Edwards Service, which will be operated as a division of Carter Brothers, has 10 branch locations and 150 employees across the U.S., providing fire alarm installation, maintenance and monitoring services to over 5,000 commercial clients within the healthcare, hospitality and various other industries. Edwards Service was acquired by GE Security in March 2005 as part of its acquisition of Edwards Systems Technology.

Concurrent to completing this transition, Carter Brothers becomes a strategic partner to GE Security within the 10 current branch locations, providing a full complement of GE's fire products.

"This strategic partnership is good news for GE Security, for Carter Brothers and - most importantly - for our customers," says A. Louis Parker, president and CEO, GE Security. "GE is committed to growing its security business and this puts both our businesses on a solid foundation for long-term success while ensuring customers across the U.S. will continue to be the beneficiaries of GE Security's leading portfolio of security and life safety products."

"The addition of the Edwards Service business represents further realization of our strategy for continued growth in the fire alarm and electronic security industry, while developing true partnerships", saysJohn Carter, President & CEO of Carter Brothers. "The Edwards Service business brings to us some of the best fire experts and technicians in the nation and we are proud to have them join the Carter Brothers team" he adds.

"This acquisition unlocks a great deal of value for Edwards Service and Carter Brothers' ownership provides us a tremendous growth platform for the business. The competency of our employees, geographic coverage, Underwriters Laboratory, ISO, and NICET Certifications, combined with being a GE Security Strategic Partner, makes our business unique and distinct within the industry and our markets." Says Brad Williams, vice president of Edwards service.