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.

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.

The DuraTech Self-Retracting Device features a side cable payout and an internal braking system that provides fast-acting braking for maximum stopping power in the event of a fall.

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

The NEWTON EASYFIT HI-VIZ Fall Arrest Harness has a fluorescent-colored vest with reflective strips.

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

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

The Workmaster II HV High-Visibility Safety Mat clearly identifies work areas where safety is a must.

The Guardsmith Safety Pedestrian Swing Gate incorporates two spring-loaded hinges that automatically close to prevent unintentional entry into protected areas.

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.

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 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 Blue Armor Arc Flash Harness is a durable fall protection harness specifically designed for workers who may be exposed to an electric arc.

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 Honeywell Miller H500 series of safety harnesses features specially formulated webbing that flexes to accommodate movement and body contours. Shoulder and back padding minimize overexertion and offer more breathability to keep workers drier and cooler, while an ergonomic waist pad provides optimum lumbar support.

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

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.

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.

User feedback steered the yearlong design process of the B7-Comfort Harness, which features adjustable waist padding that allows for greater comfort and fit while also doubling as a tool bag attachment system.

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.

The development of the B7-Comfort Harness relied heavily on user feedback during a yearlong design process. The harness features adjustable waist padding that offers greater comfort and fit while also doubling as a tool bag attachment system.

FLEXMASTER Safety Renovation Treads offer an easily applied anti-slip surface to interior or exterior stairs at workplaces, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

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.

The Werner visual safety system provides simple on-product safety cues that ensure workers and safety professionals are choosing the right ladder, using it correctly and communicating the importance of safety to everyone on a jobsite.

This upgraded product line features numerous safety improvements, including more robust shock packs to withstand greater fall forces, thicker cables and redesigned braking systems to provide greater dynamic strength.

Made of synthetic rope, this 50-foot lifeline is designed for electricians, linemen, arborists and other workers who need to climb ladders that are leaning on a pole.

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.

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.

Washington – Although blast trauma among soldiers can be proven to cause serious eye injuries and may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, insufficient evidence exists showing a relationship to tinnitus, vertigo and cardiovascular issues, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

St. Louis – Military personnel with concussions caused by explosions had outcomes similar to personnel with concussions from other causes, according to a study from Washington University in St. Louis.

Washington – The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a registry to track the health of veterans exposed to burn pits and other airborne hazards in recent military operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Atlanta – It’s vital to keep family in mind when creating a workplace safety culture. Former Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff shared this message during today’s Opening Session at the 2015 NSC Congress & Expo.