Archive: December 2002
Own a City program takes off, eyed by others
December 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
SPOKANE, Wash. - A statewide program here designed to foster a better relationship between the alarm industry and local police and fire officials is now being considered for adoption by other states and the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association.
The program, called Own a City, was started by the Washington Burglar & Fire Alarm Association nearly a year ago. Since then it has gained national and state attention.
The NBFAA is expected to talk about the program at its meeting in March, a follow-up...
Central emerges from bankrupt parent
December 1, 2002Andrea Gura
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - An interactive central station here has emerged as a new company after it was bought by a group of investors while its former parent company works its way through Chapter 11 reorganization.
Interactive Security Corp., which began operating under its new name in late summer, now monitors about 500 accounts, a portion of which it has been signing on over the past few months, said Gerald Hotopp, president and general manager of ISC.
Some of the company's clients include Duke Energy,...
SPX expands reach with Vance Int'l
December 1, 2002SSN Staff
OAKTON, Va. - In a move that mirrors industry consolidation trends, SPX Corp. acquired Virginia-based Vance International to expand the company's Security and Investigations Division.
SPX officials announced the purchase of Vance, a $95 million in annual revenue executive protection and guard firm, a day after the Oct. 14 acquisition. Cost of the acquisition was not disclosed.
Plans call for the two companies to reorganize. SPX's Security and Investigations, which focuses on protection services...
Elan expands into U.K. market
December 1, 2002SSN Staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Poised to capture a market in which custom audio-visual and automation systems for the home have only recently become popular, Elan Home Systems has introduced its full line to the United Kingdom.
Expansion to the U.K. comes as Elan has realized a 500 percent growth over four years. The Lexington, Ky.-based company has released more than 250 products in the past six years.
Jonathan Smith, director of distribution for Elan Systems (U.K.), said the success of Elan in the U.S. is...
Texas fabricator expands with second site
December 1, 2002Andrea Gura
WHITESBORO, Texas - A family-run sprinkler fabricator here has bought the equipment assets of another Texas company and is using that location to broaden its geographic reach and physical space.
Texas Manufacturing Co., which has been fabricating sprinkler pipe for local sprinkler contractors since 1985, bought the equipment of Hitech Fabrication in Houston. Now, Hitech's approximately 18 employees work in the same fabrication shop under the Texas Manufacturing name. The company also manufactures...
FEMA, NFPA strike equipment interoperability discussion
December 1, 2002Andrea Gura
WASHINGTON - A group of federal officials, security and fire trade associations and other organizations with interests in the fire equipment realm will meet sometime this month to continue an industry dialogue on how different types of fire equipment work together in emergency situations.
The meeting, which will be hosted by the National Fire Protection Association, is a follow-up to a meeting held in early October, said Julie Reynolds, an NFPA spokesperson.
Officials from the Federal Emergency...
Westar forced to reorganize; chief executive indicted
December 1, 2002SSN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. - Westar Energy Inc. was told by state regulators in early November that the company would have to restructure its operations amid concerns that the company was forcing its electrical ratepayers to shoulder debt from its non-regulated utilities, including its 88 percent share in Protection One.
The order from the commission came one day after David Wittig, Westar's chief executive officer was indicted on conspiracy and money laundering charges by a federal grand jury on Nov. 7. The...
Briefs
December 1, 2002SSN Staff
Mace initiates stock buyback plan
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. - Mace Security International announced plans this week to buy up to two million shares of its own stock in a move to instill investor confidence.
"We want to send a strong message to the market and to our shareholders that we are confident in Mace's fundamental value and future initiatives," said Louis Paolino, chairman and chief executive officer of Mace.
Plans call for the company to buy the stock in the open market at times and prices that...
Diversified adds Lifrieri to board
December 1, 2002Mike Higgins
SADDLE BROOK, N.J. - Diversified Security Solutions Inc., a systems integrator based here, has a new face on the company's board of directors.
On Oct. 28, Executive Vice President Sal Lifrieri, who joined the company in August, was elected to the board during the annual shareholders meeting.
"Sal's management skills and knowledge of the security systems business will be a valuable asset to our board of directors," said James Henry, Diversified Security Solutions chairman and chief executive...
Brink's hits milestone
December 1, 2002Andrea Gura
IRVING, Texas - Brink's Home Security announced in early November it had hit 750,000 customers, reaching a major milestone in the company's growth and inching closer to its closest competitor despite never having made a major acquisition.
The company, which has 90 percent of its account base in the residential market, saw its installed base increase by more than 77,000 installations in the first three quarters of 2002, an increase of about 15.8 percent over last year, said Bob Allen, president...