Brazilian facilities group grows from humble beginnings
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In Joinville, Brazil, Alcides Benkendorf began a business in the 1970s offering security patrols on a bicycle, and it has grown into the Orbenk Group, a company with nearly 40,000 employees.
Benkendorf supplemented his income while serving in the army by providing security services to residents, accepting breakfast as payment. He initially used a bicycle and whistle to announce his presence during nighttime rounds.
Over the decades, Orbenk expanded from a local security firm in Santa Catarina state to a nationwide operation providing cleaning, security, food services, and support to over 2,000 clients. The company adopted the name Orbenk in the 1990s, combining “Organization” and “Benkendorf,” and began operating in Paraná state in 2003. In 2025, Orbenk’s revenue exceeded R$2.4 billion, about $480 million USD, a 36% increase from the previous year, and they project another 10.5% growth for 2026.
Currently, Orbenk focuses on specialized facilities services for complex and regulated environments like airports, hospitals, and ports. They have invested in technology, including drones and autonomous cleaning robots, and created a corporate university to train their workforce. The company also prioritizes social impact through its “Sonhos” (Dreams) program, which helps employees fulfill personal goals or support community projects. The program has already benefitted over 30 employees in three states.
