Innovation

Our past, present and future

If there’s one word that describes our company, it’s innovation.

We were founded on one man’s innovation. We’ve remained a leader for over 100 years because of continued innovation in both product design and manufacturing processes. And our vision for the future is one rooted in innovating how security is viewed and experienced on a daily basis.

SFIC

Born from a commitment

Surprisingly, the small format interchangeable core (SFIC) wasn’t initially well received. One manufacturer said that there would never be a market for the SFIC because it was too complex and intricate to manufacture. Undeterred, the Best Universal Co. was formed in order to build the necessary machines to manufacture SFICs—machines so advanced at the time that they were used until the mid-1980s. That innovation—born from a commitment to find the best possible solution—remains part of the DNA at BEST. From the products we design, to the way we manufacture them, to the installation and service we provide, everything we do is the result of our determination to find a better way to serve the markets and people who use our products. That innovative spirit guides our future as well. Entrenched in the foundation that the SFIC laid all those years ago, BEST is designing and developing the next generation of security products—ones certain to transform how we think about security, just like the interchangeable core did a century ago.

THE RESULT WAS THE FIRST SMALL FORMAT INTERCHANGEABLE CORE AND THE FOUNDATION OF TODAY’S INDUSTRY APPROACH TO MASTERKEYING.

The BEST Timeline:

1919

The small format interchange core is invented, a patent application is filed for the first interchangeable core lock.

1920

BEST Lock Company is founded in Seattle, Washington.

1921

The first patent is issued.

1923

BEST Universal Lock Co., a separate manufacturing company, is formed.

1925

The first production of padlocks occurs.

1938

The company relocates to the Midwest in downtown Indianapolis.

1958

The company moves to its present 50-acre location on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

1970s

The company starts investing in developing its own mortise and cylindrical locks.

1985

Automated manufacturing lines began, increasing production from 5,000 to 10,000 cores daily.

1996

The company changes its name to BEST Access Systems to reflect the broader security focus.

1997

Worldwide sales exceed $135 million.

1998 – 2000

BEST Access Systems purchases all independent sales offices, ensuring a true national footprint in the industry.

2002

Stanley Security purchases BEST Access Systems.

2013

BEST moves to a dedicated distribution model instead of selling direct to end users.

2017

dormakaba acquires STANLEY Security’s mechanical division to form BEST Access Solutions, Inc.

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