Blackford Capital acquires Industrial Electronic Systems for SFS platform

Blackford Capital said Tuesday that it acquired Industrial Electronic Systems, Inc., adding the fire alarm, security and life safety solutions provider to its Security Fire Solutions Platform.

The deal is the second add-on acquisition for the platform, which Blackford said will operate under the SFS brand. The private equity firm said the acquisition is part of its effort to build out the platform through acquisitions.

IES was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in the Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, according to the release. Blackford described the company as an engineered fire alarm and low-voltage systems integrator that designs and installs life safety and building technology networks for commercial, institutional and government customers across the Western United States.

Blackford said the Security Fire Solutions Platform was established with the acquisition of Security Fire Systems, or SFS, in December 2024. Lakeview Security, Fire & Communication joined in September 2025 as the first add-on acquisition.

Dan Stachel, CEO of SFS, will lead the platform, Blackford said. The company also said the platform will continue under the SFS brand.

In the release, Blackford founder and Managing Director Martin Stein and IES founder and President Lutfi Abed each commented on the transaction and future growth plans. The release did not provide additional financial terms.

Blackford said it was founded in 2010 and focuses on majority-control investments in lower-middle-market manufacturing, industrial, distribution and service companies with revenues typically between $20 million and $200 million.

The release said the integration of IES into the platform will continue under the SFS brand.

Sources

• PR Newswire release

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.