Norbain Security - Experts & Thought Leaders

CIE Group, a pioneering provider of security and audiovisual solutions, has announced it is now the exclusive UK distributor for VOLO, a leading innovator in cloud-based access control systems. This agreement will see CIE Group supplying VOLO’s comprehensive solution to UK businesses and organisations aiming to enhance security, streamline access management, and gain valuable data-driven insights. VOLO's access control  "We are thrilled to be the exclusive distributor for VOLO's innovative access control solutions in the UK," says Chris Edwards, Marketing Director at CIE Group. "This builds on our existing partnership and allows us to exclusively offer customers VOLO’s truly cost-effective and user-friendly security solution. This development is in perfect alignment with our commitment to providing the latest and best security technologies available." VOLO's cloud-based platform VOLO's cloud-based platform offers a user-friendly and scalable access control solution “Working with CIE as our exclusive UK distributor is a significant step forward for VOLO,” says Dean Kernot of VOLO. “Both VOLO and CIE are forward-thinking companies that value innovation. Thanks to CIE, our collaboration ensures we deliver cutting-edge access control solutions to the widest possible audience in the UK." VOLO's cloud-based platform offers a user-friendly and scalable access control solution that eliminates the need for on-premise hardware and software. Key features include mobile-first access control, which replaces physical keys or key cards with secure mobile credentials for enhanced personal security. Real-time access insights The system offers remote management to allow system administrators to manage permissions and settings from any device, while real-time access insights provide visibility into who is accessing a facility. Furthermore, the system's scalability ensures effortless addition or removal of users and locations as business needs evolve. VOLO access control solutions are now available directly from CIE Group.

Norbain is pleased to announce that it will now be supplying customers with the full range of video-based security solutions from South Korean manufacturer, IDIS. IDIS video solutions meet the needs of an increasingly demanding security landscape. They deliver all the benefits that come with the end-to-end model, including more efficient installation, lower cost to operate and maintain, and more straightforward and reliable full solution support. Lower cost of ownership IDIS technology is innovative, user-friendly, flexible, and scalable. It is valued by users for its unrivalled performance and low total cost of ownership. Their core values include customer satisfaction, integrity and innovation which very much match our own operating ethos" Mark Field, Commercial Director at Norbain, comments: “The IDIS portfolio is a great fit for many of our customer groups, offering a range of solutions that are idea for multiple industries. Their core values include customer satisfaction, integrity and innovation which very much match our own operating ethos and we look forward to developing the relationship.” Ongoing technical support Jamie Barnfield, Sales Director at IDIS Europe, comments: “IDIS’ complete, end-to-end video solutions are an ideal fit for Norbain customers, delivering powerful, easy-to-use video surveillance to meet a range of security, safety, and operational challenges.” “IDIS technology is robust and cybersecure, which is why it is trusted by the NHS, one of the UK’s largest data centre operators, high street retailers, logistics and warehousing, schools, and commercial businesses. And it comes with the benefits of quick, plug-and-play installation, industry-best extended warranties, and ongoing technical support and firmware updates, providing systems integrators and installers with attractive margins and better recurring revenue opportunities."

MOBOTIX has signed a distribution agreement with Norbain SD for its entire range of IP video system series. MOBOTIX announces Norbain SD, a distributor of CCTV, IP, Access Control and Intruder Detection Solutions, among its partners and is further expanding its distribution network to satisfy a number of customers. Frank Graham, Regional Sales Manager UK/Ireland & Benelux, comments: “The need for intelligent security and beyond is growing in all areas. Our intelligent IP video systems are state of the art products with the highest level of cyber security. With Norbain, we found a great partner to jointly develop our market even further.” Norbain are looking forward to the collaboration and see real benefits in adding MOBOTIX to their portfolio: “We’re continually assessing the market and analysing the developing trends,” explains Mark Field, Commercial Director for Norbain. Cyber security in essential in today’s market and something that Norbain is continuing to actively champion through our involvement with the Secure by Default government initiative. The MOBOTIX range is designed with security at its heart, allowing our customers to provide end users with products they can really trust.”

