St. Louis, MO. (November 9, 2023) – RapidFire Safety & Security, the multi-regional “Buy & Build” experts for fire, life safety and security industries, announces the acquisition of California State Fire Protection (CSFP) a fire extinguisher, suppression, sprinkler and hood service provider serving Southern California from the Mexico border to Los Angeles. Led by a team of proven industry operators and launched by founders Mike McLeod and Colin Harrold, in partnership with Concentric Equity Partners, the acquisition of CSFP cements RapidFire as a world-class curator of the industry’s ‘best of the best’, throughout the Southwest and Midwest US.  

CSFP delivers a full suite of fire safety services tailored to individual client needs. Blending comprehensive solutions, reliability, and cost-efficiency with a meticulous approach to project management ensures quality, on-time completion within budgetary constraints. CSFP’s extensive experience in fire safety includes annual maintenance, certifications, emergency planning, and professional inspections to ensure compliance with current fire laws and regulations. Their services extend across various sectors, including restaurant compliance (UL300), industrial and commercial facilities, property management, and specialized services for telecom and technology sectors, requiring 24-hour emergency responses.

“The CSFP team have built an excellent reputation through dedication to their employees and a culture of exceptional customer service,” says RapidFire CEO, Mike McLeod. “These people-first qualities align with RapidFire’s values, we are very excited to for them to join our growing Southern California team.”

By integrating CSFP’s core competencies with the company’s existing resources, RapidFire is poised to enhance its service offerings, drive greater value, and create synergies that benefit all of its stakeholders.

"We had the chance to sell to larger corporations, but they would have likely absorbed our operations and left my employees jobless," said Steve Nauert, CEO of California State Fire Protection. “RapidFire has a strategic plan for acquiring specialized companies and empowering them to expand beyond their limits, allowing those who have worked with me for years to advance in their careers. This partnership secures a dynamic future for my staff while allowing me to continue contributing to our shared goals. I'm excited for what the future holds with RapidFire."

"CSFP’s stellar reputation, and the outstanding professionalism of their team, are exactly the kind of assets that will cement our foundation in the California market and help expand our reach even further," said Bob Ricucci, Chief Revenue Officer at RapidFire. "This acquisition is a strategic move that not only fortifies RapidFire's platform but also offers tremendous opportunities for growth and development for our team. Together, we will continue to deliver the most comprehensive and superior fire safety services and solutions in the industry."

About California State Fire Services:

CSFP is dedicated to providing comprehensive, reliable and cost-effective services, specifically engineered to meet the needs of each of our clients. We have wide experience in undertaking major projects and completing them to a specified quality, on-time, and within budget.

Each project has a dedicated project manager who is supported by our team of specialists covering all aspects of the project who are aware of the importance of maintaining set construction process. Our resources offer flexibility to meet any challenges that may occur, giving us the ability to guarantee progressive handover dates.

For more information on CSFP, visit www.calstatefirepro.com.

About RapidFire Safety & Security:

RapidFire Safety & Security offers the commercial sector comprehensive expertise in fire, life safety, and security services. Led by a team of proven industry operators including visionary founder, Mike McLeod, long-time colleague and co-founder, Colin Harrold, and in partnership with Concentric Equity Partners, our multi-regional “Buy, Build, Grow” strategy is curating a world-class alliance throughout the Southwest and Midwest US.  

We actively seek owners in the fire safety and security industries who want to extend their legacy and community impact with people-focused leadership that provides peace-of-mind to owners who have maxed out their growth trajectory.

RapidFire is not just about providing unparalleled safety and security services, but also building enduring relationships, putting people first, and fostering teamwork and personal growth. Let’s safeguard your legacy together.

For more information on RapidFire, visit www.rapidfiress.com.

About Concentric Equity Partners:

Concentric Equity Partners is a private investment firm that partners with leading middle market companies by providing capital and strategic advisory to accelerate long term value creation. Concentric’s approach is simple: support entrepreneurs and operators by providing the resources required to achieve extraordinary results. The firm’s investment team is made up of individuals with distinguished track records as operators and professional investors across a variety of growth-oriented middle-market companies.

Concentric Equity Partners is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corporation, a private asset management firm and family office with over $2 billion in investment commitments under management. Financial Investments Corporation was founded in 1994 by father and daughter Harrison and Jennifer Steans and has been partnering with private companies for more than 25 years.

For more information on Concentric, visit www.ficcep.com.