SIA spoke with Torrey Champignie, senior project engineer at NSG Life Safety, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

TELL US THE STORY OF YOUR COMPANY.

Torrey Champignie: NOREL Service Company was founded in 1972 by former owner Tom Norton. In 2017, Tom partnered with Daniel Chauvin and George Aguiar to form NSG Life Safety.

In 2023, George and Dan purchased NOREL Service Company. The two companies are now operating as a single source provider for the design implementation and aftermarket services of integrated security, life safety and critical communications systems. Dan and George have over seven decades of combined experience and have catered to all major occupancy types, including but not limited to health care, education, industrial, correctional, hospitality and multiunit residential.

WHAT SOLUTIONS/SERVICES DOES YOUR BUSINESS OFFER IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY? AND WHAT MAKES YOUR OFFERINGS OR YOUR COMPANY UNIQUE?

TC: NSG Life Safety provides:

• Engineering services: we have a team of engineers who are able to design any type low-voltage system within a building. We are code experts and employ eight nationally certified engineering technologies. Our computer-aided design department offers completely scaled drawings, including point-to-point diagrams and as-built data.
• Implementation: Our applications engineers are seasoned and experienced in delivering customized programming and professional training.
• After market service: NOREL Service Company serves all of New England, with over 65 service vehicles, and offers a team of client-centric service managers to support any size system or facility.

NSG/NOREL also caters to the design community, offering our years of expertise and knowledge of construction management.

A clear differentiator for our organization is that we are able to work with architects, engineers and consultants to ensure systems are fully code compliant, integrated and in concert with the owners’ specific needs.

We are manufacturer agnostic and have aligned ourselves with most major security product manufacturers. We are a Unified Elite Partner with Genetec, Avigilon, American Dynamics, Software House, LenelS2, Hirsch, DMP, Bosch, DSC, Kantech and Brivo and we are also a Gold Partner with Axis. This provides our clients with the best-in-class products and engineered solutions in the industry.  In addition, we are the largest dealer in the Americas for Autocall fire detection products and have been recognized as Johnson Control’s largest distributor of Autocall fire detection products for six consecutive years.

NSG/NOREL is able to provide completely integrated systems, including turnkey installation.

WHAT’S SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMPANY – OR SOMETHING NEW YOU’RE DOING IN SECURITY?

TC: NSG was fortunate enough to have foreseen the supply chain issues that were taking the country by the storm and quickly began to counter them. NSG stores all project material long before they are needed, collect, inventory, store and insure the materials. This long-term approach to project success not only insulates the project from manufacturer pricing increases, but also provides peace of mind for our clients.

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY’S VISION, AND WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE SECURITY INDUSTRY?

TC: As NSG continues to grow, there will be a continued effort to enhance customer success, new partnerships, revenues and marketing campaigns.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?

TC: Mass notification is the biggest opportunity in our marketplace as we see it.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING YOUR COMPANY AND/OR OTHERS IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY?

TC: For a period of time, the biggest challenge was product lead time and availability. The biggest challenge now is staying up to date with the never-ending changes to the industry. The security industry is evolving rapidly and maintaining up-to-date product and system knowledge is crucial to maintaining great customer success. Additionally, the “me too” dealers are popping up. Competing with companies lacking a comprehensive understanding of systems technology and the same dedication we have towards life safety presents its own challenges.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AT YOUR COMPANY – AND IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY?

TC: Helping others – being in a position to protect the people and property of the premise and provide a solution that is first-class and fits the needs of the clients.

WHAT DOES SIA OFFER THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU/YOUR COMPANY? AND WHAT DO YOU MOST HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH SIA?

TC: SIA provides NSG with an important educational and promotional piece, advocating for new and old best practices.

NSG hopes to evaluate new partnerships, alliances and field marketing tactics to increase branding visibility and staff knowledge.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.