Historisk bild på kvinna som håller en låskista med ASSA-lås.Historisk bild på kvinna som håller en låskista med ASSA-lås.

It begins in 1881

An exciting chapter in the history of Swedish industry is the manufacture of locks. The Swedish part of ASSA ABLOY's history begins with the company Aug. Stenman AB which was founded in 1881 and later became ASSA AB. Let us take you through the history of locks and the origin of ASSA ABLOY with a short overview containing many pictures from different eras.

It started with Aug. Stenman AB

  • Portrait photography of ASSA's founder August Stenman.Portrait photography of ASSA's founder August Stenman.

    1881

    The company August Stenman AB was founded by August Stenman when he bought the Thunell hinge factory in Eskilstuna.

  • 1890-1895

    In 1890, the first automatic machine for the manufacture of hinges was installed. In 1895, Sixten Nilsson was hired as the youngest man in the office.

  • Old view of factory area.Old view of factory area.

    1903-1910

    In 1903, a separate cold rolling mill was put into use. In 1910, August Stenman also took over his own production of wood screws. For the company's own needs in the manufacture of hinges and fittings.

  • Picture from factory in Aug. Stenman AB.Picture from factory in Aug. Stenman AB.

    1920-1921

    August Stenman died on August 23, 1920. His daughter, Baroness Elisa Åkerhielm, transformed the company into a limited company and Sixten Nilsson - who was hired in 1895 - was appointed MD.

  • Old door lock in beautiful style.Old door lock in beautiful style.

    Beautiful door locks

  • Old door with a beautiful hinge.Old door with a beautiful hinge.

    1928

    At Sixten Nilsson's proposal, the entire shareholding was acquired by a consortium led by bank director Jacob Wallenberg. At the same time, the entire share capital in AB Priorverken, Sweden's then second largest manufacturer of hinges, was acquired.

  • Old picture of stock view of stock of wooden boxes in ASSA's factory.Old picture of stock view of stock of wooden boxes in ASSA's factory.

    Wooden boxes ready to be sent out

  • 1930-1933

    In 1930, GKN (Guest Keen and Nettlefods Ltd), England acquires August Stenman AB. In 1932, the first safety committee is formed.

  • 1935-1938

    Uddeholm AB's screw production was acquired in 1935. Exports gained momentum and in 1938 about 80% of August Stenman AB's production was exported to customers all over the world.

  • Cardboard boxes with yellow thumbtacks from Aug. Stenman AB.Cardboard boxes with yellow thumbtacks from Aug. Stenman AB.

    1939

    Manufacture of locks started when K.S. Thulins Lås & Metallfabrik in Eskilstuna was purchased. In the same year, production of staples in specially manufactured machines was also started.

  • 1946

    The first locking system built on 5-pin cylinders was delivered. From this year:

    • 150,000 Assa functional safety systems have been delivered, containing more than 9 million cylinders.
    • Assa has delivered its security systems to more than 18 countries.
    • Chose the greatest builders Assa for their major constructions in the world.
  • Picture of referee club and classic ASSA key from 1947.Picture of referee club and classic ASSA key from 1947.

    Classic ASSA key from 1947

  • Old picture from ASSA where locks and cylinders are mounted.Old picture from ASSA where locks and cylinders are mounted.

    Assembly of cylinders and locks was for a long time all manual work

  • 1947

    Sixten Nilsson resigned as CEO and was replaced by his son Sture Nilsson. AB Svenska Låsfabriken, which manufactured padlocks, is acquired. The same year Aug. Stenman AB is the first company in the world to manufacture 7-pin cylinders and included in Aug. Stenman AB's motto: "Locks must be precision machined in large series with tight tolerances with requirements for 100% security".

  • Sketch overview of an early locking system from ASSA that shows cylinders and keys in the system.Sketch overview of an early locking system from ASSA that shows cylinders and keys in the system.

    An early locking system

  • 1949-1950

    In 1949, the production of screws was transferred from Hagfors to the factory in Eskilstuna. The following year, the subsidiary Stenmanlagret AB was formed in Stockholm with purpose to offer service on locking systems and warehousing of the company's products.

