Keith Parker & Associates, Inc.

Fox News story on Chicago Surveillance System

The Chicago Police Department uses Pelco Spectra PTZ cameras in the PODSS system built, supplied and installed by RMS Technology Solutions.  This video from Fox News explains how the system operates.  You can also see the various PODSS models availabe on their main page.

[Update] Pelco published a great original story on the PODSS application for their Pelco Press.  You can download the .pdf of the story here, or the link below will give you the text only version.

Why Pelco's Endura NVR?

We can tell you why you should use Pelco's Endura, but we'd rather have you hear it directly from a customer.  Watch why Northwestern University chose Endura for their campus wide networked video recording system.

Please note, in order for Endura to be successfully implemented it took a team effort of Security, IT and other departments.  If you're not involving every relevant department in your IP migration strategy you're missing out.  Since this interview was filmed, Northwestern University has further expanded the system by 50 cameras (including Pelco IP cameras) and an additional expansion planned.

Pelco Customer Visit Tour

Above is the video from Pelco from the Customer Relations Team of the factory in Clovis, California. The title says it all "Seeing is Believing".....there's no other way to experience the intoxicating Pelco corporate cultural than to make a VIP visit to the factory. Everybody that’s visited Pelco has loved it and it’s helped them understand the company and product offerings better in order to do their job more effectively.

You can also see pictures from one our 2008 tours on Picture Page!

Pelco Toys for Tots

Pelco is the single largest donator to the Toys for Tots campaign in the entire history of the US Marine Corp. This video shows you why...

American Products owned by French Companies

If you've read The World is Flat chances are you're more open to globalization and not particulary too worried about where a corporate office's geographical location might be.  Part of Pelco's brand is "Made in America."  For instance, a US flag adorns Pelco clothing; they have a 9-11 museum; are the single largest donator to Toys-for-Tots, and the US Flag flown in Clovis, CA is so big they needed special permission from the FAA.  Ironic they are soon to be officially owned by a French based company. 

Well, outside of fashion and perfume there are a number of other American used products owned by the French.  The FresnoBee reported the following brands or companies: Mack Trucks was purchased by Renault in 1990 after being founded in Brooklyn.  If you consume Dannon yogurt - that's French.  Smoke, shave or write?  You might be using a lighter, razor or pen from Bic.  Michelin tires are French.  Finally, the United States Marine Corp is fed by the US subsidiary of Sodexho Alliance......a $16.9 bilion dollar French company.

The whole FresnoBee article can be read here: http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/mcewen/story/101934.html

Pelco and Schneider Electric Financials

Scheider Electric released some interesting financials of the deal and about Pelco.  As Pelco being privately held, this kind of information was always held to rumor or speculation.  It's out now.  Welcome to the world of accountability and always increasing shareholder value.  I've cut and pasted some highlights for your reference....

Pelco is the best possible fit for Schneider Electric to expand into building automation and security.

• Leader in the fast growing video security industry
• Highest brand recognition in the industry
• Above industry growth with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% over the period 1997-2006.
• Sales of $506 million in 2006 (36% of that was outside the US)
• Broadest product line with full end-to-end solutions
• Significant R&D investments representing 7.5% of sales
• Premier Customer base from fanatical customer service

Schneider Electric reports sales of 13.7 billion Euros in 2006.  At close they will pay a total of $1.54 billion for Pelco.  Pelco will report into TAC, Schneider Electric's Building Automation Unit, and will take leadership of its present Fire & Security Product Division.  Based on 2006 sales of $506 million, Pelco had an EBITDA of $46M and an EBITA of $30M.

You can read the rest on TAC's website: www.tac.com

KPA's Letter to Customers

Dear Friend and Partner,

We have exciting news to share with you......today Pelco officially announced their plans to be acquired by Schneider Electric of France who owns TAC domestically and under this corporate umbrella the Andover brand, Integral Technologies, and a host of others. While the transaction is expected to close by October 2007, we feel this will be a very positive relationship for both companies moving forward in a rapidly changing and growing industry. 

