SIA New Member Profile: Total Security Solutions

TSS headquarters photo

New Security Industry Association (SIA) member Total Security Solutions (TSS) is the leading nationwide custom bulletproof barrier manufacturer and installer. The company is headquartered in Fowlerville, Michigan, and has offices in California, Washington, Nevada, Texas and Delaware.

SIA spoke with Jim Richards, CEO of TSS, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.

Tell us the story of your company.

Jim Richards headshot
Jim Richards, CEO, Total Security Solutions

Jim Richards: I founded Total Security Solutions with my dad in 2004. We already had careers in bullet-resistant materials and noticed the physical security industry was stuck in a “thicker walls, thicker doors, thicker glass” mindset. Most people didn’t think about aesthetics, functionality or how a ballistic barrier could enhance the space around it. We saw a lot of big companies that had a small mindset.

My dad handled the management side of things, which gave me more time to focus on barrier design, production and installation. I was especially interested in how we could modernize the industry. We were the first bulletproofing company to fully embrace computerized fabrication and new hybrid ballistic materials like glass-clad polycarbonate. We also brought more production in house, which has allowed us to create fully customized solutions and entirely new products.

Since 2004, we have designed, engineered, fabricated and installed over 21,000 ballistic systems in locations worldwide.

What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?

JR: Total Security Solutions is the nation’s leading end-to-end provider of custom bulletproof barriers. We have an extensive line of ballistic products, but what makes us stand out is our customized solutions, in-house capabilities and our focus on aesthetics. We don’t just sell a transaction window off the shelf. We custom fabricate it to ensure it is the right solution for each unique situation.

We’ve refined decades of experience into a four-step proven process, which has helped us consistently deliver quality products with exceptional customer service. We run on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and are driven by our three uniques: customer service, customization and speed.

What is something we might not know about your company – or something new you are doing in security?

JR: We’re finding new ways to meet the need for higher levels of protection. Earlier this year, we shipped out our first UL Level 8 doors, which is an industry first as far as we know. I think we will continue to see more complex jobs come in, and we’re excited to develop new solutions for those clients.

We also recently acquired Bullet Guard Corporation, a bulletproof glass and bullet-resistant barrier manufacturer headquartered in Sacramento, California. As a company, Bullet Guard is very similar to TSS, and their 40 years of experience will help us better serve the western half of the country.

What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?

JR: Part of our vision is to continue to be a one-stop-shop. As I mentioned earlier, we’re seeing more complex jobs with higher levels of protection. Our challenge is to keep up with the evolving product segments and technologies and be a partner to our clients, not just a supplier. While others may sell prefabricated solutions, we handle every phase of production in house. Glazing, millwork, metalwork, paint, hardware – we do it all.

What are your predictions for the security industry in the short and long term?

JR: I think we’ll continue to see higher levels of protection become the norm. A UL Level 3 barrier system was pretty common 10 years ago, but levels 4, 5 and 8 are now becoming more widely used. More people accept that security is a cost of doing business and are willing to do what it takes to protect their people, assets and brand image.

What do you enjoy most about being at your company – and in the security industry?

JR: I enjoy the complexity of the projects we’re working on and figuring out how to create a unique solution for a customer. But at the end of the day, what I enjoy most about TSS is that we keep people safe. We’re not just here to install great-looking doors and windows – we’re really in the business of protecting people.

TSS team

What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership with SIA?

JR: SIA offers the opportunity to meet and partner with others in the industry who are also innovating in the security world. We look forward to connecting with and learning from other SIA members and industry professionals.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association.