Tom Harris, ASSA ABLOY
Tom Harris spent his entire 43-year career working in the security industry. Starting with assembling products in the factory and quickly moving to sales and new product development, Tom began his career with well-known door hardware brands like Yale and Arrow, before eventually earning leadership roles under the ASSA ABLOY umbrella, including general manager and head of sales. In April 2024, Tom retired from his position as V.P. of Business Development, Marketing & Product Management for ASSA ABLOY’s Access & Egress Hardware Group.
During his time with the company, Tom witnessed several critical industry transformations, from the passing of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations in the 80s to more recent demands for school security, privacy within a variety of applications, touchless door operation, behavioral health safety, high security mechanical and electronic locks with keyless and mobile access solutions, and growing demand for more decorative choices in terms of finish design, and aesthetics.
Tom joined ASSA ABLOY in 1981 as a member of the company’s sales representative training program after which he served as a U.S. sales representative and then as regional sales manager for the Far East – residing in Hong Kong from 1985-1990. His career also took him to the United Kingdom, where he and his family lived for two years. During his tenure, Tom conducted business in 43 countries and had a front-row seat to many of the world’s most significant historical events, including being one of the earliest visitors to China, living on a project site in the jungle of Brunei, selling mechanical hotel locksets in India, visiting nuclear facilities in Korea, doing door take-offs in Guam, working on a high-security military base in Italy, and being in the Eastern Block soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Tom asserts that what companies like ASSA ABLOY do is absolutely critical for society to function. “We ensure safety and security by delivering products and services that are largely in the background – that people take for granted because they can!” He is proud of his security industry roots.
Tom has seen the industry move from knob locks to lever locks, from cross bar exit devices to push bars, and from mortise locks fashioned from cast iron to those constructed of steel today. But he is quick to say that his favorite product sold over the years are status indicators. “With the growing need for privacy, there’s no end to the products that benefit from having a status indicator – so folks can quickly see if a space is occupied or vacant and if a door is locked or unlocked.
Tom is seen as a mentor to many and recognizes that people tend to remain in the industry because it “just gets in their blood.” He encourages those who are early in their careers to speak up and let their ambitions be known.
• ASSA ABLOY Vice President Business Development, Marketing & Product Management- Access & Egress Hardware Group (Monroe, NC & New Haven, CT 2016-2024)
• General Manager, Arrow Lock (an ASSA ABLOY brand), (Roanoke, VA 2008 – 2016)
• ASSA ABLOY Director of Product Management & Customer Service (Monroe, NC 1999 – 2008)
• Group Product Manager - ASSA ABLOY Architectural Hardware Group (Monroe, NC 1997-1999)
• Sales Manager, Western USA District/Yale Security Group (Monroe NC, 1993-1997) [Note: Yale was purchased by ASSA ABLOY in 2000.]
• Export Sales Manager - Yale Security Group (Monroe, NC 1991-1993)
• Director of International Marketing - Yale Security Group (Birmingham, England, 1990-91). Directed regional managers who oversaw a global network of sales agencies marketing products manufactured in England, China, Italy, and USA throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• Director, Regional Manager - Yale Hong Kong (Hong Kong, 1985-90) • Trainee and Export Sales - Yale Security Group (Monroe, NC 1981- 1985). Travelled extensively in the US and overseas. Helped develop business in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Korea and Brunei.
• Manufacturing Worker at Norton Door Controls (Monroe, NC 1978-1980). Worked on production lines for door closer testing and assembly - a great learning experience and foray into the business
