In a significant move that signifies a new phase of growth, OwnersEdge Inc., a 100% employee-owned ESOP holding company based in Waukesha, Wis., has acquired Communications Direct (CommDirect), an Illinois-based, Motorola Solutions mission-critical communications business. This acquisition marks OwnersEdge’s first acquisition in Illinois and the first since the company’s leadership transition in June 2023. This strategic acquisition reflects OwnersEdge’s commitment to expanding its geographic reach and enhancing its service offerings under a refreshed leadership structure.
Strategic Growth for BAYCOM
The newly acquired CommDirect’s Motorola Solutions reseller division will soon integrate into BAYCOM, one of OwnersEdge’s five operating companies. This integration will provide substantial benefits for both BAYCOM and CommDirect’s current and future customers. BAYCOM President Katie Busch expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We welcome the product expertise and industry knowledge that Communications Direct adds to our team. We look forward to sharing knowledge and best practices between our employees to provide best-in-class solutions that enhance the security and communications of our customers.”
Rob Dillon, co-CEO of OwnersEdge, also emphasized the strategic fit of the acquisition: “CommDirect’s culture has been carefully developed over time by (CommDirect founders) Tim (VanHiel) and Bill (Chmelik) and feels very similar to the people-first culture we’ve built at BAYCOM. We could not be more bullish about the benefits this move will have for CommDirect’s employees, who instantly become employee owners, and its customer base which will now have access to additional solutions that BAYCOM offers, including video surveillance, door access control security systems, and mobile computing products.”
A Shared Vision for Customer-Centric Solutions
The synergy between BAYCOM and CommDirect is poised to bring a wider product offering and enhanced service capabilities to existing and new customers. It also expands BAYCOM’s brick-and-mortar footprint into Illinois. Busch also commented about the partnership: “I’m excited to partner with a like-minded team that cares deeply about solving the critical communication and security needs of its customers. Both BAYCOM and Communications Direct have a long history of putting the customers’ needs first and innovating to deliver the best solution. We have an incredible opportunity to share expertise and best practices to enhance our ability to serve our customers.”
Looking Forward
As these two companies join forces, BAYCOM remains committed to delivering enhanced security and communications solutions to its customer base, maintaining its reputation as a Lifeline in the Moments that Matter for its customers.