Portugese shopping malls improve security with Segway PTs
(01/01/2008)

Sonae Sierra, Lisbon, Portugal, is one of the largest owner, developer and manager of shopping malls in Europe. The company currently owns or co-owns 43 shopping centres in six countries, including 19 centres in Portugal alone. Another 15 properties are currently in development.

In 2006, Sergio Carvalho, manager of maintenance at Sonae Sierra in Portugal, and Antonio Possidonio, manager of safety and risk, were looking for ways to increase the productivity of their security personnel when they learned about a trial of Segway Personal Transporters (PTs) at one of the company’s mall properties in Spain.

Realizing that the self-balancing Segway PTs might be a perfect solution for their needs, they contacted Segway’s Authorized Distributor, Segway Portugal, to arrange a three-week trial at one of its largest malls – Centro Colombo, a 400-store shopping centre in Lisbon.

After thoroughly evaluating the results of this trial, Sonae Sierra purchased six Segway PT police packages for immediate implementation, and a single unit for Rio Sul Shopping Centre.

According to Carvalho, there were several factors that encouraged Sonae Sierra to adopt Segway PTs for their security personnel. “Through our trial we discovered how easy it was for our security staff to learn how to ride the Segway PTs,” said Carvalho. “We also learned that personnel who used the Segway PTs were far more productive than they could be while patrolling on foot. They could cover more distance in the same period of time, and easily patrol the interior of the facility as well as the outdoor parking areas.”

Carvalho found that both the store owners and shoppers immediately noticed the security personnel on Segway PTs. “Shoppers were very enthusiastic about seeing an officer using this new technology, and often stopped to talk to the security officer and ask questions,” said Carvalho. “The Segway PTs made the officers more visible and, as a result, the shoppers and store owners felt more secure and safe. Because of the maneuverability of the units and the increase observational height of the personnel, we are also able to patrol our parking facilities and see over the cars.”

Today Sonae Sierra operates 23 Segway PTs spread over 10 of its shopping centers in Portugal and several more in Spain, and the company is steadily bringing more units to other locations. At each of these centres, the Segway PTs are used constantly during operating hours, with several units logging more than 40 kilometers each day. “Our security personnel find the Segway PTs to be useful instruments for work” said Carvalho.

“Best of all we are able to improve our security with machines that use no fuel and give off no emissions, and in some cases use of the Segway PTs has also enabled us to lower the cost of our security operations. This is a perfect example of how Sonae Sierra continues to lead our industry with innovation and respect for the environment.”