Smith & Wesson Enters Security Industry;
Signs Agreement with NationWide 

By Heather Klotz, Associate Editor

        Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., Springfield, Mass. announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with NationWide Digital Monitoring Co. Inc., a division of New York Merchants Protective Co. Inc., and a provider of security system products and services.
      Under the agreement, NationWide Digital Monitoring Co. will develop an authorized Smith & Wesson Security Services program, which will be marketed to select security dealers in North America.
      Before the partnership program is fully deployed by January 2009, it will be launched at the ESX show in June, with product announcements to follow at ISC East in October, according to Wayne Wahrsager, CEO of NationWide Digital Monitoring. 
      The program will provide security dealers access to both wireless and hardwired electronic security products and dedicated monitoring services, all branded with the Smith & Wesson name and logo. The systems will be available in multiple price and feature packages, allowing for applications in both residential and commercial environments.
      "We're excited to partner with Smith & Wesson, a historic company and an iconic brand name, to offer a truly unique product assortment to security dealers nationwide," said Wahrsager. "Our initiative combines two nationally recognized names in the business of security. By teaming up under this licensing agreement, we provide dealers the opportunity to deliver products and services distinguished by trusted brand names that stand for first-rate quality, reliability and safety."
      Bobbie Hunnicutt, vice president of licensing for Smith & Wesson says the company is always looking to expand into new markets where the brand has a strong reputation. Smith & Wesson sees the security industry as one of those markets, making the move a natural step for the company.
      Michael F. Golden, president & CEO of Smith & Wesson, said, "We are excited about our new licensing agreement with NationWide Digital and the entry of our brand name into the market for security products and services. We selected NationWide Digital because of its innovative system design and its access to and reputation with an extensive nationwide dealer network. For well over 100 years, NationWide's parent company, New York Merchants Protective Co., and Smith & Wesson, have both stood for safety and security in the eyes of consumers and professionals. Expanding on our own dedication to personal safety and protection, the Smith & Wesson Security Services program will bring the best in security offerings to dealers and their customers."
      NationWide Digital Monitoring will receive exclusive rights to use the Smith & Wesson name and logo to market its alarm dealer program in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  NationWide will also primarily be in charge of designing the systems. "We are leaving it to NationWide; they have the background and knowledge," Hunnicutt said. Smith & Wesson will support NationWide with information and retain ultimate approval. The company will also receive ongoing royalty revenues from installed systems.
      Dealers participating in the Smith & Wesson Security Services program will utilize a full portfolio of marketing materials including brochures, videos, print ads and TV advertising. Web sites explaining the program to both dealers and end users will also be available. The dealer program will be semi-exclusive and only offered to highly qualified individuals.
      "We will be specifically recruiting dealers who will undergo an extensive background check and they must be licensed and in business for a minimum of five years," Wahrsager said. "We're looking for professionals -- the brand needs to be protected." 
      For more information on NationWide Digital or New York Merchants Protective Co, Inc. call 888-NYMP-911 or log on to www.nympc.com. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call 800-331-0852 or go to www.smith-wesson.com.