H&S Co-Owner Steve Garritson Retires after 43 Years in Security Industry

Steve Garritson is leaving the security industry after 43 years, selling his share of H&S Protection to Co-Owner Mike Horgan. His last day with H&S will be December 31.

Steve and Mike have run H&S for 15 years after getting to know each other at Wisconsin security industry meetings some 20 years ago. At the time, both ran their own Wisconsin-based security companies, but as they compared notes over the years and recognized similarities in their business lines and approaches, they decided to join forces to capitalize on their complementary strengths.

 

Steve brought the operations expertise to the business, while Mike focused on the financial side. Steve plans to continue to be available as the business moves forward, helping with advice as needed.

“I’m happy for Steve. I’m glad he is able to take this next step for himself and his family. It will be a blow for me because we’ve had a good partnership. We have two different ways of thinking, and that makes our decision-making more solid.  I will definitely still bounce ideas off him,” Horgan said.

Mike called their co-ownership the “right mix,” with Steve covering his area of expertise on the operations side. Ultimately though, Mike said Steve’s leadership transcended operations and crossed all areas of the business. “We had the ability to talk about things and one of us would have a different twist on the issue, and it would make you think, ‘Oh yeah, I hadn’t thought of that’,” Horgan explained.

Steve said he will miss the people, seeing the H&S team in the office, making coffee, chatting to catch up with employees. “That’s what I hated about Covid – I couldn’t handle being by myself in the house working. You learn more about people in five minutes face-to-face than you would otherwise,” Steve said.

He acknowledged the importance Mike provides H&S. “I know my limitations on finances.  And Mike would provide the level-headed approach when I sometimes would fly off the handle. He helped us sit back and talk about things,” Steve observed.

Heading North

With more free time, Garritson plans to head north to enjoy more time at his vacation home in Presque Isle, WI. He’s had a seasonal cabin for a number of years, and three years ago Steve and his wife Barbara closed on the Presque Isle home, about four-and-a-half hours north of Brookfield.

He has been spending a couple of weekends a month during the winter at the new home and would like to increase that time in retirement. “We spend as much time up there as we can during the summer. It’s awesome. We have five grandkids, ages 2-7, and it’s real fun for them at their ages,” he said.

Steve’s decision mindset started a couple of years ago, but the lake house lit the fire to make a final decision to sell his side of the business. “I think the lake house made Steve’s retirement more real and urgent,” Mike said.

Next Steps for H&S

As Steve moves into retirement and Mike assumes sole ownership of H&S, Mike Solomon and Steve’s son Ben will assume primary leadership roles at the Pewaukee office.  Mike will continue his role as General Branch Manager and Ben will continue as Operations Manager.  Both have been groomed for these duties over the past year or so. “The change will really be more that Steve is out of the picture.  Mike and Ben have been working closely with us all along to prepare for the transition and their titles won’t change,” Horgan said.

“I’m going to miss Steve’s sense of humor and ability to make me laugh even when I don’t feel like laughing.  He’s a great story-teller; spins a good yarn.  Not everybody can do that,” Horgan continued.

Garritson will continue to serve the company on its Board of Directors, staying in contact with Mike when the need arises for additional advice or perspective on issues that arise.

Remote Camera Views

Customers who purchase a video security system  understand they will be able to view footage remotely – either through a laptop, iPad, smart phone or desktop computer. You monitor from a distance.

What most may not know is that notifications can be set up on the cameras to capture specific types of events that might concern you at your home or business. This is a convenient tool H&S Protection offers our customers – setting up these specific and targeted notifications for your video system.

As an example of what’s involved in this type of setup, you might be concerned with a certain individual (or pesky raccoon) showing up uninvited on your property with some degree of regularity. If that occurs during business hours, you can address it then. If it’s outside business hours, you may want to set t the cameras  to “object” sensing.

That means the cameras activate to follow specific movements. You wouldn’t want just “any” sensing because the activation might cover a spider crossing the camera lens or a weather event.   Instead, we’d work with  you to determine the object size, shape and movement and program that into the cameras.

Our cameras are able to determine the difference between a human, animal or vehicle and filter the rest out. One example might be if you want to check on someone doing tire-burning donuts in their car around your parking lot. The recipient of the notifications receives a customized feed.

