Honeywell looks to score with power play

NORTHFORD, Conn. - Hon-eywell Fire Group has officially launched a new division aimed at providing power solutions for electronic security and life safety products. Honeywell Power Products, which began operations in June 2003, made its public debut in March at the ISC West Conference and Show in Las Vegas. The new division will produce products for technologies including fire and burglar alarm systems, access control and CCTV. Gene Pecora, general manager of HPP, said Honeywell built the new division to address customers’ desire for more options in the power supply field. “Customers liked our fire alarm power supplies marketed under the Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, Notifier, FCI and Gamewell brands, and asked if we could offer them greater selection in the security segment,” he said. Honeywell has offered power supplies for fire products under its Fire-Lite, Notifier, Fire Control Instruments and Gamewell brands, Pecora said, but customers had asked if the company could offer more selection in the security market. At present, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Altronix Corp. is the largest supplier of power supplies to that market. Others in the space include Minuteman UPS, Detection Systems, Stealth Laboratories and Advanced Signal Corp. Pecora expects the division to be successful based on the weight that the Honeywell name brings to the industry, as well as the products’ ability to power most existing products in the marketplace. “This initiative is logical for us because it builds upon our fire alarm power supply design and manufacturing expertise,” Pecora said. “Our design philosophy is to create products that will effectively power most security and fire systems, including those in the Honeywell family of security and fire products.” The HPP products will fall into six categories: general purpose, accessories, transformers, CCTV, access control and fire alarm. HPP will have its first release of about 20 products available around June 30. Included in this batch, Pecora said, are most of the division’s general security supplies and the beginnings of its CCTV power supply line. “Before the end of 2004, we will have over 40 power supplies available for use in intrusion, surveillance, access and fire systems,” Pecora said. Honeywell’s new division plans to bring its products to market through existing Fire-Lite and Silent Knight distribution channels, according to Pecora. All of the products will provide users with integrated overload protection, 24-hour Web support and advanced technical support. HPP is headquartered in Northford, Conn., and employs more than 600 people in its 32,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.