SimplexGrinnell
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fire protection, security, communication technologies |
| Predecessor | Grinnell Fire Protection, Simplex Time Recorder Company |
| Founded | 2001 (merger of Grinnell Fire Protection and Simplex Time Recorder Company) |
| Headquarters | Boca Raton, Florida , United States |
Area served | North America |
| Products | Fire protection systems, fire alarms, burglar alarm systems, public address systems, nurse call solutions, time clocks, master time systems, Mass Notification systems |
| Parent | Johnson Controls |
SimplexGrinnell, operating as a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, is a premier American firm specializing in active fire protection solutions, communication technologies, and associated testing, inspection, and upkeep services. Its headquarters are located in Boca Raton, Florida, with corporate sales and marketing functions based in Westminster, Massachusetts. The organization maintains roughly 160 district offices throughout North America and is recognized as the world's largest fire protection enterprise.
Grinnell Fire Protection became part of Tyco in 1976. On January 5, 2001, Tyco acquired Simplex Time Recorder Company for US$1.15 billion, subsequently merging it with Grinnell Fire Protection to establish SimplexGrinnell. The Simplex time clock unit was later divested to Kronos. After the 2016 merger between Johnson Controls and Tyco, SimplexGrinnell was integrated into Johnson Controls’ business portfolio. In May 2017, Johnson Controls announced a rebranding initiative: fire sprinkler services formerly under SimplexGrinnell adopted the Grinnell Fire Protection Solutions name within Johnson Controls, while fire and security product lines retained the Simplex brand identity.
Grinnell Fire Protection Company
Frederick Grinnell, who graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1855, shifted his career from railroad engineering to innovations in fire safety. After obtaining majority ownership of Providence Steam and Gas Pipe Company, Grinnell collaborated with Henry S. Parmalee, the creator of the first automatic fire sprinkler head in 1874. Grinnell enhanced and secured a patent for his own sprinkler design in 1882, culminating in the development of the widely adopted glass disc sprinkler by 1890—an enduring standard in contemporary fire protection technology. In 1892, he established the General Fire Extinguisher Company, which was later renamed Grinnell Fire Protection Company, with manufacturing operations based in North Carolina.
Simplex Time Recorder Company
Founded by Edward G. Watkins in 1894, Simplex Time Recorder Company was a trailblazer in producing practical time clocks and synchronized clock systems. Headquartered in Gardner, Massachusetts, Simplex broadened its offerings by acquiring IBM's Time Equipment Division and fire protection business in 1958. Initially rebranding IBM’s fire alarm products, Simplex began redesigning these devices during the 1960s and introduced conventional fire alarm control panels by 1970. Although its timekeeping segment experienced a decline in market share, the fire alarm division expanded considerably. In 1979, Simplex unveiled the industry’s first networked multiplex building control system that integrated fire alarm, security, HVAC, synchronized timekeeping, and watchman tour functionalities.
Other products
SimplexGrinnell also provides burglar alarm systems, public address (PA) systems, and nurse call solutions. Their service portfolio includes testing, inspection, and maintenance for fire alarms, sprinkler systems, suppression equipment, security devices, and communication apparatus. Furthermore, the company offers limited sales and servicing support for pull stations, time clocks, master time systems, and Mass Notification systems.