Pelco told us in a conference call this morning they will remain committed to their current business model without any disruption to Pelco’s service or any adverse changes.  David McDonald, Pelco President and CEO, has stated: “Schneider Electric is an ideal partner for Pelco. Both companies share the same commitment to people, innovation and customer service that will make our combined enterprise an even stronger, more competitive player in the industry. We look forward to the unique benefits this partnership will bring to our customers and employees.  It’s totally business as usual.”   At KPA we feel this relationship will be a great benefit to new technologies and Pelco’s R&D efforts.

Like you, we have been hearing the myriad rumors on the street for several months without any official confirmation from Pelco until today.  Non-disclosure and other legal requirements prohibited Pelco management from making any formal comments to us or their customer base.  During this morning’s conference call Pelco has made the commitment to over communicate during this transition and as soon as we have more news we will share it with you. 

KPA’s goal is to be as transparent as possible.  In this effort we have set up a blog where latest news will be posted and where we encourage you to post your own comments or opinions and read postings from your peers.  We want to hear what you have to say!  The address for this blog is: www.kpa.typepad.com.   

Most Sincerely,

Keith Parker & Associates, Inc.

Got mine on order!!

Pelco's Corporate Culture

Should be noted....a number of companies have approached Pelco over the years to discuss an acquisition, but while a publicly held company has a responsibility to its share holders Pelco always carried that same obligation to their employees.  It's part of what built the intoxicating corporate culture that so many Fortune 1000 companies struggle to obtain, and it's that culture that allows for fanatical customer service like 24-hour turn around on repairs and 24-hour tech support.  A culture like Pelco's is not an easy thing to build and it's what made them so special.  Don't worry; it's not going anywhere.  As David McDonald, President and CEO of Pelco, states:

"I think it goes without saying that I would never support any change which would allow this unique culture to be lost.  Schneider Electric was carefully selected as our future partner because we share that exact same mindset."

And that's the truth!

Schneider Electric Buying Pelco for $1.5 Billion

Officials of Clovis, CA based Pelco announced today that the company has reached an agreement to become acquired by Schneider Electric of Rueil-Malmaison, France.  Schneider Electric is the world's power and control specialist. With 112,000 employees and operations in 190 countries, Schneider Electric generated sales of $17.2 billion in 2006. The price to be paid for this transaction is $1.22 billion expressed as an enterprise value on a cash-free, debt-free basis. In addition, Schneider Electric will pay to the sellers the net present value of a tax benefit resulting from the step-up of Pelco's assets, representing $320 million. As a consequence, the total price paid in cash at closing will be $1.54 billion. The transaction is subject to anti-trust and other regulatory clearance and is expected to close by October 2007.

Pelco CEO David L. McDonald stated, "After operating for twenty years as an independent business, the right time has come to partner with a strong, high-quality, Fortune 500 company such as Schneider Electric. The combined strengths of both organizations will yield for Pelco, many substantial benefits such as increased career opportunities for our people, broader product offerings, access to important new technologies, and a stronger ability to further penetrate our global markets. Most importantly, this is the right partnership for Pelco because our two companies share the same core values including an uncommonly strong commitment to our people, providing customers with extreme levels of service, and giving back to our communities. This exciting change opens the door for the next, dynamic new chapter in Pelco's future. We are very pleased and optimistic."

Under the new ownership, Pelco will operate within Schneider's Building Automation Business Unit, TAC, which is headquartered in Malmo, Sweden. The company will be managed in an autonomous manner and will be in charge of TAC's Fire and Security Product Division, globally. Pelco's headquarters and all other existing Clovis operations will remain in Clovis. The company's entire management team and all of the company's worldwide employees will continue as employees of Pelco with this transaction. The company name and the Pelco brand will also remain unchanged. As always, the company's customers will continue receiving the same excellent products and exceptional services.

Schneider Electric CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire stated, "We are extremely pleased to have come to this historic arrangement with such an outstanding company as Pelco. Combining forces with the worldwide leader in video security is an important step in the development of our Building Automation business. Having personally visited Pelco, I have a firsthand appreciation for the company's unique commitment to its people, customers, and community. These factors are core assets of the company and we are fully committed to continuing forward with this same, great culture."