They say necessity is the mother of invention.

SDM has extended the deadline to July 7 for companies to apply to become the 2017 SDM Dealer of the Year, an annual recognition of companies that demonstrate unmistakable success, a high level of innovation, the use of industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments in the security dealer industry.

The ADT brand is synonymous with security — instantly recognizable by virtually every competitor and potential customer in the United States. Its 143-year history, combined with its massive size (an estimated $4.3 billion in gross revenues in 2017 and ranked No. 1 on the SDM 100 Report every year since its inception in 1991) puts this security dealer in the ranks of some of the largest companies in the country.

Industry giant ADT is not only awake, it is focusing heavily on providing premium customer service and a better experience overall.

Lexington, Ky., is known for a few things: horses, bluegrass, bourbon, a historic downtown area, and — when it comes to security systems — Bates Security/Sonitrol of Lexington.

From its humble beginnings in a Toyota Corolla, CPI Security — originally Crime Prevention Inc. — has operated with a singular focus.

What do termites, diamonds and security have in common? All three are components of the history of this year’s SDM Dealer of the Year. Sonitrol began when Al Cronk, a police officer, was interested in verifying alarms using audio; Bob Baxter invented microphones to detect termites in trees.

With deep, long-standing roots in the community, this company’s service-based culture and strong commitment to both employees and customers have earned it the distinction of being named SDM’s 2021 Dealer of the Year.

When it comes to maintaining relationships with customers, this company is at the top of its game, all while increasing revenue and keeping employees healthy, happy and engaged. 

Faced with debt, higher than desired attrition, challenges in retaining employees, inflation and supply chain issues caused by a global pandemic, this company managed to get completely debt-free, lower attrition, raise both wages and prices, and still make a profit — all of which resulted in a “war chest” that helped them invest in key cyber and marketing efforts.

KNIPEX Tools has introduced 24 tools with tether attachment mounts for its Tethered Tool Pliers Program.

Journeyman FLEX Aluminum and Steel Harnesses are rated to a 425-pound capacity and comply with OSHA regulations and ANSI standards.

The Kernmantle Rope Temporary Two-Person Horizontal Lifeline is available in spans of 30 and 60 feet.

The patent-pending Hi-Viz green HyperLite is the lightest Type IA and IAA fiberglass extension ladder in the world – weighing up to 40 percent less than ordinary fiberglass ladders without sacrificing strength or stability.

The 3M DBI-SALA Comfort Grip Connector improves connecting and disconnecting while providing flexibility to anchor efficiently in multiple orientations.

The Ladder Protector Kit helps workers safely transition away from leading edges when accessing a roof by ladder.

The ProForm F3 High-Performance Harness features built-in relief cords for after a fall, allowing a user to reach a gravity override seated position.

TaskBrand SureGrip Absorbent Adhesive Floor Mats offer superior absorption and an impermeable adhesive backing.

Checkmate MAX 300 Descender is a constant rate descender with models for both automatic hands-free operation and multiple descents with advanced rescue functionality, as well as a power-assisted option with Checkmate-approved drill.

The Guardian Fall Protection S1 Safety Harness meets OSHA standards, exceeds ANSI standards and is CSA-certified.

Kee Walk with Guardrail is an OSHA-compliant rooftop walkway system with an integrated safety railing.

The Squids 3183 Carpenter and Laborer Tool Tethering Kit contains attachment and lanyard solutions specifically for tools commonly used by carpenters and laborers working at height.

The Honeywell Miller Turbolite Flash Personal Fall Limiter is a self-retracting lifeline to protect at-height workers against hazards in electrical utility, arc flash and hot work applications.

The Single Man Folding Basket for service cranes provides fall arrest and fall protection while helping eliminate the need for ladders or climbing on equipment.

The Checkmate Xplorer Industrial Full Body Harness – designed to be more comfortable than conventional harnesses during suspension and frequent loading – features visual-alert stitching, an intuitive way for the user to understand the correct way to wear the harness.

