So did you get April fooled? The only one I saw, and it was a good one, was from Digital ID.
They launched their new product saying “Digital ID are pleased to announce the release of their latest product; edible photo ID cards.” Launching on April 1, they claimed to be the first ID card company in the UK to bring this product to market. The task of producing an edible photo ID card began 12 months before, with their aim being to create the perfect eco-friendly card. They also posted a video on our Linkedin group, go take a look as it’s quite funny and it’s only just over a minute.
So let’s get into the gossip as I am about to go on holiday, and yes, I’m going again, so no time to waste. It seems that there is some money floating around as we have heard about a number of acquisitions. Firstly, the installer AllCoopers who have been acquired by Securitas. Briefly, AllCooper Group was founded in 1987, and operates from bases in Gloucester, Bromsgrove in the West Midlands (which arose from a fairly recent acquisition of their own) and London with around 100 employees. Allcooper will continue, and will operate under the Securitas brand by the end of 2019.
“The Allcooper Group has been a valued trading partner of Securitas UK for several years and this acquisition further strengthens our portfolio, as we continue to build our Electronic Security services as part of our Vision 2020 strategy.” explains Brian Riis Nielsen, Country President, Securitas UK. Roman Cooper, Service Director, described it as a fantastic opportunity for Allcooper Group clients and employees. “Both organisations are at the forefront of the latest industry trends and technology, and there are huge opportunities for development and growth.” I want to congratulate the guys as they are true gents of our industry and throughly deserve this. Will they buy matching yachts and sail into the sunset, or will it be business as usual with a much healthier bank balance? Roman tells me it’s business as usual so good luck guys.
Talking of healthy bank balances Scott Douglas has started a new role for a company called Tremorfa. Nope I’ve not heard of these as of yet but I am sure that’s about to change. It seems they are a large mechanical and electrical engineering company around the UK and Ireland. Scott has become the MD for the company so you could say he’s a poacher turned game keeper. You may recall Scott left Norbain many years ago and joined Sean Bowie to build up DVS which they sold in a management buy-out to Tim and Gavin a couple of years ago. Scott left DVS last year and became a father. So it’s nice to see him back. Was it boredom or too many nappies that drove him back to work. I think those of you that know Scott will know the answer to that.
Talking of DVS, Josh Whitehead started with them as an Area Sales Manager for the south coast – he has joined them after four years at QVIS Monitoring.
Back to those acquisitions. Aliter Capital LLP, the private equity firm, has brought together two companies in the sector. Glasgow-based Boston Networks and Pinacl Solutions and Pinacl GDA, based in North Wales. They say that will create a UK-wide company with a staff of over 300 and a turnover approaching £50m. They’re working in the design, installation, management and support across network infrastructure, smart buildings, Internet of Things (IoT), physical security and life safety systems. Boston Networks recently launched the £6m IoT Scotland, an Internet of Things network after being chosen to lead the commercialisation of IoT across Scotland. And more to the point they recently bought 2020 Vision. Do I see a pattern here.
It’s interesting as both 2020 Vision and AllCoopers were at a recent editor’s luncheon we held, the one featured in the April print issue. I wonder if there was something in the soup?
Oprema have appointed Sophie Haffeneden as BDM for their Northern Region. She was working as an Account Manager at CCTV Direct. Cardiff-based Oprema reports that Sophie is experienced in looking after key accounts while focusing on business development opportunities. In this role Sophie was able to provide customer service to support her customers. Sophie will be carrying out a similar role in Oprema.
Henry Desai is now working for ezCCTV as Key Account Manager. Henry has been in the industry for ten years and joins from Videcon (and previous to that he worked for ADI Global Distribution). ezCCTV CEO Darrell Stanley said: “We are very excited that Henry has decided to join us. We have known him for a long time and are delighted that he has made the switch, and he has already made significant inroads into developing new business and helping us grow our customer base in the UK.”
And briefly Videx who have appointed Mabs Alam as Regional Sales Manager for the London and South East region.
Finally and more to the point sadly Andy Stevenson who worked for several remote monitoring stations including Chubb RVR most latterly has passed away. Andy was a true gentleman who would always go out of his way to help you out and was always an honest sales professional selling services of his chosen employers. His daughter Denee Stevenson followed in her dad’s footsteps, entering the industry in remote monitoring and now holds her own working for ADI.
