ESI acquires ECC Controls
By L. Samuel Pfeifle
Updated Sun March 1, 2009
WAUKESHA, Wis.--As part of rapid growth into the security marketplace, building systems integrator Environmental Systems has purchased Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based ECC Controls, which works in building automation, energy controls and security. The deal brought management - co-owners Bob Rooney and Steve Evans will stay on - along with 12 employees and brings ESI to 70+ employees total.
Paul Oswald, ESI president, said, “Our focus is absolutely on growth, both geographic, in terms of the size of the market we play in, but also in terms of our footprint in a market. We call it customer mind share: How much can be done just with ESI instead of multiple firms.” Three years ago, ESI did virtually no security work, but it now makes up more than a quarter of the business.
“If you look at the fact that we can walk into any system in a building - other than voice and elevator - that leaves us with an expansive opportunity,” said Oswald. “Though we're not an acquisition machine, we plan on doing more of this.”
Along with grabbing more business within a building, Oswald is also trying to build longer-term relationships with the variety of commercial and government customers ESI serves. “And it's not just the traditional RMR or monitoring contracts ... but consulting services, energy management, even operations. We look at services in an expansive and broad sense.”
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