DISTRIBUTION
Expanding with security
A good distributor is ahead of the curve when it comes to new technology, trends and added value services. We caught up with one of the freshest security distributors on the scene to find out what’s hot in the market
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espite forming back in 1981 when founder Julian Nimans started selling and fixing CB radios, Manchester-based distributor Nimans, only added security to its portfolio in 2019. From those humble beginnings, the company has since grown to become BT’s sole distributor in 2017 and expanding its warehouse to 50,000sq/ft in 2018 to hold its £20m stock. Today, Nimans is part of the Midwich Group and in June 2023, Nimans Security was established as a sub-brand, specifically catered to the needs and demands of specialist security & AV. We visited the company’s purpose-built HQ and sat down with Camilla Kirkham, Director of Sales, Security & AV to find out more about the security side of the business and to discuss trends and technology: How is business at the moment? It’s going really well; we’ve seen 33% year-onyear growth over the past four years. We’ve recently been focusing on building our team up to get even stronger. We’ve hired in the fields of technical support, sales and marketing and hopefully this continues to grow as time goes on. Considering we are quite young in terms of security; we are feeling positive. So why did the company start distributing security technology? The company embarked on distributing security technology as a strategic response to the evolving landscape of traditional Nimans
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product offerings. With a noticeable shift from on-site to cloud-based solutions within the product range, there was a recognition that hardware sales would undergo a reduction. To adapt to this transition, the company conducted surveys within its customer base to understand their technological aspirations and preferences. The overwhelming feedback emphasised a strong desire to enter the security domain, as it was perceived as a pivotal IPM point.
Camilla Kirkham
What part of security would you say is your strength? Nimans Security adopts a comprehensive approach, positioning itself as a one-stop-shop for diverse installation needs. As a part of the Midwich Group, we boast a broad spectrum of technology, ranging from AV to CCTV and access control. While we also supply alarms, our specialisation lies in products seamlessly integrating with security systems, including various networking components such as network switches and routers. This inclusive approach enables us to provide all necessary equipment for meeting rooms and offices, expanding the range of IP-based services installers can offer. What technology is currently popular with installers? Prominent brands gaining traction in the CCTV realm include Hanwha Vision and Hikvision, especially for turret cameras. In the realm of access control, Akuvox and ACT are notable contenders due to the rising significance of
“Nimans Security adopts a comprehensive approach, positioning itself as a one-stop-shop for diverse installation needs”
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