Kwikset
Kwikset is an American lock and lockset manufacturer owned by Spectrum Brands Hardware and Home Improvement Group (HHI), a Division of Spectrum Brands. Originally Gateway Manufacturing Company, Kwikset was founded in California in 1946 by Adolf Schoepe, and Karl Rhinehart.[1]
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 A Kwikset electronic lock with optional operation using conventional key. This electronic deadbolt uses a Weiser keypad and is a hybrid combining features of Kwikset and Weiser brand locks. | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founders | Adolf Schoepe Karl Rhinehart |
| Parent | Spectrum Brands |
| Website | kwikset |
The current name for the company was derived from the company's first locks, which pioneered the then-revolutionary tubular lock design, which was relatively fast to install. Kwikset key blanks (KW1, Ilco 1176, Axxess 66) are available at almost every location where keys can be made.
Kwikset currently has manufacturing facilities in Denison, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Mexicali, Mexico. Kwikset also has a facility in China. Kwikset previously had manufacturing facilities in Anaheim, California; Bristow, Oklahoma; and Waynesboro, Georgia; but starting in 1996, these facilities were closed in a consolidation of operations to the Mexicali facility. Kwikset's Corporate headquarters is in Lake Forest, California.
History
In 1957, the American Hardware Corporation (AHC) purchased Kwikset. AHC merged with Emhart Manufacturing Corporation in 1964; the latter was purchased by Black & Decker in 1989.
In 1992, Kwikset introduced its higher quality, high-security Titan product line. Around the year 2005, the line was rebranded as the "Signature Series".
In March 2010, Black & Decker was purchased by Stanley Tools. Kwikset subsequently became part of the Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) Group of Stanley Black & Decker, which also owns lockset manufacturers Weiser and Baldwin. Kwikset locks have now evolved to include many Weiser features, and Weiser locks now use Kwikset's "SmartKey" self rekeyable lock technology and Kwikset keyways.
On October 9, 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. had agreed to acquire from Stanley Black & Decker's HHI Group, including Kwikset, and that the transaction was slated to close by December 31, 2012.
On September 8, 2021, Assa Abloy announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Spectrum Brands' HHI division, including Kwikset, among other brands, for a purchase price of $4.3 billion.[2][3] It was reported that the transaction is expected to close in during the fourth quarter of 2021.[2]
References
- Orozco, Helen (May 9, 2016). "130/366 Lock and Keys". Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- "ASSA ABLOY to acquire Hardware and Home Improvement ("HHI") division of Spectrum Brands" (Press release). ASSA ABLOY. 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
- Rhodes, Brian (2021-09-09). "Assa Abloy Acquiring HHI / Kwikset". IPVM. Retrieved 2021-09-10.(Subscription required.)