Leviton Withdraws from Acquisition of OnQ Technologies in Structured Wiring Deal

May 16, 2003
Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Little Neck, N.Y., announced that after lengthy investigation and for mutual business reasons, it has exercised its right

Leviton Manufacturing Co. Inc., Little Neck, N.Y., announced that after lengthy investigation and for mutual business reasons, it has exercised its right to not acquire OnQ Technologies Inc.

Leviton will continue to direct the structured wiring and applications operations of its Leviton Integrated Networks (LIN) and Decora Home Controls (DHC) businesses from its corporate headquarters in Little Neck, N.Y.

According to Harold Leviton, president and CEO of Leviton Manufacturing, “After many months of discussion and exploring integration with OnQ Technologies, we have developed admiration and respect for the OnQ staff. We do believe, however, that it is in the best interest of all parties concerned for Leviton to carry out our commitment to the residential home systems market based on the business model we have developed and refined over our many years of service to the industry.”

Leviton customers will continue to place orders for Leviton Integrated Networks and Decora Home Controls products directly with Leviton. The company will continue to focus support on its Builder Sales Program, Installer Certification Program and other residential home systems training initiatives.

Leviton was interested in OnQ because it's the market leader in the structured wiring industry. When the original deal was announced, Doug Fikse, president of OnQ Technologies, said his company was attracted to Leviton because the company had “the resources and relationships with distributors, contractors and retailers that would have taken years to develop.” OnQ markets its products primarily through security, audio-visual and other low-voltage professionals.

The market for structured wiring systems is expected to exceed $500 million by 2004, according to research by Parks Associates, Dallas, a consulting firm that studies emerging residential technologies and services.