In its earnings release, IR — the parent company of such security brands as Recognition Systems and Locknetics — reported first quarter earnings of $223.1 million off revenue of $2.5 billion, compared to $179.5 million earned and $2.1 billion in sales the year before. About 14 percent of the company’s first quarter revenue came from its security technology division, which took in $485.8 million in revenue and had net earnings of $69.1 million. Security’s revenues were up 15 percent compared to 2004’s opening quarter. However, earnings were down 4 percent. Those revenues included $65 million added with the February acquisition of European security manufacturer CISA. “Our strong first-quarter 2005 performance once again demonstrated that executing our strategic plan will deliver solid financial results,” said Herbert L. Henkel, chairman, president and CEO of IR in a statement. “This year represents a milestone for our company as we mark the 100-year anniversary of the merger that created Ingersoll-Rand.”

The station wants video of robberies, shop thefts and drunken behaviour caught on camera for a documentary series about street crime. The CCTV footage interspersed with filmed stories with different police specialist crime units. This filming enables the programmes to put the video clips in a more realistic context.

The Government Accountability Office found statistically significant evidence that passenger screeners, who work at five airports under a pilot program, perform better than their federal counterparts at some 450 airports, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. and chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, said on Tuesday. “You get a statistically significant improvement if you go to federal supervision with private screening companies,” Mica said. In a separate report issued Tuesday, the inspector general for the Homeland Security Department faulted the Transportation Security Administration for allowing lavish spending on a $19 million crisis management center, including about $500,000 to acquire artwork, silk plants and other decorative and miscellaneous items. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Congress ordered every commercial airport but five to switch from privately employed screeners to a government work force. The five exceptions _ in San Francisco; Tupelo, Miss.; Rochester, N.Y.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Jackson Hole, Wyo. _ all have private workers supervised by Transportation Security Administration officials. Mica wants to see that system at all U.S. airports. Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, a senior Democrat on the aviation subcommittee, opposes private screeners. DeFazio, who has seen the classified GAO report, said the difference between the private and government screeners was statistically significant but still slight. “Neither number is adequate or reassuring to me and the difference is not very large,” DeFazio said. TSA screeners’ ability to find guns, weapons and other dangerous items since the Sept. 11 attacks has been an ongoing concern. The Homeland Security Department’s acting inspector general, Richard Skinner, issued a separate report on Tuesday that said the screeners’ performance hadn’t improved since the previous audit _ which indicated that screeners hadn’t improved since before the 2001 terrorist attacks. In both inspector general audits, undercover agents tried to smuggle fake weapons and bombs past screeners. Though the screeners were diligent and responsible, Skinner said, “the lack of improvement since our last audit indicates that significant improvement in performance may not be possible without greater use of new technology.” TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield Jr. said the TSA has deployed new baggage screening technology at three airports and plans to spend $30 million to install the new machines at 100 more. The TSA has also installed walk-through bomb detection machines at airports in 15 cities and plans to install them at the 40 busiest airports. Finally, the agency expects to start testing backscatter machines, which can find plastic weapons and improvised bombs, sometime later this year, Hatfield said. Congress allowed airports to opt out of the federal system and hire federal screeners as of Nov. 19. Only one airport in Elko, Nev., has asked to use private screeners. Steve van Beek, executive vice president of the Airports Council International, said airports are interested in using private screeners, but there are still questions about liability if there’s a terrorist attack. Some airports would like to form subsidiaries to run the screening operations, van Beek said, but are prohibited by state law. There’s also a lack of flexibility, he said. “You basically have to ask, ‘Can I do it this way, can I do it that way?'” “Unfortunately, a program that was supposed to be creative and innovative has turned into a ‘Mother May I’ system,” van Beek said.

Based in Uster, Switzerland, Zellweger Analytics manufactures toxic and flammable gas detection systems. The company has nearly 40 years of experience in the design and manufacture of innovative gas detection products for use in semiconductor, industrial and oil and gas industries. Zellweger Analytics’ products help ensure the safety of employees, protect high-value assets and prevent costly plant shutdowns. Zellweger Analytics maintains offices throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific and in the United States. “The gas detection industry is a growing, billion-dollar industry and Zellweger Analytics is a well-established and respected company in this market,” said Mark Levy, president of Honeywell Life Safety, in a statement. “By acquiring Zellweger Analytics, Honeywell has the opportunity to enter the worldwide gas detection marketplace with a leading brand portfolio and a large international customer base.” ellweger Analytics’ gas detection technology offers Honeywell a complement to its existing fire systems and sensors portfolio and will enhance its sensing and detecting capabilities. After the acquisition, Zellweger Analytics, which has annual sales of approximately $US170 million, will become part of the Life Safety business unit within Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions (ACS).

According to Magal the move has been made to better adapt its operations across the Atlantic to “to developments in the U.S. market, particularly those concerning the Department of Homeland Security.” Both Senstar-Stellar and Perimeter Products manufacturer perimeter access control products, with Perimeter Products also producing a video intrusion system. “This merger will increase the ability of the Magal Group to market and sell its products in the United States and will also reduce our overhead expenses, leading to an increase in the efficiency of our U.S. operations,” said Magal Chairman Jacob Even-Ezra in a release. “The merger will create a larger entity and a significant market participant, which we believe will present a more competitive force in the U.S. defense and homeland security markets.” Senstar-Stellar is the result of Magel’s 1993 acquisition of Fremont, Calif.’s Stellar Security Products Inc. and its 1997 pick-up of Carp, Ontario, Canada’s Senstar Corp.

