private security services provider headquartered in Kiel, founded in 1905 and family-owned since 1947, currently led by managing directors Tjark Wackerhagen and Rasmus Wackerhagen. The company delivers four service lines: personnel security (manned guarding, reception/concierge, event security, dog-handler patrols), technical security (alarm and video systems, with the 2024-launched KWS Video Control mobile construction-site surveillance product), mobile security (intervention, patrol, and key-holding services), and additional services including training. KWS holds a multi-certification stack — VdS, DIN 77200, SCCP, ISO 9001 — and operates an in-house security school with certified dog-handler instructors and retraining programs, producing a proprietary pipeline of qualified security personnel.

The company operates with nationwide geographic coverage across all 16 German federal states, combining directly staffed branches and a partner/subcontractor network in regions where it does not maintain own premises. Customer mix spans federal institutions (including Bundeswehr and KRITIS operators), large industrial and commercial enterprises, mid-market clients, and (via the KWS Video Control product) construction-site operators. Technology stack centers on integrated alarm response, video surveillance (drones included), and mobile patrol dispatch — there is no disclosed proprietary AI/ML layer in the input, so technical-security capabilities are best characterized as standards-based sensor and camera systems rather than AI-differentiated analytics.

The business model is fee-for-service: recurring contracts for manned and technical guarding, project/event-based billing for event security and construction-site surveillance, and revenue from training delivered through KWS's own school. Revenue mechanics are labor-hour-based for personnel services and asset/recurring-fee-based for technical-security deployments. The company shows active growth signals — 76 open positions nationally, the HSW Hanseatische Schutz- und Wachdienst GmbH acquisition, the 2024 KWS Video Control product launch, and continued investment in workforce training — consistent with a mature, family-owned operator pursuing measured multi-channel expansion rather than venture-style scaling.

Name

Kws - Kieler Wach Und Sicherheitsgesellschaft Mbh & Co Kg

Legal name

Kieler Wach- und Sicherheitsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kws-kiel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

KWS is a family-owned German private security services provider (founded 1905, family-owned since 1947) delivering personnel, technical, and mobile security services nationwide to public-sector, industrial, commercial, and construction-site clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Security Services

NAICS

Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Security Systems Services (56162), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Security Systems Monitoring & Dispatch (SOC/Remote Guarding) (IMAIAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

K-9 Security Services (BPABAMAK), Patrol & Perimeter Security K9 Services (BPAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Private security services
• Personnel security guarding
• Mobile patrol services
• Alarm monitoring center
• Facility management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Personelle Sicherheit (Personnel Security Services): Guarding large properties, port security (ISPS Code), museum security, object and plant protection, security for critical infrastructure (KRITIS), aviation security, reception services, gate services, event security, VIP services. Revenue generated through recurring service contracts, typically priced per hour or shift.
2. Technische Sicherheit (Technical Security): Alarm monitoring, alarm system connection, digital reception, drones, KWS Video Control (mobile video towers), emergency and service control center, video remote monitoring. Hardware and monitoring services billed recurring or per installation.
3. Mobile Sicherheit (Mobile Security): Alarm response and intervention service, cash and valuables transport, mobile construction site security, patrol services, vacation security. Typically project-based or recurring contracts.
4. Weitere Dienstleistungen (Additional Services): Temporary staffing, occupational safety, company and plant fire brigade, occupational first aid, fire protection, military facilities, consulting, dog handler services, facility management, winter services, landscaping. Mix of project-based and recurring service contracts.
5. Facility Management: Building management services including janitorial, cleaning, grounds maintenance, winter services, property management. Typically included as bundled offering with security contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

KWS is a family-owned private security services provider offering integrated security solutions through four divisions: personnel security (guarding, reception, event and VIP security, port/museum/critical infrastructure protection), technical security (alarm monitoring, video surveillance, KWS Video Control mobile towers, drones, digital reception), mobile security (patrol, cash transport, alarm response), and additional services (facility management, fire safety, consulting, dog handler services). Services are delivered by trained security personnel operating from a nationwide branch network backed by VdS-certified 24/7 alarm and service control centers.

