When history is more than just a story
Last week, a client from the Drechtsteden area called. “Your security guard immediately noticed that something was off at the entrance. He’s been working here for eight years. You don’t get that with a company that changes staff every six months.”
That phone call struck at the heart of who we are. For over a century, SERIS has been providing security services in Dordrecht and the surrounding area. And that experience really shines through in moments like this. Our colleague doesn’t just know the building. He knows the people who work there, the cars that are supposed to be parked there, and the rhythm of a typical Tuesday morning versus a quiet Sunday evening. You can’t buy that kind of knowledge. It grows over time.
SERIS Netherlands—formerly known as ANVD Bewaking—has been in business for over a century. That’s a long time. But it’s not about the number. It’s about what those years have produced: employees who don’t leave after just two years, expertise that’s unmatched anywhere else, and a company that doesn’t change its strategy on a whim.
1915: It all began in Dordrecht
The Algemene Nacht Veiligheids Dienst (ANVD) did not start out as a security company. In 1915, they began operations in Dordrecht with a simple task: turning on the streetlights every evening and turning them off again every morning. Back then, the lanterns were still lit by candles. Night after night, those men walked through the city.
And since they were already out and about during the darkest hours of the night, what you’d expect happened: they kept an eye on things. They noticed who shouldn’t have been there. They sensed when something wasn’t right. That’s how a lighting crew slowly transformed into a security team—not through a strategic plan, but through logic and sheer presence.
Even in those early years, the ANVD combined fire safety with training. It was practicing integrated safety before the term even existed. What stood out back then—and still holds true today—is that the employees stayed. For years, sometimes decades. They didn’t know their clients from a file, but from day-to-day experience. They knew what risks were present at industrial parks in the region, at the port, and among local businesses.
Candles have long since been replaced by LEDs, and the men of yesteryear are now both men and women. But the essence remains the same: being there at night, seeing what others miss.
SERIS is coming to the Netherlands
SERIS has its origins in France. It is a family-owned business with strong roots in France and Belgium, but with ambitions for growth across Europe. The Netherlands was a logical next step: a mature security market, a strong logistics sector, and regions where demand for professional security services was growing.
In 2010, SERIS took its first step in the Netherlands with the acquisition of Perfect Group in Rotterdam. This gave us direct access to the heart of the Rijnmond region, with its clients, systems, and people. A year later came the major move: ANVD Group in Dordrecht, with nearly 300 employees, dozens of clients, and nearly a century of local expertise. SERIS didn’t just buy a company. We inherited a reputation.
For customers, there were enough changes to make a difference. More professional systems, a broader range of services. But not so many that trust was lost. The security guard you knew? He stayed. The familiarity with your location? That stayed too.
Regional names become one family
More acquisitions followed in the years that followed. Correct Bewaking in 2012 marked the first step toward building a robust surveillance fleet in Rotterdam and Vlaardingen. And in 2020, STiPT Beveiliging was established as a joint venture with a clear profile: welcoming, decisive, and able to adapt quickly when the situation demands it.
What did those acquisitions bring? Clients who had relied on the same security guards for years. Employees with specialized knowledge of the port, industrial, and logistics sectors. Local expertise that prevents mistakes and shortens response times.
We chose not to gloss over that regional strength. The people stayed, the expertise remained, and we built a foundation of professionalism on top of that: modern systems, standardized processes, and a stronger back office. The result was something competitors would find difficult to replicate: scale without losing our identity.
From a variety of providers to a single reliable partner
The transition from multiple companies to a single brand wasn’t a matter of months. It took years. Integrating systems, aligning processes, and getting teams to work together. Not spectacular, but crucial.
What SERIS Netherlands brings to the table today: over 100 years of experience and a proven track record of reliability. Local roots in Dordrecht, Rotterdam, the Randstad, North Brabant, and Zeeland. Professional systems such as Sequrix for mobile surveillance, a modern customer portal, and data-driven planning. And a back office that scales up without compromising personal contact.
The result? An organization that moves just as easily between port facilities and boardrooms. One that knows when to take a pragmatic approach and when to follow the rules to the letter.
Why this matters to you as a customer
It may sound like nostalgia: a company that takes pride in its history. But it’s not about sentiment. It’s about what that history brings to the table today.
You only have to explain it once. The security guard walking onto your premises tonight is the same one who was there last month—and will be there next month. He knows where the emergency exit is, recognizes the faces of your regular employees, and can tell right away if something is wrong. No training period, no need to repeat explanations, and no strangers at the gate.
Knowledge of the region. Whether it’s response times in the Drechtsteden, risks at industrial parks, or specific challenges in the port, our people know the area. Not because they’ve read a manual, but because they work there—and have been doing so for years.
Stability in a fast-paced industry. The security sector is constantly changing. Companies merge, split up again, or disappear. SERIS is part of a French family-owned business. Not publicly traded, no pressure to report quarterly results, no sudden strategic shifts. We simply focus on what we do best, continue to invest, and prioritize the long term.
What you don't see, but you can feel
The name ANVD may no longer be on the building. Perfect Security, Correct Bewaking, and STiPT have merged into SERIS. But the people, the approach, the mindset? Those are still here.
You notice it when a security guard doesn’t just respond to an alarm, but immediately knows what the most likely cause is. You notice it when you call and don’t have to go through five people before someone understands your situation. You notice it when your schedule runs smoothly because someone who’s been working for you for years knows exactly what your peaks and valleys look like. We don’t build on heritage. We build with heritage.
So what now?
SERIS Netherlands is always moving forward. Technology is changing, the job market is changing, and customer expectations are changing. But the fundamentals remain the same: professionals who know their craft, a stable organization, and a focus on quality over rapid growth.
Are you looking for a reliable security partner in the Drechtsteden or Rijnmond region that stands out for the continuity and dedication of its staff? With over a century of experience, we can guarantee that our employees will be familiar with your location for the long term—something that is not always a given in this industry.
Curious to find out what a century of experience can do for your organization? Please contact our Sales Manager Bradley Bosman (06-45740794) or Marketing & Sales Manager Raoul Bandell (06-83483491). We’d be happy to help you find the right solution!
