Italian smart home company Nice has acquired California-based Nortek Security & Control from Melrose Industries for $285m.

Nortek is a developer of technology for security, home automation, control, power, AV and entertainment, access control, health, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems for residential and commercial markets.

With this acquisition and addition of brands including 2Gig, Elan, Linear, MightyMule, Proficient, SpeakerCraft, Gefen, Xantech, Panamax, Furman, Numera and IntelliVision, Nice is expanding its portfolio to provide a suite of integrated products for residential, commercial, industrial and government users, from consumer DIY to custom and professionally-installed specialised products and high-security applications.

The move strengthens the presence of Nice in the North American market and doubles its R&D capacity to accelerate innovation and expansion of platform-based integrations, enlarging the customer base globally in a fast-growing market.

The partnership of Nice and Nortek enhances their current relationships through a larger organisation with a stronger commitment to the channel.

“This acquisition reinforces our strong commitment to North America and significantly expands our global footprint,” said Lauro Buoro, chairman and founder of Nice. “Nice now employs over 3000 people across five continents, encompassing the most diverse backgrounds and cultures with 16 R&D centres and manufacturing facilities servicing partners and customers in over 100 countries.”

Founded in the 1960s as Linear, Nortek Security & Control has a portfolio of products, more than 200 patents and 12 brands across security, access control, AV, power management, smart home, AI and personal health.

“We are very excited to join Nice,” said Christopher Larocca, CEO of Nortek Security & Control. “Nortek Control has built a reputation for delivering innovative and industry-leading platforms to the market. With the addition of the Nice product lines, our consolidated organisation will now offer one of the broadest and deepest portfolio of disruptive products to the market.”

In March, Nortek released the 2Gig Edge security and automation panel with AI and edge analytics. The panel for the pro-install security market delivers secure face recognition touchless disarm. Developed with edge processing, the panel’s engineering ensures homeowner’s biometric data stay secure by saving them only on the panel.

In North America, the portfolio of brands under Nice includes Abode, Nice and HySecurity in addition to established gate, door, sunshade and smart security offerings. The acquisition increases reach and scales growth through existing Nice distribution channels and with those of Nortek. Partners of each organisation should experience streamlined communication from one brand to the next and, in time, will have access to a broader portfolio of integrated products.

Business will be conducted as usual throughout 2022. Nice’s North American organisation will immediately begin collaborating with the Nortek team on blending portfolios and operations to emerge fully integrated in 2023.

The transaction, valued at $285m, is the largest investment to date by Nice.

Established in the early 1990s, Nice specialises in the smart home, security and building automation markets with integrated products for gates, garage doors, sun shading, parking systems, wireless alarm systems and home security, for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Nortek Security & Control is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.