The region’s largest security services provider is getting even bigger.
Commissionaires Ottawa Group has announced that, as of Wednesday, it has acquired Ottawa-based defence and security company ADGA Group.
“We’re going to keep growing,” retired naval captain Paul Guindon, CEO of Commissionaires Ottawa Group, said in a phone interview. “In business, you’ve always got to look forward, not backward.”
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ADGA Group is in the business of developing and supporting command and control systems with expertise in designing, implementing, fielding, and supporting simulations systems for Canada’s military. ADGA Group is also known for its niche talent and professional services offerings.
The move signals the next advancement in Commissionaires Ottawa Group’s business growth strategy. The group of companies offers a one-stop, full spectrum of cyber, electronic, physical, and personnel security solutions as well as defence, space and Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) expertise.
Guindon said the acquisition will help to “reenergize” the organization. “We’re really upbeat and eager to continue all the good work.”
Commissionaires Ottawa Group includes ComNet Networks and Security Inc., acquired in 2018. As well, it includes the former DBP Systems and Extravision Security Technologies Inc., acquired in 2019 and 2020, now operating under the ComNet Networks and Security Inc. brand. ADGA Group has become Commissionaires Ottawa Group’s third member. It will retain its brand and operations.
Overall, Commissionaires Ottawa Group represents a quarter billion dollars in revenue and nearly 5,000 employees. All three companies are Canadian owned and operated, with a total of 17 offices in Québec, Ontario and Alberta.
Commissionaires Ottawa Group now employs close to 5,000 people. “It makes us one of the bigger players in town, no doubt,” said Guindon. “People will have to start taking notice.”
Guindon believes that Commissionaires Ottawa and ADGA Group share a strong synergy. Commissionaires Ottawa’s tradition has been to hire from the military community and give back to the military community, rounding out its experience with industry-leading security personnel and technical expertise, he explained. ADGA Group honours this practice, Guindon added, with close to 20 percent of ADGA employees and independent contractors being veterans and/or reservists.
ADGA Group was founded in 1967.
“We are extremely proud of what we have achieved at ADGA, from a steady growth in our service offerings and increased revenues, to the outstanding team we have at the heart of our success,” stated former CEO Françoise Gagnon in a release. “Commissionaires Ottawa Group shares our commitment to service excellence and Canadian values. This combined expertise will enable them to scale and enhance a full range of security services, while remaining 100 percent Canadian.”
Added Guindon: “As the Gen Z wave begins to join our ranks, along with millennials and Gen X, we value their strong technical skills and diverse backgrounds. For our employees and their families, we are increasing and expanding career and advancement opportunities for them across three companies. For our private and public sector clients, working with one of us opens the door to potentially working with all of us, so we can help them meet all of their current and emerging security needs.”
Earlier this year, Commissionaires Ottawa made an historic donation of $2 million to the Perley Health Foundation (formerly the Perley-Rideau Foundation) in support of its Answering the Call campaign to transform care for seniors and veterans.
caroline@obj.ca
