PerMar consolidates, acquires

DAVENPORT, Iowa--PerMar Security was busy during the first quarter, consolidating its Madison, Wisc.-based businesses in January, and acquiring a Minnesota integrator. PerMar acquired Frederick's Electronics of Hibbing, Minn., in early February. "The acquisition of Frederick's fits perfectly into our footprint," said Blake Finch, vice president of support and electronic security for Per Mar, in Davenport, as part of an email interview. "Always looking to expand our services and to acquire new companies, this acquisition allows us to roll in the Frederick's accounts [250 of them, 63 percent of which are commercial] with our Duluth office without investing in property and physical assets. In addition, their services are congruent with ours, making it a perfect fit." The former owners, Fred and Charlotte Godec, are retiring, although Fred Godec will stay on to assist Per Mar with the conversion and transition of accounts, Finch said. On Jan. 23, the company announced it had consolidated multiple Madison, Wisc.-based businesses under one brand-new roof. PerMar's Madison systems integration and guard business, called Per Mar Security Services, and its subsidiary, Midwest Alarm Services, a "parts and smarts" Notifier fire systems distributor, have all moved into the new 7,500-square-foot location at 2851 Index Road, said Mike Duffy, president of Per Mar Security. The businesses can all "work together, share leads and take better care of customers," he said. Per Mar has seven offices in Wisconsin, and Madison is a hub for the company. Per Mar has more than 700 employees in Madison and surrounding communities. Among its large clients in the area are the University of Wisconsin and the Green Bay Packers.