Leviton Acquires Home Automation Firm BitWise Controls

Leviton Security & Automation adds Colorado-based BitWise Controls to its family, having already carried the automation company’s controllers and now adding its base of iOS and Android GUIs.

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Bolstering its residential and commercial automation and A/V integration base, Leviton has announced the acquisition of Englewood, Colo.-based BitWise Controls today. The move comes just over two years since Leviton had scooped up HAI (Home Automation Inc.) as a means of expanding upon its own lighting, power and other products with the addition of a seasoned automation company.

While not as experienced as HAI, BitWise has certainly gained traction and respect since it’s founding in 2008, making a name for itself and its control and monitoring solutions (on both the residential and commercial sides).

Leviton says that among the acquisition’s assets include BitWise Controls’ entire product line, including its iPhone/iTouch/iPad and Android app-based GUIs that are easy to use and simple to install with drag-and-drop programming, and the recently launched hand-held remote control. Additionally, Leviton notes it will offer the BitWise app on its’ popular OmniTouch 7 for when fixed touchscreens are required.

“BitWise brings customizable Audio/Video controls to our product portfolio,” says Jay McLellan, president of Leviton Security and Automation as well as chair of the Consumer Electronics Association executive board. “BitWise and Leviton installers now have affordable solutions for home theater, restaurants, boardrooms and classrooms that are modular and expandable.”

We’ll see if the brand recognition that BitWise has built up lasts or if dealers will be capitalizing on the Leviton logo. Nine months after the HAI acquisition, and after the branding had been “HAI by Leviton,” the Levition Security and Automation umbrella brand debuted led by McLellan.

“Leviton is a perfect fit for BitWise and we are very excited to be part of their team,” says Lance Beck, CEO of BitWise Controls. “We look forward to providing continued innovation for our customers.”

Existing and curious dealers can certainly try to glean more information from the companies themselves during the annual CEDIA Expo, being held in BitWise’s backyard in Denver this week. BitWise will be exhibiting in Booth 766, while Leviton is close by in 744. Maybe they’ll bump into some HAI dealers who can talk to the transitional and current experience of joining the Leviton family.

As one dealer commented on CE Pro’s article about the re-naming of the HAI brand: “This can only help. The Leviton name brings recognition and awareness. HAI is a household name, but only in ‘our’ houses.”

“The BitWise deal, following on the heels of the recent acquisition of ClickOn Technology, demonstrates Leviton’s commitment to strategic growth and innovation through acquisitions,” says Daryoush Larizadeh, Leviton COO.

Melville, N.Y.-based Leviton has evolved into a global provider of electrical wiring devices, data connectivity solutions and lighting and energy management systems for a variety of end-use markets. With HAI and now BitWise in tow, it seems Leviton has locked up a good chunk of automation, A/V integration and graphic user interface solutions and clients as well.

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