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.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.