Special Projects Group

What Special Projects Group does

Special Projects Group, Inc. (SPG) is a privately held, consulting-grade distributor of architectural door hardware founded in 1998 and headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia. The company distributes high-end door and entrance hardware from 17+ major manufacturers — including Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba, Altronix, BEA, Hager, NGP, and DynaLock — and supplies its own SPG-branded proprietary power controllers (SP-500, SP-1000X, SP-2000) and the co-developed RECORD 8100-SP Low Energy Auto Operator (an ANSI/BHMA A156.19 compliant electromechanical operator with 32-bit processor control). Its product portfolio spans electric strikes, electric locks, motorized exit devices, low energy operators, access control components, power supplies, and building automation integration hardware.

SPG monetizes through a one-time-sale distribution model supplemented by professional services revenue, with all pricing handled through project-specific quotes rather than published rate cards. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales executed by an experienced sales and application engineering team that guides customers through the full project lifecycle — estimating, submittals, custom wiring diagrams, production scheduling, technical support, and post-installation field support. Customer segments are horizontal and include door and entrance manufacturers, commercial glazing and curtainwall contractors, architects and specification writers, access control and security contractors, general contractors, and commercial property managers; end-project examples span stadiums, museums, government facilities, corporate headquarters, hotels, and university buildings across the US and internationally (Taiwan, Israel, Turkey, China, Djibouti, Canada).

The company is founder/management-led with no external institutional investors, operates from a single location with a team in the low-to-mid 20s (after a series of retirements between 2019-2025), and competes on the depth of its technical specification expertise, code-compliance knowledge (ADA, NFPA, IBC, blast-DOD, TSA, smoke evacuation), and ability to integrate products across multiple hardware brands into a single bid-to-completion package. There is no public revenue disclosure, no AI/ML product capability, and no current product line beyond electromechanical hardware and embedded control systems.

Name

Special Projects Group

Legal name

Special Projects Group, Inc.

Website

https://specialprojectsgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Special Projects Group is a privately held consulting distributor of architectural door hardware and entrance systems, distributing products from 17+ manufacturers alongside SPG-branded power controllers. The company serves door manufacturers, glazing contractors, architects, and access control contractors across commercial and institutional construction projects in North America and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Suwanee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Door Hardware Distribution: Distribution of high-end architectural door hardware, power supplies, and related products from multiple manufacturers. Products include low energy operators, power controllers, and access control components.
2. Consulting and Technical Services: Value-added services including project estimating, submittals, wiring diagrams, production scheduling, technical support, and marketing/product development services that create a cohesive process from bid to completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Special Projects Group (SPG) is a consulting distributor of architectural door and entrance hardware for commercial construction projects. The company distributes products from multiple leading manufacturers (Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba, Record-USA, and others) and offers its own SPG-branded power controllers (SP-500, SP-1000X, SP-2000) and the RECORD 8100-SP low energy auto operator. SPG provides value-added services including project estimating, submittals, custom wiring diagrams, production scheduling, technical support, and marketing/development across the full project lifecycle from bid to completion.

Product overview

Special Projects Group is a high-end consulting distributor of architectural door hardware specializing in the storefront entrance and specialty door markets. The company offers its own branded power supply products (SP-500, SP-1000X, and SP-2000 Power Controllers) alongside the distributed RECORD 8100-SP Low Energy Auto Operator. These products integrate with electric strikes, electric locks, motorized exit devices, access control systems, fire alarm systems, and building automation systems. SPG's product portfolio is complemented by a comprehensive service suite including project estimating, submittals with custom wiring diagrams, production management, technical/field support, and product development/testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SP-500 Panic Device Power Controller Proprietary power controller designed to handle high amperage in-rush of 24VDC electric solenoid exit devices for access control or timer systems, with built-in voltage regulator to compensate for voltage drop and battery back-up capability. Sold to access control integrators and door hardware installers.
• SP-1000X Power Controller Versatile proprietary power controller accommodating nearly any entrance door locking arrangement, with built-in logic and relay capabilities for access control, ADA operators, intercom, fire alarm interfacing, smoke evacuation, and remote release applications. Includes troubleshooting/diagnostic LEDs. Sold to access control contractors, glazing contractors, and door manufacturers.
• SP-2000 Power Controller Proprietary power controller designed for low current entrance door locking arrangements, with built-in logic and relay capabilities, configurable fail-secure or fail-safe lock mode, troubleshooting/diagnostic LEDs, and automatic operator interfacing. Sold to access control and entrance hardware installers.
• RECORD 8100-SP Low Energy Auto Operator Electromechanical low energy door operator distributed by SPG in partnership with Record-USA (ASSA ABLOY), featuring 32-bit processor technology, planetary gear system, and LCD display programmer. Fully compliant with ANSI/BHMA A156.19 standards. Available as standard single unit or custom configurations including simultaneous/independent operation pairs and EHMC units. Sold to commercial building owners, contractors, and ADA-compliance retrofitters.
• Multi-Manufacturer Architectural Hardware Distribution Distribution of high-end architectural door hardware, power supplies, and related products from multiple leading manufacturers (Allegion, ASSA ABLOY including Adams Rite, Corbin Russwin, Sargent, Yale; dormakaba including Best Access Systems, Precision; plus Hager, NGP, DynaLock, BEA, Altronix, ACSI, Forms+Surfaces, Blumcraft, PRL Glass Systems, Elmes, Burns Manufacturing, Select Products, Wikk). Sold to door manufacturers, glazing contractors, architects, and general contractors.
• Project Estimating Service Project estimating and take-off service that helps contractors and door manufacturers price commercial hardware scope during the bid phase. Provided by SPG's sales and application engineering team.
• Submittals Service Preparation of hardware submittal packages documenting specified products, cutsheets, and compliance information for architectural review and approval during the project submittal phase.
• Custom Wiring Diagram Service Project-specific custom wiring diagrams illustrating all electronic system components within an architectural door hardware scope, designed to bridge gaps between installation processes crossing multiple trades (electrical, access control, hardware).
• Technical Support and Field Service Ongoing technical and field support for customers during and after installation, including troubleshooting, product application guidance, and post-installation issue resolution, delivered by SPG's application engineering team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Projects completed correctly the first time through comprehensive bid-to-completion support

