B Safe buys backyard competitor

MANTUA, N.J.—B Safe, a regional provider of security and fire alarms in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has acquired Security Connection of Gibbstown, N.J.

The purchase of Security Connection, in B Safe's own New Jersey backyard, contributes to the “hometown feel” that is the backbone of B Safe's focus on customer service, general manager Len Simoni told Security Systems News.

B Safe already has a storefront here, where customers regularly stop by to request a new battery or alert stickers or to just ask questions about their systems in general, Simoni said. Rather than making a phone call or two, these customers feel comfortable visiting the store with their requests, and that's what B Safe likes.

“They sit down, they have a cup of coffee, they just walk in the door,” Simoni said. He said he is confident Security Connection's customers will do the same under B Safe.

This most recent acquisition—B Safe's latest in a spate over the past year—brings in 620 accounts, about 80 percent of which are residential, for an additional RMR of more than $15,000, Simoni said.

“[Security Connection is] such a great company, it's been around for a long time, since the late '80s,” Simoni said.

Simoni has had a long-term professional relationship with Security Connection owner Jerry Smith, who will be joining B Safe as a salesman, along with Smith's son, Jeff.

“We've been looking at him for years. He's well-connected, he's a great guy, he's well-liked,” Simoni said of Jerry Smith.

The acquisition was a “perfect fit” for B Safe, Simoni said, because of Security Connection's geographical proximity and similar business philosophy.

B Safe will keep on acquiring, he said, always keeping “foot traffic” in mind.

The company is looking for 35 percent more growth in 2015, according to customer service manager Mary Cakir.

B Safe has more than 50 employees and 12,000 customers.