Jewelers Mutual® Introduces JM Insurance Agency Partners as New Global Brokerage Serving the Jewelry Industry and Beyond

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Jewelers Mutual® Group, the insurance and business solutions provider dedicated to the jewelry industry since 1913, announces an expansion of its business by introducing a new global insurance brokerage called JM Insurance Agency Partners. While Jewelers Mutual remains an insurance carrier of choice for the jewelry industry, branching out to a general agency model allows the company to serve more customers with more solutions beyond its own portfolio. JM Insurance Agency Partners unites the most recognized names in the jewelry insurance market with best-in-class products and services, offering greater choice and flexibility to jewelry, pawn and fine art businesses worldwide.

In late 2020, the acquisition of Wexler Insurance Agency set the foundation for the general agency vision. “We have over 160 years of combined insurance expertise to pave the way for a world-class general agency,” said Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Jewelers Mutual. “To be an industry leader we have the responsibility to be more than insurance and one way to do this is through the distribution of a general agency where we can offer the best products and solutions for agents and their clients.”

Today, the general agency brings together JM Insurance Services (including its previous acquisitions), Jewelers Insurance Services/The Lunar Agency and Wexler Insurance Agency and is also open to Jewelers Mutual’s independent agents. The goal of the global insurance brokerage is to maximize opportunities to explore, innovate and diversify beyond traditional insurance products and expand the number of personal and business clients served.

JM Insurance Agency Partners, a Jewelers Mutual Group company, connects the top jewelry agents throughout the U.S. and Canada with carriers spanning the globe and their collective products, services, and risk management solutions to meet the industry’s evolving needs. Alexander explained that with greater market access to more insurance and non-insurance options, agents will be well-positioned as trusted advisors to serve more clients with personalized solutions that are a “perfect match.”

“We are stronger together,” said Alexander of the general agency. “Harnessing the power of all parts into this progressive, collective structure will transform the way agents do business and help build long-lasting relationships with their clients. The best is yet to come as we continue to listen to agents and customers and innovate with purpose to protect and strengthen the jewelry industry for the future.”

Jewelry, pawn and fine art business owners interested in learning more about products and services available to them should contact their agent.

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Celia, Julie, Illeny, Leigh, Keely, Bryan, and Tara

Alarm.com Acquires Smart Communicator Maker EBS

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Alarm.com has acquired EBS, a Poland-based specialist in the design and manufacturing of smart communicators that are widely deployed in international markets.

EBS technology complements Alarm.com’s software solutions. Integrating with EBS smart communicators will expand Alarm.com’s support for legacy security control panels that are widely deployed in international markets, providing its service providers with a cost-effective solution for efficiently deploying Alarm.com’s advanced connected property solutions.

“By leveraging the strengths of both EBS and Alarm.com, we are confident in our ability to deliver superior security solutions, support our service providers, and build on our competitive edge in the global market, all while collaborating with the experienced and knowledgeable teams at EBS,” said Aydin Bolkar, Vice President of International Operations at Alarm.com.

EBS was founded over 30 years ago and has built a reputation for its high-quality manufacturing of smart communicators, according to a press release. As part of the Alarm.com family, EBS will gain access to a global network, research, and a portfolio of smart home and business security solutions. EBS’ solutions cater to a diverse range of clients, from households and small businesses to world-renowned security agencies and government institutions, according to the company.

“This merger promises numerous benefits and we are confident that it will substantially enhance our capacity to serve our customers even better,” said Krzysztof Stalewski, CEO at EBS.

EBS will continue to operate independently and the current management team at EBS will lead the business from its headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, and maintain a manufacturing facility in Elk, Poland.

Alarm.com’s platform is used by millions of consumers and businesses and deployed via a network of thousands of integrators. The platform integrates with a growing variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices through apps and interfaces, controlling security, video, access control, intelligent automation, energy management, and wellness solutions.

Per Mar Security #15 on 2023 SDM Top 100 List

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Per Mar Security Services is ranked 15th on the 2023 SDM Top 100 List.