The company reported first quarter net income of $US26.7 million, compared to net income of $US29.2 million in the first quarter 2004. Diluted earnings per share were $US.37, a decline of 7.5 percent and within the previous guidance of $US.35 to $US.40. Net cash provided by operating activities was $US78.4 million, up 389 percent from the prior year, while free cash flow* improved by $US59.6 million, moving from a free cash use* of $US1.2 million in the first quarter 2004 to free cash flow* of $US58.4 million. Included in the first quarter 2005 reported results were restructuring charges of $US7.3 million, or approximately $US.07 per share*, related primarily to the realignment of the company’s operations in Western Europe, consistent with previous guidance. The first quarter 2005 effective tax rate was 32.8 percent, compared with previous guidance of 31.5 percent. The higher first quarter effective tax rate reduced reported earnings per share by approximately $US.01. Excluding the impact of both the restructuring charges and the higher effective tax rate, diluted earnings per share in the first quarter would have been $US.45, or 12.5 percent higher than the first quarter of 2004. First Quarter Highlights – Total product orders, excluding election systems, grew in the double- digit range led by double-digit growth in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and the Americas. – Total Opteva orders were approximately $US109 million, an increase of more than 80 percent from the first quarter 2004 as this new platform continues to gain wider market acceptance globally. – Security solutions revenue grew 19.9 percent and 19.6 percent on a fixed exchange-rate basis*. – Asia Pacific total revenue increased 14.2 percent, and 12.5 on a fixed exchange-rate basis*, while total revenue in the Americas, excluding election systems, grew 13.8 percent, and 12.4 percent on a fixed exchange-rate basis*. – Net cash provided by operating activities improved by $US62.4 million, or 389 percent; while accounts receivable days sales outstanding improved 13 days, moving from 96 days at March 31, 2004 to 83 days at March 31, 2005.

The sales of $US6.5 billion were up 4 percent on a reported basis, reflecting 6 percent organic sales growth offset by the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures. Net income was $US359 million for the quarter, up from $US295 million last year. Cash flow from operations was $US329 million and free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) was $US194 million. “We are very pleased with first-quarter results,” said Dave Cote, Honeywell chairman and CEO, in a statement. “This is a terrific start to the year. Organic growth and strong operational execution contributed to better than expected performance in the quarter. “In addition, we completed the Novar acquisition, and are well on the way to successfully integrating Novar’s IBS business into Honeywell. We are excited about the fit of IBS into our core fire, environmental controls, security and services businesses, and the overall market and distribution opportunities it brings to Honeywell.” Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions (ACS), in which its security and fire/life-safety products companies reside, was cited by Cote as “experiencing strong sales growth.” ACS sales were up 2 percent, compared with the first quarter of 2004, driven by growth in Life Safety and Security, partially offset by prior year divestitures. Honeywell Int’l is a $US26 billion diversified technology and manufacturing company.

These teams will help GE’s current dealers and integrators grow and scale their businesses to meet the emerging, sophisticated integration needs of their security customers, incorporating technologies and services presently employed in the Information Technology (IT) markets. “The continued convergence of physical security with information technology, including the drive to IP-based surveillance, creates a need for new knowledge and skills on the part of our dealers and integrators,” Clark said. “To remain competitive, end users, dealers/integrators and manufacturers must recognize and respond to emerging trends in the networking of security systems with data communications, telecommunications, VoIP and IT networks. “I look forward to continuing what we’ve started, building teams with specialists in these arenas and providing our GE partners with increased training and technical support, along with sales and marketing expertise on how to solve problems and create solutions by leveraging these new market dynamics. It’s imperative that we go beyond creating innovative products. We must also help our partners build their businesses.”

This latest order, valued at more than $33 million, highlights the industry’s confidence in L-3’s system. The eXaminer is one of only two in-line systems certified by the TSA to screen checked baggage. There are currently more than 500 L-3 EDS systems deployed throughout the world. “L-3 has worked closely with the TSA, airports and airlines to understand the most important features that are needed to make EDS more efficient and effective,” said Allen Barber, president of L-3 Security & Detection Systems. “The high throughput capability of the eXaminer is one of the key features that airports and airlines have requested.” L-3 has recently introduced a number of industry-leading advancements to the eXaminer that set it apart from competing systems, including: — Unprecedented baggage throughput of 600 bags per hour or more when operating within a fully integrated baggage handling system environment — Industry-leading capability to accommodate long oversized baggage, such as skis or golf club bags, up to 100 inches (2.64 meters) in length — Additional operational features that improve the overall reliability and efficiency of in-line systems. The eXaminer’s advanced 3-D imaging capability allows operators to resolve alarmed bags more quickly, resulting in improved operational efficiencies. Networking capabilities allow images from multiple machines to be evaluated by multiple operators over a secure network.