October 30, 2008

MSA Security Acquires Access Systems Integration LLC to Provide Complete Security Systems Integration as part of the “SecureBuilding® Program”

NEW YORK, NY, October 30, 2008 – MSA Security, the nation’s largest privately owned SAFETY Act Certified Detection Security Company, announced today that it has acquired Access Systems Integration, LLC (ASI), the New York region’s leading Electronic Security Integrator.   Together, MSA and ASI will continue to offer high-level perimeter security emphasizing protection against explosive devices, chemical and biological agents, and potential high-risk intruders, as well as integrated CCTV, digital recording, and access control systems.

ASI’s product lines will be integrated into MSA’s 24/7 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which presently hosts a worldwide Communications and WMD Detection network with reach-back capabilities to subject matter experts.  The MSA EOC Subject Matter Experts include Bomb Technicians, HazMat Technicians, and Counterterrorism Professionals who are supported by MSA’s SmartTech, SmartChem, and many other existing security platforms. 

With its newest additions to the existing SecureBuilding® Program, MSA plans to offer a multi-dimensional approach to the analysis, design, and integration of innovative facility systems to current and future clients.

This is the second MSA strategic acquisition in 2008.  In January of this year, MSA acquired “JMT Associates,” a specialized Boston security company, which provides executive protection, security and investigative services to clients in the energy sector, corporations, and high net worth individuals.  JMT's management team and quality offerings are completely in synch with the gold standard MSA model. The acquisition and integration of JMT-MSA has extended MSA's presence in New England, and in new industry sectors throughout the country.

George Harvey, CEO of Michael Stapleton Associates, states “MSA is very excited to have acquired ASI, a quality Electronic Security Integrator. This acquisition truly rounds out our suite of service offerings, and gives our clients access to the full benefit of MSA’s Secure Building^® Program.   It was critically important for us that we acquire an entity with quality management and a strong record of premier service and client satisfaction.  Jim Hennessy and his team at ASI provide this.”

“All of us at ASI are pleased about the finalization of the acquisition of Access Systems Integration,” said James Hennessy, President of ASI. Mr. Hennessy will continue on as President of the Security Systems Integration Division of Michael Stapleton Associates. 

Mr. Hennessy continued, “ASI’s expertise in security systems integration will accelerate MSA’s growth of specialized security programs. By combining the capabilities and products of ASI and MSA, we now have an enlarged product solution portfolio. Our combined customer base and sales operation will allow us to cross-sell products, leading to accelerated revenue growth. This acquisition will also further strengthen our technology portfolio and enable us to offer our customers comprehensive solutions to match the challenges of their growing security needs.  As a result of this acquisition, we are ideally positioned to continue to be on the cutting edge of security technology and to deliver compelling products to the marketplace.”