Norment Security Group’s systems have enhanced security for more than 1,200 prisons, jails and courts facilities.

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During its 55-year history, Norment Security Group Inc. has provided systems that have enhanced the level of security for more than 1,200 prisons, jails and courts facilities. Based in Montgomery, Ala., the company is “the leading detention equipment and security electronics contractor in the nation and possibly the world,” President Gary Mangus declares.

Norment was established in July 1952 by Jack B. Norment and O. B. Pittman. The company originally incorporated and operated as Pittman Brothers. The company engaged in the sale of building materials and the sale and installation of commercial glass and glazing in Montgomery and the surrounding tri-county area.  

During the late 1960s, Jack Norment’s son, Robert Norment, entered the business. Norment’s insight in defining new marketplaces and his identification of security needs in the correction industry were instrumental in launching Norment into the corrections marketplace as a detention equipment contractor, Mangus explains.

From there, the company began producing physical security systems for jails and prisons – consisting of the doors, windows, locks and glass, Mangus says. In 1982, aware of the need for a single-source detention equipment contractor and security electronics integrator, Norment organized its Trentech Division. Trentech is a designer, manufacturer, supplier and integrator of electronic security systems for engineered, high technology facility management and control systems.  

In 1989, Airteq Systems became part of the Norment Group. Airteq Systems is a premier manufacturer and supplier of electro-mechanical and pneumatic security locks and sliding devices for the detention marketplace.

In 1980, Norment established its Norshield Division – the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of ballistic, attack and blast resistant products. It manufactures the largest certified product line to U.S. Department of State standards. Norshield has completed more than 300 projects worldwide, including U.S. embassies, consulates and residences.

In addition to its headquarters in Montgomery, the company has offices in Tracy, Calif.; Chandler, Ariz.; Garner, N.C.; and Annapolis, Md. Today, Norment is a wholly owned subsidiary of CompuDyne Corp., a leader in physical and electronic security and technology-based solutions for the public security sector.

‘A Very Good Business’
Mangus joined Norment in 1986 as a project manager. Previously, he had worked at Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. on nuclear renovation and start-up projects.

He had to learn new technologies at Norment, but says he found similarities with his previous work in the area of project management; particularly in the scheduling of multiple project tasks for on time deliver and budget control, balanced with maintaining a satisfied customer.

Mangus notes that he has enjoyed his time at the company and in the Montgomery area. “It’s been a very good business,” he says. “It’s provided me with career opportunities while at the same time providing me with a good location to raise a family.”

An essential portion of Norment’s staff is its project operations team, Mangus says. “Over the years, we’ve changed that team,” he says. “We’ve gone out in the industry and we’ve gotten some strong project management and strong project engineering people.

“The company retains experienced project managers and engineers who bring an unparalleled level of system knowledge and installation know-how to every project,” he says. “They are distinguished by having [hundreds of years of combined] experience specific to the security industry.”

The breadth and depth of the company’s management experience allows Norment to support both design/build and solicited bid projects with equal expertise and capability. Regardless of the contract vehicle or procurement method, Norment has demonstrated its ability to respond and deliver to the satisfaction of its customers.