Linear buys International Electronics Inc. (IEI)

The Home Technology Group of Nortek, Inc., a group of home and commercial convenience and security electronics companies led by Linear LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nortek, has made a move to significantly strengthen its presence in the access control industry with the purchase of International Electronics Inc. (IEI), headquartered in Canton, Mass. IEI has been in the security and controlled access systems business for over 30 years.

The two companies have much in common with their line offerings, and little product overlap. The IEI line ranges from its Door-Gard stand-alone and entry-level access control products to its flagship product, eMerge; a browser-managed integrated security management system. Linear has traditionally been in access control for perimeter security, including telephone and gate entry.

Linear Chairman Grant D. Rummell noted the opportunity for synergy arising from the complementary Linear and IEI product lines. “IEI is a market leader in access control stand-alone keypads, locksets, and systems access control products, and this will greatly broaden the overall Linear offering,” he says. “At the same time,” Rummell points out, “IEI’s experience and innovation in the areas of access control software adds substantially to our systems depth.”

IEI President and CEO John Waldstein states: “We look forward to the added market presence the association with Linear affords us, and the opportunity for growth it provides. Being part of a strong access control and security industry leader allows us to continue to broaden our access control offerings as well as continuing to assure our commitment to excellence in service and support.” Plans call for IEI to continue operations at its Canton facility and to maintain and expand the IEI brands.

The Home Technology Group of Nortek currently includes 21 companies producing-nationally recognized brands in such categories as stereo and home theater speakers and controls, distributed audio and video, lighting controls, personal emergency reporting systems, wireless security, structured wiring, automatic garage door openers and internet-connected media products.

Nortek Inc., internationally headquartered in Providence, RI, is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of innovative, branded residential and commercial ventilation, HVAC, and home technology convenience and security products.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines

Read Comments [0]