SDM 2018 Dealer of the Year: Sonitrol of Lexington

Lexington, KY (December 12, 2018) – Sonitrol of Lexington, the sister company of Bates Security, today announced that it is SDM Magazine’s 2018 Dealer of the Year.  SDM, the leading security publication in the US tapped Sonitrol among over three thousand commercial firms nationwide. The Dealer of the Year Award recognizes leading innovation, industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments in the security dealer industry. 

“In our industry, this award is the Best Picture Oscar,” observed Sonitrol President Jeremy Bates. “What’s more, we are the first Kentucky company to win this award and by far the smallest company to win in the last decade.  Last year’s winner was a $4 billion company with 18,000 employees. That’s really gratifying for a family business like ours,” Bates added.

Jeremy Bates and his brother, Bryan, followed their parents, Sonny and Pat Bates, in running the company established in 1984 that today boasts annual revenues of nearly $15MM and over 90 employees.  Sonitrol's growth over the last decade has been both organic and through acquisition. The company has a strong presence in Lexington, with over 10,000 households (as Bates Security) and major commercial and government clients including the new City Center complex under construction, Lexington Financial Center, The Kentucky Horse Park, and Fayette Country Schools, where the company is playing a major role in the district’s safety initiatives. The company has grown into Northern Kentucky, has made two acquisitions in Eastern Kentucky and has a growing division in Jacksonville, Florida.

Growth has been assisted by both innovation and customer service. Former Police Chief and Public Safety Commissioner for Lexington Ronnie Bastin noted, “Their founder Sonny was a policeman himself. They understand police priorities and have earned our trust. A good example is their audio verified detection systems, which eliminate most false alarms let us know exactly what’s going on at a site before we get there.” Sonitrol of Lexington recently won an award for its security system at the new Frederick Douglass High School.  “Sonitrol saw the need to fully integrate communications between our security team and law enforcement in real time. It’s been a huge improvement in effectiveness and response,” said Wayne Brumfield, Electronics Foreman of Fayette County Schools.

Throughout the last decade of dynamic growth, Sonitrol has been able to keep customer service a top priority. The company’s mission statement is simple “Do What’s Right for the Customer,” and that is demonstrated in several ways. Every new technology or product is tested at Sonitrol headquarters first before being deployed with customers. Sonitrol has also established its own customized field service training regimen and unlike most providers, Sonitrol often deals with customers directly in addition to relying on a central station. This emphasis has paid off, with customer turnover (attrition) rates at only half the national average. Bret Melrose, founder of Fayette Heating & Air observed. “In the decade we’ve been a customer, I’ve come to highly respect the Bates family and the team they have put together.  I have a high regard for how the business is operated, how it values customer service and I really admire their aggressive vision to remain an industry leader.”  

President Jeremy Bates summed up the national award and recognition this way, “This award recognizes the quality of our people and over 30 years of putting the customer first. And wherever we operate we’re a local business.”

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About Sonitrol of Lexington 

Based in Lexington, Kentucky since 1969, Sonitrol of Lexington was founded by Harry and Ann Miller before current owner, Sonny Bates, a former Dallas police officer, purchased the company and its 300 clients in 1984.  Sonitrol is a locally owned & operated full service electronic security expert for residential, business, educational, and industrial customers in Kentucky and Florida.  Services include security systems, access control, video surveillance (cameras), fire detection and EVAC systems, sprinkler monitoring, fire inspections, elevator monitoring, medical alert and more. In 2011 Sonitrol received the Installer of the Year Award from Security Sales & Integration Magazine, the Small Business of the Year Award in 2013 from Commerce Lexington and the 2018 Dealer of the Year Award from SDM magazine.