Briefs

Westar completes sale of Pro One Europe TOPEKA, Kan. - Officials from Westar Energy said in late June that its subsidiary, Westar Industries, had closed the sale of Protection One Europe to two investment funds managed by ABN Amro Capitol France. The sale, which reduces Westar’s consolidated debt by about $114 million, was called a positive step toward the completion of a restructuring plan at Westar to return the company to a pure utility operation. Westar Energy said earlier this year that it intended to sell its stake in Protection One. Home technology alliance grows to 50 members SAN RAMON, Calif. - A group of technology companies working to develop and promote a unified home networking standard has grown to 50 members in the seven months since its official launch. The Zigbee Alliance, which calls such companies as Honeywell, Inovonics Wireless Corp., Philips, Robert Bosch Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. members, launched in October. The companies are working together to define the software layers for interoperable data networking, security services and other wireless home and building control solutions. AlarmForce reports second quarter results TORONTO - Canadian installation company AlarmForce Industries reported increased operating income and cash flows for the first part of the fiscal year, where company revenues exceeded $6 million. Operating income for the first half of the year jumped 55 percent, while cash flows increased 28 percent. EBITDA for the second quarter of $1.45 million was up 36 percent from a year ago, reflecting a back to back increase from the results of the first quarter of the year, according to company officials. AlarmForce has 38,000 monitored accounts in Canada.