Figure 2. Pictured here is a Bauer double- bitted European bit key. 8” was created — the world’s first revers- ible dimple key! This international revo- lutionary concept was a true milestone at the time and is still the basis for Kaba’s current, but more sophisticated, dimple key designs. The world followed. Kaba High Security Locks is Born In 1968, the first sales and production operations were established out of Swit- zerland, Austria and England, and a joint venture with Japan began in 1974. It was in 1978 that Kaba acquired the Lori Corporation in Southington, CT, which introduced Kaba to the United States. There, they established Kaba High Se- curity Locks Corporation. It was during this time that the Gem- ini line became popular institutionally. When security became a concern, Kaba was an answer. This particular interest in Gemini was based on its dimple key and multiple-row cylinder design. Back in Zurich, the founding locale, the property located at Nordstrasse 25 was sold aſter a fire in 1981. One year later, the older Kaba factory in Wetzikon, Swit- zerland was also sold. But in 1984, the European market would see the launch of the Kaba Nova, the world’s first me- chatronic locking system. As expansion continued, in 1986 the first Kaba-owned company was established in Germany. Two years later, a new Kaba production site was inaugurated in Tiverton, Eng- land, while the sale of the former London site was completed. Returning our focus to America, it was WWW.ALOA.ORG in 1991 that Kaba decided to sell standard lock production at the Lori operation, and the American subsidiary was then renamed Kaba High Security Locks, Inc. It was also in 1991 that a U.S. patent was granted on a new and ingenious key that contained “peaks,” necessary to activate a related locking cylinder. It was then that the birth of “affordable high security” took place. Patented key control focus- ing on preventing unauthorized key du- plication coupled with patented — and affordable— high security cylinders be- came a trend across the country. Finally, a company addressed the needs for key control and high security needs in a cost- effective manner. With the inclusion of retrofitability, Kaba has become one of the market leaders in high security solu- tions for end users. focused in this direction, which includes combining strengths in locking technol- ogies, access control and high security doors. In 2001, Kaba acquired The Uni- can Group. The merging of these access control industry leaders has resulted in the creation of a truly worldwide provider of access solutions. Ilco-Unican is now Kaba-Ilco Corp. Now in the new millennium, Kaba locking systems are available in nearly all industrial countries throughout the world in the standard sizes and formats. Needless to say, Kaba is a market leader in Switzerland as well as a leading manu- facturer in other parts of Europe. Kaba Peaks Line — Reengineered Figure 3. In 1991, a U.S. patent was granted on a new and ingenious key that contained “peaks,” necessary to activate a related locking cylinder. Outside the United States, Kaba also maintains a network of factories in Swit- zerland, Japan, Austria, England, France, Germany, Malaysia, Spain and Sweden. Sales reps are even more widespread and are also in countries such as China, Fin- land, Hungary, India, Israel, Russia, Af- rica and Australia. In 1992, Kaba created in its corporate business plan a concept of “total access.” This means that all of their service and product development efforts are being Even today, all of Kaba’s locking systems are still based upon the original, yet still extremely accurate system with supe- rior technology and the highest preci- sion. Mike Phillips, CRL, Kaba’s prod- uct manager for cylinders, has been in charge of re-engineering the entire Kaba Peaks line throughout 2015 and shared the details of these enhancements. Their goal: To ensure that the cylinders and keys continue to work smoothly with unparalleled precision. To that end, both Peaks Classic and Preferred have been enhanced with additional design and manufacturing improvements for better functionality and increased longevity. Within the small format cores, the Clas- sic 3800, 6800, and the Preferred 8800 (capped) and 8900 (spring cover) have been redesigned for increased longev- ity and for improved key insertion and retraction. This promotes easy combi- nating for the locksmith and smooth op- eration for the end user. The older 6800 and 8900 (spring cover) zinc cylinders are now manufactured from solid brass. This increases longevity and improves key insertion and retraction. SEPTEMBER 2016 KEYNOTES 41
