RapidFire Safety & Security (RapidFire) and Concentric Equity Partners (CEP) are proud to announce a new multi-regional “Buy & Build” strategy in the fire safety and security industries. Led by visionary founder, Mike McLeod, and long-time colleague Co-founder, Colin Harrold, RapidFire Safety & Security actively seeks owners in the fire safety and security industries who want to grow beyond current boundaries; enhance long-term stability; and leverage the best-in-class leadership, technology, equipment, training, and operational efficiencies of a strong committed partnership.
“RapidFire is acquiring and growing a network of family-owned entrepreneurial businesses providing fire safety and security services to commercial enterprises throughout the southwest and the midwestern United States,” says McLeod, a career veteran of the fire safety and security industry.
McLeod’s previous experience includes being the CEO of Republic Fire Protection, Inc., leading upstart Vio Security through a turnaround, and 18 years at Interface Security Systems during which it became the 7th largest company in the security and life safety sector.
“In partnership with CEP, RapidFire is poised to acquire existing businesses in California, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, and adjacent states led by people-first owners interested in joining a customer-centric organization committed to stable growth through streamlined operations and expanded services.”
Like McLeod, Colin Harrold is an industry leader whose career has focused on holistic corporate growth through strategic planning and collaboration. His experience includes EVP Business Optimization with Interface Security Systems, sector growth leadership at Johnson Controls, and SVP Sales & Marketing at Sonitrol Corporation/Tyco. From the hands that do the work to long-range visioning and business planning, McLeod and Harrold combine to offer authentic, people-focused leadership to owners who have maxed out their growth trajectory.
The financial backing and business acumen of CEP augments McLeod and Harrold’s industry expertise. CEP is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corp. (“FIC”), a family office with more than $2 billion of assets under management. CEP primarily invests in route-based service businesses that serve residential, commercial, and industrial customers. CEP provides growth capital and advisory services to support the brand thesis, add jobs, and leverage economies of scale.
“RapidFire and CEP come to market with a like-minded approach to business management based on putting people first as the cornerstone of success,” says Harrold. “While Mike and I have been in the trenches and the board rooms of the fire safety and security industry, the team at CEP has overseen hundreds of business acquisitions. Our objective is market expansion by consolidating owner-operator assets and leveraging lessons learned and technologies to take advantage of prevailing winds while offering single-source services.”
Recognizing the growing divide between family-owned/entrepreneurial operators and the multi-national, powerhouse providers of commercial fire and security services, RapidFire seeks to fill gaps in the commercial industry’s fragmentation. Offering a comprehensive suite of fire safety and security expertise to the commercial sector, RapidFire consolidates a variety of often disparate design, installation, inspection, monitoring, and maintenance services under a single organizational objective of building relationships for life. RapidFire’s targeted services and solutions include fire alarms, fire sprinklers, fire suppression, and fire extinguishers as well as security alarms, video surveillance, access control, and emergency response systems.
“While most local or regional providers deliver on one or two of the services very well, there is a lack of single-source, full-service fire safety and security choices in the commercial marketplace,” says McLeod.
RapidFire’s service model includes installation and design, testing, monitoring, maintenance, inspection, detection and response, and code compliance. Owners will enjoy relief from operational responsibilities and risks while retaining whatever level and length of business involvement they desire.
“We are interested in owner/operators who want to extend their legacy and community impact,” finishes Harrold. “We are building a consortium of fire safety and security professionals who believe in treating employees, customers, and project partners like friends and neighbors in pursuit of best-in-class fire safety and security solutions.”
If your vision aligns with ours, we invite you to reach out to us to learn more about joining the RapidFire Team.
