UTCFS acquire GE Security

"Our combined company has outstanding people,

products and technologies...and together with our partners

we can be the best in the industry!”

I am thrilled to let you know that UTC Fire & Security (UTCFS) has completed the acquisition of GE Security, demonstrating the continued commitment of our parent company United Technologies Corporation (UTC) to investing in the global fire and security industry.

GE Security has a very strong and vibrant channel network, and I’d like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to you—our new partners—and to supporting the broad product offering in which you have put your trust and reputation over the years. We recognize these channel relationships are inherently valuable and intend to support and strengthen these partnerships through continued product development and customer support.

UTC is a company founded on principles of innovation, and I’m pleased to see that GE Security continued to invest heavily in new product development through the economic downturn and now has an attractive suite of new products and product enhancements soon to be launched. We’re committed to continuing to advance the state-of-the-art in commercial fire detection and electronic security, building on the substantial R&D and product management capabilities GE Security brings to UTCFS. In the residential arena, GE Security brings a strong portfolio of products for the home market, which we expect to broaden and extend.

The GE Security company will do business as UTC Fire & Security, and we have licensed the rights to use the GE mark on products for varying periods of time—at least 3 years and for a few product lines up to 10 years. Additionally, we recognize that GE Security has terrific brands in its portfolio—EST, Vigilant, Aritech, Ziton, Kilsen, FireworX, TruVision, Casi Rusco, Supra, among others—and we intend to preserve and enhance their value in the marketplace.

UTCFS is currently organized so that our product businesses are managed separately from our services businesses. We already operate in an environment where independent channel partners sell and distribute the majority of our product volume. We have operated successfully with this model by ensuring that our channel partners share the same advantages as our UTCFS-owned service businesses. We think this is healthy and appropriate for the new organization as well.

UTC is deeply committed to the fire and security industry as a core commercial business. Since 2003 and with the addition of GE Security, UTC has invested nearly $9 billion in building a strong position in an industry with attractive fundamentals and significant long-term growth prospects. Our goal is to be a distinguished leader in this industry and we will continue to invest accordingly.

Thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in GE Security. I’m confident that this new combined company will have the platform to be the best in the industry and I look forward to a sustained partnership with you.


Sincerely,

William M. Brown
President, UTC Fire & Security