Pro-Vision

Pro-Vision is an American manufacturer of specialty cameras headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan.[1] The company manufactures and sells a variety of cameras including dashcams,[2] body cameras, and backup cameras.[3] The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing American companies from 2011 to 2017.[4][5][6] As of December 2016, Pro-Vision products have been used by organizations in over 50 countries.[7]

For the charter school in Houston, Texas, see Pro-Vision Academy.
Pro-Vision Video Systems
TypePrivate
Founded2003
Headquarters
Byron Center, MI
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Products
Websiteprovisionusa.com

History

Pro-Vision was founded in 2003. The company initially manufactured items like backup cameras for commercial vehicles, and later expanded into video recording on school buses and police cruisers.[8]

In 2012, Pro-Vision began manufacturing body cameras for police officers.[9] Pro-Vision trademarked the term "BodyCam" and applied it for their body-worn cameras. In 2014, the company began fielding more orders for police body cameras in the wake of the Ferguson unrest and President Barack Obama's call for increased accountability and clarity during volatile police situations.[7][8] Numerous police departments throughout the United States and other countries have begun using Pro-Vision body cameras.[7][10][11]

In 2017, Pro-Vision made the Inc. 5000 list for the seventh consecutive year (2011-2017) as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Pro-Vision is one of only seven manufacturers to make the list seven consecutive years[12][3][6] Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg said, "You have to remember that the average company on the Inc. 5000 grew nearly six-fold since 2012." Pro-Vision was also ranked as the fastest-growing video system manufacturer.[6]

In 2019, JMC Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, acquired Pro-Vision.[13]

In June 2020, Pro-Vision announced leadership changes, as it appointed Michael Finn as president and Kevin Spalding as CFO.[14]

In September 2020, Pro-Vision announced it acquired St. Petersburg, Florida-based Zone Defense, a manufacturer of advanced video systems for automotive and fleet industries.[15] With a location in Canada, the acquisition of Zone Defense offered Pro-Vision a physical footprint outside of the United States.

In November 2020, Pro-Vision partnered with Kajeet, an IoT connectivity, software and hardware company, to provide video recording cameras for school buses.[16]

Additionally, Kajeet's IoT management platform Sentinel offers Wi-Fi access on a connected school bus for up to 65 students.

Recognition

In 2021, the Grand Rapids Business Journal announced it named Pro-Vision as the winner of its 2020 Newsmaker of the Year award in the technology category. The business journal stated 2020 marked "various innovations in video systems technology" for Pro-Vision, including the release of the 900 Series Hybrid HD DVR and the BODYCAM® 4 body-worn camera.[17]

Products

Pro-Vision initially began as a manufacturer of cameras and recording systems that could be used in vehicles. Dashcams and backup cameras could be installed in commercial vehicles, school buses, and police cars to prevent accidents and limit liability.[3] These devices continue to be manufactured by Pro-Vision. In recent years, their trademarked "Bodycam" has become one of their notable products.[8] These devices can be clipped on to an officer's uniform (generally in the shoulder or chest area) where it can capture and record video of any incident with the public.

References
  1. Erb, Henry (1 December 2014). "Local company supplies body cameras to police worldwide". WOOD-TV. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. Wagstaff, Keith (1 December 2014). "Digital Partner: Here's How Police Body Cameras Work". NBC News. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  3. Harger, Jim (24 August 2012). "Byron Center firm started in basement, now on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies". MLive.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  4. Harger, Jim (21 October 2013). "Pro-Vision finds new market in law enforcement with its 'BodyCam' video system". MLive.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  5. "2014 is Fourth Consecutive Year on Inc. 5000 List for Leading Mobile Video System Manufacturer". PRWeb. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  6. "Pro-Vision". Inc. Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  7. Stone, Jeff (2 December 2014). "Police Body Cam Manufacturers See Windfall In Obama Announcement". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  8. Harger, Jim (5 December 2014). "Calls for cop bodycams fuel sales, exposure for Michigan-based Pro-Vision Video Systems". MLive.com. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  9. Zaagman, Steve (12 November 2014). "Made in Michigan: Pro-Vision police body cameras". WZZM. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  10. Hill, Zane (5 February 2015). "Deputies to wear body cameras". Daily Iberian. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  11. Burns, Michael (19 March 2015). "SC police chiefs eyeing progress of body camera bill". The State. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  12. "Video Technology Company Earns Rare Accolade from Inc. Magazine". PRWeb. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  13. Partners, JMC Capital. "JMC Capital Partners Acquires PRO-VISION®". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  14. Wynder, Ehren (2020-06-26). "PRO-VISION appoints president, CFO". Grand Rapids Business Journal. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  15. STAFF, MIBIZ (3 September 2020). "West Michigan video systems manufacturer makes strategic acquisition in Florida firm". mibiz.com. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  16. Wynder, Ehren (2020-11-25). "Pro-Vision partnership provides internet connectivity, video recording solutions for school buses". Grand Rapids Business Journal. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  17. "2020 Newsmaker of the Year: Pro-Vision rolls out tech for schools, law enforcement and logistics". Grand Rapids Business Journal. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
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