Family-owned and operated
Per Mar was originally chartered as a security and investigative business. The business started out in John and Eleanor's home in Davenport, Iowa. To this day, Per Mar is family-owned and operated. Through steadfast dedication to our community, employees and customers, Per Mar has grown to become the largest family-owned, full-service security provider in the Midwest!
Learn more about our history.
Our company has grown through steadfast dedication to our community, employees and customers. The Duffy family has always believed that if you "take care of employees and customers, the results will take care of themselves." This philosophy is still a guiding principle of their business today.
Per Mar has grown over the years, but our commitment to providing reliable full service security solutions, superior customer service and protection customers can trust has never wavered.
October 31, 1953
October 31, 1953
John & Eleanor Duffy start Per Mar Security Services at their home in Davenport, Iowa.
1959
1959
Servus Rubber inspires John Duffy to provide security officer service to businesses and becomes Per Mar's first security officer account.
July 28, 1973
July 28, 1973
John and Eleanor Duffy’s son, Michael Duffy, marries Linda Brus. This union cemented a tremendous partnership that encompasses both family and business. Within a year, Michael Duffy becomes Executive Vice President of Per Mar, and five years later is elected President.
October 31, 1978
October 31, 1978
John and Eleanor Duffy working in Per Mar’s first Central Alarm Monitoring Station on Per Mar's 25th Anniversary.
February 6, 1998
February 6, 1998
Per Mar’s corporate office becomes separate from branch operations with the move to Per Mar Centre located in Davenport, Iowa. Mayor Phil Yerrington joins CEO Michael Duffy and Per Mar employees for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
October 31, 2003
October 31, 2003
Per Mar celebrates its 50th anniversary with a history book. In the introduction, Michael Duffy writes, “Today our company celebrates our loyal employees and valued customers as well as significant growth in revenue and market value, all founded on the same principles set forth by John J. and Eleanor M. Duffy.”
October 24, 2015
October 24, 2015
CEO Michael Duffy receives the Lifetime Achievement award at the Honeywell Connect Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is only the second person ever to be given this award.
December 1, 2020
December 1, 2020
Per Mar acquires Floyd Total Security in Bloomington, Minnesota. It is the 92nd acquisition, and the largest to date. The company gains electronic security customers as well as a locksmith division, Floyd Lock & Safe.
January 1, 2021
January 1, 2021
Per Mar enters the third generation of Duffy family leadership. Michael and Linda Duffy’s son, Brian Duffy, becomes CEO of Per Mar. This same year, Per Mar is ranked 15th in the SDM 2021 Top 100 List, marking the 21st consecutive year that Per Mar has held a ranking in the report.