Product overview

KWS (Kieler Wach- und Sicherheitsgesellschaft) is a family-owned private security services provider founded in 1905, offering comprehensive security solutions through four core service divisions: Personelle Sicherheit (on-site personnel security), Technische Sicherheit (technical security solutions), Mobile Sicherheit (mobile patrol and transport services), and Weitere Dienstleistungen (additional services including facility management). The company operates a nationwide network with a modern Notruf- und Serviceleitstelle (emergency control center) as the hub of its operations. Key products include KWS Video Control mobile video towers for remote monitoring, Revierstreifendienst patrol services, and specialized offerings such as ISPS-compliant port security, event security, VIP protection, and police dog handler services. The company also operates its own security training school (Schule der Sicherheit) for staff development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personelle Sicherheit (Personnel Security) On-site security guarding services for businesses and institutions, covering port security (ISPS Code), museum security, object and plant protection, KRITIS critical infrastructure security, aviation security, reception and gate services, shop guarding, event security, VIP service, and justice/prison security.
• Technische Sicherheit (Technical Security) Technology-based security solutions including alarm monitoring, alarm system connection, digital reception, drones, KWS Video Control, the Notruf- und Serviceleitstelle emergency control center, and video remote monitoring.
• Mobile Sicherheit (Mobile Security) Mobile patrol and response services including alarm follow-up and intervention, cash and value transport, mobile construction site security, patrol services, and vacation security.
• Weitere Dienstleistungen (Additional Services) Additional security-related services including temporary staffing (Arbeitnehmerüberlassung), occupational safety, company and plant fire brigade, operational rescue service, fire protection, Bundeswehr military facility security, consulting, Diensthundeführer (police dog handler) services, and facility management.
• Notruf- und Serviceleitstelle (Emergency and Service Control Center) 24/7 VdS-certified alarm receiving and monitoring facility staffed by qualified security professionals. Serves as the operational hub for many KWS services, monitoring alarms, dispatching intervention forces, and managing emergency responses under VdS AES DIN 50518, VdS 3138, VdS 3137, and VdS 2172 certifications.
• KWS Video Control Proprietary mobile video surveillance towers with remote monitoring capability. Deployed for event security (Kieler Woche, Ocean Race) and construction site security, integrating with the alarm and service control center for real-time remote surveillance.
• Revierstreifendienst (Patrol Service) Mobile patrol service using company vehicles to conduct regular patrols and respond to alarms across assigned territories.
• Geld- und Werttransporte (Cash and Value Transport) Secure transport of cash and valuables for financial institutions and commercial clients.
• Veranstaltungssicherheit (Event Security) Security services for events including crowd management, access control, and safety monitoring. Used at Kieler Woche, Ocean Race Start, and Universum Fight Night.
• Hafensicherheit gem. ISPS-Code (Port Security) Port security services compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), including cruise ship terminal operations such as the Ostseekai in Kiel.
• Objekt- & Werkschutz (Object and Plant Protection) Guarding of commercial properties, industrial plants, and corporate sites. Includes armed object protection roles.
• Sicherheit für KRITIS (Critical Infrastructure Security) Specialized guarding services for critical infrastructure facilities, including nuclear installations, meeting KRITIS regulatory requirements.
• Diensthundeführer (Police Dog Handler Services) Security dog and handler teams trained per Bundeswehr service dog regulations (DPOBw) for guarding objects with special protection needs, military facilities, and large areas.
• Facility Management Professional facility management including technical, infrastructural, and commercial services. Covers garden and landscape maintenance, winter services, building maintenance, and cleaning services.
• VIP Service (Personenschutz) Personal protection and executive security services for individuals requiring close protection, including VIP escort and security accompaniment at public appearances.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer satisfaction is the primary quality goal, with continuous improvement processes in place per ISO 9001:2015

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sicherheit Nord GmbH & Co. KGcoreOthersA group company and partner within the KWS network. Provides security services as part of the nationwide coverage strategy. Operates the Fachschule der Sicherheit Nord (Security School North) for employee training and development.
• Schule der SicherheitcoreOthersSecurity school affiliated with Sicherheit Nord, offering IHK-recognized training courses and internal professional development for KWS employees across all qualification levels.
• Wach- und Sicherungsdienst in Mecklenburg GmbH & Co. KG (WSD-MV)minorOthersRegional security services partner operating in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, expanding KWS service coverage in northern Germany.
• Dresdner Wach- & Sicherungsinstitut GmbH (DWSI)minorOthersRegional partner in Dresden, extending KWS network reach into Saxony. Offers security guard training facilities including shooting range for training purposes.
• Sicherheitsunternehmen Elbe GmbHminorOthersRegional security partner along the Elbe river region, expanding KWS coverage in the Hamburg and Lower Saxony area.
• SITEC Dienstleistungs GmbHminorOthersService partner providing specialized services that complement KWS's facility management and technical security offerings.
• WSI Security GmbHminorOthersRegional security services partner extending KWS's network coverage in northern Germany.
• WWD Dienstleistung GmbHminorOthersService partner providing specialized facility and security-related services within the KWS partner network.
• HSW Hanseatische Schutz- und Wachdienst GmbHcoreOthersHSW was acquired by KWS, expanding the company's presence and capabilities in the Hamburg/northern Germany region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ISS A/S (Germany): Global facility-services group with a sizable German security operation. Competes with KWS for integrated security-plus-facility-management enterprise contracts.
• Dussmann Group: Large German facility-services and security group (Dussmann Sicherheit). Broader portfolio but directly overlapping on guarding, alarm response, and integrated facility-security contracts.
• Securitas Germany (Securitas AB): German arm of the global security leader. Overlaps with KWS on personnel guarding, mobile patrol, alarm monitoring, and remote guarding, but operates at materially greater scale and international breadth.

Direct peers

• Stölting Sicherheit GmbH: German family-owned security and service group offering personnel guarding, mobile services, and technical security. Direct comparable on structure, ownership profile, and integrated service stack.
• WSD Wach- und Sicherheitsdienst GmbH: Mid-market German private security firm providing guarding, patrol, and event security services. Closely matches KWS on personnel-security service mix and SME/mid-market customer profile.
• Gegenbauer Sicherheitsdienste: Berlin-based German security and facility services group with comparable guarding, alarm monitoring, and KRITIS-relevant capabilities. Overlaps with KWS on personnel, technical, and mobile security offerings.
• Pond Security Service GmbH: Mid-sized German private security firm offering guarding, alarm response, and cash-in-transit. Comparable mid-market positioning and service mix to KWS, particularly in northern Germany.
• Wisag Sicherheit & Service: German multi-service provider with substantial guarding, technical security, and facility management operations. Closely matches KWS's three-pillar service model and target enterprise/government client base.
• Kötter Services: One of Germany's largest family-owned security and facility-services firms. Directly comparable to KWS on integrated guarding, technical security, mobile patrol, and nationwide German coverage, though materially larger in scale.

Regional players

• Bavaria Sicherheit GmbH: Southern-German private security firm with comparable guarding and patrol offerings. Comparable service mix but geographically concentrated where KWS is national, useful as a regional benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-IKapqt36UgalQFc0k47Tw?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/KWSKiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kwssicherheit
• Instagraminstagram.com/kws_sicherheitsgesellschaft

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kws - Kieler Wach Und Sicherheitsgesellschaft Mbh & Co Kg