History
The unique ABLOY lock and key was invented in 1907 by Emil Henriksson, an office machinery mechanic in Helsinki, Finland. While repairing a cash register, he realised that the rotating cylindrical disks of the machine were eminently suitable for use as a lock mechanism.
The first locks went on sale two years later and lock production at Ab Låsfabriken – Lukkotehdas Oy began in 1918. The name ABLOY is formed from the letters of this company’s name.
Company history
| 1907 |
Emil Henriksson invents the detainer disc cylinder. |
| 1918 |
Ab Låsfabriken Lukkotehdas Oy (="Ab Lukko Oy") established. Industrial manufacture of ABLOY locks begins. |
| 1920’s |
ABLOY trademark registered around the world |
| 1924 |
The first ABLOY importers agreement to Denmark |
| 1928 |
Avainkeskus Oy, the first locksmiths shop to become ABLOY Authorized later on, was established in Helsinki |
| Late 1950’s |
Creation of an ABLOY service network covering whole Finland started |
| 1960 |
ABLOY locksmith schooling started |
| 1968 |
Joensuu Factory established, production relocated from Helsinki to Joensuu |
| 1977 |
Wärtsilä acquires Björkboda factory. |
| 1982 |
Wärtsilä acquires Anchor Eskilstuna Ab in Sweden. |
| 1988 |
Wärtsila acquires Primo Oy. |
| 1990 |
Abloy Oy commences operation. |
| 1994 |
Abloy Oy becomes part of the ASSA ABLOY Group. |
| 1997 |
Abloy Oy builds a new door-closer factory. |
| 2007 |
ABLOY turns 100 years! |
Product Evolution
| 1919 |
Emil Henriksson obtained a patent for the detainer disc cylinder. |
| 1934 |
Manufacture of ABLOY door closers started. |
| 1950’s |
New large key (pre-stage of ABLOY PROFILE) launched |
| 1964 |
ABLOY padlock achieved 2 gold medals on an international inventors’ exhibition |
| 1976 |
ABLOY PROFILE key and locking system was launched. |
| 1978 |
The first ABLOY motor locks were launched. |
| 1980 |
The first ABLOY door automatics were launched. |
| 1987 |
The infrared operated locking systems, ABLOY CONTROL and COMBISEC, were launched. |
| 1990 |
The first key management program, ABLOY WAHTI, was introduced. |
| 1992 |
ABLOY DISKLOCK PRO key and locking system was launched in exports and in Finland. |
| 1994 |
ABLOY EXEC key and locking system was launched. |
| 1997 |
New door closer factory was taken into operation. |
| 2001 |
ABLOY PROTEC launched |
| 2003 |
Electromechanical ABLOY IQ locking system based on CLIQ technology was launched. |
| 2006 |
Electromechanical ABLOY SMARTDISC and ABLOY PROTEC CLIQ locking systems were launched. |
| 2009 |
ABLOY SENTO key and locking system was launched. |