Systems integration firm Midstate Security announced this week that is has acquired Vision Technology International.
Midstate, which is based in Grandville, Mich., designs, installs and services comprehensive security systems and solutions, including video surveillance, intrusion detection, fire detection, access control and more. The acquisition of Vision Technology International adds product manufacturing to Midstate's security repertoire. Vision manufactures and distributes a variety of essential video surveillance products including cameras, covert cameras, camera mounts, lenses, CCTV lighting, monitors and more; the company also offers installation/integration services.
According to Walter Catton, president and CEO of Midstate Security, the integration work that Vision did in Michigan put them in a competitive environment with Midstate. Catton said the two firms respected each other as competitors, and with his intentions to grow Midstate "both organically and inorganically", acquiring Vision Technology International was a natural fit.
The acquisition adds sales, technical and project management staffers to Midstate's existing roster of 66 employees and adds an office in Gaylord, Mich. A statement from Midstate Security, which has been in operation for 28 years, said that office addition will boost the company's market presence in Northern Michigan.
"The addition of Vision's products and services to our own will advance our goal of providing cost-effective security solutions and safe and secure environments for our customers," said Walter Catton, president and CEO of Midstate Security. "Vision's resources and expertise complement Midstate's business and extend our ability to deliver comprehensive and tailored solutions. The acquisition helps meet our expansion objectives and is an exciting milestone for our company. We look forward to continuing to grow Midstate as a leading provider of security and automation systems."
Catton added that in addition to the integration services and product distribution which Vision Technology International has offered, the company was well-liked by its customer for a number of private-labeled products as well as a unique GUI that Vision had developed for DVRs.
Catton said that Midstate has private labeled some of its own DVRs, and noted that part of the acquisition had the fotunate ability of linkinging Midstate's hardware (the private-labeled DVRs) with the Vision software GUI. Both private-labeling operations (Midstate's operations and Vision's operations) will continue, said Catton.
Both companies, noted Catton, have become closely invovled in the push for IP video surveillance, and the acquisition of Vision's integration business brings into Midstate Security the certifications for Cisco's physical security product line, which Catton says is catching on among end-users quite quickly.
Besides offering full commercial security and fire solutions, Midstate also offers full residential services, including alarms and home automation. The company runs its own central station out of Michigan, making Midstate a full-solutions/services security firm.
