Tri-Ed, Northern Video Systems To Combine

Brazos Private Equity Partners LLC recently announced the acquisition of two electronic security distribution companies, Tri-Ed Distribution, a source for security systems and low voltage products in North America, and Northern Video Systems Inc., a wholesale distributor of security, surveillance and network infrastructure products. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The two companies will be combined and will operate as Tri-Northern Security Distribution Inc., under the leadership of Steve Roth, an industry veteran who has served as president and CEO of Tri-Ed since 2005. This powerful combination establishes a dynamic sales, marketing and logistics organization with world-class service and efficiency for customers and suppliers.

The combined company will be one of the two largest distributors of electronic security systems and products in North America. The acquisitions are being made from Brazos Equity Fund III, which closed in September 2008 with capital commitments totaling more than $700 million.

The combination of Northern, based in Rocklin, Calif., and Tri-Ed, based in Woodbury, N.Y. , brings together two entities in security distribution with a combined 41 sales offices.

“We firmly believe that this new entity will provide a more significant distribution solution for the security industry,” Roth said. “The synergies and scale of the Tri-Ed and Northern combination are substantial, and together they will provide an ever-increasing value proposition to our customers and suppliers.”

“Not only will this combination better support our dealers’ needs today, but also assist with their growth into new product areas and technologies long into the future,” said Mark Haney, president and CEO of Northern.

Tri-Ed and Northern will retain their organizational identity, company locations and executive leadership. The senior management at both organizations will assume leadership roles as well as equity positions in the new entity. Steve Roth will assume the role of CEO, Mark Haney will serve as president, Pat Comunale as COO, Paul Haney as executive vice president, and Brian James and James Rothstein as senior vice presidents.

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