In a marriage of fire-signaling device and security equipment manufacturers, American Security Equipment Co. (AMSECO) and the U.S. division of Japan’s Kobishi Electric Co. has been purchased by St. Louis-based Potter Electric Signal Co. Terms and many of the details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
AMSECO, based in Carson, Calif., entered the U.S. market in 1977 as part of the newly-formed Kobishi America Inc. and was one of the first to manufacture selectable candle strobes for fire alarm systems. In addition to its fire signals, the company manufactures CCTV equipment, transformers and vehicle security items.
Potter has an even longer history, starting in 1898 and producing a variety of products for the fire protection, security, boiler/chiller and industrial control industries. Its specialty is fire sprinkler systems.
It is unclear what the transaction will mean for the AMSECO brand name and its employees. Management with Potter were unavailable for comment, while officials with AMSECO referred calls to Potter.