One major reason our customers like this service is because it helps them control their interaction with video security. Through www.alarm.com, we can further cater to a customer’s exact concerns and needs for security.

Call us for a demonstration in central Wisconsin at 715.344.9727 or southeast Wisconsin at 262.574.7777.

Why Wisconsin’s WISA?

We’ve been a longstanding member of the Wisconsin Security Association (WISA), so long, in fact, that it’s undergone a number of name changes since we joined the association. H&S Protection participates in many WISA activities, and over the years we’ve won multiple awards and had members of our team serve the association.

This past month, WISA held its annual golf outing. It’s an opportunity for us to network with other members of the security industry in Wisconsin, perhaps picking up a sales tip or learning about a new technology offered by a vendor. Beyond the business networking opportunities, several members of our staff also take to the links to relax, meet with colleagues in other companies and share knowledge.

All of these activities help keep us abreast of not only the security industry at large, but what is happening in Wisconsin. What are the trends? Where are new businesses locating? What direction are sales trending?

After of day of shooting some bad golf and sharing stories and tips, we head back to the routine, a bit refreshed, and with an enhanced perspective on our business. We believe that’s a good thing because we’re keeping abreast of trends and looking at what comes next for our customers.

H&S is committed to WISA and their efforts, and to the security industry in general. That commitment translates into better quality service for customers. When looking for a security company in Wisconsin, look for one that participates actively in WISA. You’ll know you’re getting that extra effort to higher standards.

How to “See” Security

It’s a bit odd wondering how people “see” security. Do criminals case homes and businesses? Television shows and movies would like to have us think so, and studies done by police have reported that a protected home tends to be bypassed by burglars in favor of a more vulnerable home (lights not on, no security sign in the yard, tall bushes where someone breaking in could hide).

Conversely, here at H&S, we’ve found that security cameras provide a visual assurance to our customers. They like being able to “see” the cameras and know their premises are protected, capturing activity that can be played back on their phones or computer screens.

The tangible feeling of security drives many customers to seek a camera solution. People gravitate to visualizing. Cameras provide liability protection.

They are also important for general surveillance. You never know when something might occur near your home or business, and you can help law enforcement keep your neighborhood safer by providing them with clips of suspicious activity.

Liability protection is a BIG issue for business. False workmen’s compensation claims, for example, can be addressed through video clips. The bigger your business, the greater the possibility you could face that risk.

We’ve found in discussions with customers that they often sell themselves on our cameras. They SEE the clarity and coverage, and while no one wants to face a compensation claim, if it does happen, you’ll be glad you have cameras strategically in place.

Give us a call to check on H&S’s camera capabilities in central Wisconsin at 715.344.0727 or southeast Wisconsin at 262.574.7777.

Catalytic Converter Thefts

Catalytic converter (CC) thefts have received a lot of attention in the media the past few years. Crooks are finding cars in remote parking lots and quickly disassembling the CC to sell the precious metals on the black market, which can fetch up to $800.

These thefts typically happen in parking lots. It could be you are visiting a relative at a hospital, and your car gets nailed. It might be when you park for a concert in a nearby lot. Thieves don’t care whether it’s your personal or work vehicle. All are targets.

While stealing CC’s is more common in big cities, smaller communities are not immune. What should be done? What does H&S Protection recommend?

Vehicle owners should park in well-lit places, or close to the building/facility  they are entering. The bigger question is what large parking lot owners should be doing.

It’s common sense that these lots should install security cameras. Signs should be posted throughout the parking areas that cameras are in use. H&S recommends this approach as a prevention tactic for any business that has CC theft issues.

What other areas provide thieves with an incentive to steal CC’s? Two stand out to us. One is overnight remote parking (think airport parking lots). Another is business vehicle fleet parking. The bigger the vehicle, the more the CC is worth, so fleet trucks are especially vulnerable.

If you need help with an analysis of your parking area to help protect your clients, customers or patients, please give us a call at H&S. We’d be glad to sit down and discuss the best approach to safely cover your parking lot with high quality security cameras. In central Wisconsin, call 715.344.0727. In SE Wisconsin, call 262.574.7777.

