Posted by on 5/31/2021 to

Kwikset, an American lock, and lockset manufacturer was founded in California in 1946 by Adolf Schoepe and Karl Rhinehart. They revolutionized residential lock design by pioneering a tubular lock named "Kwikset," to underscore how speedy and easy its installation was. Within two years, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility was built to meet the post-war housing boom needs for a fast, dependable, and easily installed lockset.

In 1957, Kwikset became a subsidiary of American Hardware Corporation (AHC) of New Britain, CT. AHC is a leader amidst the industrial lockset industry, allowing Kwikset to forge further ahead and focus on the growing needs of the residential market, which in turn propelled Kwikset to become the number one manufacturer of residential locksets that continues to this day.

Just one year after 1957, Kwikset introduces its legendary "K," key design and followed with yet another revolutionary plastic coating to protect its exceptional brass and bronze finished locksets. By the 1960s, Kwikset continued to be a trendsetter by creating point-of-purchase merchandisers and introducing a new key kit for all their locks. After 40 years of leading the market in 1992, Kwikset pushed the envelope by developing a higher-quality, higher security Titan product line. Six years later, Kwikset Titan introduces a remote keyless entry deadbolt and handleset that became the benchmark for this innovation of convenience-centered security.

From 1998 and onwards, Kwikset remained dedicated to the further improvement and perfection of their sophisticated and distinct locksets, branching out into more creative and decorative designs while simultaneously adding technological advances to their keyless system, adding a wireless keypad and remote lighting.

2007 saw Kwikset introducing the first SmartScan™, a biometric-based security technology, removing the need for a key or keycode entirely. This year also marked the launch of Smartkey® and Bumpguard™, allowing the re-keying of locks quickly and easily without removing them from doors.

From 2007 until today, Kwikset remains the industry's most innovative and technologically advanced lockset manufactures. For over 70 years, Kwikset continues to set the standards for high quality, reliable and durable protection for both businesses and residential properties alike.