Assa Abloy

Assa Abloy was formed in 1994, through the merger of Swedish firm assa and Finnish high security lock manufacturer Abloy.[10] The company was introduced to the Stockholm Stock Exchange later the same year.[11]

From a regional company with 4,700 employees in 1994, Assa Abloy has become a global group with 48,500 employees in 2018.[12] The company has increased its operating income by 7000% since its formation and operates now in over 70 countries.[13]

Revenue in 2018 was SEK 84, 048 M.[14]

Assa Abloy has five divisions: EMEA (operates in Europe, the Middle East and Africa), Americas (operates in the U.S.and Canada), APAC (operates in Asia and Oceania), Global Technologies and Entrance Systems.

Assa Abloy has had the following Presidents and CEOs:

• 1994–2003: Carl-Henric Svanberg
• 2003–2005: Bo Dankis
• 2005–2018: Johan Molin
• 2018–present: Nico Delvaux

Source:[15]

Assa Abloy has five main competitors in its segment: Allegion (Republic of Ireland), Stanley Black & Decker (United States), Dormakaba (Switzerland), Hager (United States) and Hörmann (Germany). All are strong locally on their home markets, and also have an international presence. The Asian market holds many smaller competitors, none of which hold a dominant market share.[16]

In May 1999, the acquisition of Effeff Fritz Fuss[17] in Germany enables Assa Abloy to enter the electromechanical lock market. Assa Abloy also acquires Mul-T-Lock in Israel, a manufacturer of high security locks.[18] Assa Abloy doubles in size in 2000, when it acquires the global lock group Yale Intruder Security.[19] In the same year, Assa Abloy acquires HID, adding electronic identification to its product portfolio.[20]

In April 2002, Assa Abloy Group acquired Besam, a Swedish company specialized in automatic pedestrian doors.[21] Another important acquisition for the group was Fargo Electronics, a company which develops systems for safe issuing of credit, bank, debit and ID cards.[22] This was followed by other acquisitions such as Baodean in China and Irevo in South Korea in 2007.[23]

In 2009, the Italian door automation manufacturer, Ditec,[24] was bought. Important acquisitions were also made in September 2011, with the purchase of Crawford and Flexiforce.[25] A number of purchases followed in 2012. The group acquired Albany Door Systems, a manufacturer of high speed industrial doors.[26] November 2013 came with the purchase of the Polish fire and security door manufacturer Mercor SA,[27] Ameristar USA,[28] and Amarr.[29]

In February 2020, Assa Abloy acquired the UK-based, 140-strong biometric access and workforce management technology business, Biosite.[30]

The company is a Corporate Partner in the Stockholm School of Economics partner program for companies that contribute financially to the college and works closely with regard to research and education.[31] In October 2015, Assa Abloy joined as partner to KTH Royal Institute of Technology’s Things, a start up hub for companies in the Internet-of-things sector.[32]

• 2013 – Ranked #78 on Forbes' list of the World's Most Innovative Companies[33]
• 2014 – Ranked #93 on Forbes' list of the World's Most Innovative Companies[34]
• 2016 – Again present on Forbes' list of the World's Most Innovative Companies[35]
• 2016 – DWM Green Award[36]
• 2017 – Ranked #80 on Forbes' list of Top Multinational Performers[37]
• 2018 – Ranked #78 on Forbes' list of the World's Most Innovative Companies[38]
• 2019 – Gold winner in ‘Excellent Brands – Building and Elements’ at the German Brand Awards 2019[39]