News Briefs, November 2023

Nov. 6, 2023

ASSA ABLOY Acquisitions Continue

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Securitech Group Inc., a manufacturer of high-security mechanical and electronic door hardware products, based in Maspeth, Queens, New York. 

"I am very pleased to welcome Securitech into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

"Securitech’s focus on innovative, high-security locking solutions fills several gaps in our existing door hardware portfolio and I’m excited for them to be part of ASSA ABLOY," says Lucas Boselli, executive vice president of ASSA ABLOY and head of the Americas Division. “This acquisition provides a great opportunity for us to further enhance our core offering to education, critical infrastructure, government, behavioral health, and other high-security markets.”

Key Securitech products include the Trident multi-point lock and the SafeHaven line of school lockdown products. Securitech was established in 1983 and has some 50 employees, led by longtime president Mark Berger.

ASSA ABLOY also  has acquired Forte, a leading residential door locks and padlocks manufacturer in Peru.

"I am very pleased to welcome Forte into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This constitutes an important next step in our strategy to further strengthen our position in emerging markets,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

"Forte is a well-known and recognized brand in Peru, focused on high quality, innovative security products, and I’m excited for them to become part of ASSA ABLOY,” says Lucas Boselli, executive vice president of ASSA ABLOY and head of the Americas Division. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to the Peruvian market and recognizes the value and importance of local brands, products and expertise.”

Forte was founded in 1967 and has 340 employees. The main office and factory are located in Lima, Peru.

In addition, ASSA ABLOY has acquired Inovadoor Portas Industriais Ltda, a Brazilian manufacturer of sectional and high-speed doors.

“By leveraging Inovadoor’s local manufacturing capabilities, nationwide reach, and exceptional reputation, we will strengthen our footprint in Brazil and pave the way for future expansion and growth opportunities in both Brazil and throughout Latin America,” says Massimo Grassi, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of Entrance Systems Division.

Inovadoor was founded in 1997 and has 100 employees. The main office and factory are located in Pinhais, close to Curitiba, Brazil.

 
SIA Launches SIAcademy

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has launched a new learning management system (LMS) – SIAcademy – as part of its efforts to advance industry professionalism through premier education and training. SIAcademy is a living library of on-demand training and professional development programs designed to enhance security professionals’ industry knowledge, technical skills and overall job performance.

The new LMS offers a modern, simple and centralized place to access role-based training, certification prep materials and other relevant educational content anytime, anywhere and on any device.

“The launch of the SIAcademy learning management system and course catalog is a milestone within SIA and for the security industry,” said Dr. Elli Reges, SIA’s director of learning and development. “This robust new platform offers dynamic learning tools to help learners and employers harness and unleash individual performance potential through customizable learning pathways and strategic investments in human capital, and it offers immense growth opportunity for those who prioritize their own professional development.”

SIAcademy, powered by the cloud, delivers on-demand e-learning offerings and live online courses. Features of the new system include:

  • Easy accessibility and a mobile-friendly interface
  • Interactive engagement tools and gamification
  • Continuing education credits

When accessing SIAcademy, you can find content such as:

  • SIA’s Security Project Management (SPM) training
  • SIA’s Security Cornerstones series, designed for new employee onboarding
  • A microlearning series created to propel young professionals’ knowledge and growth
  • A training course on the federal grants life cycle and security-related grant programs
  • On-demand SIAcademy LIVE! courses on video security, access control, sales and more

Materials and guidelines to help you prepare for the Security Industry Cybersecurity Certification (SICC) exam

“I think learners will be very pleased with the new capabilities of SIAcademy! It allows us to facilitate more engagement through discussion boards and other features and reinforce key learning objectives with interactive gamification tools,” said DeAndre Thornton, SIA’s manager of learning and development.

Through SIAcademy’s microsite capability, which SIA plans to make available in the near future, SIA member companies will be able to create their own customizable microsites, on which they can build their own content and license content from SIA’s LMS to develop learning plans for their teams, partners and/or clients. If you are interested in learning more about this offering, contact Elli Reges at [email protected].

SIA’s new Security Systems Technician (SST) Apprenticeship Program, using the SIAcademy microsite capability, will provide participating employers with access to more than 100 hours of curated e-learning content. SIA members are invited to contribute educational course content that is product-agnostic and vendor-neutral to support apprentice knowledge and skill development in designated competency areas.

More info:  https://www.securityindustry.org/siacademy-elearning-course-catalog/

ADI Opens Dallas Supercenter

ADI Global Distribution, a leading wholesale distributor of security, AV and low-voltage products, announced the grand opening of its new Super Center distribution center near Dallas. The cutting-edge facility was designed to optimize supply chain operations, enhance customer service, and provide capacity for continued growth.

The Super Center, located at 2601 Petty Place, Fort Worth, Texas, spans more than 400,000 square feet of distribution space and the capacity to house more than 2 million units of inventory.

The site is equipped with advanced warehouse automation technologies to assist with product sorting, picking and packing, and provides real-time and advanced inventory management. With a strategic floorplan, the facility optimizes the flow of goods to support same/day next day shipping, quick-turn requirements, and offers will call and pick up anytime convenience. Additionally, the Super Center features product staging areas, multiple loading bays, and is equipped to facilitate overseas containers.

"We’re excited to open the doors at our new Dallas Super Center. This milestone represents a significant investment in our supply chain operations and reinforces our commitment to serving customers," said Allie Copeland, SVP and Chief Operations Officer at ADI. "With advanced technologies, streamlined logistics and a strategic layout, the Super Center marks the cornerstone of our supply chain management and represents the future for ADI."

