Making The World A Safer Place

Durban-based security group Trellidor Holdings uses franchising to expand its sales footprint across the globe.

- Glenneis Kriel

trellidor Holdings made headlines this year after supplying the London Underground with what the British standards body labelled the “most secure retractable gates in the world”. The group’s marketing director, Peter Rawson, spoke to finweek about the group’s transformation from a small, family owned business in Durban to an international franchise listed on the JSE.

How did Trellidor start?

Leon Pallace started L&L Metal Finishing in 1976 and designed a trellis-style security gate, called the Trellidor, in the 1980s based on the retractable gates that were used in American lifts. Pallace passed away in a car accident, after which the company was sold to four individual businessmen in 1986. They sold their shares to an investment company in 2002. Trellidor Holdings was listed on the JSE in 2015, comprising the Trellicor (Pty) Ltd and Trellidor Innovations (Pty) Ltd businesses.

When did you get involved with Trellidor?

I have been with Trellidor since 1997, when the group only had four branches and a handful of distributors across the country.

How has the group grown since then?

Trellidor has over 70 outlets throughout South Africa alone, along with an export division giving us presence in 24 African countries as well as the UK, Sweden, Australia, Israel and various countries in the Indian Ocean. We directly employ 330 people and another 500-plus through our franchisees.

How did you accomplish this growth?