The 2023 SDM Top 100 ranks the top 100 U.S. companies that provide electronic security systems and services to both residential and commercial customers by their recurring monthly revenue (RMR) as of December 31, 2022. The report also includes several rankings based on other criteria including total annual gross revenue, residential subscribers and non-residential sales revenue. Per Mar ranked in the top 15 on these three lists as well. The company is ranked 14th in terms of total annual gross revenue, 14th in residential subscribers, and 7th in non-residential sales revenue.

“We are thrilled to again be recognized as one of the SDM Top 100, and climbing to 15th is a real honor,” said Chris Edwards, president of Per Mar’s Electronic Security Division. “This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our team and their relentless pursuit of providing the highest level of security services. It also reaffirms our position as an industry leader as we continue to grow and expand our product line, particularly live monitored video that actually prevents crime and loss of assets proactively.”

Per Mar has been ranked on the SDM Top 100 every year since the list’s inception in 1991. Since that time, the company has been an industry leader in providing the latest residential and commercial security solutions to its customers including AI and cloud-based security cameras, Intelligent Video Monitoring, integrated access control, security systems, and more. Per Mar also owns and operates its own UL Listed, TMA Five Diamond Certified, Monitoring Centers with highly trained Per Mar monitoring agents providing live video and alarm monitoring 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

DMP Hires Joshua Waldram

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Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) is pleased to welcome Joshua Waldram as the Dealer Development Manager for the Southwest. Waldram will provide ongoing service and support to DMP’s dealers across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Texas.

Waldram’s career in security began over four years ago with video surveillance manufacturing. He advanced to a veteran Inside Channel Manager who gained experience in sales and business development.

“We are very excited to have Waldram as part of the DMP family. His security expertise will help our customers create the right solutions for their residential and commercial customers,” says Jeff Spatz, Director of Sales for DMP.

Waldram says he favors this industry and DMP’s long history of providing innovative and quality products because of the importance of security and its impact on families and businesses. He is looking forward to the opportunity to use his experience and skills to provide DMP dealers with the products and support to help take care of their customers.

Kirk MacDowell to Receive Prestigious Moody Award for Decades of Leadership in Electronic Security Industry

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Kirk MacDowell founder and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors, Inc. has been honored with the prestigious William N. Moody Award. The award will be presented at the SIAC awards presentation and reception at 5:00 pm on June 6 at the Electronic Security EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky. Created in 2004 by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), the Moody Award is given annually to an individual who demonstrates a passion for advancing positive alarm management and best industry practices.

“Kirk helped provide great energy, imagination and leadership when he was named SIAC chairman,” said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director.  “But his role in SIAC is only the latest in a long list of contributions he has made to the industry while at the same time building a successful 43-year career in law enforcement and the private sector.

“Kirk has a unique and diverse background that has been invaluable to helping SIAC achieve its mission of working with law enforcement to promote best practices in alarm management,” said Martin.  “He has owned a full-service security, armed guard response and central station company in Los Angeles and has led the 43rd largest alarm company in the US. In security manufacturing, he held varying roles of increasing responsibility at General Electric and United Technologies. In the software field, Kirk was VP of Platform Sales for alarm cloud innovator Alarm.com. Kirk also served 29 years with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department as a full-time Deputy and ultimately retired as a Reserve Lieutenant. He is currently president of MacGuard Security Advisors Inc., which provides business strategies, strategic growth initiatives, builder development services, acquisition analysis, SWOT evaluation, and customer satisfaction surveys.”

MacDowell has also served the electronic security industry as Past Chairman, Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation (AIREF), Chairman, Security Industry Alarm Collation (SIAC), Chairman, Leadership Identification and Nomination Committee of ESA (LINC), former board member, Security Industry Association (SIA), former board member, The Monitoring Association (TMA), and Past President, Los Angeles County Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (LABFAA).

“It has been a privilege throughout my career to work with other professionals in our industry like Bill Moody who recognized that by working together we could best serve and protect our communities,” said MacDowell. “I would urge the next generation of leaders in our industry to make this same commitment to its mission of enhancing public safety.”

