Ameritech to Buy Rollins’ Alarm Assets

Ameritech Corp. will buy Rollins Inc.’s alarm-monitoring assets for about $200 million, continuing an expansion that will more than double its security business by year-end. Atlanta-based Rollins has 115,000 security customers, 50 locations and 620 employees in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States. It also owns and operates Orkin Exterminating Co. The transaction, coupled with Monday’s $610-million purchase of a similar business from Republic Industries Inc., would give Ameritech almost 1 million security customers, up from 400,000 in January. It also solidifies the Chicago-based telecommunications company’s No. 2 position behind Tyco International Ltd.’s ADT unit as the industry consolidates. Rollins shares rose 81 cents to close at $24.06. Ameritech’s shares rose 6 cents to $68.63.