Larry Tracy
SSI Hall Of Fame: 2008
Current Status
President/CEO of Aleph America Corp.
Why He’s On The List
- A groundbreaking industry globetrotter for more than a quarter century, he has been at the forefront of introducing cutting-edge sensor technology to the U.S., and selling security products in 78 countries
- From 1973-1981, held various positions with motion sensor maker Solfan Systems, later to become C&K Systems
- As C&K president from 1982-1995, built the company from the assets and technology of Solfan into a $100 million business; Solfan was the first to produce a Dual Tech, and C&K made it affordable
- As company president, helped Detection Systems Int’l grow from a $36 million to a $151 million business and was involved in 11 acquisitions, including Radionics, before the operation was sold to Bosch
- Awarded numerous patents for motion sensors, including the first operational animal immune sensor in 1997 (the DS 835; now Bosch 835)
- Returned as president of C&K in 2000 to help consolidate it into Ademco, then Honeywell
- Appointed to current position of president/CEO of Aleph Int’l in November 2004
Keys To Success
“My success came from hard work, and the willingness to get on a plane to learn the world market. I consider my early knowledge of the world market to be a major factor. I also have to attribute my success to the great staff and people who worked with me, especially my loyal management team that has followed me in, some cases, to three different companies.”
Most Memorable Moment
“Having dinner with the head of security for all of China in 1986, he promised if I helped him modernize the security industry in China he would make sure I had very good market share. In 1994, the Ministry of Public Security in China did a market survey and C&K had an 86-percent market share of burglar alarm equipment in the country.”
How Things Have Changed
“The false alarms problem has had the most far-reaching and serious effect on the industry in general. In the early days we pretty much ignored the problems and as the penetration of the residential market grew and police resources were heavily taxed, false alarm ordinances sprang up in a dramatic way. We still have yet to really fix the problem. Technology is available to reduce false alarms a lot more, but from a manufacturer point of view the key question is will anyone pay the additional equipment cost to do this?
“Globalization has been and will continue to play a more important role in the industry; the world has shrunk dramatically in the 40 years I have been privileged to be in this business. Alarm companies don’t even need to monitor alarms in the United States anymore. Massive numbers of Chinese security companies are poised to enter the worldwide market with a dramatic effect on cost and technology. Their cost structure is so much lower than their Western counterparts that it will be a struggle to keep ahead.”
Reaction To Being Inducted
“This is a wonderfully great honor to be nominated by my peers in this growing, fantastic industry. There is no greater honor than that coming from your peers. I only hope I can continue to contribute for the next 40 years!”
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