About the William N. Moody Award    

The William N. Moody Award was established in 2004 by the SIAC Board of Directors to recognize those who embody Bill’s dedication to alarm management issues. The award honors individuals who reflect attributes that include integrity, fairness and perseverance in the face of adversity. 

About SIAC

SIAC represents one voice for the electronic security industry on alarm management issues –communicating solutions and enhancing relationships with law enforcement.  SIAC is comprised of four major North American security associations–Canadian Security Association (CANASA), Security Industry Association (SIA), Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), and the Electronic Security Association (ESA). For more information, go to www.SIACinc.org,  www.siacinc.wordpress.com, or follow us on www.twitter.com/siacinc.

Jewelers Mutual® Group Unveils Crime Awareness Video Series

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Jewelers Mutual® Group announced the Crime Awareness Video Series as the latest educational resource it is contributing to the industry-wide Partner for Protection movement. The video series features security expertise from Jewelers’ Security Alliance and Jewellers Vigilance Canada on crime trends, security tips and actionable solutions to help educate and keep the jewelry industry safe and secure.

The jewelry industry continues to be the target of crimes at unprecedented rates, resulting in high losses and increased risks to safety. Late last year, Jewelers Mutual spearheaded the Partner for Protection movement to curb the rise in jewelry crimes. The movement aims to unite the industry in rethinking safety and security strategies, with all jewelers encouraged to take the pledge to stay vigilant in their jewelry communities and take action to keep themselves, their staff and their businesses protected.

The first five episodes in the video series include real crime experiences, lessons learned and expert guidance from John Kennedy from Jewelers’ Security Alliance, Kelly Ross from Jewellers Vigilance Canada, and veteran retail jeweler Michael Richards from Underwood Jewelers, with moderator Mark Smelzer from Jewelers Mutual. Episodes include discussions on the state of crime in the jewelry industry, smash-and-grab burglaries, grab-and-run thefts, jewelry store burglaries, and the emotional impact of crime.

“As a company dedicated to serving the jewelry industry for the last 110 years, we understand the importance of education to help support, protect and mitigate losses for jewelers,” said Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Jewelers Mutual. “We can never stop learning when it comes to crime prevention, and we are proud to support the Partner for Protection movement along with other industry leaders because we believe reducing crime takes all of us. The series helps jewelers learn what to watch out for and how to take greater action so the industry stays safe and strong for the next 110 years.”

The Crime Awareness Video Series is available to view on PartnerForProtection.com/crime-video-series.html, and all jewelers and industry members are encouraged to join the Partner for Protection movement by taking the pledge to protect their businesses and communities.

MacDowell to Receive Prestigious Moody Award for Decades of Leadership in Electronic Security Industry

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Alarm.com Expands AI Program with Asset Acquisition from Vintra, an AI-based Video Analytics Company

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Alarm.com announced the acquisition of substantially all assets of Vintra, a software provider of award-winning AI-powered video analytics for the enterprise commercial market. Integrating Vintra’s software capabilities and its experienced science and engineering teams will expand Alarm.com’s deep learning program and accelerate deployment of advanced video analytics solutions for the Alarm.com and OpenEye platforms.

Launched in 2016, Vintra’s cloud platform transforms data from any video management system into actionable and trusted intelligence that can improve how organizations monitor and search for critical security events. Vintra’s AI models can track a range of objects and events, including a specific person, two or four-wheeled vehicles, bags, or a person-down situation. Its re-identification algorithm can track a person of interest across hundreds of cameras in real-time and can search large amounts of video recordings to find video clips of the person of interest within minutes.

“The Vintra team adds to Alarm.com’s science and engineering expertise in the field of AI and machine learning, and we’re excited to welcome them on board,” said Jeff Bedell, Alarm.com’s President of Ventures Business and Corporate Strategy. “The acquisition expands the specialization of Alarm.com’s AI team and will extend our leadership in this important domain. Our goal is to deploy market-defining video analytics solutions, scale them across the Alarm.com and OpenEye platforms, and open new areas of growth for our service provider and integrator partners.”

Alarm.com acquired Vintra’s core intellectual property, its research scientists, software engineers, and technical services teams as part of the acquisition.