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• AllegioncoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer partner providing commercial hardware and access control products through SPG distribution.
• ASSA ABLOYcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor global door opening solutions provider with multiple brands distributed through SPG including Adams Rite, ASSA, Corbin Russwin, Sargent, Yale, and others.
• dormakabacoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal provider of door opening solutions including dormakaba, Best Access Systems, and Precision hardware brands distributed through SPG.
• AltronixmajorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of power supplies and access control electronics for security applications.
• BEAmajorTechnology or IntegrationSensor and door control manufacturer providing automatic door sensors and related products.
• Record-USA (ASSA ABLOY)coreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of automatic door operators including the Record 8100-SP Low Energy Auto Operator distributed through SPG.
• HagermajorTechnology or IntegrationHardware manufacturer providing door hardware, hinges, and related products.
• National Guard Products (NGP)majorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of door protection and hardware products.
• DynaLockmajorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of electromagnetic locks and access control products.
• PRL Glass SystemsmajorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of architectural glass and glazing products.
• Forms+SurfacesmajorTechnology or IntegrationArchitectural products manufacturer for doors, hardware, and architectural surfaces.
• Blumcraft (C.R. Laurence)majorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of architectural metal products including frameless entrance systems.
• ACSI (Architectural Controls)majorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of architectural hardware controls and electronic access control products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• C.R. Laurence (CRL): Large architectural hardware, glazing, and storefront systems manufacturer and distributor (parent of Blumcraft, a SPG partner). Comparable on architectural metal and entrance systems and competes via direct sales and broad distribution.
• Hager Companies: Manufacturer of architectural door hardware (hinges, locks, exit devices). Sells through distribution networks including SPG; relevant competitor at the product level for many of the same commercial openings projects.
• dormakaba: Global access solutions manufacturer (dormakaba, Best Access Systems, Precision). Sells direct to enterprise and through specialty distributors like SPG; directly relevant as both partner and competitor in commercial door hardware and access control projects.
• ASSA ABLOY: World's largest lock and door opening solutions group (Adams Rite, Corbin Russwin, Sargent, Yale, Record). Competes with SPG through its own brands while also being one of SPG's Core distribution partners, making it both supplier and competitor across commercial openings projects.
• Allegion: Global manufacturer of security and access control products (Schlage, Von Duprin, LCN, Ives). Competes via direct sales force and partner distributors like SPG, and overlaps with SPG on access-control and electrified hardware projects at the manufacturer level.

Direct peers

• American Direct: National commercial door, hardware, and integration distributor serving general contractors and end users with specification, submittal, and installation services — closely comparable to SPG's full-service consulting-distributor model.
• DH Pace: National commercial door, dock, and hardware solutions distributor and integrator offering specification, installation, and service across commercial and institutional markets — directly comparable to SPG's consulting-distributor model for architectural door hardware.
• Total Door Systems: Specialty distributor of integrated commercial door and hardware packages with value-added specification services — comparable in niche to SPG's focus on complete entrance solutions.
• WSA (Washington Specialty Agents): Specialty agency representing architectural door and hardware manufacturers to architects and specifiers. Highly comparable to SPG's specification-writing and consultative distribution model, particularly on the architects-and-specifiers customer segment.

Emerging players

• LifeSafety Power: Specialty manufacturer of intelligent power supplies and integrated access-control power systems. Directly competitive with SPG's proprietary SP-500/SP-1000X/SP-2000 power controllers in electrified hardware and access-control integration applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Special Projects Group