| Mr.Ben Weinborn formed Acme Protective Systems Limited in 1930. A resident of Vancouver, Ben had been
involved in the electronics of early radio both from an ‘on air’ standpoint as well as the behind the scenes
technical aspect. When the great depression came, it was apparent that the “have” people were concerned
with protecting their property as the desperate “have not” people turned to helping themselves to survive. |
| No alarm companies existed in Vancouver at this time. There was a telegraph company providing some
Watchman Reporting Services but this was only to banks. Consequently no equipment was readily available
on the market to install in a building to detect intruders. It was Ben’s ingenuity that pioneered many early
developments in the burglar alarm industry. He manufactured control panels, bells, door contacts and
trapping devices, which he also personally installed. Choosing the Acme name, which has the dictionary
definition of “the highest point”, “the best”, Ben launched into a new industry. |
| The Acme customer base grew steadily over the years as Ben built a reputation for providing fast and
efficient service. After 42 years of successfully managing the operation, Ben, before his retirement in 1972,
sold Acme Protective Systems Limited to Mr. F.D. (Don) Nelder. Not to lose touch with the many friends he had
made over the years Ben maintained a keen interest in the business right up to his passing in January 1989.
Don Nelder, like his predecessor, continued the growth of the business through hard work, perseverance and
with an emphasis on customer service. |
| Since 1972, when there were only 8 alarm companies operating in the Province, both the industry and
Acme have expanded at impressive rates. There are now over 400 alarm companies operating in the Lower
Mainland alone, all sharing a growing market place. Throughout this great expansion, to the point of
saturation by alarm companies, Acme has maintained it’s envied position as a leader in the Industry.
Acme, although keeping a low profile, is still the largest single independent alarm entity in Western
Canada. More alarm systems are monitored by Acme’s associated monitoring station, APS Security Ltd.,
than by any other single facility in BC. Included are all categories of clients, from a very broad
residential component to School Boards; Department Stores; Supermarkets; Federal, Provincial and
Municipal Government Facilities; Hotels; Industrial Plants; Jewellery Stores; Furriers; Pharmacies;
Corner Stores and Restaurants. The list goes on. |
| In 1983 Acme established its monitoring facility, APS Security Ltd. The Monitoring Station was designed
specifically to satisfy the requirements of the Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada. Listings were obtained
from ULC both for a Burglar Alarm Monitoring Station, and also for the Central Station, Fire category.
Consequently, the whole range of insurance company requirements can be met either for Burglary or Fire
Monitoring services. In addition, all municipalities in BC require certain classes of buildings to have
Fire System Monitoring by a ULC Listed station, these requirements are also fulfilled. |
| The current monitoring station was completed in 2000 and occupies a second floor location looking
north over Vancouver. As well as being a pleasing environment for the employees working there, the station
utilizes the most recent alarm receiving equipment and uses sophisticated monitoring station software used
widely in Canada and the USA. We were directly involved with our software company as they developed their
software programs which are widely used throughout Canada and the USA.Consequently, many of the features were
designed around our specific needs giving us a highly customized operating system. Over the
years many companies have adopted this software and were required to change their operating procedures
to suit, for us there was no such drawback. Hence, greater efficiency. |
| As the alarm industry began to grow rapidly in the mid 1980’s, there were several smaller installing
companies that approached Acme to see if we would monitor their customers. The approach was that they would
have a contract with their customer to install and monitor an alarm system but they would “sub-contract”
the monitoring to APS. This was the birth of our Dealer Program that currently accounts for a significant
percentage of our monitored customers. This is an interesting paradox for our business as we actively promote
the sale of systems through Acme; while at the same time providing monitoring service to our competitors.
We are very proud of the monumental trust and confidence our Dealers place in Acme. The Dealers know that we
honour their confidential information and that we will not use the data of their customers to give us an unfair
competitive advantage; and most importantly, through APS, provide their customers with the very best
monitoring service available anywhere. |
| Today, over 30 years later, Don Nelder as President and CEO of Acme Protective Systems Limited,
maintains an active role in the day-to-day activities of the operation. With Dons’ leadership, the
philosophy of the company continues; to always be at the ‘Acme’, the highest point within the industry.
This translates into a drive for constant improvement, in all areas of our business. The goal is to
continuously provide the very best service available, which is absolutely ‘second to none’. The Motto
is “our people make the difference” and they do, our Credo is “the customer always comes first”, and they do.
Having excellent staff who all believe in customer service is the philosophy that has fueled our
growth and sustains our position at the ‘Acme’. |
| Having entered the new Millennium and survived the dread of “year 2000 compliance”, we are ready to
maintain our position as the largest independent alarm company in British Columbia. The large international
conglomerates that storm the marketplace with a constant barrage of ‘special deals’ do not intimidate us.
The reality of this business, like any other, is what happens in the long haul. We have shown what happens
in the long haul over 70 years. We have built a reputation for excellent customer service, proven reliability
and business integrity. These are the credentials for the name ‘Acme’. |
| One of our customers, a Security Manager for a large retail organization, recently said; “we are
continually pursued by alarm companies for our security business but Acme will continue to enjoy our
business as long as we remain believers that no one can do it better”. Our corporate size and structure
offers the perfect scenario for our customers. We are large and stable enough to do the job and yet small
enough to provide personalized service to each individual customer on a day-to-day basis. |
| We have the capacity and the desire to make more believers. |
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