Linear Brings Z-Wave to ISE 2013; Acquires Assets of ACT

Linear, a leading manufacturer of home security, access control, and personal emergency reporting systems (PERS), will showcase its first line of Linear-branded Z-Wave products at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in a stand hosted by sister organization Core Brands (N62). Both groups are subsidiaries of Nortek Inc. (Nasdaq: NTK).

Core Brands, the custom integration arm of Nortek, includes Elan Home Systems, Niles, Xantech, SpeakerCraft, Proficient, Sunfire and Panamax/Furman.

Although Linear has a rich legacy in wireless security, the company previously did not make Z-Wave products under its own brand.

That’s not to say the company is new to the category, though. Linear is the OEM provider for 2Gig Go!Control home automation and security panels, which is “likely the security industry’s largest driver of demand for Z-Wave devices,” says Duane Paulson, Linear senior vice president of product and market development.

2Gig sells more than 300,000 panels and associated hardware in a single year.

ACT is a leading provider of Z-Wave switches under the HomePro brand, including products for the European market (like the $54 ACT-ZDW232 dimmer).

The single largest ACT customer is Evolve Guest Controls, which installed some 60,000 Z-Wave devices in Las Vegas’s Wynn hotel alone.

From there to Linear wasn’t a stretch. Linear recently hired Avi Rosenthal from Evolve, where he managed the Wynn and other hospitality projects.

No doubt Linear will have a willing customer in sister company Elan, whose g! control system integrates with Z-Wave products. The new Linear switches will make their first appearance next to Elan and other Core Brands companies in Amsterdam next week.