Acquisition & Funding Services (AFS) is one of the oldest independently operated funding providers in the security alarm industry. AFS specializes in mergers, acquisitions and financing in the dynamic security alarm, fire and integration industry.
Summary: Most sellers in fire protection, commercial security, systems integration, and suppression know their recurring revenue numbers cold. Far fewer have thought seriously about what happens to those numbers if two or three key people walk out the door after the deal closes. Employee retention is the variable buyers in these industries watch most closely,… Read More
Summary: When owners are thinking about selling their fire protection, security, systems integration, or suppression company, they often have a sale-value number in their head that is not always accurate. This list of the top 5 value-killers will help you estimate the value of your company, and what you need to do to increase value…. Read More
Summary: When business owners in the fire protection, security, systems integration, or suppression space prepare for a sale, headline numbers like revenue and EBITDA matter. But sophisticated buyers quickly look past those figures to examine something more revealing: customer retention. Understanding what buyers see in your retention profile, and addressing weaknesses before going to market,… Read More
Major Security Holdings of Massachusetts, LLC, doing business as Cunningham Security Systems, has acquired SW Alarms, LLC. Rory Russell of AFS represented seller Steven M. Westcott throughout the transaction, providing advisory support from the early stages of the acquisition through closing. The transaction reflects the continued strength of merger and acquisition activity within the security… Read More
Summary: The success of a transition in the security, fire, integration, and suppression industries depends on the careful management of technical personnel before, during, and after a transaction. By proactively addressing concerns regarding benefits, retention bonuses, and operational shifts, owners can protect their company value and ensure long term stability for their team. In the… Read More
Westchester County, NY – Davis-Ulmer has broadened its security capabilities by strategically acquiring Sonitec, adding a fully licensed, bonded, and insured specialist in low-voltage and mechanical security services. The transaction closed in 2025 and integrated Sonitec into the Davis-Ulmer family of companies. Rory Russell of AFS represented Sonitec in the acquisition, working closely with its… Read More
Investing in your staff is one of the most effective ways to increase your company’s value before a sale. Buyers want businesses that can run without the owner, so building strong managers, skilled technicians, and stable teams reduces risk, supports scalable growth, and drives higher valuations. Owners of security, fire protection, and systems integration companies… Read More
Summary: The M&A deal funnel is a multi-stage process that favors prepared buyers over unprepared sellers and owners in the fire, security, integration, and suppression industries. As a seller, it’s crucial to understand each stage of the funnel before you engage, from the first inbound call through post-close earnouts. — Selling a business is not… Read More
In the fire, security, integration, and suppression industries, company value is driven by far more than top-line revenue. Sophisticated buyers and investors look closely at predictability, customer stickiness, operational efficiency, and long-term growth potential. One of the most effective ways to improve all of these factors at once is by bundling services. According to Mordor… Read More
While revenue and RMR are the foundation of your company, buyers pay a premium for the operational maturity and scalability that only documented processes can provide. Standardizing your workflows today reduces the risk for potential acquirers and directly increases the valuation multiple you receive at the closing table. In the world of security, fire, integration… Read More
