20 Feb 2024

Ranger Fire and Security has announced its entry into the market with the acquisition of two high-performing industry businesses, as part of its mission to reshape the sector.

Founded by industry specialists and service business experts, the company will bring together high-quality fire and security businesses in partnership with a unified parent company. Ranger’s first two acquisitions will play a crucial role in creating a pioneering platform that delivers innovation to the UK’s fire and security sector.

UK’s fire and security market

The businesses acquired are:

  • Ignis Fire Protection Ltd: A midlands-based fire detection and security-based business, with a strong reputation for service quality.
  • Amerex Fire International Ltd: A vehicle and kitchen suppression service provider that has national coverage, with long-standing relationships with a key fire extinguisher distributor and service provider.

The UK’s growing fire and security market is currently highly regulated and highly skilled, with many individual businesses focusing on specific areas within the industry instead of providing a full range of services. This has in turn led to fragmentation in the market, with an increasing number of players in a highly competitive landscape.

culture of pre-existing service providers

Ranger aims to overcome these challenges by creating a collaborative and effective industry platform

Ranger aims to overcome these challenges by creating a collaborative and effective industry platform. Those businesses that join the group will benefit from support in areas such as growth strategies, finance and pooling of expertise.

Bringing together top service providers in a partnership under one roof will also create value for the customers these businesses serve, while retaining the relationships and culture of pre-existing service providers. Corporate organizations, charities, and public sector bodies managing their fire, safety, and security regulatory obligations will be able to benefit from a comprehensive and best-in-class level of service.

Reliability in the fire and security services industry

Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “The UK’s fire and security industry has undergone huge and rapid transformation in the last decade, and we strongly believe the best businesses in this sector can be even stronger together – working collaboratively to offer multiple high-quality services to their customers under one umbrella."

Ranger aspires to not only be a collective entity but also a kitemark for high quality and reliability in the fire and security services industry. With the launch of this new company, customers will benefit from the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing all their fire and security requirements are being met by the best suppliers in the industry that can now be accessed all from one place."

We are excited to welcome Ignis Fire Protection and Amerex Fire International to the team, and this is only the start. We are always looking to collaborate with fire and security entrepreneurs and businesses to whom we can offer support to help them scale in line with their ambitions, and we expect to announce more businesses joining our company very soon.”

Ranger’s suppression distribution

Steve Evans, Managing Director of Amerex, said: “Over the years, Amerex has established itself as a leading provider of vehicle suppression systems, service, and maintenance. Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone in our journey and will enable us to further increase our reach across the UK, while broadening our service offerings."

I’m looking forward to pioneering Ranger’s suppression distribution and vehicle systems division as we together work to address the diverse needs of the marketplace and grow the Ranger family.” 

New level of excellence

Martin Donald, Founder of Ignis Fire Protection, said: “Providing unmatched customer care has always been at the heart of Ignis. We’re therefore pleased to be joining the Ranger group, where this ethos is shared across the company."  

I’m excited to now be pioneering efforts in the Midlands and beyond, utilizing our extensive engineer base across the country to unlock a new level of excellence in the fire and safety industry, propelling Ranger towards becoming a unique and unmatched market competitor.”

Fundamental to Ranger’s vision

Backed by experienced private equity investors Hyperion, Ranger has a considerable runway for further investments, acquisitions, and innovations. The management team, composed of pioneering industry experts including CEO Mark Bridges and Managing Director Ian Teader, provides companies under the Ranger umbrella with access to specialist knowledge and experience.

These acquisitions are fundamental to Ranger’s vision of a holistic platform for high-quality fire and security services, while providing an opportunity for fire and security businesses to be a part of a collaborative network rather than operating individually. The benefits of this include increased purchasing power when investing in skills and professional development training at scale, enabling them to invest and grow with the best talent available. Ranger is set for continued growth, with a robust strategy in place for future acquisitions throughout 2024 and beyond. Collaborations will further strengthen its position as a pioneer in the UK’s fire and security market.