ADS Security Expands in Alabama With 2 Acquisitions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – ADS Security (ADS) now has more than 20,000 accounts in Alabama after acquiring Opelika, Ala.-based Advanced Electronic Solutions (AES) and Decatur, Ala.-based Guardian Security Systems.
“We have had a very strong market presence in Alabama since the early 1990s,” Patrick Ritter, vice president and controller for ADS, tells SSI. “These deals just strengthen our position.”
Owned by Chuck Wright, AES provides audio, CCTV, fire detection, home automation, home theater and intrusion detection for residential clients in Alabama.
For more than 20 years, Ron Beasley has provided residential and commercial clients in North Alabama with CCTV, intrusion detection and fire and life-safety solutions.
The deals add more than 1,200 accounts – the majority residential – to ADS’ customer base. Both of the acquired firms had “well-seasoned accounts with low attrition,” which made them appealing to ADS, Ritter says. ADS will continue to operate the offices of both companies to reach more clients.
“We already had an account base in Decatur,” Ritter says. “Likewise, we already had about 1,400 customers in the Opelika market, so this deal allows us to have an office in that area. Our new branches are both in markets that we had previously served but did not have as high of an account concentration.”
As part of the deal, former AES and Guardian Security Systems clients will have access to ADS’ customer care team, mobile management and home automation technologies and UL-Listed, CSAA Five Diamond central station. Customers will also be able to manage their accounts and make payments through the My ADS online portal.
Both Wright and Beasley, as well as their teams, will join the ADS family.
“We always like for the owners to come along with ADS to keep the continuity with the customer base,” Ritter explains.
Ritter declined to say how much RMR the deals bring to ADS, but notes that the recent acquisitions are a just a glimpse of the plans the firm has for 2014.
“We have a very strong pipeline all throughout the southeastern U.S., both in new markets and finding fold-in opportunities for existing markets,” he says. “I’m not able to expand upon any of the other acquisitions [ADS is working on] but I will say that we have a great start to the new year.”
In searching for companies to acquire, ADS has specific qualifications, says John Cerasuolo, president and CEO of the firm.
“It’s important to ADS that we acquire companies that have a strong local presence and a reputation in their community of outstanding customer service,” he says. “The purchases of Advanced Electronic Solutions and Guardian Security support that mission.”
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