“The way things are in Ecuador, it’s better to go unnoticed and keep a low profile, but you have to invest in security; Last year, I armored two cars that I drive.” These are the words of a businessman who wants to keep his identity a secret and who invested more than 55,000 dollars in armoring two vehicles.

The situation commented on by this entrepreneur is not isolated, as the rates of insecurity have fueled an increase in interest in armored vehicles in recent months; which in some cases has become an increasing demand for companies performing these jobs, especially from 2022 to today.

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Thus, for example, confirms Daniel Yanez, marketing manager of Orgu, a Ford dealership, with the support of Corporación Mares, which has also been dedicated to armoring vehicles for 18 years, not only Ford, but also others such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and Toyota.

Yanez assures that from 2020 to 2022, more than 200 armored units were sold in different brands; and last year the company had a growth of 85% in orders of armored vehicles, while for this year it predicts a growth of at least 35% more compared to last year.

Orgu is even promoting its new armored vehicle lineup on its website with the Ford F150 and Explorer, though Yanez points out that other models like the Ford Expedition, Ford Ranger and Ford Escape are also armored; and 90% of the models of the other already mentioned brands can also be protected. “The strength of being Orgu Armored is that we have inventory available for immediate delivery of Ford vehicles.”

The process of armoring can last up to four months, and the only prerequisite for a vehicle to be suitable for armoring is that it has a cylinder volume of at least 2,000 cubic centimeters, he says.

As for the prices, he explains that they vary in the case of a new vehicle, with the value of the new vehicle plus the cost of the armor being factored in. And, in case the vehicle is semi-new, only the value of the armor. Additionally, the value of the armor will depend on the type of armor and the size of the vehicle.

Firearms of the pistol or revolver type are what the law allows for the use of prior authorization for civil protection in Ecuador

For example, taking as a reference the approximate cost of armor for a Ford Explorer, there are three alternatives: Silver armor, which is level IIIA, which costs $24,990. Gold Level IIIA $31,990 and Platinum Level IIIA $36,990.

Other companies such as Blingard, which started operating in 1998, also have good expectations, especially in recent weeks, when the interest of potential new clients is growing.

The company offers shields from $14,000 and up.

“Due to political circumstances and instability, there was no increase in the first quarter, but now we are seeing an increase in the number of bids sought,” says Imrgard Eggeling, head of protection at the company, who expects an increase of at least 20% in jobs.

Eggeling states that his main clients are companies, corporations, as well as small and medium-sized companies in the aquaculture and agriculture sectors. One of his clients is Jhon Garaycoa, president of Mac Security, which provides armored vehicles for security services. It is also a strategic partner of Blingard, where it refers its clients who are looking for armoring services for their vehicles.

However, Garaycoa assures that the demand has increased in recent months among other clients looking for an armored car, due to the high costs of armoring a vehicle and the time it takes. “The value of armored cars is high, which is why there are executives who choose to rent VIP armored cars for days, for activities such as going to farms, ranches, shrimp farms or packing houses.” And he comments that the question of the identity of the people who order their vehicles to be armored is always reserved.

“A security guard cannot bring himself to intervene in an attack that takes place in front of the bank he is guarding”

On the other hand, the growth in demand for car bodywork services has led to the growth of the sector with the emergence of more companies that decide to dedicate themselves to this business.

This is indicated by Eggeling, who assures that 20 years ago only three armored companies were operating in Guayaquil, but dozens appeared in business about two years ago, especially since 2022. boom That was last year, about two years ago just one competitor or another started to emerge, but last year many companies that were previously dedicated to just installing security panels started to also offer protection given the fact that people no longer No they feel safe and it is not enough for them to have a film that is only against shock, people are looking for protection from a bullet because of the type of risk that exists”.

Not all those who provide security services grow

The interest in security services does not benefit the entire sector. Rodrigo Peralta, president of the National Association of Comprehensive Security and Investigation Companies (Anesi), which brings together about 100 security companies in Quito and Guayaquil, admits that there are companies that have demanded more security due to their activities, such as land and river guarding, contracting more physical security , cameras and perimeter fences, but he says that there are also medium economic sectors, such as restaurants, which, affected by crime, have decided to close and terminate security guard contracts.

This situation is reflected in the low expectations of the sector due to the contraction of the market.

“The expectation that we can manage as a security union is minimal because the market is constrained by the economic situation of small companies,” says Peralta, who reveals that in the public sector there has also been a reduction in the security service, due to a reduction in the security budget.

He claims that there are many companies that have failed to pay public institutions for the services they are billed for.

With quotas and only with regulated companies, weapons and ammunition for civilian use were imported before the 2007 ban.

What their expectations are focused on is the renewal of armaments after fourteen years, after the recent announcement of carrying weapons for civilians.

The presenter explains that since they could not renew the weapons due to the import ban and high taxes (ICE was 300%), the new security companies do not have lethal weapons, which all clients want them to be. adequate service.

“These companies use non-lethal weapons at a disadvantage compared to organized and ordinary crime,” says President Anesija. It cost them roughly between $3,500 and $5,000 to bring the weapons into the country, added to the cost of ammunition, which currently costs $3 per unit (bullet), he claims.