The 60-inch Technora Rope Personnel Winch is designed for safely entering and exiting confined spaces. Technora rope features higher temperature resistance, lower electrical conductivity and interference properties, no corrosion, excellent cut resistance, lower stretch, and superior dynamic load handling.

The RT4-5602 retractable tool tether is designed for workers whose tasks go from requiring a single tool to needing multiple tools. The tether’s patented Quick-Connect tool interchangeability allows workers to attach additional lanyards with female fittings to all tools needed for the project.

STAIRMASTER anti-slip renovation treads are ideal for exit path markings, safety egress systems, steps and landings.

The 3M Advanced Floor Care System is designed to achieve a high-gloss appearance with less labor and fewer chemicals over time.

Stronghold by PSG has introduced all-in-one tool tether kits for use by workers at height. The kits include tethers that connect tools to wrists, belts and other anchors, as well as coils, bungees and swiveling premium tethers that prevent tangles while handling tools.

Grade 43 Chain Positioning Lanyards are ideally suited for positioning or restraint applications when used in conjunction with a full-body harness with side or hip D-rings.

FT-One is a patent-pending full-body harness designed and developed with input from contractors to achieve a new level of comfort fit and function.

Designed with safety in mind, Safe-T Lid Temporary Covers provide fall-in protection for manholes and handholes. The covers are lightweight, yet strong.

The FT-One Fit premium full-body harness enables women to achieve a customized fit. Features include an adjustable sub-pelvic strap to ensure a proper fit across a woman’s hips, along with abrasion-resistant shoulder panels and custom-designed gel inserts and padding.

The OSHA-compliant NoFall Flatbed Truck Fall Protection System protects drivers and dock workers from falling off a flatbed trailer truck or onto the deck. The system can be installed permanently or stored right on the truck when not in use.

Designed for horizontal, vertical or overhead fall protection applications, the Werner R3 concrete anchor features a quick-release button that allows users to install and remove it with simplicity, speed and security.

AlumoGrit cast aluminum nosings, with abrasive grit integrally cast into the surface, provide facilities with long-lasting anti-slip protection.

Form-A-Tread Original is a durable high-tech epoxy paste designed to be easy to apply to stair treads. Form-A-Tread’s kit includes a 400-milliliter cartridge of material that can produce 25 to 40 linear feet of 1-inch-wide tread depending on the surface type.

The FT-X Cable Class 2 Leading Edge Self-retracting Lifeline series comes in single or twin-leg configurations, is ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 compliant, and has a 420-pound extended capacity energy absorber.

Foothold is a water-based cleaner and degreaser formulated to help prevent slips and falls in wet, greasy and oily areas. It lifts and suspends heavy soils, brine, fat, and blood from walls, equipment and flooring materials such as rubber, metal and epoxies.

Prevent falls before they happen with MAGNA-GRIP – a repositionable, removable and reusable patent-pending magnetic non-skid safety pad.

The A5 Concrete Expansion Anchor features a clear, protective cable wrap for easy inspection and an ergonomic, pinch-free thumb rest. The “lollipop-style” concrete anchor is rated to 5,000 pounds and designed for easy installation and removal for quick relocation.

Rated for 10,000 pounds, this 360-degree swiveling anchor is designed for concrete or metal substrates. The anchor’s main component is reusable and compatible with all attachment methods, meaning it needs fewer parts to cover a wider range of uses.

StairMaster safety renovation treads come in 9- or 11-inch widths as well as contrasting or coordinating colors, including a glow-in-the-dark option. The tread is ideal for exit path markings, safety egress systems, or steps and landings.

Philadelphia – The incidence of spinal injuries suffered by U.S. soldiers in modern warfare may exceed previous conflicts, according to a new study from the William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

Dallas – Gulf War Illness may cause memory problems in veterans, concludes a new study from the University of Texas.

Washington – Certain drivers transporting cargo for the U.S. military have been exempted for two years from a federal hours-of-service break requirement, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Chicago – Mild traumatic brain injury caused by blast exposures may alter soldiers’ brains, suggests a study from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Santa Monica, CA – Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression may be common among private military contractors, suggests a new study from RAND Corp., a nonprofit research institution.

Houston – Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange may have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.