Yale is one of the oldest international brands in the world and one of the best-known names in the locking industry. Yale's history captures major innovations that have marked the evolution not just of Yale, but of the entire locking industry.
Beginnings
Yale has its roots in colonial America. The Yale family decided to emigrate to the New World from North Wales. A few generations later, about 1840, Linus Yale Sr., began designing and manufacturing a series of innovative, high-security locks at his Yale Lock Shop in Newport, New York. He specialized in expensive, handmade bank locks.
Pioneer innovations
Linus Yale Sr.'s son joined his father in the business in 1850 and perfected and patented his father's pin tumbler cylinder lock and became the considered locking expert of his time. In 1862, Yale Jr. introduced the Monitor Bank Lock, marking the transition in bank locks from key locks to dial or combination locks. The principles, embodied in his Monitor Lock, are now standard in combination locks throughout the USA.
Yale Jr.
Yale Jr. was also experimenting with a lock based on a mechanism first employed by the ancient Egyptians over 4,000 years ago. Granted patents in 1861 and 1865, Yale finally succeeded in creating his most important invention – the Yale cylinder lock. Linus Yale Jr. transformed the locking industry forever with his many breakthrough inventions.
Worldwide expansion
Relying on Yale patents, Yale’s sterling name, and sheer ingenuity, Yale Jr. and his colleague Henry Towne established the Yale & Towne company in 1868, at the time employing 35 people.
The company grew and broadened its scope with manually operated chain hoists, battery powered platform trucks and in 1879 a line of padlocks was introduced. Yale & Towne purchased Norton door closer company and H. and T. Vaughan Ltd.
In the early 20th century, the company expanded worldwide and employed more than 12,000 people. Throughout the 20th century, purchases, acquisitions, and joint ventures with brands as Guli, Chubb Locks, Parkes, and C E Marshall have made Yale locks well-known worldwide.
In August 2000 Yale was purchased by the ASSA ABLOY Group and in May 2010, ASSA ABLOY also acquired Paddock, which has very strong synergies with Yale, as the largest manufacturer, and market leader, in the supply of multipoint locks.
Paddock
Paddock was originally established in 1978 and was initially founded to fabricate aluminum and manufacture basic hardware products.
Since then, a continuous product enhancement programme, together with acquisitions including Willenhall Engineering Ltd, Madeley & Glaze (Toolmakers) Ltd, and Millenco Hardware Ltd, has seen the company’s range evolve to include all major products and manufacturing services for the door and window hardware industry.
Paddock Fabrications currently employs 240 staff, engaged in part of the complete manufacture and support services process from receipt of raw materials through manufacturing and assembly to warehousing and dispatch.
Multipoint locks for doors, windows, patios, handles, hinges, and letterboxes are all produced on-site using the latest manufacturing technology.
The Paddock product range, new and existing, together with the sales team now acts as a combined base for generating sales of Yale’s mechanical and digital lock offerings.
The Future
As part of the ASSA ABLOY group, this new relationship forms an integral part of the global leader in door opening solutions and continues to support and develop growth in products and services, suitable for home and international markets.