Dynamark returns with new monitoring center

HAGERSTOWN, Md.—Dynamark Security Centers, a well-known name in the security industry whose monitoring aspect disappeared through a series of acquisitions several years ago, is ready to make a monitoring comeback with a new central station slated to open here by the end of summer.

The newly launched Dynamark Monitoring invested $1.5 million of its own money to acquire a 26,000 square-foot space that initially will create jobs for at least 35 operators with plans to continue expansion in the future, according to company chairman Wayne Alter. A government grant provided additional funding for the new center.

“I suppose a lot of people aren't familiar with grants, but in these economic times, governments are very interested in keeping jobs in the community and creating new jobs. So we simply applied for some grants. The state of Maryland and the local and county governments provided conditional grants if we created a certain number of jobs,” Alter said. “If we don't create the jobs we'll have to pay them back. We got a combined total of $130,000 in grants for the creation of these central station jobs. We expect to hire approximately 100 people over the next several years.”

Dynamark Monitoring is a sister company to First Action Security Team, which supplies security products as well as training to its customers. Alter purchased First Action Security Team upon his return to the security industry in 2009, when he began planning for the central station and dealer program.

“It costs nothing to join and dealers can pick and choose which products and services out of our full range of products and services they need and use. It's all about choice on the part of the dealer,” Alter said. “We'll monitor for them, do billing and collections for them if they choose, we'll buy the accounts if they choose. The key is choice: we provide the services and products the dealer wants.”

Alter said Dynamark is slated to monitor about 40,000 accounts in a 70/30 resi/commercial mix when the central station opens this summer. Alter said the company's focus will initially be on the East Coast with plans to expand to nationwide over the next few years.

“We grew Dynamark Security Centers throughout the 1970s, 80s and most of the 90s into the fifth largest security company in the world � We built a franchise network. We had more than 350 franchises nationwide at the time. We no longer offer franchising; we are strictly a dealer-based program today.” Alter said. “We're opening the new monitoring center now. We own the site and are building the new UL center to open this summer.”

Further, Alter said right now, before the central station is even open, 75 of First Action Security Team's more than 250 independent alarm customers have signed up for the Dynamark Authorized Dealer program.

“We're CSAA members now and will seek Five Diamond Certification as well,” Alter's son and Dynamark president Trey Alter added. “Our dealers will get a higher tier of service. We go into their office and help them understand how they can be more competitive from a marketing standpoint with web development, online ad campaigns and more competitive pricing. We will help them get more sales and improve their bottom line at no additional cost. It is a part of the service we offer our dealers.”