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,...
Wireless touted as next wave
December 1, 2002Joanne Friedrick
Despite the fairly rapid changes taking place in the video transmission market, spurred by the acceptance of digital technology and improved bandwidth and compression scenarios, industry players are already looking ahead to the next wave of technology.
Craig Scott, director of marketing and product management for Silent Witness, said "the next move is to wireless. We see a whole pile of technology coming out in the next 18 months."
Despite what he called "the old school in security that says there's...
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...
Merger creates new firm, Mallon Capital
December 1, 2002Chelsie Woods
NEW YORK - Investment banking firm Mallon & Associates has joined up with Broadband Capital Holdings to create a new company called Mallon Capital LLC.
The deal, completed in November, combines the security expertise of Mallon & Associates with the investment banking infrastructure of Broadband Capital, a boutique investment bank that employs more than 20 people.
"We've been focusing on mergers and acquisitions and through our alliance now, we'll be able to work with them in conjunction with raising...
ImageWare to supply IDs
December 1, 2002SSN Staff
SAN DIEGO - ImageWare Systems has been selected by the Department of Transportation to provide the credentialing component of the Federal Aviation Adminstration's ID Media Program. The program calls for the creation and management of about 16 different credentials, badges and ID cards for FAA executives, employees, contractors and others.
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...