FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 1998

CONTACTS:

Lynda Yana, General Information
 (562) 463-3106

Steve Pazian, Corporate Spokesperson
 (562) 463-3000

EDISON SELECT ACQUIRES WESTEC'S RESIDENTIAL HOME SECURITY BUSINESS -- Acquisition positions Edison Select among Southern
 California’s top three residential security providers

 

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., July 20, 1998—Edison Select, a subsidiary of Edison Enterprises and Edison International, has signed an agreement with Westec Security Group, Inc. to purchase Westec Residential Security, Inc. and Valley Burglar & Fire Alarm Co., Inc. Westec is the nation’s sixth largest home security company with more than 150,000 accounts, 71 locations in 16 states, and recurring monthly revenues of more than $6 million.

 Edison Select has been offering security services under the Edison Security Services brand for more than a year. The acquisition of Westec’s residential division positions Edison Select among the top three providers of residential security services in Southern California. Westec’s residential division has served customers for more than 25 years offering a broad array of security services to serve the needs of almost any household.

"Westec’s outstanding commitment to service and Edison Select’s reputation for reliability and security produce a winning combination to meet customers’ needs for security and peace of mind," said Steve Pazian, president and CEO of Edison Enterprises, the retail affiliate of Edison International.

 "With the dramatic consolidation in the residential security sector and the entry of large telephone companies and utilities, we felt it was prudent to align our Residential Division with one of these large groups," said Michael S. Kaye, president and CEO of the Westec Security Group. "We are delighted to have been able to do so with a company with the outstanding name and reputation of Edison Select."

"Residential security is a high growth business. The purchase of Westec Residential Services gives us the platform and resources for sales growth, cross-sell opportunities and future consolidations in the home security market."

Kaye added, "This combination affords excellent opportunities for Westec employees since the residential division will be Edison Select’s platform for entry into the security field. This was an important consideration for us."

Per the agreement, the price and terms were not disclosed. This transaction, along with related restructuring at Edison Enterprises, is expected to be earnings neutral in the first full year of operation. The transaction is expected to close August 31, 1998 and does not affect Edison International’s earnings outlook for 1998.

In addition to security services, Edison Enterprises’ offerings include home wiring and appliance warranties, renewable power options, energy management, operations and maintenance, utility transmission and distribution system operation and electric vehicle charging and infrastructure.

Other Edison International companies include Southern California Edison, Edison Mission Energy, Edison Capital, Edison Enterprises and its four retail companies, Edison Select, Edison Source, Edison Utility Services and Edison EV.

# # #

Edison Select is not the same as Southern California Edison and is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Copyright © 1997 Edison Enterprises

Edison Enterprises is not the same company as Southern California Edison, the utility, and is
 not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. You do not have to buy
 Edison Enterprises' products in order to continue to receive quality regulated services from the utility.

Web site built by W5 Internet Factory