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With the exception of 2002, when the growth rate of the access control market as a whole was a moderate 2%, a new report by Market and Business Development Ltd (MBD) has found that the use of access control systems has risen year on year between 1998-2002 with an overall growth of 43%. Sales of access control systems were estimated at £513 million per year in 2002.

However, within the online equipment sales sector, annual growth levels have exceeded the overall market growth rates. Between 1998 and 2002, sales in this sector are believed to have increased by 52% to £223.7 million last year. The proportional importance of the online equipment sector has also increased from 41% in 1998 to 44% in 2002.

Among end users, the private commercial sector remains by far the most important end user of access control equipment and systems, representing an estimated 48% of the market value in 2002. Demand from the offices sector and from health establishments have increased substantially. The public non-residential sector is the second most important demand sector for access systems, representing an estimated 32% of the market value in the year.

Nacoss approved
Another important aspect of access control installations is the increase in the number of NACOSS approved installations. Last year, Nacoss approved installations increased by 15% to 3882, representing overall growth of a major 147% compared with 1998.

While access control systems have prospered within the review period, two other market sectors have remained relatively static – the importance of integrated systems and central alarms. The proportional importance of audio/video entry systems also remained relatively static at 33%.

The report also states the the UK market for security alarms and systems as a whole stands at £2,638 million, representing a 24% since 1998.

Five year forecast
The next five years are also forecast to see real increases every year for access control. Overall sales are believed to increase by 9% in real terms between 2003-2007, taking the level to £588 million by 2007. However, growth levels are expected to be more moderate towards the end of the forecast period.

Sales of online systems are also expected to increase in real terms throughout the review period.

Between 2003 and 2007, strong growth of some 15% in real terms is expected to take sales to £278.7 million. The proportional importance of this sector is anticipated to increase from 45% in 2003 to 47% in 2007.