What’s Changing?

Like other industries, the electronic security business changes to keep pace with technology. Sometimes this happens quickly, sometimes gradually. What does this mean for our customers?

Whether you are looking for a security system or already do business with H&S Protection, you might know just from looking around at retail establishments or manufacturing facilities that the use of cameras is on the rise. One major variable driving this growth is the ease of viewing  cameras remotely.

Managers wanting to keep a closer eye on security concerns or their processes can  quickly and easily see video footage from home or from their phone.  Ten years ago, quick video access through the internet was not so easy.

A second change is that technology is both easier to use and install. This holds advantages for you to consider when assessing whether you want to employ some form of security system. When you know your staff can learn  and utilize a system quickly and with minimal training, that makes a big difference. H&S is here to help you with that process.

Finally, training itself has changed and continues to evolve.   With our new hands-on training station in Pewaukee , WI, we can now work with customers remotely to explain how to more effectively work with the technology we install.

H&S is here for you. Reach us in Stevens Point at 715.344.0727 or Pewaukee at 262.574.7777.

82 Cameras, 102 Dock Doors — H&S has it Covered

Installing 82 cameras at an industrial facility sounds like a tough task. It is. Covering 102 docking doors with those cameras so that the customer is pleased is another toughie. We’ve pulled that off, too. Big or small, we handle the special security needs of our customers.

Such was the case when we worked with a manufacturing plant in the Stevens Point area that was looking for video coverage in its shipping and receiving areas, as well as access control on its main doors.

When sitting down with a client with such large needs, we look at “why” we’re providing the service. What do they want to accomplish? What is the customer looking to protect? What’s going on at the facility? Sitting down, we introduce ourselves and our company.

We started this process with a cheese manufacturer, addressing how we could provide services to all of their Wisconsin locations (and beyond if necessary), from Superior in the northwest to Kenosha in the southeast. The client had 10 facilities and wanted to be sure that we could cover them all, which wasn’t a problem from our Stevens Point and Pewaukee locations.

The point here is we are flexible and can expand to work with customers at multiple sites across the state and even across the U.S. To do so requires some creativity but that always includes due diligence to make sure our contractors meet H&S Protection standards. You might be surprised, but we have systems in such far-away places as Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Arizona and Canada..

Big or small, in-state or out-of-state, you will always get high quality workmanship when you choose H&S. Give us a ring at 715.344.0727 in our Stevens Point, WI office or 262.574.7777 in Waukesha, WI.

Lonnie Miescke Retires After 22 Years with H&S Protection

We knew it had to come. It happens with everyone at some point: time to hang up the spikes and see what comes next in life after a long and successful career. We bid goodbye to Lonnie Miescke a couple of weeks back after a 22-year career with H&S Protection that started with her working at Sentra Protection Systems before the company merged with Horgan Sales and Service to become H&S.

She had a great run with us. Many ups. Many laughs. She’s earned her retirement, her time to enjoy the next step in life. As owners, we’re  thankful to have had Lonnie on board. She was a rock in our Pewaukee office, always caring for customers, joking around with employees and those who came through our doors. She was an integral  part of our company.

We didn’t send her off empty handed at her retirement party. There were many gifts – some funny, others heartfelt. There was a stuffed pheasant in Mike Solomon’s office that she became quite good friends with, petting  it when she stopped by. After many indications she wanted the pheasant, we felt it only appropriate she got to take  her feathered friend  as a reminder of the fun days she had with us.

We saved a Packers doll for her as well, one of those bad luck charms that we hope transforms with Lonnie’s magic touch to become a good luck charm for the Packers in the years ahead. She also received a nice caricature with some of her amusing sayings engraved. We put together a memory box for her, and personal notes from all our employees. Our Stevens Point Office gifted her a camping care basket.

Her retirement party garnered quite the turnout, with over 30 current and former employees attending, along with significant others, as well as others she touched with her unique style. We held the event at Albanese’s Roadhouse, an H&S customer in Waukesha.

H&S will miss Lonnie’s smiling face. We already do. When you entered our Pewaukee office, you knew you’d be greeted with a smile. That meant a lot to us and to our customers. Thank you, Lonnie.

