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.