Interlock - The story so far...
1961 – Interlock Group was founded by Ron Davis, a part-time inventor, and Young Bros. Builders Ltd, a local building company in Breaker Bay, Wellington, New Zealand.
1964 – On 22 October the company expanded in the local market. Its company name was changed to Interlock Industries Limited – The company was manufacturing unique casement stays, door latches and window seals.
1966 - 67 – The sealed nylon bearing for use with friction stays was developed which provided a market breakthrough. The company began to grow rapidly.
1968 – First licensing arrangement for manufacture in Australia issued.
By 1970 exports to the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand & South America firmly established.
1972 - 73 - New Zealand experienced a building boom and Interlock was by that time the sole manufacturer and supplier of friction stays into the New Zealand market. Both domestic and exports sales continued to grow rapidly.
1976 - 78 - Export growth continued to expand with forays into new markets – notably Japan. This was recognised by Interlock winning the New Zealand Export Award.
1981 – 85 - the company witnessed rapid growth in sales and continued to expand through the formation of two joint venture companies, Interlock Securicraft Ltd and Interlock Hardware Developments Ltd, that collectively formed a manufacturing presence in Auckland. In 1982 Interlock was awarded the Mobil Premier Export Award.
1986 – An economic crisis hit the country fuelled by the high value of the New Zealand Dollar. Interlock saw its profits and cash flow diminish as a result. This lead to a revolutionary re-organisation resulting in a flatter management structure and a new emphasis on quality, innovation, and continuous improvements focused on productivity. Interlock won the Prince Philip Industrial Design Award.
1988 - Interlock diversified with the purchase of the Australasian activities of the UK firm P C Henderson (NZ) Ltd; followed by the purchase and merger of two Auckland companies – Architectural Joinery Components Ltd and Hardware Developments Ltd. These two were formed into one company – Interlock Hardware Developments Limited.
1991 - Interlock Group entered into a joint venture to purchase a UK company that enabled an entry point into the EEC under the new regulations from 1992.
1992 – Interlock won the NZ Trade Development Board/Air NZ Award for Overall Excellence in Exporting.
Interlock continued its acquisitions with the acquisition of 50% of M J Baber & Co Ltd - a successful security product distributor to retail companies.
1997 – Stuart Young, founding joint managing director of Interlock Group, was awarded the Walter L Hurd Medal for advancing the quality movement in Asia-Pacific and in recognition of Interlock’s success based on Quality, Innovation and Teamwork.
M J Baber & Co Ltd moved to Interlock’s Albany site and the name was changed to Interlock Distributors.
Interlock Group opens a sales and distribution outlet in Sydney, Australia.
1998 - The Asian slowdown required significant focus on redeveloping the balance of Interlock Group’s export markets.
1999 - A bumper year for Interlock Group with export sales to the US, Japan and Australia going very well, coupled with a buoyant local market.
2001 - As of 01 November 2001, the shareholders sell the trading assets of Interlock Limited to ASSA ABLOY AB. The existing management team and valued employees continue to trade as Interlock Group. The change in ownership unlocks marketing and technological opportunities on an international scale. Interlock also continues to expand in New Zealand through a share purchase in Window Maintenance Network Franchise Group, now trading as Exceed Window Maintenance.
2004 - 1st January 2004, Interlock Group is fully rebranded as ASSA ABLOY. The Interlock brand becomes a product brand , alongside other ASSA ABLOY brands such as Lockwood and Whitco. The Interlock logo is modernised and begins to appear on product.
ASSA ABLOY – the story continues ….
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