75 Years of Service
Protecting your safety and assets since 1946.
It’s not every day that you find a group like us — a true team of fire and security industry experts working together for the same vision.
Today, we are proud to be a fully-integrated fire, life safety and security company and honored to be chosen by businesses like yours to protect your people and property from the unexpected.
We’re also proud of the legacies — and the families — we represent.
Our History
1946
John Pye and Ben Barker, two graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology, open Pye-Barker Supply Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then we’ve added services and expertise. Today our guarantee remains the same:
Get the job done with commitment, respect and trust.
Below: Circa 1946. Pye-Barker Supply Company sells fire protection and safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and first-aid kits at the flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia. Product service is also offered.
1947
John Pye and Ben Barker hire Thomas Lumsden for a role in their shop on Pryor Street in downtown Atlanta. At the time, Pye and Barker were working on plans for a ball bearing business.
Below: The job offer letter presented to Thomas Lumsden in 1947.
1972
Thomas Lumsden, the store keeper, acquires Pye-Barker Fire & Safety from John Pye and Ben Barker. He would later pass the store onto three sons, including J. Roger Lumsden, who would become integral to the growth of Pye-Barker.
1990
J. Roger Lumsden partners with current Pye-Barker CEO Bart Proctor to grow the business. Pye-Barker ventures into welding supply and first aid, and begins partnering with regional fire and life safety companies who share the same values.
1996
During the 1990s, the company makes several acquisitions including Atlanta Fire Extinguisher, Dixie Fire Extinguisher, Decatur Fire Extinguisher, Fyer-Fyter in Griffin, GA, and Mid-Georgia Fire.
2021
J. Roger Lumsden retires. He leaves the company and its strategic expansion in the capable hands of his co-chief Bart Proctor.
In the same year, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety achieves a major milestone, adding its 100th location to the map and expanding its services and reach. By the end of the year, Pye-Barker had added sprinkler installation and alarm security to its offerings through the respective acquisitions of Rapid Fire Protection Group and Mountain Alarm.
Today and Every Day
Many family-operated companies have joined to form Pye-Barker. We’re extremely proud be part of an industry that saves lives every day.
Our Family of Companies
Operating now as Pye-Barker our family of companies represent the best in the industry for: portable extinguishers, restaurant fire suppression, special hazard systems, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, intrusion alarms, access control, CCTV and security.