High-tech security boosts Stamford car business

06/02/2003

To appreciate the affluence of Fairfield County, just look at the cars on the road.

But the truly successful businessperson, who's often too busy to tend to a car collection, might consider looking to Performance Outfitters in Stamford.

The storage, maintenance and transport facility, opened in April 2002, has already filled to three-quarters of its capacity at its new Stamford headquarters, which were opened seven months ago when the small company relocated from Sherman.

"We are a storage facility and a detail facility," owner Todd Brown said.

"We oversee and handle people's automotive requirements. We give the person who does not have the time to maintain vintage, classic or performance cars the opportunity to have them."

Brown is a veteran of the automotive field, having worked for a limousine and armored vehicle building company and in an audio electronics store before opening Performance Outfitters.

In addition to regular maintenance, the company also restores classic cars, Brown said, finding the best mechanic, body and parts specialists for each of the vehicle's needs.

After all, Brown said, "you don't want to bring your red Ferrari to the same place you bring your Suburban."


Live video feed

In February, Performance Outfitters partnered with Radia Technologies Corp., the New Haven-based maker of the RadiaLink "three-dimensional" security monitoring service, installing the RadiaLink system in its facility.

According to Brown, the addition is something his customers can feel safer about because Performance Outfitters is now a top-security facility. "We are, by far, the most secure location you can put your automobile in the Fairfield County area (and), I would venture, the state."

The partnership, Brown said, has "absolutely" helped boost his business. "They've given us a level of security that nobody else really has," he said. "This is not just an alarm system. And, it's a lot better than having a big guard dog, too."

The RadiaLink system is triggered in several ways in the event of a break-in, hostage standoff or electrical emergency. The system automatically notifies authorities and business personnel and gives them a video feed via the Internet of the facility, allowing them to take measured, appropriate action.

For example, Brown said, if an alarm is triggered at Performance Outfitters, "(RadiaLink) central station gets a feed of what's going on and sends the feed to the Stamford police department." In the interests of protecting his business and clients, Brown would also receive a video feed of the situation at home.


Service oriented

Brown said his clients' cars often are worth more to them than their monetary value.

"It's not how much these cars are worth to the open market," he said. "It's what these cars are worth to the clients. They may have personal value that can't be replaced."

Sentimental value aside, some of the cars are custom models and some are exceedingly rare, Brown said. For example, one of his clients owns a model that is one of only 340 in the world and one of two in the United States. Such a client, Brown said, places great trust in Performance Outfitters.

"We're a very service-oriented company," Brown said. "We work very closely with our clients."

Performance Outfitters employs six people and manages to keep its overhead costs low. The company maintains a client base of 85 and has earned revenues of about $850,000 since its inception, Brown said.