Elite, Evolve move in together

LEHI, Utah—Elite Home Security and Evolve Solar have moved into a new, 20,000-square-foot facility here to optimize their year-old partnership.

Elite is a funding partner of Evolve, which started out as a security company but now only sells solar energy system, Elite founder Ben Edstrom told Security Systems News.

Two of the biggest advantages of the companies being under one roof are recruiting and shared resources, Edstrom said.

“We've been able to recruit sales reps to both sides. Reps can sell only security, only solar or both. In every security account we offer solar, in every solar account we offer security,” he said.

The marketing teams have been working together as well, he said.

Elite has $100,000 in RMR and 2,500 accounts, of which 95 percent are residential, Edstrom said. The authorized Alarm.com dealer has customers in 25 states throughout the country.

It no longer is just a summer-sales company, although door-knocking remains its primary sales model. Today it is now a year-round company that takes inbound calls and recently began a DIY division, according to company spokesman Joseph Allen.

Last month, Elite acquired a new line of credit through First Utah Bank to bring more accounts in-house, Edstrom said. He declined to comment on the amount of that credit line.

Evolve offers customized solar plans for energy efficiency and operates in 15 states and Washington D.C.

The two companies combined employ more than 600 and are hoping to hire 400 more by year's end.

“By combining forces with Evolve, we will be able to take home automation and energy savings to the next level. This gives us the opportunity to not only secure and automate a consumer's home, but to save them real money on their energy bill,” Edstrom said.