Decades of Innovation: ASSA ABLOY’s Electromechanical Security Pioneers the Future of Smart Access Control

For over 90 years, ASSA ABLOY has stood at the forefront of electromechanical locking technology, continuously revolutionizing how buildings are secured. From the seminal effeff electric strike patented in 1932 to Abloy’s high-security electric locks developed in 1978, this journey represents a profound evolution, merging trusted engineering with seamless digital connectivity to forge safer, smarter, and more efficient building management systems.

Today, cutting-edge electromechanical devices are fundamentally transforming the security landscape. Their integrated intelligence facilitates reliable communication between doors and central systems, enabling remote operation and delivering invaluable data insights. This empowers facilities managers with unprecedented levels of control and convenience, eliminating the need for physical presence at every opening.

“When ASSA ABLOY´s effeff brand patented their first electric strike in 1932, it set a new standard for intelligent building security,” explains Julian Riester, Director & Head of Product Unit eStrikes & egress at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “Electromechanical locking and opening were born. Doors became electrically controlled and remote operation was a new reality. We have continued innovating and setting new standards for this technology ever since.”

Electric strikes are compact, highly reliable electromechanical devices designed to seamlessly upgrade existing mechanical locks. They enable controlled, remote unlocking and integrate effortlessly with intercoms, access control systems, and other digital platforms. Discreetly mounted within the door frame, they offer smarter, more flexible entry solutions. For installers, OEMs, and resellers, these devices present an attractive proposition due to their easy integration, broad application versatility, stringent certifications, and high customer demand, making them simple to specify, sell, and deploy across a vast array of commercial and multi-residential buildings.

Effeff electric strikes are renowned for their universal fit and long-term reliability. Offering more than 10,000 strike and latch-plate combinations, alongside customized solutions for specialized environments, they deliver trusted security. This commitment is underpinned by rigorous DIN-certified and TÜV-audited production, high holding forces, extensive cycle testing, and durable components engineered for harsh or high-frequency conditions. Their compact, installer-friendly design ensures fast, clean, and cable-free integration into almost any door, supported by adjustable alignment, sustainable EPD-verified construction, and low power consumption for optimal energy efficiency.

Extending the applications for electromechanical locking

The pioneering e-strike technology laid the essential groundwork for modern electromechanical locking. Building on this, ASSA ABLOY’s ABLOY brand further advanced the field in the late 1970s by embedding electricity and intelligence deep within the door leaf. This innovation significantly enhanced mechanical security, meeting demanding regulatory and architectural requirements worldwide.

ABLOY Electric Locks are globally trusted for their adherence to the highest security and compliance standards, delivering a premium door experience even in challenging, high-traffic, or high-security environments. These intelligent locks integrate seamlessly with access control, alarm, and comprehensive building-management systems, making every door controllable and enhancing functionality, efficiency, and real-time awareness across complex security ecosystems.

“The long service life of our electric locks gives building managers the peace of mind that comes with products designed for maximum reliability,” adds Mika Savolainen, Director & Head of Product Line Management ELMECH PU at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “These locks are backed by ASSA ABLOY’s global network of experience and expertise. They have proven performance over decades in a whole range of access control environments.”

Designed with concealed installation, architectural flexibility, sustainability, and low energy consumption in mind, ABLOY electric locks offer a durable, future-proof, and aesthetically pleasing solution for both new constructions and retrofits. This includes critical applications such as emergency escape doors, meeting stringent EN179 and EN1125 standards.

ABLOY boasts one of the widest electric-lock ranges on the market, providing premium single- and multi-point solutions that fit virtually any door, sector, or security requirement, while ensuring seamless retrofit and unparalleled design flexibility.

ASSA ABLOY’s extensive portfolio of e-strikes and electric locks forms part of a broader suite of digital access solutions. This comprehensive offering brings intelligent, secure, and seamlessly integrated electromechanical locking capabilities to virtually any building type, including multi-residential complexes, healthcare facilities, offices, manufacturing plants, educational institutions, public infrastructure, and critical facilities.

To learn more about ASSA ABLOY’s pioneering Electric and Electromechanical Access technologies, visit: https://www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/stories/access-stories/elmech-awareness