Hartford Business Journal

4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 12, 2026 DE AL WATCH DE AL WATCH | BUYERS & SELLERS on government services. So, it's the highest level of security protection, probably at any detail you could do." Industry shifts and technology The security services industry has experienced significant consolidation over the past 15 years, driven by private equity investment. The trend acceler- ated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as larger firms acquired struggling competitors, according to a 2022 report by market research firm Freedonia. The report projected global security services revenue would rise 4.4% to $295 billion in 2026, citing social changes and increased demand for technology-based services. United Security, company officials said, has positioned itself toward clients that prefer working with midsize providers rather than large, private-equity-backed firms. Much of its growth has come from referrals and existing clients expanding the scope of their security services. Licensed in 23 states across the East Coast, Midwest and Texas, the company has expanded its tech- nology offerings over the past decade to include access control systems, camera networks and emergency call boxes, in addition to traditional guard services. "We knew 10 years ago that was the future of our business and that we had to get in that space to help our existing clients and give them direction when they are looking for a full program," Frank Consoli said. Last year, United Security launched a partnership with cybersecurity firm Citanex that allows it to offer bundled physical and cyber protec- tion to commercial clients and even residential customers. Government contracts remain a significant part of the company's business. About 30% of United Secu- rity's revenue comes from work with the U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons, which uses the firm to transport prisoners to medical appointments, flights and other desti- nations, company officials said. United Security also provides armed and unarmed guards at state-owned facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Connecticut, that includes security services at Department of Motor Vehicles locations, state hospitals, transportation hubs and other infrastructure sites. Executive security demand An emerging area of business for United Security has been executive protection, following heightened security concerns among corporate leaders after the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Previously, the company provided executive protection primarily for special events involving existing clients, Frank Consoli said. Since then, demand has expanded to include workplace, residential and travel-re- lated security for corporate executives. In response, United Security has partnered with other firms to provide coverage in states where it is not licensed and, in July, hired Rory Moran, a former U.S. Secret Service special agent, as director of executive protection and threat analysis. The company has also seen increased demand for protecting elected federal officials, which Consoli said reflects both heightened secu- rity concerns and increased federal spending on legislator security. "We used to do very little of it, and we'll be doing millions of dollars of it annually, probably, over the next several years," Consoli said. Major liquor distributor signs one of CT's largest industrial leases of 2025 A Massachusetts-based alcoholic beverages distrib- utor in December signed one of Connecticut's largest industrial leases of 2025, taking 241,333 square feet in Meriden. Martignetti Cos. has leased an industrial warehouse at 160 Corporate Court that previously served as a distribu- tion hub for Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports before those retailers filed for bankruptcy in 2024. The deal was brokered by a team led by Philip Verre of JLL, representing Martignetti, with assistance from Sean P. Duffy of Cushman & Wakefield. "It's one of the largest new industrial leases in Connecticut," Duffy said. The 1987-vintage Meriden warehouse is owned by a limited liability company affiliated with Sky Management, which purchased the property for $12 million in 2018. Duffy said Martignetti — which describes itself as the leading distributor of wine, spirits and beer in New England — will take occupancy after the building is retrofitted for its new use. 160 Corporate Court, Meriden. Photo | CoStar SOUTH WINDSOR Real estate investors Brand Street Proper- ties and Barings have acquired The Shops at Evergreen Walk, an open-air shopping center in South Windsor, for $98.25 million. The joint venture bought the property from PGIM, formerly Prudential Global Investment Management. Greenwich-based Brand Street, which has managed the center for the past five years, will continue overseeing operations with Barings, a Char- lotte-based global asset manager. Evergreen Walk includes tenants such as Whole Foods Market, lululemon, J.Crew Factory, Gap Factory, Nike and Bluemer- cury. The new owners said they plan to continue investing in capital improvements and community programming. BLOOMFIELD Farmington-based elevator and esca- lator maker Otis Worldwide has sold its 188,430-square-foot industrial and office building in Bloomfield for $16.5 million, while agreeing to lease the property back through 2027. Otis in December sold the 39-year-old facility at 212 West Newberry Road to Bloomfield Holdings LLC, an entity led by Ahron Rosengarten of Brooklyn, New York. The property houses Otis' U.S. and Canadian customer service center and light manufacturing operations. Otis said the sale is part of an effort to optimize its real estate footprint while ensuring continuity of operations. STAMFORD Stamford Health has purchased a 0.71- acre vacant parcel in its home city for $2.5 million. The property, at 171 Stillwater Ave., abuts Stamford Health's Bennett Medical Center campus at One Hospital Plaza. Stamford Health declined to disclose specific plans but said the acquisition will support future campus expansion. "As part of future campus planning efforts, this acquisition will help us expand programs and services for the community," Chief Operating Officer Liz Longmore said. The seller was Stillwater Avenue LLC, controlled by Greenwich developer Steven Lichtman. The parcel received zoning approval in 2020 for a four-story, mixed-use building with 36 apartments and ground-floor retail. TRUMBULL Henkel, a German consumer goods manu- facturer with its North American headquar- ters in Rocky Hill, has purchased a two-story office building in Trumbull for $4.9 million. The 42,750-square-foot building at 9 Trefoil Drive will be renovated, according to minutes from a Dec. 17 Planning and Zoning meeting. Planned upgrades include a patio, smoking shelter, loading dock improvements, new mechanical equipment and electric vehicle charging stations. The seller was Best Buddies LLC, controlled by principals of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities. United Security Inc. Continued from page 3 United Security executives in their new regional office inside the Stark Building, at 750 Main St., in Hartford. (From left) Matt Lofaro, Christine Gelatt, Traci Bonassar, Justin Consoli and Frank Consoli. HBJ Photo | Steve Laschever

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