Framon's FRA2 Celebrates 50 Years
The FRA2 , widely known as the most accurate and durable code machine available, is celebrating 50 years. It was designed in 1967 by the founder of Framon Manufacturing, Frank Agius.
Frank Agius began practicing locksmithing in 1959 in addition to his cabinet-making business. As he became more involved with lock work, he realized that he needed a better machine to originate keys than what was currently available. He designed a code machine for his own use, made up of spare parts he found around the house. Accurate to one-half thousandth of an inch (.0005″), the machine could cut depths ranging from .115″ to .400″ and accommodate practically any cylinder key.
A distributor in Detroit, Sam Solomon of Hugo Solomon and Sons, heard of Frank’s invention and talked him into traveling to a few trade shows to see if there would be a market for the machine. There was definitely interest, and with the help of Sam and a few other investor-friends, Framon Manufacturing Company was formed. The FRA2 was first designed in 1967 and the first Framon Code Machine was shipped in 1972.
The #2 became well-known throughout the industry as a highly accurate and durable code machine. Frank even showed this off at many trade shows by dropping the machine from the table, picking it up and cutting a perfect key with the machine. The #2 Code Machine remains one of Framon’s best selling machines today. Framon is now offering a special package and pricing with the FRA2 to celebrate the machine's 50 years as a staple in the locksmith industry.
More Info: www.framon.com
ASSA ABLOY to Acquire August Home
New Haven, CT – ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire August Home, a leading U.S. smart lock business.
August Home is a leading provider of smart locks for smart home access products and services. With primary focus on the DIY channel, August offers smart locks, which now feature DoorSense™, the first intelligent integrated sensor that tells users if their door is open or closed, and doorbell cameras.
“August Home strengthens our residential smart door strategy with complementary smart locks, expansion into video doorbells and comprehensive solutions for home delivery,” says Thanasis Molokotos, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas division.
Based in San Francisco, California, founded by Jason Johnson and Yves Behar, August Home has developed three generations of smart door locks and two generations of video doorbells, making the company among the industry leaders in technology, partnerships and retail sales.
“August has created a fantastic consumer experience through differentiated features and software,” states Molokotos. “We look forward to the opportunity to draw from the 180 years of cumulative experience of the Yale team plus the technology expertise of the August team to create the future of smart residential doors.”
“We have always admired the design and quality of Yale locks,” said Jason Johnson, CEO of August, “This is a great opportunity for us to work with the world’s largest lock and access company."
ASSA ABLOY’s acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to be completed during Q4 2017. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
NAPCO Launches All-New Website
Amityville, NY – NAPCO Security Technologies, a leading manufacturer of some of the best-known brands in intrusion, fire, communications, wireless, access control and door locking systems, has launched its brand new website, www.napcosecurity.com. The site boasts a new modern look with multiplatform capability, ideal for mobile device users, and easy search and navigation for content, from the Napco Security System Division product lines, including popular StarLink, Napco Commercial & Gemini, as well as security technology solutions from sister divisions, Alarm Lock, Continental Access & Marks USA.
The comprehensive website includes handy interactive locator maps for contacting local sales reps or distributors, and a library of free downloadable marketing materials, including featured products such as the award-winning line of StarLink® Universal Alarm Communicators for intrusion, commercial fire and StarLink Connect with built in connected home hub. Also featured are Gemini™ and GEMC Commercial 24V Addressable/Conventional/Wireless Systems; Firewolf™ Fire Panels & Devices - Addressable/Conventional/Commercial fire Systems with easily integrated intrusion &/or access control; all-new iBridge Video and iBridge® Connected Home with iBridge Messenger SMS/MMS Notifications.
Additionally, with a few clicks, professionals can register for any of the dynamic roster of free CEU-accredited training classes or webinars and/or for technical support, new helpful how-to videos and documentation access. Lastly, as the site functions as the website for Napco Security Systems, and the parent company, Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSSC), an Investor Relations section is also featured.
More Info: www.napcosecurity.com.
Door Hardware In A Snap with DoorSnap™
CAMARILLO, CA –SDC has added a new, labor-saving function called DoorSnapTM to its free, award-winning SDCSecurity App. DoorSnap™ allows users to take and submit pictures of door openings via Apple or Android smartphone or tablet and receive free access & egress solution recommendations for electrification retrofits.
“SDC’s free SDCSecurity App has been a great, mobile tool to support our customers in the field. The new DoorSnapTM functionality allows them to receive a complete, customized solution for their particular retrofit the same day,” explained Shane Geringer, SDC’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Strategic Development. “In July and August alone, we’ve received over 1,200 page views from the field. And this was just during our “soft-launch” period for the app, convincing us to formalize the launch and develop this robust DoorSnapTM promotion.”
