Archive: 2002

CHESHIRE, Conn. - A two-location home security firm based here paid the state $25,000 to settle charges that the security firm violated Connecticut's new No Call list. Home & Life Security was cited by state officials for making unsolicited calls to Connecticut residents whose names appeared on the list. The company was also charged with making repeated calls to consumers who had directed the company not to call them again and for not clearly identifying itself to the consumer. The calls were made...

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Poised to capture a market in which custom audio-visual and automation systems for the home have only recently become popular, Elan Home Systems has introduced its full line to the United Kingdom. Expansion to the U.K. comes as Elan has realized a 500 percent growth over four years. The Lexington, Ky.-based company has released more than 250 products in the past six years. Jonathan Smith, director of distribution for Elan Systems (U.K.), said the success of Elan in the U.S. is...

CARROLLTON, Texas - Despite employees being on furlough, asset tracking and digital video product manufacturer Axcess Inc. said it continued to ship product and provide technical support. "We're virtually at full staff," said Allan Griebenow, president and chief executive officer of Axcess, in an interview shortly before press time. Nearly 20 people were furloughed as the company seeks additional financing. Still, Griebenow said the company continues to provide product to the market, including...

DULUTH, Ga. - A deal between a systems integrator here and a Houston-based lock company has enabled the lock company's small security division to break away and position itself for growth. The arrangement involved Tech Systems buying Baker's Security Solutions Division, a deal announced in October. Transaction terms were not released. While the deal provides Baker's Security with the financial backing and other resources of a well-established systems integrator, Tech Systems gains a Houston location...

SAN DIEGO - ImageWare Systems has been selected by the Department of Transportation to provide the credentialing component of the Federal Aviation Adminstration's ID Media Program. The program calls for the creation and management of about 16 different credentials, badges and ID cards for FAA executives, employees, contractors and others.

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. - Diversified Security Solutions Inc., a systems integrator based here, has a new face on the company's board of directors. On Oct. 28, Executive Vice President Sal Lifrieri, who joined the company in August, was elected to the board during the annual shareholders meeting. "Sal's management skills and knowledge of the security systems business will be a valuable asset to our board of directors," said James Henry, Diversified Security Solutions chairman and chief executive...

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - InfoGraphic Systems has signed an agreement with Europe's largest distributor of access control and CCTV equipment to distribute its TOPAZ access control system. The addition of Norbain SD Limited to its list of distributors follows a series of new distributor agreements for InfoGraphic  Systems over the past year. Headquartered in Reading, Berkshire, Norbain SD Limited employs more than 230 people throughout the UK.   The company's export division sells products...

NEW YORK - Investment banking firm Mallon & Associates has joined up with Broadband Capital Holdings to create a new company called Mallon Capital LLC. The deal, completed in November, combines the security expertise of Mallon & Associates with the investment banking infrastructure of Broadband Capital, a boutique investment bank that employs more than 20 people. "We've been focusing on mergers and acquisitions and through our alliance now, we'll be able to work with them in conjunction with raising...

SURREY, B.C. - Camera manufacturer Silent Witness is looking to build a new facility here that would provide more room for the company's growing business. In early October, Silent Witness entered into an agreement to buy 11.9 acres of land for $3 million Canadian. Over the next month, company officials plan to look at options, such as whether Silent Witness would own the building or lease it from a developer. "Because there's no existing inventory here, we took the step of securing land and examining...

QUINCY, Mass. - A state-by-state analysis of fire death patterns by the National Fire Protection Association shows fire deaths have dramatically decreased since the 1980s, but death rates vary greatly depending on the state. According to the study, "Fire Loss in the United States," death from fire declined to 3,347 in 1999 from 5,804 in 1980. States with the highest death rates in 1999 were Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia. States with the lowest death rates were...