Jacksons Law Firm oversees business purchase transaction, which is set to increase job opportunities across Teesside.
Two top security firms on Teesside have merged, with a view to continuing to provide exceptional levels of service to existing customers, whilst also increasing market share and job opportunities across the region.
Crimewatch Safeguard Security Systems Limited purchased Cleveland Security for an undisclosed sum, with Cleveland Security owners Christine Baker and Michael Bringloe, as well as all their staff, now working under the Crimewatch Safeguard Security umbrella.
The move retains more than 40 jobs on Teesside, at a time when Christine was looking to step back in her role as director and Michael is looking to retirement in the near future.
Jerry Norminton, managing director of Crimewatch Safeguard Security Systems Limited, engaged Jacksons Law Firm to complete the purchase, while Christine and Michael were represented by The Endeavour Partnership.
Jerry said: “We are bringing Crimewatch Safeguard Security and Cleveland Security together under the Crimewatch brand and we are extremely pleased that Christine and Mike will be staying in the business in the short to medium term to see us through this transition.
“We have moved to new premises on River Court at Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, in order to house everyone from the two combined businesses.
“Our previous offices were in Sotheby Road, but here, we have got more office space and it’s a bit brighter for the 40-plus staff that we now have.”
Both businesses were first established in 1982, giving them 42 years’ experience a piece in providing a wide range of security services and installing security equipment for organisations across the private and public sectors.
Three years ago, Crimewatch Safeguard Security Systems also purchased AWM Alarms Ltd in Sunderland – another security business that was established in 1982.
Jerry said: “Christine and Mike have run Cleveland Security for 30-plus years and approached me with the opportunity to merge their business to another local company with similar credentials and values.
“Both businesses are family-run and demonstrate a commitment to high levels of customer service, so it was always going to be a good fit.
“We weren’t actively looking for a merger or an acquisition, but we soon realised the benefits to the future of both businesses and our customers – things then progressed fairly quickly.”
Jerry added it has taken about a year from the initial agreement to the transfer of ownership.
He said his business benefited from engaging Jacksons as an “established, well known and credible” law firm.
“Jacksons have ensured that the process has been thorough and efficient,” he said.
“I would only ever feel protected by having a credible firm of solicitors on both sides of the agreement.
“We have used Jacksons for many years, during which time they have proved to be an efficient firm to work with, so we were happy to engage them to take us into this next phase of our business development.”
Following the merger, Crimewatch Safeguard Security Systems is now “one of the larger” security firms in Teesside.
It has the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold Accreditation, which is the gold standard for the industry.
Cleveland Security also worked to this standard, which demonstrates another way in which the firms’ values and operations were aligned.
“We are now one of the largest independent security companies in the area, offering a full range of security services across Tees Valley and the whole of the North East and North Yorkshire, so there is a lot more potential new business to go for,” Jerry says.
“In the first instance, our priority is to look after our existing customers, keeping them safe and secure and assuring them we will be giving them a good service.
“We expect incremental growth – and this merger will certainly help us grow to a higher level.
“Running the two businesses together will help us to structure the business in terms of roles and responsibilities for the future, developing our team for expansion.”
Jerry adds that the office move also gives the company scope to take on even more staff in the future – and the firm intends to create more jobs in the local economy.
It has also employed local IT firm and new neighbour Alphatech to develop and streamline its IT and customer service systems.
Jerry says: “We have always looked to local companies as suppliers and will continue to do so.
“We also benefit from having a good local workforce and a really good staff retention rate, with many staff who have been here for between 15 and 30 years.
“This demonstrates how we pride ourselves on looking after both our staff and our customers.”
Tony Wentworth, managing partner at Jacksons Law Firm, said it was a “privilege” to assist a local company and long-standing client to implement the merger.
“It is always rewarding to be able to support companies in the local area with their growth plans, preserving and increasing job opportunities within our region,” Tony said.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Jerry and Crimewatch Safeguard Security Systems, which we are happy to say also provides our security services over at our own offices at Preston Farm Falcon Court.”
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