Axon Business Systems and Chubbsafes – A Trusted Collaboration in the UAE

Since 1963, Axon Business Systems has been Chubbsafes’ long-standing partner in the UAE, supporting the brand’s growth and visibility across the region. With over 60 years of experience in the market, the company has developed deep-rooted expertise in high-security storage and built strong relationships with generations of customers.  

 
Today, Chubbsafes is more than just a key part of Axon’s product portfolio.

“We were the first ones to get the back then called CHUBB brand in the UAE”, says Ijaz Anwer, General Manager of Axon Business Systems. “Chubbsafes is our biggest brand. It constitutes about 75 to 80% of our revenue and profits”.

Over the years, Axon has steadily expanded its range of Chubbsafes products, including home safes, Europa safes from Grade I to VI, Trident, Centurion, EverydaySafe, and vault doors, amongst others. 

What customers value most, according to Ijaz, is the support behind the safe, especially when something goes wrong. “We provide 24 by 7 by 365 service to our customers. These calls come at 12 midnight or 3:00 AM. We are always there.”

It is no surprise that they have built a loyal customer base across the UAE and neighbouring countries. From private homeowners to corporate clients, many of those relationships span generations. “The grandfather, the father, and now the grandson are coming and buying a safe.”   

Adapting to New Needs and Technologies
The introduction of solutions like SafeStore Auto has only added to the market. 

“That’s a fascinating development; it really highlights how financial services are evolving to meet the growing demand for both convenience and security. A 24-hour automated vaulting facility within a bank’s secure infrastructure offers peace of mind to customers who need access to their valuables outside traditional banking hours. It blends the reliability of traditional banking with the flexibility of modern technology. Prominent commercial banks in our region, such as Emirates NBD, ADCB, Bank Muscat, and Dubai Islamic Bank, are already leading the way”. 

And with new technologies such as Gunnebo Encry™ and Amplisec™ locks, customers are gaining more control and visibility. “They know that nobody can get into their safe, even if they have the keys and the combination. We need that technology to help customers feel more secure. That is why it is only good news that Gunnebo is also offering high-security locks”, he shares. 

Axon has also extended its offering beyond safes to certified strongrooms. “The biggest safe is 1.9 metres high. But now people want rooms. We’ve done many large projects here, with modular panels, Centurion, and wall doors up to Grade 13.”

In a region where fire poses a greater threat than burglary, fire resistance and reliability remain top concerns for customers. “Unfortunately, fires are very common here. People lose a lot of their valuable documents and money in fires. So, a safe that is both fire resistant and burglary proof is the need of the hour.” In this regard, the DuoGuard range has been a consistent bestseller. “It’s affordable, of good quality and design, and provides top fire protection. That’s why it’s been a big hit”, he shares. 

A Close Partnership
The introduction of solutions like SafeStore Auto has only added to the market. Located just a few kilometres from our regional office in Dubai, Axon Business Systems benefits from a strong and ongoing dialogue with the Chubbsafes team.

“If Gareth Hugues (Regional Sales Director) looks out the window, he can see my office!” laughs Ijaz. “We normally meet once a week. I meet Jacob Touma (VP MEA), Gareth Hugues, and of course Mark Brookes (Global Product and Standards Director) whenever he is here.”  

We also contacted Gareth to ask him about this partnership: “In my opinion, Ijaz and his team at Axon are the best channel partners for Chubbsafes globally (though I may be biased, of course). Their professionalism and passion for the brand are clear for anyone to see. During my time in the UAE, they have always been first to launch new products and initiatives, which has put them firmly as the number one supplier of certified secure storage products in the region.”   

The partnership also extends across the dealer network in the region, he says: “We’re not competitors, we are brothers of the same family. We help each other. Sometimes other partners don’t stock products, so our warehouse is available to them. And we learn from each other’s innovations.” 

Bringing the Chubbsafes™ 1835 
Axon was among the first to advocate for creating the Chubbsafes™ 1835 luxury safe and was quick to celebrate when it finally became available. His market knowledge wasn’t wrong, as customers responded just as quickly:

“The minute we got it here, a customer walked in from Africa. We were not selling, it was on display, but he said, ‘No. Here’s the money. Book it for me.’ We begged him to leave it since we needed it for the showroom, but he insisted, ‘Either I buy now, or I don’t buy.’ So of course, we had to keep the customer happy!”

Ijaz believes the Chubbsafes™ 1835 reflects a broader shift in the industry: from purely functional solutions to safes that also match luxury lifestyles. “Back in the days, the safe used to be a man thing. Now, the safe is also used by women, by everyone. In addition, the 1835 is a beautiful-looking piece of furniture as well.” 

‘All the other safes were broken into, but the Chubbsafe was untouched.’
When asked what people often overlook about working in the security industry, Ijaz offers a simple but powerful analogy:

“It’s just like you have a car and only find out about the airbags when you have an accident. Similarly, a safe is your insurance, which you don’t see. But the day a burglar enters your house or a fire happens. That is the real test.”

And in those tests, Chubbsafes has proven its worth.

“We get customers who say, ‘All the other safes were broken into, but the Chubbsafe was untouched.’ Even the burglars know it’s too difficult to open and don’t waste time there.”

With strong demand for both physical and connected secure storage solutions in the UAE and surrounding markets, the partnership between Chubbsafes and Axon Business Systems continues to adapt and grow. The secret to this success? It all comes down to close communication, consistent service delivery, technical expertise and a shared commitment to customer trust.