Convergint Acquires Ballou Fire Systems, Expanding Fire Alarm & Life Safety Business

Acquisition Will Grow Convergint’s Presence in Houston and the South-Central U.S., Bolstering Capabilities in Healthcare, Education and Commercial Vertical Markets

Convergint, a global leader in service-based systems integration, today announced it has acquired Ballou Fire Systems, LLC, a Houston-based integrator that designs, installs and services electronic life safety, security, and communications systems.

The acquisition brings an expert team to Convergint, expanding the company’s capabilities in the Houston and South-Central region and bolstering its service offerings with a focus on the healthcare, education, and commercial markets. The company’s focus on total life safety protection enables Convergint to build on Ballou’s already extensive and established network of customers and partnerships in the region.

“The cultural synergies between Convergint and Ballou are undeniable, and we have always been impressed with their dedicated team and best-in-class service,” said Sean Flint, president of United States and Canada, Convergint. “Ballou’s well established, experienced, and highly trained team of frontline colleagues greatly compliments our South-Central U.S. life safety presence.”

“By joining forces with Convergint, we’re able to help our customers take a more comprehensive approach to their critical life safety infrastructure, while supporting global customers with a presence in their local markets,” said Thomas Ballou, president and CEO, Ballou Fire Systems. “Further, Convergint’s culture of service and safety is well-aligned with our own core values, with both of our organizations dedicated to providing the tools, training, and programs so that all projects and service calls are completed successfully and without incident.”

Convergint has completed 55 acquisitions since 2001—extending its geographic reach to be closer to its customers, expanding its technological and vertical market expertise, and enhancing its global network of talented colleagues and leaders.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3