Details about the SDCSecurity App and new DoorSnap™ functionality are available at: http://sdcsecurity.com/doorsnap.htm.
66,000 Football Fans Pass Through ASSA ABLOY Openings
The state-of-the-art U.S. Bank Stadium – home of the Minnesota Vikings – showed it’s ready for some football this year at the first Monday night game of the 2017 season where 66,606 fans entered the facility through the more than 1,500 doors and openings from ASSA ABLOY.
Completed last year, the flexibility of the 1.5 million square foot stadium campus allows U.S. Bank Stadium to serve as a true multipurpose stadium that can host football, soccer, baseball, basketball, motorsports, major concerts and other events.
A truncated construction time frame during 2015-16 provided the impetus for ASSA ABLOY and its Group brands to provide doors and hardware for the state-of-the-art stadium via pre-assembled openings. By providing ready-to-install openings, the project eliminated worry about on-site management of multiple components and saved time through a streamlined installation process.
The openings included products from ASSA ABLOY Architectural Door Accessories including McKinney hinges, Pemko accessories and Rockwood door trim; as well as products from Group brands, including Curries hollow metal doors and frames, Sargent locks, exit devices and door closers, Medeco high security cylinders and keys, and Securitron access control components.
Along with the security and safety requirements of a facility this size, aesthetics also served as a prominent requirement. Doorways serve as constant contact points between people and the building and make strong and important design statements. Because of the broad range of ASSA ABLOY high quality design elements, there was no sacrifice to the overall look of the stadium, even with the pre-assembled openings and streamlined installation.
ASSA ABLOY provided this critical design element through Studio Collection levers from Sargent and matching hardware including McKinney hinges and Rockwood door pulls and stops.
"Having durable, commercial-grade hardware and doors available with stylish and specific options allow building designers to easily incorporate hardware into the overall aesthetics of a building," said Tom Mayer, Director of Sales, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions– North Central. "This attention to detail means designers on all projects, including the largest of stadiums, can provide safety and security without sacrificing the design continuum running through the facility.”
The result in Minnesota is a beautiful, secure, state-of-the art facility that is ready to welcome football fans all season long.
ABUS Partners With Phoenix Suns
PHOENIX – ABUS announces a new strategic marketing partnership agreement with the Phoenix Suns that designates ABUS as the “Official Lock of the Phoenix Suns.” The first-of-its-kind category partnership for the Suns is also the first U.S. sponsorship for ABUS, whose North American operations are headquartered in Phoenix.
“We are excited to partner with a world-class organization such as the Phoenix Suns,” said Johannes Bremicker, President and CEO, ABUS USA. “This agreement is part of our corporate strategy to extend the brand visibility of ABUS in the U.S. Also headquartered in the Valley, we feel the Suns are a perfect match as we both have a strong history of success and are building for an even greater future.”
Together, the Suns and ABUS are encouraging fans to “Protect what you love” and as part of the multi-year agreement, ABUS will have a prominent presence in and around Talking Stick Resort Arena, home of the Suns. For the first time, ABUS has produced a TV commercial that will air during Suns’ broadcasts and on digital channels. In addition, ABUS will give away limited edition co-branded padlocks and tickets to Suns’ home games.
Starting in the 2018 season, ABUS and the Phoenix Mercury will also team up for the “Brittney Blocks” initiative, a promotion that will donate money to the charity of ABUS’ choice each time Mercury center Brittney Griner records a blocked shot during the 2018 WNBA season. Griner, who earned back-to-back WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015, has blocked 552 shots in 173 career games (including playoffs) and led the WNBA with 2.5 blocks per game during the 2017 season.
The Phoenix Suns are Arizona’s original sports franchise and will celebrate their 50th season in the Valley during the 2017-18 NBA campaign. The Suns have been regarded as one of the most successful NBA franchises on and off the court. Since entering the league in 1968, the Suns own the fourth-best winning percentage all-time in the NBA.
Since 1924, ABUS provides a good feeling of security. The products of the German manufacturer distinguish themselves through a high level of reliability and longevity while still being very easy to use. ABUS provides a large product range of innovative solutions for home security, safety lockout, commercial security and recreational security. The ABUS group is headquartered in Wetter, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany and is made up of more than 20 subsidiaries worldwide distributing security products in over 100 countries.
More Info suns.abus.com.
