Ranger Fire and Security has announced its acquisition of Plymouth-based Universal Fire and Security Ltd, marking the business’s strategic entry into the South West of England.
Founded in 2001 by Mark Gibson, Universal began as a security-focused provider before expanding into fire protection services, building a strong reputation across Devon and Cornwall for its technical expertise and customer service.
The company’s comprehensive offering includes intruder detection systems, CCTV, fire alarms, AOV (automatic opening vent) systems, access control systems, emergency lighting, call systems, fire extinguishers, maintenance and monitoring and automatic gates and barriers.
Universal’s focus has been geared towards maintenance and maintenance-related services which is more than 90%+ of the business and the balance being new installations for a strong and loyal customer base. The company’s culture and customer focused business model coupled with focus on maintenance-related services aligns closely with Ranger’s strategy for building a nationwide network of trusted, customer service-driven fire and security specialists.
By joining the Ranger Group, Universal will benefit from enhanced operational and technological support, while increasing opportunities for cross-selling and collaboration across the South West and the wider Ranger network. The move represents another key step in Ranger’s mission to build a fire and security services provider that is truly national in scope, combining strong regional expertise with a unified, customer-focused approach.
Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “We are honoured to be chosen by Mark [Gibson] and team in a highly competitive process to be his partner moving forward and opening the next chapter as part of the Ranger Group.”
Mark and Chris were a huge focus for Ranger in our due diligence and they have demonstrated a strong ambition to grow organically and through acquisition. They are a great cultural fit to the team and we are extremely delighted to have them on board as the lead for our work in Devon and Cornwall.
Mark Gibson, Founder and Managing Director of Universal Fire and Security, said: “At Universal we pride ourselves on our repeat business and loyal customer base which is a testament to the high-quality fire and security services we deliver across the South West.
“A major pull for joining the Ranger Group is being able to benefit from the Group’s operational expertise, helping us ensure we are providing the most high-quality service possible, while also enabling us to expand our reach across not only the South West region, but beyond into other parts of the country.”
Universal Fire and Security’s introduction into the Ranger team marks Ranger’s thirteenth acquisition since launching in early 2024 and its sixth this year. The addition further strengthens Ranger’s growing presence across the UK and Ireland, building on the recent acquisitions of B-Safe Group and Aqua Fire Prevention in Ireland and IRN Security in Scotland.
With backing from Hyperion Equity Partners, Ranger is on a mission to become the leading one-stop provider for fire and security services across the UK and Ireland. Through strategic acquisitions and investment in technology and talent, Ranger offers a comprehensive range of services at a regional and national level, all while providing a seamless customer experience.
