Brink's
| File:The Brink’s Company logo.svg | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Logistics, Security |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Founder | Perry Brink |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
Number of locations | 1,304 branches and 16,385 vehicles in over 100 countries (2023) |
Key people | Mark Eubanks (president & CEO) |
| Products | Armored transport, Safes, ATMs |
| Revenue |  Template:US$ billion (2023) |
| US$425 million (2023) | |
 US$98.3 million (2023) | |
| Total assets | US$6.60 billion (2023) |
| Total equity | US$397 million (2023) |
Number of employees | c. 66,000 (2023) |
| Website | brinks |
The Brink's Company is a prominent American enterprise specializing in cash management and security services, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Its primary offerings encompass cash-in-transit solutions, ATM servicing and replenishment, vault management outsourcing, currency processing, intelligent safe technologies, and the transportation of valuables on an international scale.
Operations
Famed for its armored vehicles equipped with bullet-resistant features, Brink's provides secure transport services to financial institutions, retail chains, governmental bodies, mints, and jewelers worldwide. Established in 1859 by Perry Brink in Chicago, the firm evolved from a regional armored transport provider into a global leader in secure logistics and financial service solutions.
In 1962, Pittston Company acquired Brink's and subsequently divested its coal business to concentrate exclusively on security operations under the Brink's brand. Pittston also purchased Burlington Air Express in 1982; this segment was rebranded as BAX Global before being sold to Deutsche Bahn for $1.1 billion in 2006.
Brink's growth strategy includes key acquisitions such as the 2012 purchase of Kheops SAS in France for $17 million, which expanded its proprietary cash-in-transit logistics software capabilities. The following year, Brink's acquired Redetrel—a Brazilian distributor of electronic prepaid products—for roughly $26 million, enhancing its payments footprint in Latin America through ePago.
International markets contribute substantially to Brink's revenue stream: in 2013, 82% of the company’s $3.9 billion turnover originated outside the United States. Principal markets included France, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, and the Netherlands; these nine nations generated $3.0 billion or approximately 79% of total consolidated sales that year.
Brink's operational model capitalizes on an extensive global infrastructure comprising over 1,300 branches and more than 16,000 vehicles to sustain its leadership position in secure logistics and cash management services across more than 100 countries.
Discontinued operations
In November 2010, Brink's cash-in-transit (CIT) division in Belgium declared bankruptcy following union rejection of a restructuring proposal, resulting in the deconsolidation of these operations that year. Brink's later reestablished its presence in Belgium in 2021 by acquiring G4S’s Cash Solutions unit.
By 2012, Brink's divested its CIT businesses in Germany and Poland as well as event security services in France; it finalized the sale of guarding operations in Morocco by the end of that year.
In May 2014, Brink's exited the Australian CIT market. Armaguard proposed acquiring these operations while Brink's maintained its precious goods logistics activities within Australia.
Home security
Brinks made its entry into the home security alarm industry in 1982. By 2008, this division represented 15% of the company's total revenue and was subsequently spun off into an independent publicly traded entity. Renamed Broadview Security in 2009, the company launched a vigorous marketing campaign that faced backlash for using fear-based tactics and exaggerating the effectiveness of its systems. These advertisements attracted extensive media scrutiny and inspired numerous parodies.
In 2010, Tyco International, the parent company of ADT, acquired Broadview for $2 billion. This merger combined Broadview’s 1.3 million subscribers with ADT’s 7.4 million clients, establishing the largest home security provider in the United States. Following the acquisition, the Broadview brand was retired.
Brinks returned to the home security sector in 2018 through a trademark licensing deal with Monitronics International, which now delivers services under the Brink's Home name.
Lock manufacturing
Since 1998, California-based Hampton Products has produced and marketed door locks and padlocks under the Brink's brand through a licensing agreement. The company is led by CEO Greg Gluchowski, underscoring a focused leadership approach within the security hardware manufacturing industry.
1950 robbery
The infamous Great Brink's Robbery took place on January 17, 1950, at Brinks' facility in Boston, Massachusetts. Orchestrated by Tony "Fats" Pino and a group of 11 men, they absconded with $1.2 million in cash along with $1.5 million in securities, marking it as the largest heist in U.S. history at that time. Despite extensive investigations, only $57,000 of the $2.7 million stolen was recovered. All involved individuals were apprehended within six years; most were released on parole by 1971 except Joseph "Big Joe" McGinnis, who passed away while incarcerated.
1981 attempted robbery
On October 20, 1981, members affiliated with the Weather Underground and Black Liberation Army attempted to rob a Brink's armored vehicle in Nanuet, New York. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of two law enforcement officers and one Brink's security employee. Another guard sustained critical injuries and later died during the September 11 attacks. This episode underscored significant operational hazards faced by Brink's global security operations.