Mike Horgan and Steve Garritson

H&S Protection Co-Owners

Focus and Source Like Crazy!

Unless you’re doing an imitation of an ostrich with your head in the ground, you know there’s been a global supply chain challenge the past couple of years. H&S Protection has its share of difficulties keeping up with the availability of parts, and we’re changing how we do business to ensure our security installations occur on-time and within your budget.

Here are a few issues affecting our supply chain:

  • Tariffs
  • Availability of raw resources
  • Resin shortage
  • Disruptions in microchip supplies
  • Transportation of materials
  • Shortages of truck drivers
  • Fewer manufacturers of card readers

What are we doing about this? The broad answer is that we are more focused on sourcing like crazy. Two years ago, we operated on a just-in-time basis for customer installations. Not any more.

Sometimes it can take three or more days to get the materials we need. We’re ordering earlier to address these shortages. We transfer materials from one installation to another when necessary . We’re improvising  to keep the job pipeline flowing as evenly as possible.

It’s not easy. Our ordering and employees are challenged. But, we’re meeting the demands of this new world in which we live.

We have seen shortages on orders of anywhere from 8 to 24 weeks. We search every supplier possible across the country to fill those gaps. Our inventories can go askew, but we plan ahead, seek alternative sources, get creative in our solutions.

There is no current relief in sight. We may place an order, expecting it to come in eight weeks and we get it in three days, or vice versa. There’s a lot of catching up to do on the manufacturing side, and we recognize this by working it into our planning processes. Everyone is playing catch up.

We’re working for you. We’re adapting, applying new lessons, learning on a daily basis. We’ll keep after it to keep you safe and protected. And, we thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we adjust to this rapidly changing world.

Demo This!

Think about this: having a system to train your security team remotely, giving access to all the functions necessary to bone-up on newer technologies. H&S Protection has that system, and it benefits our customers AND staff.

Any good training system should help your people get better at their jobs. Simple concept. In turn, as employees improve, their ability to design new systems, install them expertly, troubleshoot, and cleanup any issues  benefits the end user – you, the customer. You get a system that operates more consistently and effectively.

We’ve been slowly building our in-house training capabilities the past several years at our Pewaukee  WI office. If we were to wrap up what our training system can do, we’d say: Demo This! We can demonstrate how technologies work  and experiment with them — giving our staff a much greater degree of comfort in working with customers as the world of security technology rapidly evolves.

For example, we can demonstrate five different types of Video Management Software (VMS). In the training area, our new technicians do their programming, getting the touch and feel of these systems. They can work by themselves or with a senior member of our team one-on-one. They can work from home and access the training as well. That allows for self-training. Sometimes we’ll even find a member of our sales team taking the reins to improve their knowledge.

From the field, our team can remotely dial into site cameras through alarm.com. We might have a team member up in Grafton, and they can unlock a door in Pewaukee. They can access the customer system and sometimes work through problems remotely.

For our smart home devices in alarm.com, we teach team members how to install before they head to the field. We also bring customers in for demonstrations so they can look and feel how to operate the systems and compare one to another. That’s a big advantage we offer customers! It’s a clear side-by-side comparison, letting the customer determine their preference by seeing how the system works. This gives customers an instantaneous feel for access control/video.

Our training demonstration area started out as a traveling board, and just got bigger and bigger. As Covid hit in 2020, we found we could add more products, and we now have a cloud-based access system set up in Waukesha to show all the functions available.

Another benefit this provides the customers of H&S is when we introduce a new product to the market. We learn and master the product from the vendor before introducing it to customers.

Our training area is an investment in our people, products and technology. It’s another tool we believe helps us perform better, and, quite frankly, we’ve found it’s a morale builder as our team learns together, figures out how to solve a problem, and sometimes even have a little healthy competition. An engaged workforce makes for a healthy and productive workplace, we believe.

We all know there are some people who don’t like change. We get it. They don’t want new technology. “Just give me what I always had. I know how to use it,” seems to be the refrain. But, with our demo area, we are able to change some of that perspective. We “show” them what we can do. We demonstrate how easy the functions can be. They get excited. We deliver buy-in. Our sales, technician/installation and customer service staff have found that excitement and we hope to have many more opportunities for customers to join in that excitement.