Guardian acquires Vitex; will go South in 2007

CRANBERRY, Pa.--Super regional security company Guardian Security, which ended 2005 with its first acquisition ever, wrapped up 2006 with its third acquisition, Vitex, based in Detroit. Guardian gained about 20 new employees and 2,500 accounts with its October deal, terms of the which were not disclosed. Next year, said CEO Russ Cersosimo, expect Guardian to move into Florida for the first time, perhaps as soon as the first quarter. Currently, Guardian's reach extends to North Carolina in the South and Phoenix in the Southeast. Last November it acquired Certified Security of Chicago; earlier this year it acquired Indianapolis-based Moore Security. "We have letters of intent on three other deals," Cersosimo said. "It's tough to find companies that parallel our corporate philosophy, which is primarily working with the new construction field," he said. A company's focus is important, but Guardian values "employees more than accounts" said Cersosimo, when considering acquisitions. Big in the builder market, Cersosimo anticipates that Vitex will help Guardian handle some of the national builder business it's involved in. Vitex's operations and employees will be relocated to a new office that Guardian opened in Detroit. Guardian became acquainted with Vitex through Authorized Integrators Network, now part of GE Home Technologies. "It's an integrators network that brings national builder business to the table. It's been very successful in opening up doors for integrators," Cersosimo said.