  • Old picture taken in the dining room in ASSA's factory in Eskilstuna.Old picture taken in the dining room in ASSA's factory in Eskilstuna.

    1951

    In 1951, August Stenman AB was the first company in Sweden to introduce a 5-day week. In the same year, license production of Assa keys was started and introduced.

  • Historical picture from production in ASSA's old factories.Historical picture from production in ASSA's old factories.

    1952-1955

    Rudolf Koreska sold Denmark's largest lock factory A / S Ruko to August Stenman AB in 1952. In 1955, Tekaverken AB was acquired, which manufactured building fittings.

  • Volvo PV from the 1960s with lock from ASSA.Volvo PV from the 1960s with lock from ASSA.

    1959-1961

    In 1959, August Stenman AB introduced control-registered system numbers on its keys. The same year, the company's engineering school was started. In 1961, the very first car locks were delivered to Volvo, which were available on the PV model, among other things.

  • 1962-1963

    In 1962, the first car locks in systems were delivered to Saab cars. In the same year, Stenman Holland B V was acquired, which manufactured hinges and fittings. The following year, locks became the largest product group, larger than forging and screws, respectively, and AB Ermex with the subsidiary Östmark's lock factory from LM Ericsson was taken over.

  • Historical picture from modern toilet rooms in ASSA's factories in Eskilstuna.Historical picture from modern toilet rooms in ASSA's factories in Eskilstuna.

    1967

    Aug. Stenman AB changes name to Assa-Stenman AB. The Ermex business moved from Solna to Lycksele. Assa-Stenman AB is gaining a lot of attention for its nationwide screw campaign.

  • 1970-1974

    In 1970, the product group locks become larger than all other product groups combined. A few years later, in 1974, Assa-Stenman launches the first approved double lock, cylinder and tumbler lock in one.

  • Picture taken in ASSA's switchboard at the time when the telephone operators connected the calls with cables.Picture taken in ASSA's switchboard at the time when the telephone operators connected the calls with cables.

    Operators in ASSA's switchboard that connects the calls correctly

  • ASSA's first mini catalog from 1975.ASSA's first mini catalog from 1975.

    1975 ASSA's first mini catalog is released

  • The Twin concept was launched in 1981

  • 1977-1980

    Assa-Stenman AB moves the office to the same building as the factory on Kungsgatan, the current premises in 1977. The following year, the screw production is sold to Hillerstorp. In 1980, the electric lock was introduced, as well as a completely new lock cylinder.

  • 1981 we turn 100 years old!

    An eventful year marked the 100th anniversary. The Assa-Twin concept and the electronic hotel lock 6767 are launched. Assa-Stenman now sells 80% of sales in Sweden. The subsidiary Assa High Security (Assa Inc), USA was formed.

  • 1984

    The approved apartment lock Assa 2000, "The Swedes' new doorman" is launched. The lock was launched as "The only front door lock you need" and made a big impact on the market.

  • 1986 the year we became Assa AB

    Hevea & Carnegie, which also owns Securitas, acquires Assa-Stenman. The same year the company changes its name to Assa AB, formed by the initials in August Stenman's name.

  • At the office

  • ASSA Twintronic was launched in the 1990s.ASSA Twintronic was launched in the 1990s.

    ASSA Twintronic

  • 1987-1988

    The subsidiary Assa Ltd, England is formed in 1987. Securitas AB acquires the Assa Group and Assa Industrilås is formed, later Assa Industri AB. In 1988, Assa AB became the third company in Sweden to be ISO 9001 certified. This year, the subsidiary Assa Oy is formed in Finland.

  • 1991-1993

    Assa Locktronic and Assa Twin Combi System are introduced to the market. in 1991 and 1993, the Assa Locktronic and Assa Twin Combi System hit the market. In 1993, Assa Portuguesa Ltd. is also acquired.

  • 1994 The ASSA ABLOY Group is formed

    The ASSA ABLOY Group is formed through the merger of Securitas and Metras Oy's lock operations Assa and Abloy. Fas, Ruko, Assa Ltd and Assa Inc another group affiliation. Assa Balt (Eesti) is acquired.

