Gatekeeper Systems, a pioneer in intelligent theft prevention solutions, has completed a merger with FaceFirst, a leading provider of face matching software for life safety and loss prevention. FaceFirst is being used by top US retailers, including grocery, home improvement, luxury apparel, and discount department stores, as well as in hospital, casino, shipping, and distribution center environments. Gatekeeper Systems has five global offices with operational systems in 58 countries and has served the loss prevention industry as a partner with retailers for more than 26 years.
“Combining forces is a natural next step. FaceFirst has been a respected peer and an important part of the retail loss prevention ecosystem that our mutual customers are actively building,” said Robert Harling, CEO of Gatekeeper Systems. “The synergy between our technologies amplifies our capabilities, essentially making one plus one equal three in terms of innovation and effectiveness in life safety and loss prevention.”
As a result of the merger, Austin-based FaceFirst Inc. will become a subsidiary of Gatekeeper Systems Inc., headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California. Robert Harling will lead the merged company as CEO. FaceFirst Chairman and CEO Dan Merkle resigned effective immediately and will support the transition as an independent advisor. FaceFirst President Dara Riordan will retain that leadership role and serve as senior vice president of business development for the combined company. Together, the merged company aims to advance the goal of providing safer places for valued customers, employees, and associates.
“I am so appreciative of our FaceFirst team,” Merkle said. “Together, we have built a lifesaving security solution, forged strong relationships with our valued clients, and earned a reputation as trusted thought leaders for AI effectiveness, consumer privacy, data governance, and risk management. Our mutual clients have already come to understand the complementary nature of our solutions. I believe that with Gatekeeper Systems, our vital face matching technology will protect millions more employees, customers, and communities.”
“The combined value of our solutions has already proven successful, and we are eager to innovate together,” Riordan said. “Our complementary solutions create a seamless detect, deter, and defend process. We are thrilled about the opportunity to unite and drive greater value, impact, and performance.”
This strategic move not only expands Gatekeeper Systems’ product offerings but also reinforces its commitment to developing cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving challenges of retail safety and theft. The integration of FaceFirst brings Gatekeeper Systems additional expertise in effective and efficient AI deployment, thought leadership in consumer privacy, and well-earned relationships and reputations amongst their varied customers.
“We have worked hand-in-hand with FaceFirst over the years for some of our key customers,” Harling added. “FaceFirst and Gatekeeper Systems have been incredibly fortunate to play integral roles in the loss prevention and security ecosystem. This merger of two great companies will enhance that ecosystem to better serve our retail partners. We are intensely focused on protecting people, and the FaceFirst solution does just that. This is the first of many steps to build an even more robust platform to protect people, products, and profits.”
For further information, updates on merger developments, and detailed insights into the enhanced product line, visit GatekeeperSystems.com.