The Super Center site features an environmentally sustainable design with eco-friendly lighting, LED bulbs, motion sensors, energy-efficient heating and cooling, sustainable packaging, reusable products, recycle stations, energy-efficient equipment, water-conserving plumbing, refillable water stations, and more.

To celebrate the opening, ADI hosted a grand opening event with customers, suppliers and team members. With a carnival theme, the event included a ribbon cutting ceremony, facility tours, food trucks and refreshments, raffles and giveaways. Attendees also participated in a charitable backpack build community activity with Mission 500 to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

With its Dallas Super Center, ADI operates 18 warehouse distribution centers, 160+ branch locations, and offers online shopping through its Digital Branch and mobile app to serve customers across the globe. For more information about ADI, visit adiglobal.com.

Yale Home Expands Smart Lock Collection

Yale Home has added two new products to its best-selling smart lock collection: Yale Assure Lock® 2 Touch and Yale Assure Lock® 2 Plus. These products feature the brand’s first fingerprint smart lock, as well as its first smart lock to support Apple home keys.

Providing even more ways to go keyless, the Assure Lock 2 Touch smart lock includes a built-in fingerprint reader, with the ability to register up to 20 different fingerprints. Users simply place their finger on the Yale logo to lock and unlock the door, adding to the many other ways to access the home — from using the touchscreen, the Yale Access app, asking a voice assistant, leveraging Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock, or sticking with a traditional key as a backup (with keyed models). With more ways to lock and unlock than ever before, users can keep their homes secure on their terms.

Another first for the brand, Assure Lock 2 Plus supports Apple home keys, allowing users to simply tap to unlock the door using a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch for easy and secure access to their home.  All other users that share the Apple Home app will have a home key added to their Wallet as well. Home keys can still be used on iPhone for hours after it needs to be charged with power reserve, and on Apple Watch with Low Power Mode. **

“We take pride in Yale’s legacy of offering high-quality security products that our customers have trusted for more than 183 years – and these new smart locks are no exception,” said Garrett Lovejoy, Vice President of Product, Yale and August U.S. “With these additions to our best-selling Assure Lock 2 collection, we are delivering products that simplify access for the everyday household – whether through our new fingerprint-powered smart lock or our first-ever device that supports Apple home keys. With more ways to access and protect your home, you can come and go with peace of mind.”

Both the Assure Lock 2 Touch and Assure Lock 2 Plus promise the same advanced convenience, security and design features as the core Assure Lock 2 collection, including:

  • Simple guest access sharing and 24/7 control and visibility in the Yale Access app
  • Sleek, elegant and compact design that blends seamlessly into any home aesthetic
  • Bluetooth® and Apple HomeKit 3 built into each model
  • Option to add a Yale Wi-Fi Smart Module for additional benefits, such as remote locking and unlocking, granting guest access from anywhere, and voice assistant control via third-party integrations with top smart home platforms including Amazon Alexa, Google Home™ and Apple Home 4
  • Assure Lock 2 Touch is available in a keyed or key-free touchscreen model in three timeless finishes: black suede, oil-rubbed bronze and satin nickel.
  • Assure Lock 2 Plus is available in a key-free touchscreen model in black suede and satin nickel, with oil-rubbed bronze coming soon. 
  • Yale Wi-Fi Smart Modules are also available to purchase as a standalone add-on.     

This product is sold through Big Box stores and online.

 ASSA ABLOY Joins Mindful Materials Manufacturers Forum

New Haven, Connecticut — mindful MATERIALS (mM) recently announced the official launch of three building industry groups, known as The Forums, and ASSA ABLOY is excited to participate. The Forums represent owners and over 80 individuals from more than 40 leading companies across the manufacturing, architecture, design, engineering, and construction industries.

The three groups that were formed this year are the Owners Forum, the AEC Forum, and the Manufacturers Forum.

“The Forums are uniquely exciting as an industry initiative because they are designed for cross-collaboration,” says Amy Musanti, director of sustainable building solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, a catalyst member of the Manufacturers Forum. “Each Forum will produce individual accomplishments and resources for their sector, but together we’ll be able to solve larger challenges as part of the materials decision flow. It’s about breaking out of our silos to support collective action as an ecosystem.”

Other Manufacturers Forum members include Armstrong World Industries, CertainTeed, Construction Specialties, GAF, Humanscale, Kingspan, Legrand, MAPEI, Mecho, nCompass, Patcraft, Saint-Gobain, Shaw Contract, and Superior Essex. These groups offer participants a neutral, precompetitive space to navigate mutual challenges and help accelerate meaningful action by others in the industry.

“These Forums are the building industry’s collective opportunity to leverage holistic materials leadership and learnings for the benefit of all,” says Steve Kooy, mM Board Chair. “It’s time to stop redoing work and start aligning to have more impact. Together.”

To learn more about the Forums, visit mindfulmaterials.com/the-forums


People in the News

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., Amityville, NY, announces the promotion of David Sperber to Director of National Accounts. Formerly, the popular Southeast Regional Sales Manager, in David’s new role, he will team up with VP, Duane Warehime, developing and supporting Napco’s new and existing national accounts.

Sperber began with Napco over 8 years ago, and quickly became a great resource for dealers and distributors in his territory, delivering sales, marketing and technical help with equal acumen and enthusiasm.

Warehime, VP of NAPCO National Accounts, said, “It’s great to have David back on my team again. We are working hard to partner with new national accounts and continue to make significant inroads, meeting and training their staffs, and introducing them to the significant operations advantages, i.e., labor- and cost-savings, Napco Intrusion, Fire and Access solutions offer their organization.”

Based in North Carolina, Sperber can be reached at 631-553-8177, email [email protected].