PDQ Wins GPLA 2017 Industry Award
PDQ Manufacturing is the 2017 recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths Association’s Industry award. PDQ, based in Leola, Pa., is a premier manufacturer of lock and security hardware and systems.
The award was given recently during the association’s 68th annual banquet at the Hilton Airport Doubletree Inn, Philadelphia. The banquet caps the GPLA’s convention each year. In the photo, Bill Tell (R), PDQ President and CEO, accepts the award from GPLA's Sven Hellwig, Sr.
The Industry Award is given selectively to a firm and an individual for their unusual contributions to the growth and stature of the craft. It is not necessarily awarded each year.
Ed Fitzgerald of Arnold’s Safe & Lock, Pennsauken, N.J., chairman of the convention awards committee, said the selection of PDQ reflected the company’s long-term commitment to the success of the locksmith community.
“PDQ is well-known for providing great products at prices that make sense to locksmiths,” he said. “This is a company that allows us to be competitive while maintaining the quality of the product.”
Bill Tell said his firm views the award as an important honor, reflecting PDQ’s market intentions over the course of decades.
“We really feel that this is recognition for many years of work responding to the specific needs of locksmiths in the greater Philadelphia area. They represent an important part of the market that some manufacturers don’t always serve as well as they might. We’re very pleased that the GPLA respects our efforts to combine quality and value across our whole product line.”
More Info: http://www.pdqlocks.com.
Allegion™ Moves Readers, Credentials to Schlage® Portfolio
CARMEL, IND.– Allegion™ has moved readers and credentials to its Schlage® portfolio – giving customers a single, unified source for access control solutions.
Customers who use Schlage readers and credentials, which were formerly aptiQ® and XceedID® , can expect the same great products, part numbers, compatibility and customer service. The only change is that these products now carry the Schlage name.
“From mechanical locks and keys to electronic locks, readers and credentials, Schlage can now meet all of your access control needs,” said Jon Mooney, Allegion’s business leader for readers, credentials and biometrics.
While Allegion has discontinued the aptiQ and XceedID brand names, current installations will not be affected. Newly branded Schlage products will work with and alongside aptiQ and XceedID products. Compatibility and support will continue as normal, but customers should expect to see future products, training materials and other resources with the Schlage logo.
Schlage already had a comprehensive portfolio of mechanical and electronic locking solutions. Incorporating readers into its access control offering provides additional resources to fit the needs and budgets of any facility. And Schlage is the trusted name for keys and key systems, so including electronic credentials completes that portfolio as well.
“Our goal is to help customers deliver the most secure, convenient and efficient solution — with the simplicity of using a single brand instead of three,” said Mooney. “This should make solutions easier to understand, sell and service for our channels. Customers order Schlage credentials to use with Schlage readers or Schlage locks. It’s just like it’s done on the mechanical side.”
More Info: schlagecredentials.com
Paxton Adds Sales Managers
Greenville, SC –Paxton Access, manufacturer of IP access control and door entry solutions, has added significant additional headcount to its team of security and technology experts. In line with their ambitious growth plan, Paxton have added 8 new Sales Managers to their burgeoning team. This move is key to ensuring dealers and distributors receive an increasingly high level of support, wherever they are in the country.
Gareth O’Hara, Chief Sales Officer said, “Our dealers and distributors are the key priority for our continued growth and success and by significantly growing our field sales team, we can better support our customer base. We want to ensure customers are ready to take full advantage of the opportunities available with our innovative access control systems, Net2 and cloud-based Paxton BLU. We have given great care and attention to the selection of the new Sales Managers. I’m confident that this talented group of professionals has the drive and dedication to move Paxton forward to realizing our growth ambitions.”
Najim Hashimi, Paxton’s Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast is based in New York. He joins Paxton with a strong background in the security industry.
Keith West, Mid-Northeast Regional Sales Manager resides in Maryland and brings over 16 years of experience with a Sales and Engineering background.
John Murray covers The Carolinas and previously worked as an Integrator over the past seven years.
Colin Voerding built his career in the security sector. Colin is responsible for the Central region, and he is based in Minnesota.
Mason Reiff, Paxton’s Central Regional Sales Manager resides in Illinois and brings a wealth of expertise from both the security and technology field.
Charlie Spies East Central Regional Sales Manager joined Paxton with over 17 years of Sales and management experience.
Regional Sales Manager for the Northwest region, Ryan Smith previously held sales positions in security and access control distribution.
John Shipley covers the South-Central region, and his experience includes over 10 years of working within the security industry in Sales and management roles.
Visit http://paxton.info/2971 to find your Regional Sales Manager