1983 Brink's-Mat robbery
An armed theft occurred on November 26, 1983, at a Brink's-Mat storage facility near London's Heathrow Airport, where three tonnes of gold bullion valued at £26 million were stolen. Brink's-Mat was a joint venture between Brink's and MAT Transport specializing in transporting high-value assets. The majority of this stolen gold has never been recovered.
1993 New York robbery
On January 5, 1993, $7.4 million was taken from the Brink's Armored Car Depot located in Rochester, New York, ranking as the fifth-largest heist in United States history. Four individuals linked to the Provisional Irish Republican Army were implicated, including former Rochester Police officer Thomas O'Connor.
2008 "D.B. Tuber" robbery
In Monroe, Washington, on September 30, 2008, during a delivery to Bank of America, a Brink's armored truck guard was pepper-sprayed while $400,000 was stolen. The perpetrator fled using an inner tube via nearby Woods Creek after orchestrating a distraction by employing numerous men dressed identically at the bank simultaneously. DNA evidence subsequently identified former college football athlete Anthony Curcio as responsible.
On February 18, 2013, eight armed robbers disguised as police officers executed a swift theft of approximately €38 million worth of diamonds during their transfer from a Brink's armored vehicle to a Swiss-bound Fokker 100 operated by Helvetic Airways at Brussels Airport. The heist occurred just before 20:00 CET on the airport tarmac and was completed without any gunfire.
2014 recovery of misplaced cash bag
In May 2014, Joe Cornell, residing in California, discovered a Brink's bag containing $125,000 that had accidentally fallen from a Brink's armored vehicle in downtown Fresno. Upholding Brink's principles of honesty and integrity, Cornell promptly returned the money. As recognition, Brink's awarded him $5,000 and additionally donated $5,000 to The Salvation Army, underscoring the company's dedication to ethical conduct and community support.
2022 Lebec Flying J robbery
On July 11, 2022, between $100 million and $150 million worth of jewelry and luxury timepieces were stolen from a Brink's truck during a brief 27-minute interval at the Flying J rest stop on Interstate 5 in Lebec, California. At the time, one driver was inside the facility purchasing food while the other rested inside the vehicle. The shipment had been loaded in San Francisco and was intended for a trade exhibition in Pasadena. Subsequently, thirteen jewelry firms initiated lawsuits against Brink's over compensation disagreements, while Brink's filed counterclaims alleging undervaluation of goods during transit. Investigations remain ongoing by the FBI and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau.
2023 Toronto airport theft
In April 2023, an estimated CAD $20 million worth of gold and other valuables were taken from an Air Canada Cargo warehouse at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The thief gained entry through forged documentation. Brinks, which coordinated the shipment logistics, filed suit against Air Canada, attributing the theft to insufficient security measures at the facility. Authorities charged nine individuals in connection with the incident, including two employees of Air Canada.
Significant Heist at Brinks Chile 2024
On August 16, 2024, a large-scale robbery struck a Brinks location in Chile’s O'Higgins region. The operation involved a gang of no fewer than 25 members aided by two insiders—a cashier and a security guard. Utilizing stolen vehicles, firearms, disguises, and confidential company data, they executed the heist.
The group created diversions by shooting and setting vehicles ablaze while armed assailants disguised as Brinks personnel infiltrated the site. The stolen sum is estimated at 12 billion Chilean pesos (approximately $13 million), with most of it still unrecovered.
Following the event, law enforcement apprehended several suspects after a pursuit near farmland, confiscating weapons and ammunition. By August 20, eighteen individuals faced formal charges for serious offenses. One confiscated firearm was connected to previous violent acts. Authorities have come under criticism for their management of intelligence prior to the robbery, prompting an administrative inquiry. The presiding judge mandated preventive detention and established an eight-month period for investigation.
Recent corporate developments
In October 2015, activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP increased its stake in Brinks to nearly 12.4%, indicating heightened shareholder activism. Later that year, Brinks participated in Texas RFI 212P concerning the creation of the Texas Bullion Depository, signaling strategic involvement in new market opportunities.
In April 2017, Brinks adopted the FN Herstal FN 509 9mm pistol as the standard firearm for its armed personnel to bolster security measures.
By August 2018, Brinks broadened its market footprint through acquiring Dunbar Armored for $520 million, reinforcing its leadership within armored transport services.
External links
- 1859 establishments in Illinois
- American companies founded in 1859
- Business services firms established in 1859
- Companies headquartered in Richmond, Virginia
- Companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange
- Canadian logistics companies
- United States logistics companies
- Canadian security firms
- Security companies in the United States
- Transport firms founded in 1859
- Companies included in the S&P 400
- American companies established in 1859
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment