Gleich Group, vi2vi Group, Schmid Alarm and Freihoff Group merge

360-degree security technology for complex customer projects

As a long-standing recognized IT specialist for security software solutions in the areas of security control systems and video management solutions, we, the vi2vi Group, consisting of vi2vi Retail Solution GmbH, vi2vi GMS GmbH and vi2vi GMS AG, based in Malsch near Karlsruhe and Lucerne in Switzerland, have decided to merge with three other groups of companies from the security technology sector, the Gleich Group from Aschaffenburg, Schmid Alarm GmbH from Stockdorf near Munich and the Freihoff Group from Langenfeld.

The group of companies will make us one of the largest IT service providers for security software solutions and electronic security technology in Germany, Switzerland and worldwide . With a joint portfolio and more than 650 specialized employees at 10 locations in the DACH region, we cover all the requirements of the security industry in the newly formed group of companies.

We were able to gain Garda Holding as a companion for our continuous growth in the DACH region. Thanks to the existing international structure of Garda Holding, we will be able to provide even more intensive and cross-border support to international medium and enterprise customers and their projects in future. Together with the Gleich Group, Schmid Alarm GmbH and the Freihoff Group, we have already worked together successfully on major customer projects in the past, perfectly complementing each other with our respective expertise. The merger into a joint group is the next step for all of us in the course of our strong growth in recent years, in our consistent focus and positive further development as a reliable partner for our customers, driven by innovation and quality. We will remain on the market with our own company name and close proximity to our projects and customers, but will operate as a group of companies in the future. In this group, we will jointly accompany complex security technology projects for customers in Germany, Switzerland and internationally and lead them to success.

Maximum customer focus and attractive for employees

“Thanks to the strategic merger of our companies, we can now offer customers a broad portfolio from the entire value chain from a single source: Consulting, planning, implementation and services for IT-oriented security technology such as access management, video management and hazard management systems,” says Uwe Gleich, Managing Director of the Gleich Group. “With this 360-degree approach, we can now also jointly implement supra-regional and complex enterprise projects and expand our customer base, particularly in the area of critical infrastructure (KRITIS).”

Together with the corporate group, we are pooling our expertise in overarching topics such as marketing, recruiting, finance, quality management and personnel development. “The new group of companies will make us even more attractive for our long-standing employees and future colleagues,” says Tobias Schmid, Managing Director of Schmid Alarm GmbH. “For example, we are planning our own training academy and want to provide colleagues with cross-company qualifications. This will enable us to offer them even better development and promotion prospects.”

Suitable growth partner with the same understanding of values

In order to further drive the growth of the new group of companies, we decided to work with a growth partner together with the managing directors of the Gleich Group and Schmid Alarm. “During the search, it was important to us that the new partner shared the values of our group of companies – trust, quality and flexibility,” says Mathias Bechler, Managing Director of the vi2vi Group. “We therefore spent over a year looking together for the right partner for our group of companies and held intensive discussions and workshops. We are now delighted to have a strong partner from the security industry at our side in Garda Holding, which belongs to EMK Capital. Together with Garda-Holding, all the current managing partners will lead the group of companies into the future so that we can combine potential future growth with the continuity and experience of all of them.

The Freihoff Group has been part of Garda Holding since April 2024. The Freihoff Group, Gleich Group, vi2vi Group and Schmid Alarm are now housed under the umbrella of Garda Holding.

Jens Heil, Managing Director of the Gleich Group, Tobias Schmid, Managing Director of Schmid Alarm, Uwe Gleich, Managing Director of the Gleich Group, Normen Wollmann, Managing Director of Heer GmbH and Mathias Bechler, Managing Director of the vi2vi Group establish new group of companies

The managing directors of the Gleich Group, the vi2vi Group and Schmid Alarm have decided to cooperate with Garda Holding in order to drive the growth of the new group of companies forward. From left to right: Jens Heil, Managing Director of the Gleich Group, Tobias Schmid, Managing Director of Schmid Alarm, Uwe Gleich, Managing Director of the Gleich Group, Normen Wollmann, Managing Director of Heer GmbH and Mathias Bechler, Managing Director of the vi2vi Group. Source: Gleich Group.



About the Gleich Group

The Gleich Group from Aschaffenburg specializes in consulting, planning, implementation and support of complex security projects with a focus on IT-oriented security technology. The portfolio of the group of companies with 150 employees includes security and media technology, hazard management systems as well as IT/OT security and information security management systems (ISMS). Gleich GmbH is responsible for the realization of security technology in periphery-intensive projects with its experience and personnel strength.

Heer GmbH focuses on the implementation and modernization of complex IT-based security, video and access management systems. Gleich IT Service GmbH networks and monitors the entire OT/IT system architecture with a view to the challenges of cyber security. By implementing all of the aforementioned areas, the Gleich Group protects its customers comprehensively against external influences. With the comprehensive expertise of the Gleich Group, project success can be planned. Further information: www.gleich-gmbh.com and www.it-ot-security.de.



About the vi2vi Group

The vi2vi Group has been providing security software solutions for over 20 years and has become the world’s leading IT specialist in the security industry thanks to its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Whether security control systems or video management solutions for critical infrastructures, globally operating companies, large retail chains, extensive industrial complexes and more – the vi2vi Group ensures that the optimum solution is always provided for every security requirement. Based in the Karlsruhe technology region and with over 150 employees in Germany and Switzerland, the vi2vi Group is active in over 40 countries. Further information: www.vi2vi-retail-solution.com, www.vi2vi-gms.com, www.vi2vi-gms.ch.



About Schmid Alarm GmbH

Schmid Alarm GmbH from Stockdorf near Munich is an owner-managed family business that has specialized in electronic security systems for around 50 years. With 50 employees, the company’s clients come from a variety of sectors, including the military and education, administration and finance, as well as high-end private real estate. Further information: www.schmid-alarm.de.



About the Freihoff Group

The Freihoff Group is a leading provider of electronic security solutions with nationwide coverage throughout Germany. The Freihoff Group offers a comprehensive portfolio that includes intrusion and fire alarm systems, video surveillance, perimeter security, voice alarm systems and digital access control systems, and also operates its own alarm receiving center. A full-service provider that covers the entire value chain from planning and installation to maintenance/repair and 24/7 remote monitoring services. The Freihoff Group has a turnover of around 40 million euros and around 300 employees. Further information: www.freihoff-gruppe.de.

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