Interface swoops into Dallas, Texas for Hawk buy

ST. LOUIS, Mo.--Interface Security recently quadrupled its number of Lone Star State customers with the purchase of Hawk Security, one of the largest independent security companies in Texas. "Prior to the Hawk acquisition, we were operating primarily in East Texas with offices in Longview, Tyler and Beaumont and approximately 4,000 customers," said Michael Shaw, chief executive officer of Interface. Hawk has 12,000 customers in Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio. Interface announced Oct. 14 that it acquired Hawk Security from its parent company, Progressive Concepts. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SunTx Capital Partners of Dallas provided equity financing and Capital Source LLC arranged debt financing for the deal. "We have had a great experience working with Hawk, and given our knowledge of their customer base, we know Interface is acquiring an excellent group of alarm subscribers," said Bill Polk, managing director of CapitalSource. Hawk regional general manager Mike Shirley will continue with the company as will all 80 other employees. Hawk's business is 75-percent residential, and residential will continue to be a major focus, Shirley said. In addition, Hawk will use Interface's technical expertise to expand its commercial business. "Right now we are the number one independent residential company and we want to become among the top three commercially in Dallas/Fort Worth. With Interface, we should be able to do this," Shirley said. Michael Shaw, Interface president, said Interface will bring expertise in interactive digital video systems capable of being monitored by its secured operations center, managed card access and entry control systems. Interface will also offer knowledge about video verification of alarms from the monitoring center, high-end fire alarm systems and the ability to design and install large integrated enterprise systems for large facilities and multi-location corporate accounts. Hawk will adopt the Interface name over a two-year period, Shirley said. The Hawk acquisition is Interface's ninth transaction of 2005. The full-service company does business in the Mississippi Valley, California and Texas.