Securadyne acquires Advanced Control Concepts

CARROLLTON, Texas—Securadyne, a startup independent integrator with national ambitions, today announced the acquisition of Advanced Control Concepts, an integration firm based in Pensacola, Fla.

“As we go about executing our growth strategy and building out our footprint in the Eastern U.S., this is a critical market for us to be in,” Securadyne CEO and President Carey Boethel told Security Systems News. It also will provide “a platform for growth in the Southeast … [and is] the first in a series of steps to expand our presence eastward.”

The deal brings the Securadyne employee headcount to 200 and its number of branch offices to eight.

This is the third acquisition for Securadyne, a new integration firm launched in February 2012 with the acquisition of SecureNet. In September 2012, Securadyne acquired SURV, a Boston-based systems integrator.

Boethel declined to discuss terms of the deal, which it completed with its financial partner Pamlico Capital.

Advanced Control Concepts (ACC) brings with it 30 employees and fire expertise, including employees with NICET Level IV certifications. ACC does access control, video and intrusion, but Boethel characterized its fire/life safety capabilities as “enterprise class.” He said, “We've done a good bit of [fire] in the middle market, but this [deal] will take us to a different level.”

He added, “It's always been part of our strategy to have [strong] fire capabilities as part of the mix.” ACC also has a number of “sophisticated federal government clients [including] the Navy, Air Force, [and] Air National Guard—a lot of DoD-type work,” Boethel said.

While government work is part of the Securadyne strategy, it's not a “cornerstone or primary vertical,” Boethel explained. Rather, Securadyne's primary focus is “growth in the private sector.”

Barry Epstein of Vertex Capital represented ACC in the deal. “ACC has a well established niche in both the commercial and military markets which necessitated a buyer who had expertise and vision in both of these sectors,” Epstein told SSN. “The combination of Securadyne's management experience and strategic outlook made the company the right fit for the sellers.”

Boethel said that Securadyne is “actively looking for acquisitions, but our first priority is organic growth.”

Founded in 1985 by Jeff Taylor and Scott Walker, ACC does business in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. “ACC has a longstanding presence here in the gulf coast; it's a reliable, well-known brand,” Boethel said.

Taylor will stay on as general manager for the Pensacola branch. “We're excited about that,” Boethel said. “Part of our strategy when we buy a company is the quality of the management team.” Boethel said that the company's regional leaders are key members of the Securadyne management. “It's important to remain flat, and flexible and nimble. That's how we compete with the big boys,” he said.