IDSS Acquires BDS Fire and Security Systems Ltd

July 2010

ID Support Services (IDSS) has acquired BDS Fire & Security Limited (“BDS”) a specialist, BAFE accredited fire detection business for an undisclosed sum.

BDS provides design, installation, and maintenance services for fire detection and related systems. Established in 1993, the company employs 45 staff with headquarters in South London.

The acquisition of BDS further broadens the service offering of IDSS as the group continues to strengthen its position as a leading independent supplier of support services in the fire and security, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and other markets.

The acquisition of BDS increases the number of IDSS employees to around 260 and group turnover to £40 million. Following a period of integration, IDTG and BDS will merge to form a new division of the group, ID Fire & Security, providing fire and security services across the UK. The new division will generate sales in excess of £20 million.

IDSS Chief Executive, David Metcalfe, commented. “We are delighted with the BDS acquisition, which enhances the group’s offering in the fire detection market. The focus of BDS on technical excellence and high quality service delivery is of critical importance to us and is demonstrated by its superb customer base.

We are looking to develop ID Fire and Security into the market leading independent provider of fire and security services in the UK.”

Managing Director of BDS, Kevin Blyde commented on the acquisition:

“We welcomed the approach from IDSS and were most impressed with the ideas, the vision and the quality of the personnel concerned.

When we realised that we shared the same philosophies of strong technical expertise and high levels of customer service, and saw the opportunities for expansion of our business within the wider IDSS group, and what we could offer within the group, it was easy for us to make our decision.

We are confident that the future of BDS looks very positive. Being part of a larger organisation gives us greater opportunities to expand our already successful business.”

IDSS Chairman Brian Dunn who founded the business in 1997 commented:

“The acquisition of BDS is another significant development for IDSS as it builds towards its long term vision to be a market leading independent provider of support services and a £100m turnover group.”

New data centre for Home Retail Group

August 2009

The awarding of a new data centre at Home Retail Group’s Distribution Facility in Northamptonshire has given ID Technology Group a great platform to show its credentials as one of the UK’s leading security solution providers.

The Home Retail Group contains retailers Argos and Homebase, and are two of the UK’s leading brands with large customer bases across the UK and Ireland. Founded in 1973, Argos is the UK’s largest general merchandise retailer, and Homebase, founded in 1982 is the UK’s second largest home improvement retailer.

Started in May, the project includes a fully integrated CCTV, Access Control and Intruder system and is due to be completed by late summer.

Music to GK’s ears

June 2009

GK Industrial has designed and installed a retrofit energy efficient heating and cooling fresh air ventilation system into HMV's Birmingham Fort store. HMV needed to replace an outdated and inefficient heating and cooling system which staff had been finding the in store environment uncomfortable due to the system offering little comfort during hot and cold periods.

To reduce costs, only the rear air handling and compression units were replaced, with GK leaving the existing ductwork and front grills, but instead giving them a thorough clean and maintenance to improve the system efficiency.

The system comprised a heat exchanger and ‘Free Cooling’ solution. The heat exchanger replaces stale moisture laden air with warmed fresh air giving efficient recovery of heating or cooling energy to treat incoming fresh air. It allows balanced air movement throughout the store and saves up to 80% of wasted heat.

The system offers a simple and flexible solution where there is a demand for a changeover capability between heating and cooling, ensuring a constant, comfortable indoor store ambient climate.

‘Free Cooling’ offers vastly improved air quality. It is triggered when the external ambient air is at a lower temperature than indoors, drawing ‘fresh air’ into the store through the ventilation system. This results in significant energy savings, reduced energy bills and lower maintenance.

The high level of energy efficiency from the system offers a substantial reduction in energy consumption, whilst increasing in the corresponding EER/COP energy legislation ratings.

GK wins at H&M

April 2009

GK Industrial is installing into its first H&M store at Arc, the new shopping and leisure complex in Bury St. Edmunds that is due to open to the public in March.

Working in conjunction with Europa Shopfitters, GK is installing a heating and cooling system that includes ducted air conditioning splits and a heat recovery air handling unit system to give the store greater energy efficiencies.

Due to be handed over to H&M and Europa by the end of February, the air handling unit extracts the warm air within the store and this heat is then used to warm the incoming air, eliminating the need to use a heater within the HVAC system that uses expensive and unnecessary power and energy.

Due to the size of the store, 16 split air systems were used and air handling unit also includes bypass dampers that allows 'Free Cooling' to be incorporated, bringing fresh air into the store at the desired temperature.