ABCO is a company with a rich history of success. ABCO has seen many changes, new faces, growth and profitability since its start in 1975. ABCO's growth and success are the result of many factors, including continual acquisitions like the 1945 founded Harold D. Hard Company that brings with it an incredible history of work and even some of its original employees!
ABCO has created a genuine, supportive family atmosphere. Many of the employees and customers have been with the company since its inception - and generations of customers bring repeat business.
TIMELINE
The following provides a historical perspective of ABCO since its start, including new companies that have joined the ABCO family.
1975 Founded by entrepreneur, Robert Titmas, Sr., ABCO Fire Protection, Inc. begins as West Shore Fire Equipment Company. West Shore Fire Equipment was a portable fire extinguisher business. The original office was in his home, with his wife answering phone calls in the living room and sending invoices out of the basement. His first delivery vehicle was a second hand van from the original Cleveland Cavaliers basketball organization. He was a "one-man" operation for 11 months until he made his first hire to assist him with the growing business.
1976-1978 West Shore Fire Protection focuses on building a strong local position in the portable fire extinguisher business and strong customer relationships. With growth, West Shore Fire entered the Range Guard distributor business in 1976 to enable its continuing success. Robert Titmas Sr. bought Vesta Fire from Curtis Knoll Industries (Rich Havel) and became a local distributor. In 1978, West Shore Fire Equipment Company became the second Ansul Restaurant distributor in the Cleveland market.
1980 Further acquisitions enabled ABCO to expand into contiguous territories and market segments while producing an enviable record of sales and growth in only a 5 year period.
In 1980, West Shore Fire Equipment bought ABCO of Pittsburgh from Larry Abelson, (founded in 1964) thus the name "ABCO" (ABelson COmpany). ABCO was a Pyrotronics distributor that put them into the ability in servicing the steel mills. ABCO was and still remains the major Ansul restaurant distributor in the region. In 1982, West Shore Fire Protection changed its name to ABCO Fire Protection, Inc.
INTERESTING FACT:
ABCO of Pittsburgh, is currently owned and operated by Matt Aloisio who was once a Portable Service Manager for Larry Abelson, the founder of the original ABCO. Matt Aloisio is a testimony to all of those hard working individuals who work their way up the ladder of success.
1984 ABCO continues to increase its services by purchasing S.R. Smith Company which was owned by the Kiddie Company. This put ABCO into the "engineered" business. The purchase placed ABCO as the largest distributor in the Cleveland market with basically all fire equipment lines.
1985 In 1985, ABCO purchases ACE Fire. ABCO Fire Protection becomes the only Ansul distributor in town.
1992-1993 In 1992 and 1993, ABCO opens many doors to the Northwestern part of the state and Michigan by purchasing two additional companies. Thanks to the guidance of VP of Sales, Merrick Murphy and President, Bob Titmas, Jr., ABCO purchased Fire Extinguisher Sales & Service Company from Carl Armstrong located in Sandusky, Ohio and the Fire Protection Association from John Stewart.
1994 ABCO extends its service area and acquires Prevention Plus in Toledo from Bruce Spoelman. The purchase increases ABCO's regional leadership position.
1996 ABCO establishes Akron branch by purchasing Akron Oxygen & Supply Company from John C. Beringer.
1997 ABCO establishes Ashtabula branch by purchasing National Welders Supply Company from Steven C. Johnson.
2001 In 2001 ABCO purchased Parsons M & I from Rich Parsons.
2004 2004 marked a significant year with ABCO as the decision was made to acquire the Harold D. Hard Company and expand its interests into the Columbus market. Originally founded in 1945, the Harold D. Hard company had enjoyed a long and respected history in the fire protection industry. Founder Harold Hard was also one of the original founders of the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) and his company's name had become synonymous with fire protection in the central Ohio area. After his retirement in 1993, Harold remained active in the company until his passing in December of 2003. However, his spirit of sound fire protection lived on within the company he had built. ABCO was proud to acquire this rich history with this acquisition.
2005 In October, 2005, ABCO Fire Protection, Inc., completed an agreement to purchase certain assets of General Fire Sales and Panther System Technologies, LLC from Terry Osberger in the Toledo market.
ABCO integrated General Fire employees and equipment into its Toledo facility located at 5520 Alger Drive, Sylvania, by December 1, 2005. No interruption in service to either ABCO's or General's customers occurred. ABCO phased out the use of trade names "General Fire Sales" and "Panther System Technologies, LLC" by the end of 2005. ABCO honored existing price agreements with General Fire customers for a minimum of one year.
Through the efforts of founding team members, Todd Barber (General Manager) and Merrick Murphy (VP Sales), in November, 2005, ABCO Fire Protection, Inc., completed an agreement to purchase certain assets of Custom Engineered Fire Systems, Inc. Custom Engineered had been founded and led by George Rice for two decades. It was a family business that earned the respect of its customers for offering sound fire protection. George's name was well respected in the industry and many area companies relied on a partnership with Custom Engineered for support. After George's passing in 2005, it made sense for ABCO to consider acquiring a company with such a respected name. We are proud to still have Georges' two sons, Mike and Steve as part of the ABCO team and plan to continue the relationships with Custom's customers and area companies that George spent his life to establish.
2006 In 2006, ABCO complimented its services by adding Pure Force Powerwashing and Hood Cleaning. The acquisition is an incredibly exciting opportunity for all of ABCO customers to offer a complete line of fire safety services!
Steve Smith, owner and founder of Pure Force brings to ABCO 13 years of experience and loyalty to the cleaning business.
Among many other benefits derived from the merger with Pure Force, ABCO now offers customers a complete line of cleaning services with high quality results. Stop by our powerwashing sections of the web site to see the variety of cleaning services available.
