Mike Burgess, General Sales Manager at TAKEX, shares how a passion for people, precision engineering and innovation drives the company’s global success in security sensors.
Mention the word ‘sales’ and an image will appear in people’s minds, usually not a favourable one.
For over 40 years people have bought things from me, but I have ‘sold’ nothing.
My role at TAKEX is to ensure those around me have the same passion and enthusiasm that makes every interaction an opportunity to brighten someone’s day.
I have been fortunate enough to build a network of friends (not ‘just customers’) around the world over the last 25 years here, all based on trust and integrity, core values of our founder and parent company in Japan.
In an age where the technological field is level, what sets companies apart is the service and relationship and this is something we never lose sight of at TAKEX.
So my role?… Lead by example!
Since TAKEX was founded in 1959, our mission has been clear: To protect what matters. From the very beginning, we’ve focused on advancing sensor technologies without distraction.
Our expertise in Infrared Beams for perimeter protection and Outdoor PIR for intruder detection have set the standard for reliability and performance in the industry.
What started as a commitment to safeguarding homes and businesses has grown into a global mission, protecting critical infrastructure, government facilities and even royal and military sites worldwide.
Our goal remains the same: To serve as the early warning system that gives you precious seconds to react, adding distance, time and scale to your security system.
‘Fales Alarms’ is a misnomer, it suggests a device has activated for no reason.
In reality, every alarm has a cause and effect: The effect is the activation; our job is to identify the cause – and there will always be one.
There’s usually a straightforward solution, but finding it requires information, especially about the environment.
The key is communication, knowing the right questions to ask and interpreting the answers.
Quality and precision are at the heart of everything we do.
Every sensor is meticulously designed and engineered in Japan, where craftsmanship and attention to detail are part of our DNA.
This hands-on approach allows us to control every stage of development and ensure each product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.
Our commitment to craftsmanship means we never compromise on materials, design integrity or testing rigor.
Each sensor undergoes extensive environmental and functional testing to guarantee consistent performance in even the most demanding conditions.
By combining decades of proven heritage with continuous innovation, we want every TAKEX product to deliver the precision, reliability and durability that our customers have trusted since 1959.
Our VS-1000E Vape & Smoking Sensor was developed in direct response to the growing concern around youth vaping, particularly in schools.
With studies showing that around a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds in the UK have tried vaping, educators and school managers are under increasing pressure to detect and deter this behaviour discreetly and effectively.
We recognised the need for a fast, accurate and privacy-friendly solution; one that could operate in sensitive areas like toilets and changing rooms without cameras or microphones.
VS-1000E meets that need through advanced particle sensing and detection algorithms, providing real-time alerts without compromising privacy.
Designed for simplicity and practicality, it integrates easily into existing Building Management Systems with no apps, licenses or annual fees.
Beyond schools, VS-1000E is also a practical, maintenance-friendly and cost-effective solution for offices, public facilities and other shared spaces looking to promote healthier, safer environments.
One of the biggest challenges is the fast-changing nature of the security industry.
New technologies, evolving threats and shifting customer expectations mean the landscape is constantly moving.
Rather than chasing every new trend, we focus on refining proven technologies and engineering solutions that stand the test of time.
Each TAKEX sensor is meticulously designed by our expert team in Japan, combining decades of experience with continuous innovation for performance you can depend on.
We also believe in balancing innovation with integrity – introducing new products, like our Vape Detector and mmWave technologies, only when we can guarantee the same level of quality and trust that define our infrared beam and PIR heritage.
By holding fast to these principles, we ensure our customers always receive sensors that deliver dependable, real-world protection.
TAKEX has been synonymous with innovation and quality for over half a century.
As technology has caught up and patents expired, the industry is now fully matured with conventional technology – that said, the evolution continues through fine-tuning.
There will always be a need for our core products, but TAKEX recognises the importance of diversification.
In November 2025, we will officially release our new Milliwave Detector, an exciting product with a myriad of applications beyond security.
Earlier this year we launched our first Vape Detector and whilst not a ‘new’ product, our UV Flame Detectors have become increasingly relevant with the surge in domestic lithium battery use.
The common theme to all of these products is the word ‘Detector’, so our mid-long-term plan is to work out what needs to be detected and how best to do it, whether this requires new technology or repurposing our existing portfolio.
This article was originally published in the November edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
