Washington Alarm acquires, looks to buy more

SEATTLE—Washington Alarm has acquired North Sound Alarm, a move that COO Shannon Woodman hopes will be a sign of things to come for the company, which is based here.

“We want to get our name out there, we want people to know we are looking to acquire,” Woodman said, noting that the acquisition is Washington Alarm's first since 1997.

The acquisition adds 600 residential and commercial accounts to the company's roster, Woodman told Security Systems News.

Washington Alarm will add $16,000 in RMR thanks to North Sound's accounts, half residential, half commercial, for a new total of $370,000, Woodman said.

The 50-employee company, which has a customer base that is 80 percent commercial, will see total revenues of just more than $6 million this year, she said.

Washington Alarm offers security, fire, video and access control systems in western Washington. In addition to installation, service and inspections, Washington Alarm also has a 24/7 monitoring station.

The accounts from North Sound, which was based in Bellingham, will expand Washington Alarm's presence in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties, Woodman said.

North Sound customers now will receive added services, including more availability during high-call times, radio alarm monitoring, more backup capability and fire alarm certification.

Washington Alarm also is looking to expand its services, such as with added guard response, Woodman said.

Meanwhile, finding new technicians is the company's biggest challenge, she said. It added one technician as a result of the North Sound deal, but is still looking for more.

Woodman, who has been COO since 2010, was one of Security Systems News' “20 under 40” winners in 2010 when she was VP of sales. Woodman is third generation at Washington Alarm, which was founded by her grandfather. She worked her way up through the ranks, starting out in sales.

Woodman is active in the Electronic Security Association of Washington and has participated in a number of non-specific industry community organizations.