New Albany, Indiana -- FKI Security Group has announced that the company has acquired one of the premier custom commercial safe manufacturers in the nation, Southern California-based EXL Safe Corporation. EXL Safe Corporation's customers, which include most of North America's top large-volume retail organizations, will be added to the FKI customer list. This latest acquisition is the first such announcement from FKI Security Group in 2005. Last year the company acquired another safe manufacturer, the McGunn Safe Company.
"This is a positive development for all of EXL Safe's customers, and we feel they'll be excited to learn what the new FKI/EXL team can do for them," commented Van Carlisle, President and CEO of FKI Security Group. "FKI's advanced product development and superior nationwide direct service and support infrastructure will be at the full disposal of all EXL Safe Corporation customers."
In terms of marketing, FKI Security Group will offer custom safes and vaults under the EXL Safe Corporation's brand, which will continue to be manufactured in California. Scott Meeker, currently Vice President of Business Development at FKI Security Group, has been named General Manager of EXL Safe and will run the company from EXL's Mira Loma, California facility, a position that Meeker is well-equipped to handle - prior to joining FKI Security Group in 2001, Meeker was President of EXL Safe from 1999 through 2001.
According to Meeker, FKI intends to "make the Mira Loma facility the centerpiece of our Western region sales and service efforts."
FKI plans to add a service call center with complete freight logistics and parts staging, product design and manufacturing, and warehousing."
John G. McDonnell, the former president and CEO of EXL Safe Corporation, will work with FKI Security Group as a consultant.
"EXL's customers are in good hands with FKI, and we'll ensure that the transition is seamless," he said. McDonnell is also CEO of Vengeance Motorcycles, a successful custom motorcycle company that he founded in 2002.
The EXL Safe Corporation will operate as a separate division of FKI Security Group and there are no current plans to move or change the number of employees.
