Gloucestershire and Cumbria firms among Ranger’s 25 brands

A private equity-backed fire and security business has made two more acquisitions and now has more than 25 firms under its umbrella.

Ranger Fire and Security has been buying “local hero” businesses across the UK to become a nationwide fire and security group.

It has now acquired Cirencester’s CIA Fire and Security and its three businesses to strengthen its Southern operations. Meanwhile, the group has boosted its Northern business with the takeover of AKD Fire and Security in Cumbria.

Ranger and its acquisition strategy are backed by mid-market firm Inflexion and by Hyperion Equity Partners, which has made a “significant reinvestment” in the group. The latest deals mean the Ranger group includes 25 businesses and has more than 500 employees as it aims to become “the leading one-stop provider for fire and security services across the UK and Ireland”.

CIA Fire and Security includes three businesses – CIA, PFS, and Pioneer Automated Controls – all of which will join Ranger along with their 80 staff.

CIA was founded in 1982 to offer services including fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, extinguishers and keyholding. It went on to acquire fire and security maintenance led business PFS, and Gloucester-based fire and security maintenance firm Pioneer Automated Controls.

Matthew Harrison, managing director of CIA Fire and Security said: “Becoming part of the Ranger Group marks a significant moment for our team, enabling us to extend our services to new customers across the local region and beyond.

“Working alongside Ranger’s group of industry experts will give us a greater opportunity to cross-sell and we look forward to bringing our own experience and skill set to the Group, including strengthening the business’s service delivery and expanding their fire and security offering.”

Cumbria fire and security specialist AKD has a customer base spanning commercial, hospitality, public sector and residential property. Ranger says the group strengthens its North West operations, “bridging the gap between its North West hub, Syncro, and its Scottish hub, Secureshield, in Motherwell”.

Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “Our two latest acquisitions, CIA Fire and Security and AKD Fire and Security, bring decades of industry experience to the Ranger Group and will help extend our presence across the North West and South of England. With existing Ranger businesses already well-established in both regions, our two new companies will be able to bring their experience and knowledge to the team, helping Ranger meet more of the fire and security needs of local businesses.

“With backing from Inflexion we will continue to step up our acquisition strategy, bringing on board the UK and Ireland’s best fire and security experts to fulfil our mission of becoming the one-stop shop for all customer’s fire and security needs.”