An acquisition of Comtronics of Jackson will be nearly
invisible to customers but could result in more jobs and growth for the
40-year-old tele-communications and electronic security firm.
Under the deal announced Friday, Comtronics becomes a wholly
owned subsidiary of Walker Capital Corp.
John A. Campau remains as president and will be a significant
stockholder in Walker Capital.
Campau will oversee day-to-day operations of Comtronics, and
customers should notice no differences, he said.
Philip F. Campau Sr., John Campau’s father, continues as
chairman of the board.
Continued employment and benefits are being offered to
the 40 employees of Comtronics.
The change will allow continued growth of Comtronics, which
completed record sales, increasing by 25 percent, in 1998, Campau
said.
Walker Capital Corp. was formed by James F. Walker for purposes
of the Comtronics acquisition. Walker also owns Silver Foam Distributing Co., a
Jackson beverage-distribution company.
Comtronics’ growth during the past year includes an increased
number of customers in out-state areas, including retail chains served by the
Jackson-based company.
By piggybacking with sister-company offices in Ann Arbor and
Battle Creek, Comtronics can provide those customers with better service and
also continue growth in those areas, Campau said.
Comtronics has more than 3,000 residential and commercial
customers in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. Services include a 24-hour alarm
monitoring facility in downtown Jackson and Superior Answering Service, a
24-hour telephone-answering service.
Other acquisitions are expected in the telecommunications and
electronics area, and other out-state offices are planned, Campau
said.
“With the inherent competitive nature of our industry, (new
owners) have the knowledge, resources and expertise to provide world class
service to our customers and facilitate rapid expansion into other markets,”
Campau said.
Walker grew his wholesale-distribution business from $36
million in 1978 to $360 million in 1993.
“We are very proud to have Comtronics on our team. Our
philosophy and management styles are very compatible, and we look forward to
continuing their 40 year commitment to excellence,” Walker said in a written
announcement of the acquisition.
Reprinted with permission from The Jackson Citizen
Patriot
Copyright January 1999
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