All American to the Core
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Oct 01, 2014
You don’t get much more passionate
than Alan Forman, and
there isn’t anyone more personable
to their staff and co-workers. Forman
is the co-founder and president of
Altronix, located in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Forman and Jonathan Sohnis,
the company’s CTO, co-founded the
company in 1983, and for the past 30-
plus years have introduced innovative
technologies as the security industry
evolved from analog into the IP world.
“We always look to develop relevant
new products that incorporate
new technologies to stay ahead of the
curve,” Forman said. “With the integration
of what were once disparate system
infrastructures, Altronix is focused
on providing our reseller partners and
end-users with solutions that are both
highly efficient and cost effective.”
And while Altronix has not departed
from its successful power business, many
new products are being designed for IP
and networked applications. Altronix
designs and manufactures a comprehensive
line of high-quality electronics
for the video surveillance, security, fire,
access control and automation markets.
Altronix is focused on the security industry
and their expertise is the result
of years of experience and involvement.
Forman attributes much of the company’s
success to the quality, reliability
and uniqueness of Altronix products for
mission critical applications.
“We are always seeking to enhance
our portfolio of products and solutions,”
Sohnis said. “We typically have
numerous projects on the drawing
board, and are now working on new
and improved ways to integrate products
and how they communicate with
each other.
“Altronix products have an unprecedented
reputation throughout the industry.
This is the result of several factors
starting with intense research and
development to design the best products
available.”
Best of all, Altronix is made in the
U.S.A. That label alone is highly sought
after and coveted not only in the United
States, but worldwide.
“Made in the U.S.A.” has a special
meaning to both Forman and Sohnis.
Altronix employs a staff of about 250,
and there is a prevailing feeling of family
that contributes to the success and
continued growth of the company. Forman
also clearly stated that Altronix is
committed to promoting from within
and establishing a great working environment
that supports employees’ wellbeing,
which is integral to the company’s
longstanding success.
For approximately two decades, Altronix
has been located in the newly
repurposed Brooklyn Army Terminal,
and has continued to expand its business
operations since its inception. And some
of this growth is due to the importance
that Forman and Sohnis place on building
strong relationships with technology
partners, resellers and end-users.
In addition to producing a comprehensive
range of products, Altronix offers
OEM design and manufacturing
services for custom electronics for commercial
and industrial applications. A
tour of the facility begins at the very
root of the manufacturing process. Every
Altronix product is manufactured at
the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Scores of
people handle every aspect of production
from robotic assembly and quality
control to packaging and shipping.
“One thing that never changes is
that the customer always comes first,”
Forman said. “You can’t always run a
business solely based on process management.
You have to be focused on
your customers’ challenges to design
and deliver the right solution. When
we started this company, we were pretty
much a grassroots operation. Now
we look at everything in a bigger way,
but we still have the ability to make
fast decisions to respond quickly to
market demands.”
Sohnis said that Altronix is a paradox
for U.S. industry today. His team
of engineers spend their time sharing
innovative ideas and concepts in the developing
new products. Forman added
that even existing and successful products
are continually evaluated and improved
upon as warranted to provide
value add.
Altronix is all about the American
dream and how individuals can rise to
the occasion to achieve success and personal
fulfillment. And why the words
“Made in America” carry a far greater
meaning and significance than they
may appear to on the surface.
This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of Security Today.
About the Author
Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.