Chicago investors acquire Fluidmesh

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.—With the goal of making wireless a better, easier, and risk-free option for integrators and end users, two Chicago-based investors announced today that they have acquired a controlling interest in Fluidmesh, a provider of wireless networking devices.

The investors are Generation3 Capital and Waveland Investments. Gen3 and Waveland are the owners of Avrio RMS Group, which specializes in IP surveillance solutions for the public safety market. The company designs, engineers and deploys turnkey wireless security solutions for municipalities and organizations with wide area surveillance needs.

Under the deal announced today, Fluidmesh and Avrio RMS will become two separate divisions of a new company called Carrick Bend. Carrick Bend—whose name is derived from a nautical term for a knot used for joining two lines—will have as its signature service “Risk Free Wireless” and aims to provide  “world-class products, design assistance and professional services to integrators,” David Coleman, principal of Gen3 Capital, told Security Systems News.

“In today's market, the ability to offer wireless solutions is mission critical for systems integrators large and small,” said Cosimo Malesci, EVP of sales and marketing at Fluidmesh, in a prepared statement. “The reality is that wireless systems are still a risky proposition to many integrators. By leveraging the expertise across Carrick Bend, we can transform the relationships with our partners, bringing them into new opportunities risk-free.”

Mark Jules, CEO of Avrio RMS Group, will also become CEO of Carrick Bend. One major change at Avrio RMS is that it will no longer be the prime contractor on any deals. “Avrio RMS Group engineers will now be a virtual extension to the engineering teams of all Fluidmesh Channel Partners,” Jules said in a prepared statement. Currently, Avrio has hundreds of projects in the pipeline, which it will now work on with partners.