American Leak Detection

Infobox Company
company_name = American Leak Detection
company_
company_type = Franchisor
foundation = 1974
location = Palm Springs, California, USA
key_people = Dick Rennick, founder
Stan Berenbaum, president
industry = Plumbing inspection
products =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees =
parent =
subsid = 117 franchisees in 8 countries
homepage = [http://www.americanleakdetection.com/index.php americanleakdetection.com]
footnotes =

American Leak Detection (ALD) is a plumbing inspection company headquartered in Palm Springs, California. Founded in 1974, ALD specializes in leak detection and has 117 franchises in 8 countries. The company has serviced approximately 4.5 million leaks since its inception and was recognized as one of the Top 25 High Franchise Performers by "The Wall Street Journal". ALD services residential, commercial and municipal clients.

History

ALD (formerly "Leak Busters") was founded in Palm Springs, California by Richard Rennick in 1974. Originally, ALD's business model included detecting pool, spa, and slab leaks in the Southern California area. However, as services expanded to include sewer- and utility-line locating; oil, gas, and natural gas leak detection; crack injection; etc.; the business' area of service grew as well. This growth was facilitated in 1984 as the company became a franchisor and subsequently achieved network sales of approximately $50 million. [cite web |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/americanleakdetection/282087-0.html |title=American Leak Detection |accessdate=2008-05-07 |publisher = [http://entrepreneur.com/ Entrepreneur.com, Inc.] ]

In 2006 ALD was bought out by private equity firm The PlainSight Group, and in 2007, ALD partnered with UK-based Environmental Biotech, thus enabling ALD to offer a range of environmentally friendly products and services that eliminate fats from drains and solve other wastewater and odor problems. [cite web |url=http://www.plainsight.com/private-equity.php |title=Investment Buyout of ALD |accessdate=2008-05-07 |publisher = [http://www.plainsight.com/ The PlainSight Group] ] The company now has 117 franchises in 8 countries. [cite web |url=http://www.americanleakdetection.com/corporate-profile.php |title=ALD Corporate Profile |accessdate=2008-05-07 |publisher = [http://www.americanleakdetection.com/ American Leak Detection] ]

Products and awards

The company's principle service is "leak detection without destruction." ALD has patented a laser-sensor technology that detects surface changes at 1/10,000 of an inch called LeakVue. [cite web |url=http://www.americanleakdetection.com/leakvue-test.php |title=LeakVue |accessdate=2008-05-07 |publisher = [http://www.americanleakdetection.com/ American Leak Detection] ]

In 2008, American Leak Detection was ranked #181 in the "Franchise 500"—#1 in the "Miscellaneous Maintenance Products & Services" category. "Entrepreneur Magazine" also ranked the company as the 39th best home-based franchise. [cite web |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/americanleakdetection/282087-3.html |title=Franchise Rankings |accessdate=2008-05-07 |format= |publisher="Entrepreneur Magazine" ] Additionally, "The Wall Street Journal" ranked ALD as one of the Top 25 High Franchise Performers. [cite web |url=http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-franchiseList0802.html?mod=WSJBlog |title=Franchise High Performers |accessdate=2008-05-07 |format= |publisher="The Wall Street Journal" ]

See also

* Nondestructive testing

References

External links

* [http://www.environmentalbiotech.co.uk/ Environmental Biotech]
* [http://www.plainsight.com/index.htm The PlainSight Group]