As we reach the last months of the year, in terms of sales, good luck with achieving your numbers as we all know it’s those last months where you and we can make it happen.
So to this month’s gossip. Seems we have a lot of acquisitions this month. Firstly I can report that Cop have sold to One Stop CCTV. Now I don’t think that has anything to do with Tesco in case you were wondering?! Cop, a distributor of CCTV and associated products, is based in Saddleworth on the outskirts of Manchester, and was founded in 1996. Chris Bentley MD of COP UK said: “The great news for our customers is that the acquisition will not be changing any of the core values that have made COP UK a successful business over the last 26 years. The investment One Stop brings will allow COP UK to expand in many areas and continue to provide the exceptional customer support that we have become synonymous with.”
The management led by Chris Bentley (Managing Director) and James Bentley (General Manager) will remain. Haris Iqbal MD of One Stop who are based in Manchester said: “The acquisition of COP UK will provide a fantastic opportunity to grow the distribution business on a national basis with significant investment being introduced over the coming months. One Stop and COP UK now become the fastest growing HIK Vision distribution company in the UK. This will facilitate rapid growth without compromising the exceptional quality of service COP UK have become renowned for. The knowledge and support of the experienced COP UK team will help to cultivate new opportunities for our customers in a very competitive market.”
Also recently acquired is the passive infra-red (PIR) detection manufacturer GJD, who by coincidence are distributed by Cop. Ava Risk Group Limited (AVA for short) has entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire 100pc of the shareholding of MTD Holdings Limited, the parent company and Manchester-based GJD Manufacturing LTD (GJD). Who are AVA Risk Group? Formerly Future Fibre Technologies Limited, an Australia-based company that provides risk management services and technologies. The company offers intrusion detection and location for perimeters, pipelines and data networks, biometric and card access control, as well as secure international logistics, and risk consultancy services. On its consultancy side, risk and vulnerability assessments, crisis emergency management plans, specific technical and cyber solutions, day to day management plans, vendor and service provider assessments and more.
Allied Universal, the North American security and facility services company, on August 1 completed its acquisition of Attenti Group, an electronic monitoring companies. This enables the combination of Attenti and G4S Monitoring Technologies, to create a firm with combined revenues of over $160m and operations in 35 countries. “This acquisition gives our electronic monitoring business a global footprint and an established platform for continued growth in North America, which is the world’s largest opportunity for electronic monitoring,” said Steve Jones, Chairman and CEO of Allied Universal.
Sepura has been purchased by London-based private equity group Epiris, from Hytera Communications. The sale comes as critical communications supplier Sepura marks its 20th anniversary, with over two million devices deployed worldwide. Its TETRA radios and accessories are used by public safety users in police, fire and ambulance services. It has also in the commercial space, supplying transport, mining, oil and gas, and utility companies. Steve Barber will continue to manage Sepura as CEO while Malcolm Miller, with whom Epiris previously worked with as Chairman of Audiotonix, will join the company as non-executive Chairman.
So to people then. Zitko Group has announced a number of changes to its leadership team. As of June 1, Phil West, Director Technical Division, no longer works for Zitko. Dave Geddes, Director of the Sales Division, is now Commercial Director, while Tim Ward, Head of International, takes on the new role of Client Services Director.
Founder George Zitko says “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil for all his hard work and dedication to the company over the past eight years and wish him well for the future. I am extremely excited about the opportunities that exist for Zitko Group. From the changes to our Managed Service solution, and the widening of our product portfolio, to the continuation of our US expansion and the opportunities that exist within our Contracting and Talent teams, there hasn’t been a more exciting time for our team and for the business.”
Mark Wall, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the security industry, is launching his own sales consultancy. He’s most recently worked at Amberstone Security where he was Director of Business Development and Sales Director EMEA at WebeyeCMS, and he’s worked at Dahua and Videcon. Wall 2 Wall Security Consultants has been launched to help security Installers and manufacturers scale up and unlock business potential, whether through websites or social media. Mark, pictured, said: ““This is a dream in the making, using my extensive experience in an industry I am so passionate about, and 30 years of knowledge built to develop profitable business growth for my customers.” A website to follow I am informed.
Comelit-PAC has appointed Sam Alliston as a new Business Development Manager, who will be responsible for supporting customers in the London Southern region. Sam arrives to Comelit-PAC with experience in the door entry market, working for manufacturers.
At Pyronix, Simon Middleton is a new Account Manager, covering North and East London and East of England. He has over 30 years’ experience in the security industry.
