Alliant chalks another one up

HAYWARD, Calif. - Thirty-seven year-old Royal Alarm Systems is the latest systems integrator bought by Alliant Protection Service as it looks to build its presence in the West Coast through buying companies. The deal marks the second purchase for Alliant since forming last year. It bought Pacific Security Systems, an Alameda, Calif., systems integrator with an undisclosed number of accounts, in November. Though small in size, Royal Systems provides Alliant with more than 1,000 customers, with most installations involving commercial and fire-related systems. The company is located 20 miles south of Alliant’s first acquisition. “Royal has a great name in the area that they do business,” said Tom Rankin, president and chief executive officer of Alliant. “We’re looking for other acquisitions in the Bay Area and the rest of the West Coast.” The price of the transaction was not released, but plans call for Alliant to maintain the company’s name and office here, with company Founders Rich and Don Miller staying onboard. The two brothers have taken on other roles at the company. Rich Miller, who was president, is now a senior sales representative, while Don, the former vice president, is now a service technician. “I was looking to move into the background and eventually retire and this was a super opportunity for it,” said Rich Miller. Now that Royal Alarm is part of the Alliant group of companies, company officials intend to increase the size of its sales force and customer base. Royal Alarm currently employs about 10 people. Both brothers said that by joining up with Alliant it enables Royal Alarm to grow, thanks to the company’s sales and technical expertise, along with its financial backing. “It provides us with growth opportunities by combining with their other acquisitions that they’ve made,” according to Don Miller.