Oxfordshire security installation firm Chris Lewis Security Services has expanded its services with the recent acquisition of Storm Safety Systems. Established over 20 years ago, Storm focused on fire safety solutions for domestic and commercial premises across the country.

Interestingly, this significant announcement co-incides with Security Installer’s recent series “Fear of Fire” which highlighted the trend for security companies to become more involved with this potentially lucrative sector.

Chris Lewis' acquisition extends the company's existing fire capabilities and will enable the security firm to further develop its fire safety business.

As part of the agreement, Chris Lewis has taken over all of Storm's existing monitoring and maintenance contracts. The acquisition not only extends Chris Lewis' existing fire capabilities, but will also bring Storm's customers a greater diversity of security services, including intruder alarms, security gates, access control and CCTV.

John Davis, who started Storm Safety Systems in 1980, has retired as managing director of the company, but will continue to provide a consultancy role to support the business's integration into Chris Lewis Security Services.

"Many of Storm's customers have been with us for nearly a quarter of a century," Davis said. "It was important to me that the company that took over the business offered the same high standards of quality and service that we had established. I had met Chris Lewis previously and knew that Chris Lewis Security Services had a wealth of expertise, experience and industry recognition."

Chris Lewis, managing director of Chris Lewis Security Services, said: "We're always looking at ways to improve our services and capabilities, so we jumped at the chance to acquire Storm when John Davis approached us last year.

“Storm's services complement our existing portfolio, and with their experience and expertise on board, we can now develop this proposition further and step it up over the next level."

l Crimson Holdings of Milton Keynes has acquired DDD Security Systems Limited. The deal was negotiated by Michael Lee of corporate finance specialist Watersheds. DDD is internationally recognised as a leading company in the field of electronic security for both residential and commercial properties, supplying high quality specialised security equipment, coupled withreliable after-sales service.

DDD's dedicated alarm receiving centre provides monitoring and service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for a variety of alarm and fault signals.