New Norbain paying "compensation" to a select number of creditors Following the Administration and pre-pack sale of Norbain, it is now apparent that the new company (also called “Norbain”) has been paying “compensation” to some suppliers for the debts owed by the old company.  However, it is cherry picking which suppliers it chooses to compensate – some have received a significant proportion of their debt with old Norbain, while others have received nothing. Discussion with many of the manufacturers distributed by Norbain reveals that most manufacturers have been offered no compensation other than for new Norbain to buy existing stock which legally still belongs to the manufacturers anyway. However, it has been confirmed that a number of manufacturers who were unsecured creditors of the old Norbain have received significant “compensation” from new Norbain. Traditionally, when a company goes under, if unsecured creditors are paid, they receive an equal proportion / percentage of money owed.  With bank debt of £50 million, and the only remaining significant asset being a sales ledger worth around £15 million, the £23.5 million paid by Newbury Investments will go nowhere near generating sufficient funds for unsecured creditors of Norbain to receive any money from Administrators KPMG.  (It is highly unlikely that the sale of the old Norbain’s non-UK assets will generate significant funds to plug the gap). New Norbain is cherry picking which suppliers it chooses to compensate Specifically, it has been reported that Paxton were owed around £1.5 million in stock and unpaid invoices.  Paxton’s emphatic show of support for Norbain in their press release of Friday 6 July – “Paxton and Norbain stand firm together for a bright future” – would suggest a generous settlement. Arbitrary compensation to creditors? It is unclear what criteria are being applied to decide who is paid “compensation”. One manufacturer has speculated that it seems to be an arbitrary combination of what are deemed to be key supplier relationships and what they can get away with to secure a credible future business. Norbain has not commented, been available for comment, nor sought to clarify these circumstances. Paxton boss Adam Stroud declined to comment on the matter.

The lights are turned out at Norbain - momentarily The mysterious demise of UK distributor NorbainOn Monday 2 July Norbain issued a cryptic press release.  Apparently, “the UK business and assets of Norbain” – the largest distributor in the UK – have been sold to Newbury Investments (UK) Limited by “the Administrators, KPMG”.  Norbain In Administration – this is news to the security industry! Administrators are typically appointed when a major creditor pulls the rug on a struggling company because lending agreements have been breached. Calling in Administrators is the last resort used to recoup as much of their debt they can, typically at a significant discount to what was originally lent. Once Administrators are appointed, the company usually continues trading “In Administration” while the Administrators look to sell (“realise”) as many assets as possible to pay off as many debts as possible.  Finding a trade buyer for the business usually produces the most cash.  This cash is then allocated to creditors in order of priority:  Speculation that Newbury paid £20 to £40 million for Norbain - a significant discount to its £100m valuation some years ago fixed charges - like a mortgage secured against a property expenses of the Administrator preferential creditors which include the tax man floating charges - like an overdraft facility unsecured creditors - who rank equally between themselves shareholders It is rare for unsecured creditors to receive any significant proportion of their debts as the cash has been used up paying off “higher priority” liabilities. Norbain (or their new owners) have yet to clarify the situation but apparently KPMG were appointed on Friday 29 June, and they promptly sold the UK business and assets of Norbain – i.e. leaving all the debts and liabilities with the “old” company.  Industry insiders have been speculating that Newbury paid between £20 and £40 million for Norbain – a significant discount to the £100 million plus valuation when Norbain was refinanced some years ago. This legal but contentious practice enables a business to continue trading as before while shaking off debts owed to other companies No doubt Norbain (or its principal lender/s) have been exploring these options for some weeks, before triggering Administration on Friday.  This legal but highly contentious insolvency practice is known as a “pre-pack”. It was recently made infamous by failing celebrity chefs’ businesses including Antony Worrall Thompson’s.  It is contentious because it enables a business to continue trading as before while shaking off debts owed to other companies.  Over the coming weeks we will be exploring the demise of Norbain in detail – what happened, who did what and why, who is going to get hurt and who is to blame. Watch this space.