70 Years of Security Excellence

Per Mar Security Services was founded in 1953 by John and Eleanor Duffy in Davenport, Iowa. Scroll down to learn about our history!

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.

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Our Story

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

house that Per Mar Security started in

John & Eleanor Duffy start Per Mar Security Services at their home in Davenport, Iowa.

October 31, 1953

1959

1959

First Night of Guards

Servus Rubber inspires John Duffy to provide security officer service to businesses and becomes Per Mar's first security officer account.

1959

July 28, 1973

July 28, 1973

Mike and Linda Wedding

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.

July 28, 1973

October 31, 1978

October 31, 1978

John Eleanor Central Station

John and Eleanor Duffy working in Per Mar’s first Central Alarm Monitoring Station on Per Mar's 25th Anniversary.

October 31, 1978

February 6, 1998

February 6, 1998

CEO Michael Duffy and Per Mar employees

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.

February 6, 1998

October 31, 2003

October 31, 2003

The First 50 Years Thumbnail Image

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.”

Our first 50 Years

October 31, 2003

October 24, 2015

October 24, 2015

Mike-Duffy-Award-Banquet

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.

October 24, 2015

December 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

Per-Mar-Building

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.

December 1, 2020

January 1, 2021

January 1, 2021

Brian Duffy

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.

January 1, 2021

WATCH VIDEOS ABOUT OUR COMPANY'S HISTORY