Vale Mike Rowledge – EFCO, Arrowhead, Alarmcom, Southwest Microwave.
Vale Mike Rowledge – Mike Rowledge, one of the Australia’s electronic security distribution pioneers, has passed away in Sydney at the age of 88.
As well as being one of the pioneers of electronic security distribution in Australia, Rowledge was a dedicated professional who continued supporting high-end security clients until well into his 80s.
ASIAL GM, John Fleming, who worked with Rowledge in the early days, said Rowledge migrated to Australia in the 1970s as a manufacturer’s representative for Thorn Fire Detection Systems.
“After that, Mike took on a management and distribution role for EFCO locks, which morphed into Arrowhead, which morphed into Alarmcom, which was the local distribution business for Cerberus, a Swiss company that became Siemens,” Fleming said.
“Security distribution was different then – I can remember us doing the Alarmcom stocktaking and accounts on a Compaq computer complete with floppy drives on my kitchen table – it was the company’s pride and joy – everyone else was working manually in those days.
“The thing I most remember about Mike was that he loved travelling for work or pleasure – he couldn’t wait to get onto an airplane – he was a highly motivated – honest, straightforward and hardworking – he will be missed by all who knew him.”
According to Charlie Michaels of Perimeter Security Australia, after leaving Alarmcom, Rowledge took on a manufacturer’s representative role for Southwest Microwave for more than 20 years, showing great dedication to customers and the brand.
“Mike was distributing security products for many years before he formed Alarmcom,” Michaels said. “In 1983 Mike was working at EFCO locks as manager of the electronic security products division and I was working for him as a technician.
“He then formed Alarmcom based at Harris Park around 1987 and was director of the Alarmcom business for the next 10 years. In 1998 Alarmcom acquired Leptonics to gain access to a wider cross section of the market and in 1999 Mike left Alarmcom and took on a sales consulting role with U.S. security manufacturer, Southwest Microwave covering the ANZ market.
“After being product tech support manager at Alarmcom from 1987 to 2002, I had formed Perimeter Systems Australia in 2004 to become the sole distributor for Southwest Microwave products in Australia – that meant Mike and I remained in close contact throughout that time.
“Mike always enjoyed his scotch and dry – we made sure we had some in the office when he came to talk about the latest products – so here’s cheers from all of us, Mike. It was a real pleasure knowing you.”
“Vale Mike Rowledge – EFCO, Arrowhead, Alarmcom, Southwest Microwave.”
I was fortunate enough to catch up with Mike at the security conference a couple of years ago. Through conversation we realised we were neighbours that lived on the same street. He made his mark introducing leading technologies to our market and mentoring current leaders in the industry today. A sad loss for the industry.
Vale Mike Rowledge.