  • 1994-1995

    Design becomes a serious part of Assa's hallmark when the Epoch series is presented. A completely new series of prints that reflect different eras from Swedish building history. New European standards for evacuation fittings will also be Swedish standards. Assa launches its panic rule Assa 1125 and the emergency evacuation accessory Assa 179.

  • Exclusive handles from ASSA with Italian inspiration from the mid-1990s.Exclusive handles from ASSA with Italian inspiration from the mid-1990s.

    Exclusive handles from ASSA with Italian inspiration

  • The CLIQ key and CLIQ cylinder were launched in 2001.The CLIQ key and CLIQ cylinder were launched in 2001.

    The CLIQ electromechanical key and CLIQ cylinder were launched in 2001

  • 1998-2001

    Assa AB is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. Assa introduces Miralloy, a nickel-proof surface treatment for door fittings. Meets the strict European requirements for nickel-tested products. ASSA ABLOY Scandinavia, now ASSA ABLOY EMEA, acquires AKI Låsgrossisten. ASSA acquires Timelox AB.

  • ASSA ABLOY participates in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002.ASSA ABLOY participates in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002.

    Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002

    ASSA ABLOY participates in the Volvo Ocean Race, awareness of the group is skyrocketing among millions of people around the world.

  • 2004-2005

    ASSA AB acquires TT-system, manufacturer of cabinets for key handling and medicine handling. The following year, the company changed its name to Assa Key Solutions. ASSA AB, Solid AB and Timelox AB merge their marketing departments to be able to offer customers customized solutions under the motto "Everything from hinges to access control systems".

  • ASSA's 125th anniversary celebration had a special logo.ASSA's 125th anniversary celebration had a special logo.

    2006

    • ASSA AB turns 125 years old.
    • A completely new mechanical locking platform is launched, ASSA dp.
    • Solid AB will become a business unit within Assa AB.
  • Historical images from ASSA's factory are a document from Swedish industrial history.Historical images from ASSA's factory are a document from Swedish industrial history.

    125 years of Swedish industrial history

  • A man walks with a box with ASSA ABLOY's CLIQ logo on it.A man walks with a box with ASSA ABLOY's CLIQ logo on it.

    CLIQ has had its distinctive logo since its inception.

  • 2007-2008

    In 2007 a new logo is combined with ASSA ABLOY, ASSA 3000 first electronic lock for the home, Fix and Assa Industri Dp locking system is launched and ASSA OEM is formed by FAS.

    In 2008 both Aperio and Code Handle is launched. TimeLox and Copiax is acquired.

  • 2010-2013

    2010

    • D12 is launched

    2011

    • Yale Doorman launches

    2013

    • Pando is launched, Aptus is acquired
  • TRAKA key management.TRAKA key management.

    2014-2015

    In 2014 WP padlock is launched, Traka is acquired.

    In 2015 Titon and Neptune locking systems launched, ASSA sponsors STCC.

  • 2018 ASSA AB changes name

    In 2018, ASSA AB changed its name to adapt our organization to continue building a clearer Scandinavian structure with a leading brand - all to give our customers and partners an even higher value.

  • Successful name change

  • Sharelock, a lock with two cylinders from ASSA ABLOY in Sweden.Sharelock, a lock with two cylinders from ASSA ABLOY in Sweden.

    ASSA ABLOY SHARELOCK is launched in 2020

    With these locks in the property, keys from different locking systems can be used in one and the same lock.

  • New smart locks

    Smart locks Yale Doorman L3 and Linus are launched and like Yale Doorman Classic - formerly V2N. And ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions turns 140 years old!

  • ASSA ABLOY Pulse is launched in 2021ASSA ABLOY Pulse is launched in 2021

    2021 comes PULSE

    ASSA ABLOY PULSE digital key has no batteries but generates electricity through use.

  • Man in a signal vest goes in ASSA ABLOY's new premises in Eskilstuna during construction.Man in a signal vest goes in ASSA ABLOY's new premises in Eskilstuna during construction.

    New premises in 2021

    ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions is building new premises in Eskilstuna and a modern and bright building is being taken into use.