David Nimmo, Managing Director, FAAC UK and Richard Weeks, Sales Director, FAAC UK reflect on how the company is evolving perimeter security through intelligent automation and strategic investment with a steadfast focus on user experience.

2025 marks a landmark year as both FAAC UK and the wider FAAC Technologies Group celebrate milestone anniversaries – 40 years and 60 years respectively.

With operations in 31 countries and revenues exceeding £700m, the Group continues to reinvest in future-ready security solutions for both global and local markets.

FAAC UK as one of the longest-standing companies within the Group has been integral to its growth over the last 40 years.

Today, in the UK, we support a range of solutions, from traditional gates, barriers and bollards to access control and auto-pedestrian door systems.

How would you assess vulnerabilities in an existing perimeter installation?

Richard: Today there is a more proactive and intelligent approach to perimeter security.

It’s no longer enough to simply install a physical barrier – modern systems must respond dynamically to evolving risks.

When assessing vulnerabilities in an existing perimeter installation, we work closely with our experienced installers who carry out detailed, site-specific risk assessments.

However, one of the most critical tools in this process is live monitoring.

Utilising live analytics and remote monitoring, our installers are able to detect delayed or failed responses and assess how quickly potential threats are flagged and escalated.

Live monitoring doesn’t just detect intrusions – it provides real-time data on how the perimeter is performing under different conditions.  

How do you maintain consistent quality, safety and innovation standards across such a diverse global organisation?

David: It really comes down to a combination of solid organisational strategy and smart tech integration.

We’ve got internationally recognised systems in place like ISO 9001 for quality management, which we apply consistently across our production and service operations.

That gives us standardised processes, clear traceability and a structure for continuous improvement.

At Head office level, FAAC Technologies really invest heavily in R&D, especially out of Italy and Germany, to keep pushing innovation forward.

And when it comes to safety, we’re fully aligned with CE and EN standards globally.

Our products are designed with built-in safeguards, things like anti-crushing features, emergency stop systems and fail-safes, plus everything gets rigorously tested in the R&D labs in Italy and Germany.

We also place significant emphasis on investing in our installer network.

By providing free training, technical resources and ongoing on-site support, we ensure that every installation meets the highest standards.

This not only guarantees that our systems are set up correctly from the start, but it also helps operators perform at their optimal capacity and achieve their full-service life.

What challenges and benefits does rapid European and global expansion present – operationally and culturally?

David: A major advantage is how much faster we can innovate.

Because we’re exposed to such a broad range of markets and customer use cases, we get diverse feedback and real-world examples that directly feed into product development.

That kind of cross-market learning really helps us stay ahead. And of course, as our global footprint grows, so does our brand credibility.

It makes it easier to attract strategic partners and top-tier talent who want to be part of something with real momentum and international presence.

But it’s not without its challenges.

Operationally, things can get complicated, Brexit, for example, has introduced a lot of logistical headaches that require serious planning and resources.

And because the group is operating in so many countries, we have to design products that meet varying compliance standards whether that’s CE in Europe, UL in the US or other regional certifications.

A lot of our growth has come through acquisitions and with that comes the complexity of integrating different systems, processes and workflows.

We invest heavily in systems to support long term growth and sustainability.

From a cultural perspective, brand perception varies significantly across countries.

In Italy, FAAC is more than just a brand – it’s a household name, deeply embedded in the national identity.

The lion symbol has become synonymous with FAAC, thanks to decades of strong, consistent advertising that has firmly rooted the brand in the Italian cultural fabric.

How do you balance immediate customer needs with long-term strategic objectives in smart infrastructure deployment?

David: By building on the proven reliability of our core automation products while evolving their digital capabilities.

Our products are known for their robustness in physical perimeter security, a non-negotiable need across sectors.

We honour that foundation by retaining the mechanical integrity customers trust, while upgrading the electronic control boards to support advanced technologies.

This approach allows us to meet current operational requirements while also aligning with our broader objective: Integrating digital technologies, data analytics and interconnected infrastructure to enhance overall system performance, efficiency and sustainability.

By enabling seamless integration with smart systems, we future proof our solutions and support our customers’ transition toward intelligent, connected infrastructure without compromising reliability.

What are the current largest threats to perimeter security?

Richard: In today’s increasingly volatile global and economic environment, perimeter security faces widespread threats from high-level terrorist operations and organised crime syndicates to low-level opportunists seeking to exploit vulnerabilities.

The breach at RAF Brize Norton in June 2025 serves as a stark reminder that even the most secure and strategically significant sites are not beyond reach.

The introduction of Martyn’s Law (also known as the Protect Duty) this year further reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments, robust mitigation strategies and a proactive approach to public and site security.

This legislation places a legal obligation on organisations and venue operators to prioritise the protection of people by identifying vulnerabilities and preparing for potential threats, a move that reflects the evolving nature of security risks in our time.

We strategically review system offerings partnering with experts to ensure we’re leading the conversation with compliance with Martyn’s law.

Can you tell us the benefits of an efficient perimeter security system?

Richard: One of the biggest advantages of intelligent automation is the speed and precision it brings to perimeter security.

With automated gates, bollards, barriers and pedestrian systems, we’re removing the delays and inconsistencies that come with manual processes – it’s faster, smarter and far more reliable.

Integration is also a huge part of future-proofing any security setup.

At FAAC, our systems work seamlessly with CCTV, ANPR, biometrics, intrusion detection and remote monitoring platforms.

That gives you centralised control and real-time alerts, which means faster, more informed decisions. Plus, the data sharing between systems makes security management much more proactive rather than reactive.

We also offer a wide range of customisation options, which is important.

Every site is different – sometimes gates aren’t practical, so bollards are a better fit.

It’s about providing the right solution for the environment without compromising on protection.

And of course, sustainability plays a big role.

Our energy-efficient products not only reduce power usage, but with solar integration, they can even operate in off-grid or remote locations.

That’s a big win for both operational flexibility and environmental impact.

Finally, it’s not just about security – it’s about the user experience too.

Our solutions help manage the flow of people and vehicles more effectively, reduce bottlenecks during busy periods and lower the risk of things like tailgating or piggybacking.

This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.