American Alarm expands into central Massachusetts market

WORCESTER, Mass. - American Alarm & Communications made its first large-scale acquisition in more than five years in mid-July, buying Alphatronics Security in a deal that provides American Alarm with a strategic office in the central Massachusetts market. Terms of the transaction were not released, but the purchase increases American Alarm’s business by 15 percent, both in terms of revenue and number of employees. The Arlington, Mass.-based company reports annual sales of approximately $10 million and employs 95 people. “This is a logical expansion of our core territory,” said Wells Sampson, vice president of American Alarm. “We already have clients across central Massachusetts and now this gives us much stronger density there and strengthens our capabilities in that area.” It will also provide American Alarm with the valuable experience of running a satellite office, said Sampson. The Alphatronics Security location marks only the second remote office for American Alarm. The company added its first office outside its headquarters in Manchester, N.H., less than a year ago. The opening of that office provided the company with a strategic location to serve the Southern New Hampshire market. “We already cover many of the major metro areas and we’re learning how to efficiently manage remote offices,” said Sampson. “Once we practice running multiple offices, that will allow us to expand further.” According to Rob Bushinsky, sales and marketing associate for American Alarm, Alpha-tronics Security and American Alarm are similar companies. Alphatronics Security was founded in Worcester, Mass., in 1968 by Steven Oles, only five years before American Alarm was founded by Richard Sampson. The family-owned company also served a mix of customers, both in the commercial and residential market, and operated a central station. Oles said joining American Alarm enables him to spend less time on administrative functions. Both Oles and his son David plan to remain with the company to work in a sales capacity. The company’s approximately 15 employees will also stay onboard, but its central station operations have been moved to American Alarm’s facility located in Arlington, Mass. Alphatronics Security will also take on the American Alarm name, a move that’s aimed at broadening the company’s recognition beyond the Greater Boston market.