EXTON, Pa. — Bus seating and fire suppression supplier USSC Group announced on Monday that it has acquired Child Check-Mate System (CCM).

Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, CCM developed and patented an alarm system that acts as an electronic reminder to school bus drivers to ensure that all students have safely disembarked the vehicle upon the completion of each run. In its 26 years of operation, CCM has worked with more than 500 school districts worldwide; their products are currently installed in over 400,000 commercial vehicles, according to USSC Group.

“This technology acquisition comes as part of USSC's unfaltering commitment to advance the safety and security of our customers, in this case, the children who ride to school and childcare every day,” said Joseph Mirabile, president, and CEO of USSC Group. “CCM’s proven system is a welcomed addition to our portfolio of brands.”

Mirabile added that the acquisition will expand and strengthen USSC’s safety solution options for commercial transportation markets.

“CCM’s unique safety technology is the clear leader in the student transportation industry,” said Kent Tyler, executive vice president of USSC Group. “Our partnership will enable USSC to implement this technology across a broad spectrum of commercial transportation markets, to take care of our customers in the safest, most reliable way possible.”

While working at their family’s school bus business, Gord Both and Allen Lowe saw a critical need to improve the safety for schoolchildren around the globe. It was their collaborative efforts which made the idea of CCM a reality.

“We developed Child Check-Mate alarm system to equip school bus drivers with vital equipment to ensure students arrive to and from school safely,” said Gord Both, CCM’s founder. “Twenty-six years later, CCM is the undisputed leader in the industry. We leave our company with a great sense of accomplishment, and knowing the CCM system has contributed to saving hundreds of young children’s lives around the world.”

Additionally, Bradley Both has been promoted to vice president at CCM, and with the support of the USSC team will oversee manufacturing in Ottawa, Canada.

In other related USSC news, the supplier expanded its operations and established a new manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania in April 2018.