As a business owner in the fire and security space, it’s important to know your market! You and your technicians have likely run into the country’s largest fire protection companies during your work in the field. You may even be in direct competition with one or all of them in your region. And while they are your competition on the ground, you are going to want their attention when you’re ready to sell your business.
Here’s a quick run-down of some of the top fire protection companies in the USA right now. Knowing these names and learning more about them can help you build a strategy to catch their attention if you plan to exit by selling. Researching them may even give you new ideas about ways you can grow and expand your own services to better compete in your area!
And so, in no particular order, here are some fire protection companies you should know:
Johnson Controls (JCI)
Johnson Controls (JCI) is a major player in the fire protection space. The global industrial company made headlines when it merged with the well-established fire and security company, Tyco International, in 2016. Operating under the JCI banner are historic industry brands like Tyco, SimplexGrinnell, and Ansul. Johnson Controls is known for its leading innovation in areas of commercial safety and security. It boasts its own fire detection and suppression divisions that provide field service in addition to continuing research to develop new safety solutions. As a leader in the industrial space for decades, the company is a household name for all those in the fire and security sectors. Out of all the largest fire protection companies in the country, it’s safe to say JCI will always be at the top of the list.
Cintas
Known primarily for its uniform rental service, Cintas also offers a robust list of facilities services for their customers that include fire protection. While the presence of their fire protection division is stronger in some regions than others, they are still considered one of the largest fire protection companies in the US. They are a leading provider of fire sprinkler, alarm, and suppression services on a national scale. They also have dedicated support for national accounts, making it easy for big companies to source everything their teams and buildings need to be prepared from the same vendor. They advertise acquisition options for owners in the industry on their website, though it is not something they promote as proactively as other companies on this list.
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
With its rapid growth over the last decade, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety is now “the largest independent provider of fire protection services to commercial end markets in the United States,” as described by private equity firm Altas. The company has a national presence, which is the result of its acquisition effort. Pye-Barker has acquired over 100 fire and life safety companies of varying sizes since 2016. It is a leader in the fire protection acquisitions space and continues to add to its growing family of companies each month. It recently rebranded to showcase its operations today as an integrated fire, life safety, and security services provider.
Summit Companies
Summit quickly became a competitive provider of fire safety services in the northern part of the USA after its founding in 1999. The company made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for the third time in a row this year, showcasing its current success. In addition to a suite of fire protection and security services, Summit offers fire safety consulting. It is also using an acquisitions model to support its ambitious growth goals as it looks to expand across the country.
Sciens Building Solutions
Sciens is an up-and-coming provider of fire safety and security services in the US. The company was formed in 2015 through a partnership between a private equity group and a former Siemens executive. Their vision was to become one of the top fire protection companies in the USA through the acquisition of fire detection and security businesses that they could help grow. They are off to a strong start, with 2022 being their busiest acquisition year yet. Already they boast over 1000 employees across several states and serve a broad variety of commercial sectors.
Ready to Sell to a Big Industry Player? AFS Has the Connections!
Understanding who is on the list of the largest fire protection companies in the country can help you learn more about your competition. It can also help you learn more about the companies you may be negotiating with in the near future if you choose to sell your business. If you do decide to sell, it can be difficult to decide which one would offer the best next step for you and your business in this competitive market. That is why our expertise at Acquisition and Funding Services is invaluable!
As a former security business owner himself and an industry broker with over 30 years of experience, managing owner Rory Russell has established connections with many of the industry leaders in the fire and safety space. He can help get your business in front of top buyers faster and be your advocate during the negotiations. With his help, many fire and security owners have exited their businesses with satisfying offers for themselves and arrangements for their teams.
You can be the next one to sell for the right price, at the right time. Contact Rory today to learn more and start preparing your business to sell for maximum profit!