Chamberlain Group Acquires Edko Gate Operator Business

April 9, 2007
Acquisition leaves Pro Access Systems distribution business in place

The Chamberlain Group, an Illinois-based manufacturer of physical access and intercom products for residential and commercial applications, has purchased the gate operator business from Edko Inc. (aka Pro Access Systems). The purchase primarily bring the design and manufacturing arms of Edko's gate operators business to Chamberlain.

The terms of the acquisition allow the former Edko owners to continue to distribute and sell gate operators under the name of Pro Access Systems, and those Pro Access Systems locations will function as separate companies, independent from Chamberlain. Pro Access, which became part of Edko in 2003, has locations in Atlanta, Tampa, Denver and Chicago.

However, the acquisition also sets up a transition period. Pro Access will be able to continue manufacturing gate operation products for a period of time and will be able to continue to supply spare and replacement parts. During this "transition period" the Pro Access business locations will also begin carrying more of the Chamberlain product lines.

According to a statement from The Chamberlain Group, Pro Access will still both manufacture and distribute its own security gates and hardware, as well as products from other manufacturers. Chamberlain's own security gate systems are marketed under the LiftMaster brand, and are a popular choice for corporate office park and apartment community security and access control.

The cost of the acquisition was not disclosed.