About Universal Security Instruments

Universal Security Instruments, Inc. designs and markets various safety products primarily consisting of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and related products. Majority of the company’s products require minimal installation and are designed for installation by the consumer without professional assistance, and are sold through retail stores. It also markets products to the electrical distribution trade through its wholly-owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc. (USI Electric). The electrical distribution trade includes electrical and lighting distributors, as well as manufactured housing companies. Products sold by USI Electric require professional installation. The company formed Eyston Company Limited as a 50% joint venture partner with a Hong Kong-based partner to manufacture various products in the People’s Republic of China (the ‘Hong Kong joint venture’). Safety Products The company markets a line of residential smoke and carbon monoxide alarms under the trade names UNIVERSAL and USI Electric both of which are manufactured by Eyston. Its line of safety alarms consists of units powered by replaceable batteries, ten year sealed batteries, or are 120 volt with battery backup. The company’s replaceable battery products contain different types of batteries with different battery lives, and some include alarm silencers. The smoke alarms marketed to the electrical distribution trade also include hearing impaired and heat alarms with various features. It also markets door chimes, ventilation products, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and other electrical devices. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc., focuses its sales and marketing efforts to maximize safety product sales, especially smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms manufactured by Eyston, to the electrical distribution trade. Import Matters The company imports all of its products. Its safety products are imported from the People’s Republic of China. Sales and Marketing; Customers The company sells its products to various customers, and its total sales market can be divided into two categories; sales by the company to retailers, including wholesale distributors, chain, discount, television retailers and home center stores, catalog and mail order companies and other distributors (retailers), and sales by its USI Electric subsidiary to the electrical distribution trade (primarily electrical and lighting distributors and manufactured housing companies) and foreign customers. Products marketed by its USI Electric subsidiary to the electrical distribution trade require professional installation. The company also markets its products through its website and through its own sales catalogs and brochures, which are mailed directly to trade customers. Research and Development Research and development expense for the year ended March 31, 2021 was $471,545. Competition In the sale of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, the company competes in all of its markets with First Alert and Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. History Universal Security Instruments, Inc. was founded in 1969. The company was incorporated in Maryland in 1969.