Comunale to head $2b security division

WOODBURY, N.Y.—With the acquisition of national distribution company Tri-Ed complete, Anixter on Nov. 5 announced that the new security division will retain the Tri-Ed brand name and that Pat Comunale will serve as president of global security solutions.

Comunale told Security Systems News he's more invigorated today about the possibilities for Tri-Ed than he was 10 years ago when the distribution company was launched.

“The opportunity is much larger than building a brick-and-mortar business,” he said. The new Tri-Ed is a “real value-added distribution platform. The services we can provide using the Anixter lab, the capabilities, infrastructure and support we can offer for large customers inside and outside of security … it's a very powerful solution.”

Anixter now has more products to offer its customers, and Tri-Ed can now get into the higher-end IP-products [and projects]. “We're approximately a $2 billion security business globally, which is unparalleled in our industry,” Comunale said.

James Rothstein will serve as SVP of global marketing and Dirk Foreman, who headed up sales to high-end integrators for Anixter previously, will continue in the same role for Tri-Ed. His new title is Global/National Integrator Sales. Rothstein and Foreman will report to Comunale.

Tri-Ed has 65 locations and is opening up four offices within the month in Fort  Lauderdale, Fla.; Baltimore; St. Louis and in northern New Jersey, Comunale said.

Previously, Anixter only had physical sales offices for its security operation. It did not have not have branch distribution offices. “Now their customers can come to any Tri-Ed office for pick up,” Comunale said.

The security division headquarters, previously located in Glenview, Ill., will be based here at Tri-Ed's longtime headquarters location.

Comunale said all of the back office functions of Tri-Ed and Anixter have been integrated. The last piece is getting both sales teams on one platform, Comunale said, which he expects will be accomplished in nine months.

Comunale said his largest challenge is communication—“keeping everyone informed of what's happening.”

“We have a standard biweekly phone call [which everyone is invited to join] where we give a status update within the business.” In the future, Comunale plans to include some vendors and customers in those calls.