Zeus Fire & Security (Zeus), a portfolio company of Baltimore-based Access Holdings, recently announced a new partnership with Universal Atlantic Systems (UAS), a Philadelphia-based national provider of integrated security systems that will make Zeus one of the top 15 largest fire and security providers in the U.S. UAS President Scott Elkins, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, will become the CEO of Zeus. As a mid-market investment firm specializing in buy-and-build strategies, Access Holdings partners, scales, and innovates to build enduring businesses. Access Holdings will support both UAS and Zeus’ future growth, recruit best-in class talent and leadership, implement and develop new digital tools, identify M&A opportunities, and provide long-term strategic guidance.

“Access Holdings is committed to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs who seek partners to help grow and scale their businesses,” said Access Holdings Partner Michael Rodgers. “Under Scott’s leadership, UAS has become a leader in integrated security systems, especially within the National Accounts vertical. Access is thrilled to partner with Scott and utilize his expertise to help Zeus become the modern and contemporary leader within the fire and security industry across North America.”

Zeus Fire & Security was formed in 2021 as a platform business to partner with and scale leading fire and security operators in premier markets. UAS, which has been operating for more than 50 years, marks the third leading fire and security provider to partner with Zeus since the beginning of 2022, joining Alert Alarm Holdings based in Hawaii and SMG Security based in Chicago, Illinois. With over 27,000 customers, a presence in three major geographies, and capabilities to serve customers in all 50 states and Canada through UAS’s extensive field network, Zeus has quickly become a leading provider of commercial fire protection, access control, alarm, and video security services to commercial and high-end residential customers across North America. Zeus will continue to conduct a high-velocity buy-and-build strategy as well as implement a centralized shared services model, including central monitoring and strategic digital marketing resources, intended to support rapid growth for our partner companies in their respective markets.

“For more than 50 years, UAS has organically grown with no outside capital into a market leading business providing high end security services to large national account commercial customers,” said Scott Elkins, Incoming CEO of Zeus Fire & Security and Former President of UAS. “We are excited to begin a new chapter in partnership with Zeus and Access Holdings to create the premier fire and security player in the space.”

UAS is a family-owned provider of integrated security services with national accounts presence headquartered in the Philadelphia region that has grown organically and built a trusted local brand since 1972. UAS currently protects more than $15 billion in commercial assets for a diverse client base, including Fortune 500 major brand name businesses in many core vertical markets, such as food service providers, convenience stores, retailers, and asset-intensive outdoor facilities. UAS will keep its well established and trusted local brand name under this new partnership. Goodwin Procter LLP advised Access on the transaction.