Cardkey Systems Wins Malaysian Contract

Cardkey Systems Inc. is preparing to leap a couple of tall buildings.

After several years of competition from international firms, the Simi Valley-based supplier of high-tech security systems has won a $1.1-million contract to install an electronic system in the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The first crates of electronics are due to be shipped out to the twin towers this week, with the project scheduled for completion by June.

Cardkey, a subsidiary of Amtech Corp. of Dallas, will provide security throughout the 1,483-foot towers. The buildings, which are the largest in the world, are owned by KLCC Petronas, the national petroleum company of Malaysia. One tower will be occupied by Petronas and the other will be leased to individual tenants.

Cardkey will establish high-security systems with closed-circuit monitors, alarms and card passes for about 10,000 employees and will train Petronas staff to monitor the system.

In conjunction with the contract, Cardkey has set up a sales and support office in Kuala Lumpur.

“We want to provide project assistance, and it will enable us to establish a broader bridgehead in the region,” said Derek Trimble, vice president of international sales for Cardkey. “With the burgeoning growth of the Asian-Pacific region, it made very, very good sense to establish ourselves in Malaysia. . . . It’s hard to market Asia sitting in Los Angeles.”

Cardkey operates in 55 countries, with sales offices in Australia and the Middle East. Its clients include Turner Broadcasting System, AT&T;, UC Irvine and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.