American Leak Detection
Encyclopedia
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.
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. The company now has 117 franchises in 8 countries.
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. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal
ranked ALD as one of the Top 25 High Franchise Performers.
Plumbing
Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping...
inspection company headquartered in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
. 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
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the 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.In 2006 ALD was bought out
Leveraged buyout
A leveraged buyout occurs when an investor, typically financial sponsor, acquires a controlling interest in a company's equity and where a significant percentage of the purchase price is financed through leverage...
by private equity firm
Private equity
Private equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
The PlainSight Group, and in 2007, ALD partnered with UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-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. The company now has 117 franchises in 8 countries.
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.In 2008, American Leak Detection was ranked #181 in the Franchise 500—#1 in the Miscellaneous Maintenance Products & Services category. Entrepreneur Magazine
Entrepreneur Magazine
Entrepreneur is a publication that carries news stories about entrepreneurialism, small business management, and business opportunities. It is published by Entrepreneur Media Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California....
also ranked the company as the 39th best home-based franchise. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
ranked ALD as one of the Top 25 High Franchise Performers.