ADT acquires assets from and partners with Ackerman Security

BOCA RATON, Fla. and ATLANTA—ADT announced that it has acquired assets from Atlanta-based Ackerman Security Systems, which will join the ADT Authorized Dealer Program and will sell and install ADT smart home security services to its new customers.

Ackerman Security joins more than 200 independently owned and operated ADT Authorized Dealers and expands ADT’s reach in Georgia, Virginia and Maryland.

“As we are preparing to roll out our next generation of smart home products and services, ADT is well-positioned to leverage our capital, our partnerships and innovation to deliver smart home and commercial security solutions,” ADT CEO and President Jim DeVries said in the announcement. “Ackerman Security is a great addition to our national network of high-quality, professional security providers.”

As part of the partnership, ADT has agreed to acquire approximately half of Ackerman Security’s existing customer accounts for initial cash consideration of $73 million. This relationship represents a significant opportunity for customers to upgrade to the latest ADT smart home products and services and extends ADT’s reach along the east coast, specifically in the fast-growing tech hub of Atlanta.

“ADT is a leader in home security and a trusted brand known for their commitment to excellence in service,” Ackerman Security Systems President and CEO Richard Perry said in the announcement. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to join the ADT team and know that our subscribers will benefit from an enhanced customer experience that includes access to the latest innovations in smart home security.”

He continued, "The partnership will give us access to significant additional resources and allow us to expand the services we provide to customers, including the latest innovations in smart home security.” 

The Edmonds Group advised Ackerman on the deal. “The combination allows ADT to strengthen its position as the #1 security company in the U.S.,” said The Edmonds Group President Henry Edmonds. “I am confident that Rich and his team will be great partners for ADT.” 

Perry added, “Henry Edmonds and his team worked persistently and creatively to help us successfully negotiate an extremely complex transaction. We could not have gotten it done without their assistance.”

The partnership announcement builds on strong recent residential demand trends and follows Google’s 2020 $450 million equity investment in ADT.